ABOUT US

Learn more about why the OCRF exists and our expertise in ovarian cancer research.

Our TEAM

The OCRF is Australia’s leading independent funder of ovarian cancer research. Our team is involved in significant community engagement, advocacy, awareness-raising, and major national campaigns, to meet our ambition of step-change in funds raised, and medical research undertaken, for all women, girls and people impacted by ovarian cancer.

Each day, we endeavour to live the OCRF’s values of Integrity, Ambition, Collaboration, Accountability and Heart.

We foster a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic team where everyone feels they belong.

Leadership Team

Robin Penty

Chief Executive Officer

Robin is the CEO of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, the largest independent funder of ovarian cancer research in Australia.

With expertise in community engagement, philanthropy, research translation, advocacy and partnerships, Robin has held key executive and leadership roles in several national not for profit organisations, government agencies, and respected cultural institutions. These include The Smith Family, Arts Centre Melbourne, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, University of Melbourne and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

Robin is a graduate of the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme at Said Business School in Oxford, and a CEO Mentor with Kilfinan Australia. She presents to national and international audiences about communications that engage people, change systems, and improve women’s participation and health.

Solly Fahiz

Chief Operating Officer

Solly brings his considerable experience to the team, as a not-for-profit executive and a skilled management and strategy consultant, as well as nearly a decade working in the highest levels of politics and government.

His near decade in politics included as Chief of Staff and Adviser to State and Federal Ministers, and as a Media Advisor to a State Premier.

Solly holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Melbourne Business School, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in International Relations from the ANU. Solly was awarded the Dean’s Letter of Commendation for Consulting for Social Impact during his MBA studies.

Avalee Weir

Senior Communications Director

Avalee Weir is an experienced senior executive and a natural communicator. She is a writer, storyteller, strategic thinker and leader with extensive experience across the consumer, corporate and not-for-profit sectors, gained in the UK and Australia.

For the past seven years she has led communications for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (VCCC Alliance), a major public health alliance of 10 major Victorian medical research, clinical and academic institutions working together to improve cancer outcomes for all Victorians. Prior to that she headed communications for major philanthropic institution, The Ian Potter Foundation, and held management roles in PR agencies and for The Body Shop International.

Avalee is passionate about using the power of strategic communications to deliver results and drive change. As a trusted member of senior leadership teams for the past 15 years, she is a creative problem solver with a track record of success achieving business and organisational goals, as well as developing strong, cohesive teams and working collaboratively with all stakeholders.

Georgie Herbert

Fundraising & Partnerships Director

Georgie comes to the OCRF from a career in the sporting industry, where she worked in corporate and community partnerships, licensing and events for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, she has complemented her work with study, most recently completing a Masters of Business (Marketing) and a Masters of Management (Sport Management).

Georgie has been known to the OCRF for many years, having passionately fundraised for ovarian cancer research since the late 2000’s after her mum, Mandy, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. With the help of her family, Mandy included, she established Mands’ Mob – an ever-growing team of fun-runners to participate in multi-charity events and raise funds for the OCRF between 2009 and 2017. When Mandy passed away in early 2017, Georgie and long-time family friend, Clint Stanaway, founded the Silver Lining Ride to honour both Mandy and friend Helen Hatzis who was lost to ovarian cancer just a few weeks earlier.

The growth of the Silver Lining Ride brought Georgie ever closer to the OCRF team such that when an opportunity to work with the Foundation in a full-time capacity arose, she jumped at it. She now leads the donor and partnerships team, overseeing community and corporate fundraising, philanthropy and new partnerships.

David Hunt

Research and Policy Director

David is passionate about impact and has an extensive background in conducting, managing, and translating high-quality research. He’s gained diverse experience in roles spanning psychosocial research, counselling, training, knowledge mobilisation and impact evaluation. Prior to joining OCRF, David was a Director at Nous Group, specialising in managing complex and sensitive evaluations of large-scale state and federal government initiatives.

