Meet Our Board of Directors
The EDFA Board of Directors is committed to supporting families and carers of people with an eating disorder. All current EDFA directors have lived experience as carers.
Dr Beth Shelton
Chair
Dr Beth Shelton is a psychologist and consultant in the eating disorders field. She was until recently National Director of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration (NEDC), a national sector collaboration dedicated to developing and implementing a consistent, evidence-based system of care for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
In August 2024, NEDC launched the National Eating Disorders Strategy 2023-2033 – a call to action and a roadmap for people who care about and are responsible for improving Australia’s response to eating disorders.
Dr Shelton has three decades of experience working with people experiencing eating disorders and their families/supports. She developed and led an innovative community early intervention program at Monash Link Community Health Service and was clinical lead of the adult outpatient team of Monash Health’s eating disorder treatment service. Dr Shelton worked with the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders for 10 years providing complex case consultation, training and service development for Victorian mental health services. She served as President of the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders and has presented addresses, papers and workshops at conferences nationally and internationally. Dr Shelton helped formulate the headspace national eating disorders practice principles and recently collaborated with the Australian Ballet on their new Body Image and Disordered Eating Guidelines: A framework for action and prevention of eating disorders.
Dr Shelton also has a distinguished professional history in contemporary dance and is interested in the role of movement and embodied experience in evidence-based interventions for disordered eating and body image problems.
She was elected Chair of the EDFA Board in May 2025.
Palmyra De Banks
Deputy Chair
Palmyra De Banks is a distinguished General Practitioner with an extensive background spanning over two decades in the healthcare sector. She currently serves as the Clinical Director and Head of Performance at ForHealth Group, showcasing a remarkable commitment to advancing healthcare practices and elevating patient well-being.
Palmyra De Banks is a distinguished General Practitioner with an extensive background spanning over two decades in the healthcare sector. She currently serves as the Clinical Director and Head of Performance at ForHealth Group, showcasing a remarkable commitment to advancing healthcare practices and elevating patient well-being. Palmyra’s dedication extends beyond the clinic, where she fulfils the role of a part-time Medical Doctor and Authorised Prescriber at Cann I Help.
In addition to her clinical roles, Palmyra brings a wealth of experience to her position as a member of the EDFA Board. Her diverse professional journey includes serving as a Regional Clinical Officer at Healius Limited and contributing as a Clinical Tutor at the University of Melbourne. Palmyra’s academic achievements include a Master’s in Health and Medical Law from the University of Melbourne, underscoring her unique ability to integrate clinical expertise with legal insights, thereby enhancing her valuable contributions to the EDFA community.
Palmyra was elected as the Deputy Chair of the Eating Disorders Families Australia Board in May 2025.
Jane Rowan
Executive Director
Jane is a senior communications, marketing and stakeholder engagement leader with over 20 years of management experience across various sectors including health.
Jane is a passionate advocate for mental health reform, who has worked in business and non-profit sectors. She is a Non-Executive Director of Upbeat Arts Australia and the Somerville House Foundation. A Graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Jane is also a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, the Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association and the peak body for community and stakeholder engagement, IAP2 Australasia. A mother of four children, Jane is a parent with lived experience, having cared for a daughter with Anorexia Nervosa.
Fiona Mitchell
Director
Fiona is senior executive with over 20 years of experience in strategic and operational management within the not-for-profit health sector. As a senior executive Fiona has worked across the policy, regulatory and program management domains of the health sector, securing agreements between industry and government, and providing high level strategic advice on policy, regulation, and program design.
Fiona is a parent of a child living with a life-threatening chronic illness who was diagnosed with an eating disorder in her late teenage years. Using her experience in the health sector, Fiona enjoys the opportunity to work with EDFA and contribute to the work of supporting families and carers.
Fiona holds both a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Business Law and is recognised as a Fellow by the Governance Institute of Australia.
“Although our family had spent a lifetime navigating the health system, and the complexities of caring for a loved one with an illness, the realities of living with an eating disorder became some of the most anxious and overwhelming days we had experienced. “One of the things that provided comfort, especially in the early days when we were left feeling quite alone, was connecting with other people who had a shared experience.” |
Genevieve Pepin
Director
Professor Pepin is an experienced mental health occupational therapist and a proficient academic. Built on almost 20 years’ work in the area of mental health and eating disorders in Canada and in Australia and including partnerships with national and international leaders in the field, Prof Pepin has established herself as a significant contributor to eating disorders research.
