Meet Our Team
The experienced team at EDFA is passionately driving the change for Australian families and carers impacted by an eating disorder.
Leadership Team
Jane Rowan - QLD
Executive Director
"Starting conversations, raising awareness, and advocating for better community understanding of what families and carers are experiencing with an eating disorder present in their lives is what drives me every day."
Jane is EDFA’s first Executive Director and joined the organisation in 2022. A former journalist and marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement leader, Jane and her eldest daughter, Charley, have always been deliberately open about Charley’s diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa and the effect it had on the family. She is grateful for the opportunity to support more families through EDFA and to work with the EDFA team to break down the stigma surrounding eating disorders.
A mental health advocate for the past two decades, Jane is looking forward to the day when an eating disorder diagnosis receives the same response from the community as other serious medical conditions. Jane, who has a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has previously worked for several private healthcare companies, including Addiction Sciences Qld where she established a face-to-face support group for parents and carers of those living with substance dependency.
She sits on two non-profit Boards and is passionate about serving the community and living a life of purpose. Mentoring and supporting the EDFA team is a main focus of her role and she is grateful for the opportunity to work with such an incredible and inspiring group of people.
Jane describes herself as a lifelong learner so in her free time, you will often find her studying or reading. If she’s not doing that, she will be in the garden with her rescue dog, cat, and hens or cooking meals for the week for her family of six. A self-proclaimed musical theatre tragic, one of her favourite treats is a night out at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, where she is based.
Matthew Cheal - VIC
Head Of Programs
“I am excited to be a part of the EDFA team and having the opportunity to apply my leadership and experience to enhancing and growing the suite of programs offered to better support families and carers of people experiencing an eating disorder.”
Matthew Cheal is a purpose‑driven executive leader with extensive experience in multi‑site operations, customer‑centric service delivery, organisational transformation, enterprise risk, compliance, and governance across complex, highly regulated sectors. He is also a lived experience carer, supporting his daughter on her recovery journey from Anorexia Nervosa.
He is recognised for cultivating mature, values‑aligned organisational cultures that prioritise customer engagement, high‑quality care, and risk‑aware decision‑making. With a career spanning both For‑Purpose and Commercial environments, Matthew consistently balances commercial acumen with a strong commitment to purpose, ethics, and stakeholder impact.
Matthew is recognised for shaping mature, values‑aligned organisational cultures that prioritise customer experience, high‑quality care, and risk‑aware decision‑making. His leadership has supported organisations through periods of significant change, including major operational transformations, financial performance uplift programs, enterprise‑wide risk methodology design, and the implementation of business continuity and resilience frameworks. He is known for his ability to drive strategic clarity, strengthen governance, and build high‑performing teams that deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes.
Across his career, Matthew has held senior executive roles spanning community services, housing, employment services, and human services. He spent 18 years with McDonald’s, progressing through restaurant management and ultimately leading new store development projects. He then served for a decade at St Laurence Community Services in roles including Chief of Staff, General Manager Employment Services, Executive Manager Housing Services, and Executive Director Business Services. For the past seven years, he has been Head of Risk & Compliance for Australian Unity’s Human Services platforms, leading risk transformation, governance uplift, and enterprise resilience across diverse service environments.
Tracey Adamson - NT
National Marketing and Communications Manager
"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to advocate for carers and their loved ones affected by eating disorders. My aim is to positively influence their challenging journeys and contribute to building a robust, supportive foundation for all those caring for individuals living with an eating disorder"
Tracey joined EDFA in May 2023, bringing with her a strong commitment to supporting Australian families affected by eating disorders.
Having grown up with individuals impacted by eating disorders, Tracey possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those living with an eating disorder, which drives her passion to make a positive impact.
With over 14 years of experience in marketing, primarily within the not-for-profit sector across New Zealand and Australia, Tracey is dedicated to effecting meaningful change. She is particularly focused on supporting carers and families, helping them navigate the complexities of caring for loved ones with eating disorders. Tracey approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset, striving to create positive outcomes.