Leading the research team at OCRF, David draws upon his varied experience to support and advocate for outstanding, impactful research, OCRF-funded or otherwise. He is committed to listening carefully to gain a deep understanding of different perspectives, determining the best course of action by asking the right people the right questions.

Consultations with and between people with lived experience, researchers and other collaborators have shown David that incredible things can happen when you bring people together. He believes that OCRF are quite unique in their opportunity to make this happen, and is committed to ensuring it continues.

Communications

Michelle Henderson

Corporate Communications and PR Lead

Michelle is a highly respected communications professional with expertise in medical research communications, particularly in cancer.

She has worked across several of Melbourne’s leading medical research institutes and collaborative health alliances, translating complex science into compelling stories that support the advancement of leading-edge treatments and improved patient care. These include the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance.

Previously, Michelle worked as a journalist, including with Australia’s national newswire, Australian Associated Press where she served as the organisation’s National Medical Correspondent.

Michelle is a committed advocate for equitable access to care and particularly women’s health, having lost a loved family member to gynaecological cancer. She has worked as a freelance writer for OCRF and held her own Frocktober fundraiser too!

Bernaba Balili

Digital Marketing Lead

Bernaba brings a decade of marketing experience to her role, having worked across a broad range of industries and markets in both B2B and B2C contexts. With a background in marketing, communications, digital media, and content creation, she has led strategic campaigns across Europe, Asia, and Australia. She is driven by the opportunity to apply her skills in a purpose-led environment, using creativity and data to make a tangible difference.

Motivated by a desire to contribute to meaningful change, Berny is passionate about aligning her professional expertise with causes that matter. She believes in the power of marketing not just to sell, but to educate, engage, and inspire action that leads to real-world impact.

Kate Grant

Communications and Partnerships Advisor

Kate brings extensive experience in marketing, communications, and public relations to her role as Communications Coordinator at the OCRF. Holding a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies and History) from Monash University and a Master of Global Media Communication from the University of Melbourne, she has a strong foundation in strategic storytelling and community engagement.

Motivated by a longstanding passion for women’s health and rights, Kate is deeply committed to changing outcomes for those impacted by ovarian cancer. Her expertise helps amplify the voices of the OCRF community, driving critical awareness and funding for life-saving research. Kate’s work reflects her dedication to empowering women and driving change in the outcomes of ovarian cancer.

Jemma Gomularz

Corporate Communications and PR Lead

(On maternity leave)

Jemma brings a strong background in communications, writing, content production and marketing, supported by a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) from Monash University. She combines creativity with analytical thinking, bridging storytelling with advocacy and science to make complex topics accessible and engaging.

She first encountered the impact of ovarian cancer through the White Shirt Campaign while working at Witchery as Junior Art Director where she led communications, content and visual direction across campaigns. Her passion for women’s health and advocating for equitable rights made joining the OCRF a natural next step back in 2021.

She exemplifies her passion through her Communications and Engagement Lead position and commitment to developing and managing the OCRF ambassador program, media, communications and more.

Fundraising and Partnerships

Aimee-Cherie Stefanski

Business Development and Partnerships Lead

Aimee brings over a decade of small business leadership as previously the founder of a premium Australian clothing brand, where she built a loyal community through a deeply customer-focused approach.

Her journey with the OCRF began after her mother Lisa was diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer, inspiring Aimee to launch a give-back initiative within her business. Following Lisa’s passing in 2022, Aimee embraced a full-time role within the OCRF, driven to raise awareness, foster connections, and ultimately support vital research of better outcomes for women, and their families.

Adel Botfield

Donor and Events Advisor

Adel Botfield brings extensive experience in event management, communications, and donor engagement to her role at the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). Originally from the UK, she holds a first-class BA (Hons) in event management, marketing, and public relations, and has built her career in the third sector, with roles in the events team at the Royal College of Nursing and the Fundraising team at Breast Cancer Haven.

Adel is passionate about using her skills to drive meaningful change in women’s health. After losing her Nan to vulvar cancer, she became especially committed to raising awareness and improving outcomes for those affected by gynaecological cancers, whilst advocating for greater health equity.