Professor Pepin is an experienced mental health occupational therapist and a proficient academic. Built on almost 20 years’ work in the area of mental health and eating disorders in Canada and in Australia and including partnerships with national and international leaders in the field, Prof Pepin has established herself as a significant contributor to eating disorders research. Genevieve’s expertise and passion are in research co-produced with carers of people with an eating disorder, understanding the impact of eating disorders on function and the daily activities of those with an eating disorder and their family, and the development of innovative interventions promoting best health outcomes.
Some of her work includes completing the first Australian studies exploring the effectiveness of the Collaborative Care Skill building Workshop (CCSW), an evidence-based intervention for carers of people with an eating disorder developed by Professor Janet Treasure and colleagues in the UK. She also developed a training program to ensure CCSW is delivered effectively across eating disorder services and organisations.
Her research is impactful and translational, leading to changes in practice and services as demonstrated by an invitation to join the Advisory Committee for the Development of the Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Strategy 2021-2031. She is a member of the executive group of the Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Centre. She is the co-lead of the Lived-Experience and Co-Production stream of the Centre and a member of the National Eating Disorders Research Consortium.
Genevieve is a strong believer in multidisciplinary approaches to understanding eating disorders. She believes in best practice and is curious about emerging knowledge and interventions about eating disorders.
Janis Carren
Director
Janis is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment, sports, and tourism industries. She brings extensive public sector and commercial experience from working in various Western Australian statutory authorities over a 30-plus year career.
Janis is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment, sports, and tourism industries. She brings extensive public sector and commercial experience from working in various Western Australian statutory authorities over a 30-plus year career.
Before becoming CEO of the Arts and Culture Trust, Janis was the Director of Strategy and Partnerships at VenuesWest. Janis holds a Masters of Business Administration and is an Institute of Public Administration WA Council member.
“Following my daughter’s diagnosis with Anorexia Nervosa at the end of Year 12, we were terrified as a family that we were losing her to an illness that we couldn’t reason with. As a parent, we had to learn fast about eating disorders, pour our energies into supporting her, and ensure our other three children were also receiving love and attention. Finding EDFA and the resources that they have to offer has helped us not feel so alone in juggling the needs of our ill child along with the competing needs of work and family.”
Kathryn Hutchins
Director
Kathryn Hutchins has accrued over 20 years of business leadership experience, holding senior executive positions in Operations, People, and Culture within various industries. For the past decade, Kathryn has been dedicated to the early education sector, recognising the crucial role early education plays in the development of young children. Before this, she worked in a senior human resource position in the financial services industry.
Kathryn Hutchins has accrued over 20 years of business leadership experience, holding senior executive positions in Operations, People, and Culture within various industries. For the past decade, Kathryn has been dedicated to the early education sector, recognising the crucial role early education plays in the development of young children. Before this, she worked in a senior human resource position in the financial services industry.
Drawing from her personal experience with a family member affected by an eating disorder, Kathryn understands the profound impact it has, not only on the individual but also on the entire family unit. For a year, she navigated significant life changes while prioritising the care and treatment of her loved one.
“Throughout my journey, I’ve encountered incredible and passionate specialists working toward the common goal of supporting young individuals impacted by the illness. Meeting other families going through similar experiences has provided strength and reinforced the belief that recovery is possible.
Through my readings and research, I’ve come to realise the need for more support for those affected by eating disorders and those caring for a loved one. This is why organisations like EDFA are critically important.”
Kathryn is passionate about increasing knowledge of eating disorders within the medical field, particularly in general practice, the first point of contact for many families. She is committed to raising awareness and promoting education on a broader scale.
Kate Parsons
Director
Kate Parsons is an ardent advocate for people experiencing an eating disorder and supporting their loved ones. She is passionate about endorsing full recovery from an eating disorder as a real and possible outcome. Kate co-founded and established the Eating Disorders Association of SA as a stand-alone service providing support, information and advocacy to people experiencing an eating disorder and their friends and family.
Amanda Neave
Director
Amanda is a senior technologist with over 25 years of experience in various Australian industries, aligning technology with business goals to achieve innovative solutions. Amanda is deeply passionate about supporting carers who play a crucial role in the lives of individuals facing health challenges, drawing from her own experience caring for someone with an eating disorder.
Amanda is passionately dedicated to supporting carers who play a crucial role in the recovery of individuals with eating disorders. As a long-term carer herself, Amanda has firsthand experience navigating the medical system and advocating for family members. Her experiences have fuelled her advocacy for carer support, aiming to create a more compassionate and supportive environment.