Sarah Warner - VIC
Finance Manager
“I am grateful to be a part of the EDFA team, supporting a crucial part of the recovery team for individuals experiencing eating disorders – their families and carers – and offering hope on their loved ones journey to recovery.”
Sarah offers over eight years of experience working within several nonprofits, covering a range of roles across organisational leadership and strategy, financial management, project management, business development and people & culture; as well as being pivotal to the start-up of two of the nonprofits she has worked for. She holds a degree in Business and Commerce from Monash University and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).
As EDFA’s Finance Officer, Sarah is enthusiastic to apply her financial expertise to support EDFA’s impactful initiatives that support families and carers impacted by an eating disorder.
Outside of work, you’ll find Sarah chasing after her toddler twins or trying to catch a moment for a quiet cuppa.
Support Team
Sallie Egglestone - VIC
Lead Facilitator and Moderator
"My journey with my daughter with an eating disorder came out of left field. I had to teach myself how to heal her and my family with few resources. What I learnt I felt I needed to share."
Sallie’s background as a naturopath and mindfulness meditation teacher combined with her lived experience enable her to guide other carers on the eating disorder recovery journey with empathy and deep understanding.
A strong belief that community is key drives Melbourne-based Sallie’s interactions in EDFA support groups and in mentoring other EDFA facilitators and moderators. Sallie, who holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences, says it is a privilege to be a part of everyone’s journey and to witness the vulnerability, pain, and heartbreak as well as the resilience, love, and kindness that inevitably accompanies those journeys.
Sallie’s vision is to bring carers together to champion each other, to share in their triumphs, and create a national community of hope, whilst raising awareness of what these carers can and have achieved. She believes eating disorders and the impact they have on families should be visible and everyone’s business.
Swimming in the ocean, reading a book with a pot of tea, and sharing a beautiful home-cooked meal and a glass of pinot with family and friends is what a perfect day looks like for Sallie. Of course, her favourite music would be playing in the background and her dog and cat would be at her feet.
Lindsay Snell (she/her) - VIC
Support Program Administration Assistant
“My passion is driven by my daughters, who are Autistic/multiply neurodivergent. I remain motivated by my belief that life is to be lived and should be fully inclusive for everyone.”
Lindsay is an active advocate, engaged as a carer with lived/living experience in marginalised and minority communities, disability, neurodivergence, and mental health. She is committed to helping improve system design, mental health and wellbeing, and the NDIS experience, as well as advocating for better health outcomes for Gippslanders.
Over the past 25+ years she has gained international brand, marketing, communications, and event management experience from the commercial and public sectors, primary industry, and community organisations. Since moving to Gippsland at the start of 2023 she has used her knowledge and skills to add value through her lived/living experience as a member of the Tandem Participation Register, the Gippsland PHN Health Needs Assessment Advisory Panel, and as a Trainee Board Member with Interchange Gippsland.
Music has always been a very important part of her life, and she has played with various bands/orchestras in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. Since making Gippsland her home, she has joined both the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra and Warragul Municipal Band, playing tuned and auxiliary percussion, and The Streeton Court Big Band, playing tenor saxophone.
Sabine McKenzie (she/her) - WA
WA Support Program Coordinator
“I'm thrilled to bring EDFA's much needed support groups to Western Australia (and our time zone!)"
Sabine has a strong background in eating disorder recovery support and body image education. She is passionate about empowering families through compassionate care, education, and advocacy. Sabine is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for those impacted by eating disorders, helping them navigate their journey with understanding and hope.
Marianne Edmonds - QLD
Brisbane-based Hospital Liaison Officer
"I believe supporting carers is paramount for recovery. However, it is more than just acknowledgment - it's about providing them with the tools, clarity and confidence to advocate for their loved ones, while also prioritising their own well-being and emotional health over the journey that can make the difference. I strive daily to be able to assist with this process.”
