Our Team

Matt has been a purpose-driven leader for over 20 years — founding a number of social startups, working as an organisational development consultant, catalysing many cross-sector collaborative initiatives, as well as leading a number of impact organisations. He has worked at both the grassroots level as well as in a national and international capacity — including with one of the world’s largest NGOs, World Vision. He understands the synergy between purpose, strategic design and rapid commercial prototyping — as well as the broad collaboration needed across multiple sectors to achieve outcomes of significant scale.

Matt is the co-founder of the Social Capital initiative – a large scale collaboration venture involving a broad range of companies, impact organisations, government agencies and universities – working together to advance the new ‘social economy’.

He is also a consultant and strategy designer – working with innovative organisations and companies across Australia to create blended social and economic value.

Matt holds a Master’s Degree in Vocational Practice (majoring in organisational leadership), and works with organisations to support their impact, innovation and growth strategies.

Hemesh has global operations and social enterprise experience and possesses qualifications in Law, Economics and Political Science.  Hemesh has a passion for working in the humanitarian sector and a wealth of experience in systems innovation, data analysis, compliance, project management, business strategy and asset management.

Hilary manages the many Assembly Days held each year by our supporters and they will testify to her highly professional attitude and wealth of knowledge.   Hosting your first Assembly Day can be confusing but not with Hilary there to guide you through the process.

Adrian has managed the warehousing of BKFA supplies for over eleven years. He oversees the purchase of kit components and the transport and logistics of supplies and kits within Australia and overseas. He was responsible for securing affordable air freight transport solutions for BKFA which has meant kits can get to where they are most needed within weeks rather than months.

Rebecca joined the BKFA team in 2016. She holds a Bachelor in International Development and a Master of Health and International Development. Rebecca works within our Impact and Design team to administer the Clean Birth Kit Initiative and ensure effectiveness and learning throughout parts of our work.

Mercy’s professional background is in accounting, entrepreneurship and community development. Her work experience is across various sectors in Kenya, Canada and Australia. She has a strong passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. Specifically, within the entrepreneurship space, she is passionate about working with women to better understand and support their economic outcomes.

Tessa joined the BKFA team in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of International Development and is currently studying Public Health at a postgraduate level. She has a strong interest in maternal health and has experience working with women and girls throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.  Tessa works with the Impact and Design Team, providing support to data management, partner communication and program design processes.

Jenny was a senior adviser in a financial advisory company and retired in 2010. She brings corporate, financial and management skills to the Board. She is an active member of Zonta International, having served in many capacities during her 20+ years of membership. Jenny is an active member of the Zonta Club of Adelaide Torrens and coordinates a Zonta interclub advocacy group. She was an inaugural Board member.

Ted has worked in international development since 1975 after graduating from Reading University (UK). This has involved working with communities in over 50 countries and living with his family in Somalia, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea. He has given support and advice on community development to BKFA informally over the last twelve years. He was co-opted to the Board in May 2017. He is pleased to have the opportunity to use his program management and international development skills to support BKFA, gained through working with Aid Agencies like DFAT, United Nations and international and local NGOS.

Frances has over 20 years’ experience in executive finance roles in the not for profit, government and commercial sectors. She brings to the Board financial risk management, corporate governance and strategy skills. Frances is dedicated to advancement of women and children and values the role that BKFA is playing in developing communities. Frances is currently Treasurer of the BKFA.

Julie is an inaugural Board member and brings with her business administration, personnel management skills, and health profession knowledge as a partner in a large private dental practice. She is a Charter Member of Zonta Club of Adelaide Hills, serving at Board level for 15 years, including that of president for two years. She coordinated the Zonta Birthing Kit Project with Joy O’Hazy from 2000, and was Project Administrator from 2004-2007.  She was the inaugural Chair of the Board from 2006 – 2009, the Zonta District Project Co-coordinator for Australia from 2004 to the present and has been the liaison with Zonta International and clubs overseas since 2000.

Joy is a medical practitioner who has a wide background in administration and strategic planning. She created the Birthing Kit and started production in 1999, supported by her fellow members of the Zonta Club of Adelaide Hills, and was an original member of the Zonta Birthing Kit Committee and an inaugural Board member of the BKFA. She brings specialist skills in maternal health research and informs the Board on matters of medical information research.

Tiffany has extensive experience in senior corporate strategy roles, and consults to small business, not for profit and local government in corporate governance, strategic planning, complex problem solving and co-design.

Working with diverse communities has led Tiffany to be keenly interested in enabling social responsibility, where individuals and communities come together to solve complex issues with local grassroots energy and ingenuity.

Tiffany has strong experience and skills across corporate governance, compliance and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about start-ups, not for profits and social entrepreneurs – all who strive to achieve for themselves and for the benefit their communities.

Madhu is General Manager of IT in a large Australian Experiential Tourism business. She has over 14 years of experience in a wide range of Technology and Leadership roles in Australia, Belgium and India. She is a strong technologist with strategic vision, who leads technology-based growth initiatives grounded on business value and user centric design. Her passion for women rights, education and financial independence brings her to BKFA board.