Abigail Russell

Fundraising Marketing and Event Coordinator

Abigail holds a BA (Hons) in public relations, marketing and events, and has built her career in the not-for-profit sector across the United Kingdom and Australia. With experience at leading charitable organisations, Abigail brings expertise in digital fundraising, marketing, and supporter engagement.

Abigail has long held a strong interest in women’s health and is committed to using her skills to drive positive change. She joined the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation on a short-term contract and was struck by the concerning statistics surrounding ovarian cancer. This experience deepened her passion for the cause and strengthened her belief in the power of fundraising to advance research, raise awareness, and ultimately improve health outcomes for women.

Research

Amy Wilson

Senior Research Advisor

(On maternity leave)

Amy completed her PhD at Monash University and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in 2019, with a primary focus on improving immune-based therapies for epithelial ovarian cancer. Following the completion of her PhD, Amy continued to advance her expertise in the field by undertaking post-doctoral research at the Hudson Institute, characterising and developing treatments targeted at the most aggressive ovarian cancer cells called ‘leader cells’.

As OCRF's Senior Research Advisor, Amy plays an essential role in the design and delivery of OCRF's National Research Grants Program and provides expert advice and technical expertise to research-focused knowledge-sharing, communications and governance. Amy's passion for providing accessible and informed scientific information and commitment to improving outcomes for everyone affected by ovarian cancer makes her the perfect fit for the role.

Liam O'Luanaigh

Digital Coordinator

Liam comes from a diverse background working as both a technician and creative within Melbourne’s live music and events industry. His experience in high-pressure environments with tight deadlines broadened the scope of Liam’s career, equipping him with the extensive management skills he now employs for the OCRF as Digital Coordinator.

As Digital Coordinator, Liam works closely with the Research and Communications teams to support their digital projects, streamline processes and liaise with contractors. He is also responsible for managing the digital system the OCRF uses to monitor our research grants and communicate with researchers.

Liam is enthusiastic about the constant progress in ovarian cancer research and finds constant inspiration in both the work of researchers, and the strength of the ovarian cancer community he works with daily.

Operations

Lisa Panetta

Finance, Risk and Governance Manager

Lisa is a chartered accountant with experience working within not-for-profit organisations, making her the ideal person to manage the day-to-day operations and financial management of the OCRF.

Her previous roles have included Project Manager at the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), and Assistant Manager at Moore Stephens, an accounting firm. In her role at the OCRF, Lisa speaks to many patients, survivors and those who have lost loved ones to ovarian cancer. Moved by their courage, strength and determination to fight this terrible disease, Lisa makes it her mission to provide as much support and guidance as possible.

Lisa’s awareness of ovarian cancer came when a close family member lost her five-year battle with the disease at the young age of 23.

Kat Chishkovsky

Database and Systems Administrator

Kat is an experienced Salesforce Administrator and has worked extensively within the non-profit and arts sectors the over the past 10 years, including Wildlife Victoria, Eastern Palliative Care, Support Act, Art Play, Te Papa, Circus Oz, Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA), as well as a number of community-based organisations. She is passionate about enhancing CRM software use in organisations, to streamline and support their work.

Working with OCRF has been of particular importance, as she has seen first-hand the impact of various cancers on family and friends, and the vital role of scientific research in changing the outcomes for all impacted by ovarian cancer.

Liceth Rios Monsalve

Office Administrator

Liceth joined the OCRF in June 2025 as Office Administrator. In this role, she manages the OCRF office, team travel, events and meetings, internal communications, records, and day-to-day administrative tasks.

Originally from Colombia, Liceth studied Veterinary Medicine for eight years and she volunteered for four years in Spay and Neuter programs with stray pets across the city of Medellin.

After moving to Australia in 2023, Liceth broadened her organisational skills to include office management and administration, with a desire to contribute to a meaningful cause. Being part of the OCRF inspires her deeply, knowing her work drives research and creates real impact in people’s lives.