Marianne has spent over two decades as the owner of a large national event company, honing her skills in leadership, creativity, and stakeholder management. Her journey took a profound turn when she supported a best friend in battling an eating disorder that emerged later in life. This, coupled with her own mental health challenges during the COVID pandemic, inspired her to embrace a new direction: returning to study counselling and earning a diploma in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD).
Passionate about mental health advocacy, Marianne is committed to breaking stigma and fostering understanding for those facing personal struggles. She is driven by the belief that everyone should be able to access support and deserves empowerment through life’s challenges.
In her free time, Marianne finds joy in sailing, hiking, and camping- activities that fuel her love for nature and adventure. A lifelong learner, she is eager to master the harmonica, delve into the complexities of blockchain technology, and explore new areas of knowledge. She cherishes time spent with her two beautiful teenage daughters and her two cocker spaniels, who bring boundless energy to her life.
Marianne sees herself as living a life of purpose, blending her professional expertise, personal experiences, and academic pursuits. Based in Brisbane, she is grateful for every opportunity to grow, laugh, connect, and make a positive impact on the world around her.
EDucation Team
Coran Johnson - VIC
Education Program Coordinator
“I’m genuinely excited to be joining Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) and contributing to the vital work of supporting families and carers through education."
Advocacy Team
Tracey Adamson - NT
National Marketing and Communications Manager
"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to advocate for carers and their loved ones affected by eating disorders. My aim is to positively influence their challenging journeys and contribute to building a robust, supportive foundation for all those caring for individuals living with an eating disorder"
Tracey joined EDFA in May 2023, bringing with her a strong commitment to supporting Australian families affected by eating disorders.
Having grown up with individuals impacted by eating disorders, Tracey possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those living with an eating disorder, which drives her passion to make a positive impact.
With over 14 years of experience in marketing, primarily within the not-for-profit sector across New Zealand and Australia, Tracey is dedicated to effecting meaningful change. She is particularly focused on supporting carers and families, helping them navigate the complexities of caring for loved ones with eating disorders. Tracey approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset, striving to create positive outcomes.
Amy Efstathis - QLD
National Partnerships Manager
“I’ve seen first-hand that eating disorders don’t just affect individuals, they impact whole families. The system is overwhelming, and carers are often left to navigate it alone, despite being crucial to recovery. EDFA wraps support around those who give so much, and I’m proud to help grow that impact.”
Amy is a purpose-driven partnerships and fundraising leader with over 14 years’ experience connecting values-led businesses with meaningful impact. With a career spanning major charities, social enterprises and grassroots organisations, she specialises in building strategic relationships that drive powerful outcomes for communities.
A believer that partnerships should be built on purpose – not transactions – Amy helps corporate organisations unlock their philanthropic potential in ways that are meaningful, ethical and long-term. She is also a passionate advocate for wellbeing in the for-purpose sector, championing the idea that we must care for ourselves and each other in order to create sustainable impact.
Away from work, Amy is happiest exploring in her family caravan with her husband and two kids – who she has affectionately nicknamed “The Wildlings”.
Nhi Nguyen (she/her) - VIC
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
"I'm really grateful to be advocating for carers, the resilient and indispensable foundation in the journey to healing for those with eating disorders."
Nhi’s interest is using digital media to communicate well-crafted messages that help create positive social changes.
She is incredibly excited to use her skills to help families living with eating disorders in Australia.
Nhi is passionate about digital marketing and has spent two years working in the not-for-profit space. Her key areas of responsibility will involve assisting our Support Program with the administrative, and our Marketing and Communications team with social media and email
marketing, maintaining the website, and broader marketing assistance.
In her spare time, she likes to play guitar, read, go on nature walks, and travel.
Fill The Gap Counselling Team
Mark Hill (he/him) - QLD
Fill The Gap Acting Manager/Counsellor
“As someone with personal lived experience, I have tremendous compassion for carers. Caring is a continuous and sometimes undervalued role and learning to care for yourself is vital. I believe all carers, and all people, should be treated with the utmost respect and as an expert into their individual lives.”
