In addition to fulfilling legal obligations, our passionate Board Members are responsible for providing leadership, corporate governance, guidance and direction to the organisation. They contribute to the our culture, strategic focus, effectiveness and financial sustainability. They also serve as ambassadors and advocates for Taking Paediatrics Abroad and global child health.
PETER RICHARDS
CHAIR
BCom, UQ; CPA; MAICD
Board member and Treasurer since September 2019; Chair from October 2021
Peter is an experienced commercial leader and management consultant, with a background in finance and accounting. For 10 years he ran several FMCG businesses as CEO and as regional head responsible for multiple businesses and markets, before taking this experience into various consulting assignments. Peter is passionate about children’s health and education and has had a rewarding focus in this area in his consulting career. As part of this, he was a business advisor to the Sydney Child Health Program from 2015-2017.
DR KATHRYN CURROW
FOUNDER and MANAGING DIRECTOR
MBBS (Syd); Grad Dip Bioethics; DCH; GAICD; AMICDA
A paediatric doctor, medical educator and leader, with broad ranging Australian and international experience, Kathryn is dedicated to furthering improvements in the
health and well-being of children and young people in Australia and globally.
In her early career, Kathryn worked as a GP for 12 years. She then worked in paediatric emergency as a senior CMO. She was the Executive Principal of the Sydney Child Health Program (formerly the Diploma in Child Health) from 1997 to 2018.
Kathryn founded Taking Paediatrics Abroad in 2019 and continues as Managing Director today. She is recognised as a Global Goodwill Ambassador.
LIZ ADSETT
DIRECTOR
BA, Monash, VIC; WAIT WA
Board member since September 2019; Chair from September 2019 to October 2021
As an independent career and executive coach, Liz provided career management and planning for senior executives across many industry groups. Liz has had the opportunity to contribute in a wide range of leadership positions in the corporate and public sectors. As a board member for 16 years, she worked with The Smith Family where the focus was on learning and literacy for young people. Liz is dedicated to supporting the improvement of children and young people’s health.
LESLEY MATHEWS
DIRECTOR
BA Comm (UTS Sydney); MBA (IMD Switzerland)
Board member since September 2019
Lesley is an executive and non-executive director with extensive experience in the governance and management of high-level, not-for-profit, business networking organisations focusing on Asia and Europe.
She has operated her own business advisory service for 33 years, with a proven track record of developing strategic networks and facilitating connections through effective, enduring relationships at senior levels in business, government, and diplomatic corps.
Her diverse roles include national marketing manager of a major national insurer and was a founder and CEO/Executive Director of the European Australian Business Council Ltd.
She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Kleiberit Australia Pty Limited, which specialises in industrial adhesives.
PATSI MICHALSON
DIRECTOR
BA (Law) LLB; GAICD
Board member since September 2019
Patsi is an experienced lawyer and was admitted to practice in both Australia and South Africa. Having practised as a Senior Counsel Barrister in South Africa before immigrating to Australia, Patsi took up a medico-legal role within the public health sector in Australia. She has worked in a senior managerial role within the largest paediatric speciality network in Australia for the past several years. Patsi is passionate about advocating for children’s rights to equitable healthcare, both nationally and internationally. She has continued to nurture the intersect between health, law and social responsibility, especially where it affects children, since her days at university in South Africa, where she was the first woman to chair the largest national student fundraising and charitable organisation, National Rag, in the late 1980’s.
JASMINE ANTONIOUS
DIRECTOR
Board member since February 2023
A management professional in the financial services industry for the past two decades, Jasmine has a powerful network of contacts and an elite business acumen gained from working with a wide range of businesses and individuals including ANZ Banking Group Ltd, Macquarie Bank Ltd, KPMG, Australian Capital Equity, and The Hon. Warwick Smith AO of which she is the Chief Operations Officer of his private company, Kansu Capital Pty Ltd. Her government experience also extends to working with the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in VIP services.
Jasmine has worked across multiple industries and sectors, such as financial services, telecommunications, media, entertainment, technology, construction, agriculture, energy, resources and retail. She has extensive experience dealing with ultra-high network individuals, national and international companies, small business, private sector, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations.
DR ROBERT HENDRIKS
DIRECTOR
Board member since June 2024
Robert is trained as a Medical Doctor, holds a Master of Business, and is Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has led pharma, biotech, natural medicines and medical devices companies in countries as diverse as the Czech Republic, Chile, Greece, Switzerland, the USA, and Australia. He is currently the CEO of a Sydney headquartered, global natural healthcare company.
Robert enjoys working for purpose driven organisations and the idea of being able to contribute to saving children’s lives or making a significant impact on their quality of life makes him a passionate Board member.
Professional Pro Bono Support
TPA highly values the pro bono support provided by:
Photography by Graham Evans.
The Board thanks Anytime Offices for the use of their office space.
