Check out the great people working behind the scenes at Emerge Australia.

Our Ambassadors

A woman with ME/CFS in a pink jacket holding a bouquet of flowers.

Bloom

Emerge Australia welcomes recording artist Bloom as our newest Ambassador.  We are delighted to announce that Amanda Canzurlo, who uses the stage name of Bloom, has joined Emerge Australia as an Ambassador to help raise funds and awareness for ME/CFS at

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Kristan Oud

We proudly welcome Kristan Oud as an ambassador to Emerge Australia. Kristan’s journey with ME/CFS began in his first year of university. This left him confined to a darkened room, unable to see the sky or sunlight for nearly 7

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A woman with gray hair smiling in a white shirt and living with ME/CFS.

Tracey Spicer

Emerge Australia is thrilled to announce that Tracey Spicer, AM BBus(Comm) GAICD, has joined Emerge Australia in an ongoing ambassador role. Tracey is a multiple Walkley Award winning author, journalist and broadcaster who has anchored national programs for ABC TV

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Professor David Putrino

We are delighted to announce Professor David Putrino as an Emerge Australia Ambassador. David trained as a physiotherapist before completing a PhD in Neuroscience. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at the Icahn

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Sophie Scott OAM

We are delighted to announce Sophie Scott OAM as an Emerge Australia Ambassador. Sophie has a long career as an award-winning medical TV journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sophie is a professional speaker and educator with expertise in mental health

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Our Board

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Mark Clisby

Mark has worked in the Australian Public Service, Universities and NGOs for over 35 years, including as Deputy Director Human Resources at Flinders University, Director Human Resources at the Australian National University, Operations Director at Oxfam Australia and Director Research Services at La Trobe

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Martin Wilkinson

Director of Clinical Services – Outcome Health Martin has over 30 years’ experience working in the Australian and UK health systems. Martin started out as a Registered Nurse in the Victorian Public Hospital system before moving to the UK to

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Andrew Bretherton

A banking and finance lawyer with over 40 years experience. Andrew has acted for all major Australian banks, a number of foreign banks and other financial institutions. Committees – Finance & Risk sub-committee

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Nicolas Porter

Extensive experience in the roles of Finance Manager and Chief Financial Officer in the not-for-profit sector. Committees – Finance & Risk sub-committee

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Caitlin Phillips-Peddlesden

Caitlin’s career has spanned the international development, not-for-profit, and circular economy sectors. With experience in project design and management, partnerships, and monitoring, evaluation and learning, Caitlin works to help people, communities and organisations create positive change towards a more equitable and sustainable

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Rebecca Davey

CEO, Arthritis ACT since 2014. ​Rebecca has a background in nursing, as well as having worked with various other foundations

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Roseda Campbell

Roseda is a senior strategic leader, facilitator and speaker with over 15 years leadership experience across the healthcare, non-profit and government sector. Roseda is also a facilitator with Governance Institute of Australia(GIA). Roseda has a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Graduate

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Kerryn Simmons

I joined the Emerge Australia Board in 2023, because I wanted to give back to Emerge Australia and the ME/CFS community from the perspective of both my lived experience and the expertise I developed in my 30 plus year career

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Our Staff

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Anne Wilson

Anne Wilson commenced as CEO of Emerge Australia in June, 2021. Anne is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Managing

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Simone Eyssens

Simone has been working with Emerge Australia since 2018.  Simone lives with severe ME/CFS. Before becoming unwell, she worked as

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Laura Kool

Laura started with Emerge Australia in Operations in October 2021. Laura has degrees from both La Trobe University and the

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Fairley McPherson

Fairley joined Emerge Australia in July 2024.   Fairley holds a Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) and possesses a diverse professional background

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Kate Herbert

Kate joined the Emerge Australia team at the start of 2021 after completing honours by research with her topic being

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A woman in leopard print glasses wearing a black shirt advocates for mecfs.
Sarah Brown

Sarah first connected with Emerge Australia early in 2023 when we sought her advice on a tender. She is leading

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Our Volunteers

  • Jenny – Parliamentary Liaison Officer
  • Carol – Data Management
  • Amanda – Database support
  • Sarah, Shan, Solène, Jyothsna and Ryan   – Research Digest
  • Gretchen, Dave – Online Forum
  • John – Donor management
  • Adam, Liz, Deb, Susanne, Ella, Denise and Paula – Peer-to-peer support groups

Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee

  • Chair – Professor Paul Fisher – La Trobe University
  • Richard Schloeffel OAM
  • Dr Daniel Lewis Daniel Lewis Rheumatology Centre
  • Dr Mark Donohoe  – Mossman Integrative Medicine
  • Dr Chris Armstrong – University of Melbourne
  • Mark Clisby  – Emerge Australia Chair
  • Anne Wilson – CEO Emerge Australia
  • Dr Michelle Tavoletti – Research Manager Emerge Australia
  • Laura Allen – Patient Support & Information Service Manager Emerge Australia
  • Kate Herbert – Nurse Educator Emerge Australia
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