Dialog Box

Our people

Meet our board of directors and PARF team working hard behind the scenes to help fund life-saving research, patient support initiatives, specialist equipment and staff education at the PA Hospital Campus.

Our Board Our Team 

Our Board

The PA Research Foundation board are responsible for the Foundation's policy-making and strategic decisions.



Prof Ruth McPhail

Board Chair, PA Research Foundation 


Helen Darch OAM 

Director, PA Research Foundation

Robert Bowen AO

Director,  PA Research Foundation

Dylys Bertelsen OAM

Director, PA Research Foundation

Dr Michael Cleary PSM

Director, PA Research Foundation

Derrick Vickers

Director, PA Research Foundation

Professor Stephen Lynch AC 

Director, PA Research Foundation

Sarah Black

Director, PA Research Foundation

Mary Steele

Director, PA Research Foundation


Janelle Manders

Director, PA Research Foundation

Arvin Datt

Board Director, PA Research Foundation

Board committees

Finance and risk committee

Derrick Vickers - Chair

Robert Bowen (AO)

Arvin Datt

Janelle Manders

Staff Representatives:  Damian Topp and Kerstin Petrick

Strategy and Engagement Committee

Prof Ruth McPhail - Chair

Dylys Bertelsen (OAM) 

Mary Steele

Helen Darch (OAM) 

Staff Representatives: Damian Topp and Simone Owens

Salary and Remuneration Committee

Robert Bowen (AO)

Dylys Bertelsen (OAM) 

Prof Ruth McPhail

PA Foundation Executive

Damian Topp

Chief Executive Officer



Carolyn Schuwalow 

Senior Philanthropy Manager

Simone Owens

Executive Manager – Individual Giving

Kerstin Petrick

Accounts Manager 





Our Team

PA Research Foundation’s  staff are responsible for the administration, marketing and raising of funds to help the Foundation achieve its goals.


Luke Cridland

Foundation Liaison

Emma Morony

Administration Support Officer

Zach Sandford

Administration Support Officer

Sandra McGinnis

Funding Program Lead

Michelle McNicholl

Quality and Improvement Manager

Ellen Dann

Community Partnerships Manager

Melissa Harmanis

Individual Giving Coordinator

Kathy Hill

Accounts Coordinator 


Melissa McMahon

Campaigns Manager

Joshua Paterson

Communications and Media Manager




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