Mark is an experienced, warm, and compassionate counsellor registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA – Level 4) and attained his Master of Counselling degree in 2008. He takes a genuine interest in his clients using a trauma-informed, empathetic, and non-judgmental approach. Mark uses several different modalities and theories in his counselling that are held together by a client-centred framework with first-hand knowledge of the impact of eating disorders on the family unit.
For more than 20 years, Mark has been working in a variety of contexts supporting people impacted by a wide range of issues. This ranges from children’s counselling, youth work, domestic violence, clinical supervision, and working with Carers. Families and individuals affected by eating disorders have been prevalent in each of his roles. Mark has also taught at a First Nations College in Canada and has a deep passion for working collaboratively alongside marginalised populations.
Mark loves to learn about the latest knowledge in therapies and utilises the evidence-based therapies of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused, Narrative, and Motivational Interviewing. He also has a solid understanding of the neuroscience of emotions. Mark is an avid reader of books and is always ready to share resources or simply listen.
Kellie Hansen (she/her) - WA
Fill The Gap Counsellor
"Supporting a loved one through an eating disorder can feel overwhelming, but no one has to navigate it alone. With a compassionate and lived experience approach, I walk alongside families and carers to provide the tools, knowledge, and support they need to foster healing, connection, and hope—because recovery is not just an individual journey, but a shared one."
Kellie Hansen is an accredited mental health social worker and an ANZAED-credentialed eating disorder clinician with a deep commitment to supporting families, and carers navigating the journey of eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns and diet culture. Her warm and gentle approach to counselling is trauma-informed, non-judgmental, and client-led, creating a safe and compassionate space. Kellie understands firsthand the challenges individuals and families face and offers practical tools, guidance, and unwavering support to help them navigate the challenges and rewards of recovery.
With over a decade of experience in mental health, Kellie integrates evidence-based therapeutic approaches with a deep understanding of the complexities of eating disorders through her own lived experience of eating disorder recovery.
Bailey Wightman - QLD
Fill The Gap Administration Assistant
"I'm passionate about helping people wherever I can, whether it's devoting time to listen to what they have to say or simply being there for them.”
Bailey rejoined EDFA in December 2024 as the Fill The Gap Administrative Assistant, providing essential support to ensure smooth operations. Previously, they served as EDFA’s Marketing and Communications Team Leader on a maternity leave contract, where they led key initiatives like managing the website, email campaigns, and social media, as well as publishing the Annual Report and Impact Statement.
With a background in management, marketing, and events, Bailey has worked as a Department Manager at McDonald’s, a Social Media Manager for Couture Creations, and an Event and Logistics Intern at the Brisbane Street Art Festival. These roles have honed their skills in leadership, communication, and creative strategy.
Outside of work, Bailey enjoys spending time with friends, walking their dog Scooby, and traveling, including an 11-month adventure across Europe and the UK in 2023. Their personal experiences supporting loved ones through eating disorder recovery inspire their dedication to EDFA’s mission of empowering families and carers in the eating disorder community.
Research Team
Dr Elena Konovalov - QLD
Research and Evaluation Coordinator
“I am excited to join the EDFA team and contribute to research that empowers carers, reduces stigma, and strengthens support systems. My passion lies in translating evidence into practical strategies that improve lives and create inclusive communities.”
Elena is an experienced researcher and educator with a PhD in Tourism and Community Well-being from James Cook University. She has over a decade of expertise in applied social science, curriculum innovation, and data analytics, complemented by strong skills in research design, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
She is passionate about research that creates real-world impact for communities and individuals. Her work is driven by a commitment to evidence-based approaches that inform policy, enhance support networks, and promote inclusive practices for better outcomes.
Elena also brings her lived experience as a carer, having supported her daughter through a challenging time with an eating disorder. This experience gave her a deep understanding of what carers go through and strengthened her commitment to research and advocacy that improve support systems and outcomes for families.
Penny Scarce - VIC
Evaluation Support Officer
“I’m passionate about supporting carers and families of those with an eating disorder, because healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Carers are essential to the recovery journey - my own family was central to mine.”