Our Team

A committed team of leaders and advocates championing women's empowerment through family planning and improved health and education outcomes for women and girls leading to healthier, more sustainable communities in the Asia Pacific region.

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Our Patron

Alice Arnott Oppen OAM

Alice is a former teacher of literature, past President Hunter’s Hill Trust, Fellow Australian Company Directors, served on Boards of Arnotts Ltd., ChildFund Australia, FP NSW, SH&FPA, Ethics Committee Cancer Council, editor, Anglican Parish of Hunter’s Hill, External Advisory Committee Dept. Government & International Relations, University of Sydney. Alice is a feminist, environmentalist and activist. Alice founded Women’s Plans in 2002, which was formalised into WPF in 2004.

Ambassadors

Prof Jill White AM

Professor Jill White (AM, RN, RM, BEd, MEd, PhD) is a highly accomplished nurse and midwife, Prof White is a Professor in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sydney. She was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia Medal (AM) in 2011 for her services to nursing and midwifery. Prof White is an advocate for better education in nursing and helped develop one of the first tertiary nursing programs in Australia. She currently focuses on international policy.

Hester Fraser (Goldheist)

A talented musician, Hester Fraser is the Ambassador of Women’s Plans Foundation. She has released an album, performed at Sydney’s VIVID Festival, and toured outback and regional NSW. Hester has also been a finalist in the Tamworth Country Music Festival for three years running and was the Winner of the People’s Choice Award in 2016. She has written "The Camellia Tree" in tribute to her grandfather, the late Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser, reflecting his humanitarian overseas aid focus.

Our Board

Jodie Rollason

BOARD CHAIR
Jodie is a nurse and lawyer and has a Masters in Commercial Litigation. She was principal Solicitor of a State Wide legal Service focussed on helping the disadvantaged. Bringing over 12 years’ experience in the Not-for-Profit Sector, Jodie is currently the CEO of MYST (Mountains Youth Services Team). With her passion for helping disadvantaged communities, Jodie thrives on advocacy and is committed to reducing social inequalities and systemic barriers to providing opportunities for the most vulnerable.

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Evan Oppen

TREASURER & DIRECTOR
Evan is a Chartered Accountant with a Master of Science degree and Post Grad Dip Accounting. He has worked as a Chartered Accountant for 14 years in public practices as well as 2 years at the Macular Disease Foundation Australia. He also has treasurer roles with the Sydney Community Forum and a small ski lodge. Evan has an interest in the Not-for-Profit sector
Dr. Penelope Fotheringham

DIRECTOR
Dr. Penelope Fotheringham, BMedSci, MBBS (Hons), MPH, MSc (ID) FRANZCOG, FAFPHM an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Public Health Physician working to understand and improve health systems through improving practitioner care.

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Carolyn Blanden

DIRECTOR
Mrs Blanden is the Principal of Warakirri College, a school for disadvantaged young people who are reconnecting with education. In addition to her 30 years experience in public and private sector education, Mrs Blanden has worked in the construction and finance industries, in resource development technology and in international education at tertiary level. Mrs Blanden is a committee member of the National Council of Women.

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Marianne Christmann

DIRECTOR
Marianne Christmann GAICD holds Master and Bachelor degrees in Law and a Bachelor degree in Science (Psychology). Marianne has led significant programs in Commonwealth and NSW State Government and worked for organisations such as the Personal Injury Commission, Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and Family Court/Federal Circuit Court. She has been a passionate advocate for women’s issues throughout her career.

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Sam Durland

DIRECTOR
Sam Durland, MSocSc, BE(Hons), is a Certified Management Consultant, a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Certified Executive Coach. Sam’s international development consulting work has taken him to more than 20 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and South America. He has held senior executive positions with private enterprise, statutory authorities and government departments in Australia and overseas. He has served on more than 20 boards of public and private companies, government bodies and non-government organisations.

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Arda Ergun

DIRECTOR
Arda Ergun GAICD is a driven leader; having gained extensive experience in Technology/SaaS and Management Consulting since her career began in 2011. Born and raised in Istanbul, she has lived and worked in Canada, The Netherlands and Australia. Arda holds a Bachelor of Business from York University, and an MBA Essentials program certificate from London School of Economics. She currently resides in Sydney and is the Regional Director, APAC Success Architects at Salesforce.

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Veronica Volfneuk

DIRECTOR
Veronica Volfneuk is a lawyer specialising in the pro bono, charities and not-for-profit space. She was previously the Pro Bono Coordinator at Clayton Utz in Melbourne, acting for low income and vulnerable people who cannot access Legal Aid, and for the not-for-profit organisations supporting them. She currently resides in Sydney, and is Legal Counsel at The Fred Hollows Foundation.

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Reena Rihan

BOARD OBSERVER
Reena Rihan, currently the Company Secretary and Manager of Governance and Legal at Opera Australia, has over a decade of experience in legal advisory and risk management roles. She completed her Master of Laws in Media Law and Intellectual Property at UNSW and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Economics from the University of Sydney. Prior to her current role, Reena was an Investigations Officer with the NSW Ombudsman and has served in various capacities at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Her expertise in governance and legal frameworks significantly enhances her contributions to Opera Australia and beyond.

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Our Team

Natalie Brandon

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION

Natalie has over 20 years’ experience in Finance, Client Services and Office Management. She spent her early part of her career working in London for Total Oil GB and Sotheby’s. When she returned to Australia she worked in the public, private and not for profit sectors. In her spare time, she ferries her two active children to sports training and events.

Sue Funnell

EVALUATION & RESEARCH

Sue worked for some 40 years as a program evaluator, designer, consultant and trainer. From 1999 to 2015 worked as a consultant in several developing countries for AusAID and with several United Nations Organisations (UNAIDS, UNCHS, UN Secretariat, UNDP representing Oceania on an international advisory panel) and World Bank. She served two terms as President of the Australasian Evaluation Society, was an inaugural Fellow of the Society and received several awards for excellence.