Board
Members
Tom Symonds
Chair
BSc(Psych) Hons, MBA(Health), GAICD
Tom brings to the Cure4CF Board Chair position a wealth of valuable work experience, networks and skills. He is the Executive Director of Health Translation SA, an organisation whose purpose is improve health outcomes through research translation by strengthening the engagement between consumers, researchers and clinicians. Tom has extensive governance leadership skills from roles such currently being the Chair of the Adelaide Primary Health Network and Director of the Australian Medical Council.
He has experience in hospital leadership roles in South Australia and the UK, academic health management (research and teaching), and recently developing innovation ecosystems for the government of South Australia. He has successfully led multi-partner initiatives that align closely with the work and mission of Cure4CF. Tom is known as a natural collaborator with a proven ability to bring people together, build trust, and foster impactful partnerships.
Abbey Bell
Director
BJourn, GradCertBus
Abbey is a passionate and experienced leader in strategic communications and public affairs. She is the Head of Public Affairs at The Hospital Research Foundation Group, responsible for leading business strategy and public affairs initiatives. Abbey brings extensive experience in the healthcare sector, particularly in medical research, which has honed her ability to communicate complex information effectively. Her background also includes experience in the global technology sector, where she launched a global brand for a fast-growing B2B software startup.
Abbey joined the Cure4CF Board in 2022 and is excited about the laser focus of the organisation’s fundraising efforts and the opportunity to work with such a united community across Australia.
Dr Steven Zadow
Director
MBBS (hons) FRANZCR
Dr Steve Zadow has a child with Cystic Fibrosis and is passionate about improving the lives of those with CF and finding a cure.
Steve is a medical doctor. He graduated from medical school with honours, winning numerous awards, including the Frank S. Hone Memorial Prize for the highest mark in the subject of Medicine and the Sir Trent Champion de Crespigny Memorial Prize for the highest mark in the clinical section of the subject medicine.
In his early career he was involved in Respiratory Medicine research and management of patients with cystic fibrosis.
He is now a medical specialist radiologist. He completed his training in Adelaide followed by a fellowship in the United Kingdom working at the Kent & Sussex Weald NHS Trust/St Thomas’ Hospital London, including time spent at King’s College Hospital London and The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Oxford.
He works at Dr Jones & Partners Medical Imaging, where he has been a partner for many years, and also works at Flinders Medical Centre where he has held a senior consultant position for 20 years.
He has a strong interest in research in his field, having published and reviewed many research papers. He enjoys teaching and has been an invited speaker at multiple conferences.
Steve has many years of board experience at Dr Jones and Partners.
Steve joined the Cure4CF board in November 2021 and is on the Governance, Risk & HR subcommittee.
Georgina Liew
Director
BA, GradDip (Communications), MBA (Social Impact) (in progress), GAICD
Georgina brings experience across governance, strategy, and system performance in complex health and social service environments. She works at the intersection of purpose, decision-making, and delivery, supporting organisations to translate strategic intent into clear, governable outcomes.
She currently holds a national role with Cancer Council Australia, contributing to the development of a coordinated approach to cancer navigation. This work brings together government, clinicians, and community partners to improve equity, access, and continuity of care.
Georgina also advises boards and executive teams through Purpose-Ready Consulting, with a focus on strengthening alignment between governance, funding, risk, and operational delivery. She is particularly interested in how organisations maintain clarity and accountability in complex, highly governed environments.
A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Georgina contributes to board-level governance with a focus on ethical leadership, organisational performance, and long-term stewardship. She is also a Board Director and Company Secretary at Aboriginal Women and Children’s Crisis Service, bringing additional governance experience in community-led and culturally responsive service delivery.
Georgina brings a systems-thinking approach to her role at Cure4CF and is focused on supporting the organisation to expand its impact and contribute to research that improves outcomes for people living with cystic fibrosis.
Jenna O’Callaghan
Deputy Chair
LLB (Hons), BCom, GDipLegalPrac, GradDipCA
Jenna is a legal practitioner and business professional with experience in private practice and not for profit sectors. Jenna currently works at AnglicareSA as one of their Legal Counsel, assisting in identifying risks to the organisation and helping achieve strategic and operational goals. She also brings significant experience from her previous role, specialising in business advisory, taxation and structuring issues.
