Our Team

A committed team of leaders and advocates championing women's empowerment through family planning and improved health and education outcomes for women and girls leading to healthier, more sustainable communities in the Asia Pacific region.

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VALE

Alice Arnott Oppen OAM (12/2/1939-2/12/2024)

Alice Arnott Oppen OAM, a visionary leader whose unwavering dedication to the empowerment of women and the promotion of family planning in the Asia Pacific region has created a lasting impact that reaches far beyond Women's Plans Foundation.

Alice’s tireless efforts were indispensable to the establishment and growth of the foundation, which has provided essential funding for family planning and contraception initiatives throughout the region. Through her leadership, the foundation has supported many organisations that deliver high-quality family planning services and increase access to modern contraceptive methods, empowering women and improving the health and well-being of countless families.

Alice was thrilled to be part of the final event held at her home celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Women's Plans Foundation, where she reflected on the remarkable journey of the foundation and its impact on the lives of women across the Asia Pacific.

“The most fundamental way we can help is to share our ability to plan babies, to live within our planet. Let’s cherish children, not crowd them”.

As a passionate advocate and philanthropist, Alice’s contributions extended far beyond the foundation’s work. She earned the respect and admiration of all who knew her, and her legacy will continue to shape the mission of the foundation for years to come.

Alice’s commitment to social change, gender equality, climate change, education and the improvement of women’s lives will remain at the heart of everything we do.

Ambassadors

Prof Jill White AM

Professor Jill White (AM, RN, RM, BEd, MEd, PhD) is a highly accomplished nurse and midwife, Prof White is a Professor in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sydney. She was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia Medal (AM) in 2011 for her services to nursing and midwifery. Prof White is an advocate for better education in nursing and helped develop one of the first tertiary nursing programs in Australia. She currently focuses on international policy.

Hester Fraser (Goldheist)

A talented musician, Hester Fraser is the Ambassador of Women’s Plans Foundation. She has released an album, performed at Sydney’s VIVID Festival, and toured outback and regional NSW. Hester has also been a finalist in the Tamworth Country Music Festival for three years running and was the Winner of the People’s Choice Award in 2016. She has written "The Camellia Tree" in tribute to her grandfather, the late Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser, reflecting his humanitarian overseas aid focus.

Our Board

Carolyn Blanden

CHAIR & DIRECTOR
Mrs Blanden is the Principal of Warakirri College, a school for disadvantaged young people who are reconnecting with education. In addition to her 30 years experience in public and private sector education, Mrs Blanden has worked in the construction and finance industries, in resource development technology and in international education at tertiary level. Mrs Blanden is a committee member of the National Council of Women.

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Elizabeth Tomlinson

DEPUTY CHAIR & DIRECTOR
Mrs Tomlinson has extensive experience in the legal profession as a solicitor. As such she worked as an Investigative Solicitor with the Law Society of New South Wales. Mrs Tomlinson is also a former Judicial Registrar of the Federal Court of Australia. After many years in this profession Mrs Tomlinson became a successful entrepreneur and has experience in start-up internet companies engaged in distance education.

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Evan Oppen

TREASURER & DIRECTOR
Evan is a Chartered Accountant with a Master of Science degree and Post Grad Dip Accounting. He has worked as a Chartered Accountant for 14 years in public practices as well as 2 years at the Macular Disease Foundation Australia. He also has treasurer roles with the Sydney Community Forum and a small ski lodge. Evan has an interest in the Not-for-Profit sector
Dr. Penelope Fotheringham

COMPANY SECRETARY & DIRECTOR
Dr. Penelope Fotheringham, BMedSci, MBBS (Hons), MPH, MSc (ID) FRANZCOG, FAFPHM an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Public Health Physician working to understand and improve health systems through improving practitioner care.

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Arda Ergun

DIRECTOR
Arda Ergun GAICD is a driven leader; having gained extensive experience in Technology/SaaS and Management Consulting since her career began in 2011. Born and raised in Istanbul, she has lived and worked in Canada, The Netherlands and Australia. Arda holds a Bachelor of Business from York University, and an MBA Essentials program certificate from London School of Economics. She currently resides in Sydney and is the Regional Director, APAC Success Architects at Salesforce.

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Jodie Rollason

DIRECTOR
Jodie is a nurse and lawyer and has a Masters in Commercial Litigation. She was principal Solicitor of a State Wide legal Service focussed on helping the disadvantaged. Bringing over 12 years’ experience in the Not-for-Profit Sector, Jodie is currently the CEO of MYST (Mountains Youth Services Team). With her passion for helping disadvantaged communities, Jodie thrives on advocacy and is committed to reducing social inequalities and systemic barriers to providing opportunities for the most vulnerable.

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Sam Durland

DIRECTOR
Sam Durland, MSocSc, BE(Hons), is a Certified Management Consultant, a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Certified Executive Coach. Sam’s international development consulting work has taken him to more than 20 countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and South America. He has held senior executive positions with private enterprise, statutory authorities and government departments in Australia and overseas. He has served on more than 20 boards of public and private companies, government bodies and non-government organisations.

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Veronica Volfneuk

DIRECTOR
Veronica Volfneuk is a lawyer specialising in the pro bono, charities and not-for-profit space. She was previously the Pro Bono Coordinator at Clayton Utz in Melbourne, acting for low income and vulnerable people who cannot access Legal Aid, and for the not-for-profit organisations supporting them. She currently resides in Sydney, and is Legal Counsel at The Fred Hollows Foundation.

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Iris Chan

BOARD OBSERVER
Iris Chan, a seasoned communications leader with experience across professional services, start-ups, and nonprofits, brings a strategic perspective to stakeholder engagement. As Senior Manager of International Communications at Australian Catholic University, she drives impactful communication initiatives and is extending her expertise to Women's Plans Foundation. Holding a Master of Business (Australian National University) and Certified Practising Marketer accreditation, Iris is further developing her governance knowledge through AICD foundation training, making her a valuable board observer.

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Jen McCloy

BOARD OBSERVER
Jen is an established business strategist and founder with a crisis communications and venture capital background. Founder of Baseline, a digital platform developed for concussion treatment, injury management and risk compliance. Founder of Jennifer Kate (exited), a high-end boutique fashion label based in Australia and sold internationally, and Vouch For You (exited), an online voucher marketplace for small businesses. Mentor to small and growing businesses across the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Lobbyist and advocate in the surrogacy space.

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Our Team

Natalie Brandon

CEO

Natalie has over 20 years’ experience in Finance, Client Services and Office Management. She spent her early part of her career working in London for Total Oil GB and Sotheby’s. When she returned to Australia she worked in the public, private and not for profit sectors. In her spare time, she ferries her two active children to sports training and events.

Sue Funnell

EVALUATION & RESEARCH

Sue worked for some 40 years as a program evaluator, designer, consultant and trainer. From 1999 to 2015 worked as a consultant in several developing countries for AusAID and with several United Nations Organisations (UNAIDS, UNCHS, UN Secretariat, UNDP representing Oceania on an international advisory panel) and World Bank. She served two terms as President of the Australasian Evaluation Society, was an inaugural Fellow of the Society and received several awards for excellence.