She was often surprised by how many people have lived experiences of eating disorders when these topics arise in conversation. As such, she is particularly interested in raising the profile and improving the understanding of eating disorders, and enabling early detection and intervention to drive better outcomes for families and carers living with an eating disorder.
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Information Technology and multiple industry certifications and currently advises customers on technology and operational implementations. Her expertise lies in helping businesses undergo strategic technological transformations and modernising processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
“Having been a carer myself, I understand the vital and difficult role carers play. I want to ensure carers and their loved ones are supported and empowered in the ways they need.” |
Liza Nadolski
Company Secretary
Liza is an experienced non-profit leader, governance expert and social impact advocate, with a strong track record in philanthropy, strategic partnerships and systemic change. She is the former CEO of Melbourne Women’s Foundation and has held directorships across the non-profit and social impact sectors, ensuring strong governance, financial stewardship and advocacy for marginalised communities.
Liza is an experienced nonprofit leader, governance expert and social impact advocate, with a strong track record in philanthropy, strategic partnerships and systemic change. She is the former CEO of Melbourne Women’s Foundation and has held directorships across the nonprofit and social impact sectors, ensuring strong governance, financial stewardship and advocacy for marginalised communities.
Liza’s expertise will be invaluable as we continue working towards a stigma-free community where eating disorder carers are recognised, supported and empowered.
Sandra Cox
Treasurer
Sandra is a Chartered Accountant with nearly 40 years’ experience in various commercial sectors in management and leadership roles. Sandra is passionate about using her commercial acumen to create positive social impact. In recent years, Sandra has turned her focus to the not-for-profit health care sector. As EDFA’s Treasurer, she is committed to strengthening the financial sustainability and strategic impact of the organisation, suporting families and carers of those experiencing eating disorders.
Sandra has held executive roles including Senior Finance Executive and Financial Controller, where she was responsible for leading finance teams, overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, and driving organisational change.
In her free time, Sandra enjoys supporting her favourite AFL and netball teams, Port Power and Thunderbirds, and doing the weekly general knowledge quiz with her family.
“As a carer, I know just how vital support is, and how deeply it’s needed. I’m proud to be joining EDFA as Treasurer and supporting EDFA in making a tangible difference in the lives of families affected by eating disorders.” |
As Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody sang in the 1990s, “From Little Things Big Things Grow”. This classic Australian ballad very much epitomises the evolution of Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) since 2016.
Born out of a handful of parents frustrated about the lack of support for carers of loved ones with eating disorders, EDFA has grown into a national not-for-profit organisation providing practical assistance to thousands of Australian families.
I was pleased to take on the role of acting chair at the beginning of 2024 after being an EDFA board member since 2019. I say acting because, like so many others, our family continues to care for our eldest daughter who has been on this challenging journey for a number of years. This means I am very reliant on our Deputy, Jennifer Paterson, and other fellow EDFA directors.
EDFA remains squarely focussed on our core purpose of supporting families and carers of loved ones with eating disorders. Our founders were all volunteers, and to this day we continue to rely on our amazing band of trained volunteers who help us to deliver our support services. The vast majority have their own lived experience caring for a loved one with an eating disorder and this is key to understanding and empathising with other families and carers in a similar situation.
With the generosity of our funders, sponsors, and donors, EDFA now has a small team of employed staff, very capably led by our Executive Director, the incredible Jane Rowan. Many of the EDFA team have their own lived experience as eating disorder carers as do the directors on the EDFA board. While our staff, volunteers, and directors come from all over Australia, we share a common passion to make a genuine difference for families and carers of loved ones with eating disorders.
We understand that caring for someone with an eating disorder is a lonely and exacting journey. However, please be assured that you are not alone. We encourage you to utilise EDFA’s online support groups, our Facebook community, our information and education resources, and our free online counselling service. If you’re struggling, you simply need to find something out, or you want to talk with someone who understands and is there to listen, please reach out. EDFA is here to help.
Finally. please be assured that EDFA will continue advocating for greater recognition of the well-being of families and carers of loved ones with eating disorders. No one chooses this incredibly difficult role. It is thrust upon you and in order to do it well, you need and deserve every available support.
David Quilty
Acting Chair
Eating Disorders Families Australia
EDFA's Strategic Plan
EDFA’s 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan – available for download here
EDFA's Constitution
EDFA’s Constitution – available for download here
Audited Accounts
2024 Financial Statements – available for download here
2023 Financial Statements – available for download here
2022 Financial Statements – available for download here
Charter of Healthcare Rights
Charter of Healthcare Rights – Available for access here
Annual Reports
2024 Annual Report – available for download here