Jenna holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and is a Legal Practitioner admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia. She is also a Chartered Accountant, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce.
Jenna is passionate about assisting the community. She joined the board in 2020 and is excited about working with Cure4CF towards the delivery of its vision.
Dr Bernadette Prentice
Director
A clinician-researcher with a PhD in cystic fibrosis, Dr Bernadette Prentice brings deep clinical expertise and a strong research focus to the Cure4CF Board. She is a Staff Specialist Paediatric Respiratory Physician and Co-Head of Department at Sydney Children’s Hospital, where she cares for children living with CF. She is also a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at UNSW Sydney, leading an ongoing research program in cystic fibrosis.
Her involvement with Cure4CF is driven by a commitment to improving access to novel therapies for people living with CF and the understanding that continued, focused research is essential to finding a cure. She is passionate about ensuring that targeted research is supported, translated more quickly into treatments, and made accessible to all patients.
On the Board, Dr Prentice contributes to governance, strategic direction, and oversight of how resources are deployed. She is focused on ensuring Cure4CF’s mission remains closely aligned with patient priorities and that high-impact research is prioritised and effectively translated.
She hopes Cure4CF will continue to play a pivotal role in accelerating the development of effective, widely accessible treatments for cystic fibrosis, including work that addresses both the underlying causes and complications of the condition, while strengthening collaboration across research and clinical networks.
Outside of work, she enjoys skiing with her family and looks forward to the day they can all ski black runs together.
A/Professor Nicolette Hodyl
Director
PhD, BSc (Hons), Grad Cert (Biostats), Dip Mgment
A/Professor Nicolette (Nicki) Hodyl is Director of NSW Regional Health Partners, a NHMRC Research Translation Centre that works to accelerate research evidence into everyday care to improve patient outcomes and experience. In this role, Nicki works closely with passionate and committed researchers, health professionals and consumers to collaboratively address priority health needs in regional NSW.
As a research specialist and strategist with over 20 years’ academic and consultancy experience, Nicki has worked with national health agencies and organisations, medical research institutes, universities and health services in research development, design, implementation and strategy. Nicki has held executive positions and advisory roles in the health and medical research sector, state government, professional science and clinical networks and in start-up companies.
Josh Walding
Director
CAANZ, CTA, GradDip(CA), BCom, BBus(Applied Finance)
Josh is the owner of Blacksheep Advisory, an accounting firm providing accounting, tax and business services across a number of different industries to a variety of corporate entities and family groups. Josh has been an accountant for approximately 20 years and has developed an extensive insight into current tax and business issues that he explores deeply with his clients to identify and explore opportunities for improvements in all facets of their financial lives.
Josh is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, is a Certified Tax Adviser with the Tax Institute of Australia, and holds both a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business (Applied Finance) from the University of South Australia.
Josh has a personal connection with CF and is excited about sharing his knowledge and skills to contribute to the ongoing growth and success of Cure4CF. Josh joined the board in August 2023.
Patrons
David Coluccio OAM
Patron
BA, MBA, MA(IntStud), GAICD
David Coluccio is Founder and Principal of Senexus, which offers independent advice and manages the placement process for families seeking an aged care home for their loved one in Adelaide.
Prior to starting Senexus, David spent more than ten years in a variety of management roles including as General Manager of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation where he raised funds for and project managed the redevelopment of the Playdeck as well as being instrumental in the fundraising and construction of the Starlight Room. During this time he also completed an MA (International Relations) and an MBA at the University of Adelaide and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Passionate about ensuring access to quality aged care for those in need, David founded Senexus to help families through the stressful and emotional process of placing a loved one into residential aged care. David coordinates all aspects of admitting a loved one into residential aged care, including undertaking the search for a suitable aged care home and advising on the costs of care.
From 2009 to 2018, David was a director, and then Chairman, of the Cure4CF Foundation and in 2022 he joined the Cure4 CF as a patron.
In 2021, David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the cystic fibrosis community.
Greg Oke
Founder and Patron
BAppSc (Met), MBA, MCIPS
Greg has considerable experience in the promotion of cystic fibrois and raising funds to support research into a cure. Greg was also on the board of The Cystic Fibrosis Association of South Australia Inc.
Greg is currently managing his own business and has significant senior management experience in the mining, automotive and manufacturing industries.