Leigh Bell

Leigh joined the Board of the CMAA in late 2022. She is a long term cardiomyopathy patient, having been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) as a young child. After a lifetime of intervention, (including a myectomy at 17, multiple ICDs, ablations, and a heart transplant in 2021) and with a number of family members affected by HCM, she is passionate about improving support for cardiomyopathy patients in Australia.  

Leigh's first involvement with the CMAA began at its inception in the 90's when her mother, Robyn Bell originally established the organisation as a support and education group for HCM patients. 

Leigh's career was in multinational steel and mining companies with senior management roles in operations, project, transition, and logistics management. She volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for over 20 years. She intends spending her gifted years post-transplant in pursuit of better support, experiences and outcomes for those impacted by cardiomyopathy. 

Mary Smith

Mary became Vice President of the CMAA in 2023. Her health journey includes Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, being a patient of the heart transplant clinic, having multiple pacemakers and ICDs, and comorbidities.

As a Counselling Psychologist for 14 years, she successfully supported those with acute, chronic and terminal illnesses to achieve their best life experiences. Prior business experience included being a Senior Market Researcher, where she was responsible for designing and running major health research studies and working in counselling and in academia.

She has been a lifelong volunteer, including being on the executive committee of SANDS NSW, where she ran workshops for health professionals and community groups and was the first media liaison officer.

Her experience gives her a unique perspective and empathy for those with Cardiomyopathy, and she is a passionate advocate for supporting others to achieve their best possible life.

Rosanna Kirn

Rosanna joined the board of the CMAA in 2023. With over 20 years experience in developing and implementing practical strategies across learning, employee communications, leadership development, change, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors, Rosanna has a passion for delivering programs which make long-lasting change.

Rosanna's career has spanned operations, human resources (including generalist HR, employee relations, organisational development), change management, communications and learning/development. She worked for multi-national organisations before establishing a consultancy focussing on developing and facilitating learning and change strategies and communications for government and private sector clients.

Rosanna has been close friends with a cardiomyopathy patient over two decades. Understanding the important benefits a support organisation can deliver, she brings her professional skills and personal motivation to her role as Secretary.

Shelley Kerr

Shelley joined the CMAA Board in 2023. She has a professional background in public health, program management and business development, holding leadership roles in commercial and not-for-profit organisations in the health sector. Shelley is currently the Strategic Partnerships Manager for ASHM Health which is a not-for-profit, member based organisation dedicated to improving person centred care and health outcomes related to blood borne viruses and sexual and reproductive health in Australia and the Asia and Pacific regions.

With a passion for equity, social inclusion and community, Shelley believes that health services and health systems deliver the best outcomes when people who are most affected are involved in the design, delivery and monitoring processes. With family affected by cardiomyopathy, Shelley is a passionate advocate for the cardiomyopathy community and brings her personal and professional experience to the role of treasurer.

Christine Wilson

Christine joined the board of the CMAA in 2023. She is a PR, communications and advocacy professional with strong experience across a number of sectors including not for profit, government, and private organisations.

Christine is a proud Wurundjuri woman and a passionate advocate for first nations people, serving on multiple committees including being a member of the First Persons Assembly Victoria. Christine also advocates strongly for the patient voice, with her lived experience of cardiomyopathy and other chronic conditions giving her a unique perspective in disability advocacy. She has consulted to various organisations including Deaf Victoria and Vision Australia and is a current member of the Monash Council Disability Advisory Committee. Christine is a current recipient of a full scholarship for the Foundations of Directorship program facilitated by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. This prestigious scholarship was awarded through the Australian Network on Disability and the AICD. Christine is pleased to bring her unique mix of skills, heritage, and lived experience to her work for cardiomyopathy patients at the CMAA.

Kerry Shaddick

Kerry served on the CMAA board from 2014 to 2018, and joined again at the 2023 AGM. During her original tenure, Kerry actively engaged with patients and their families, working collaboratively to establish successful fundraising events, organise informative get-togethers, and reach out to allied health professionals. These initiatives have been vital in providing much needed support for individuals facing the challenges of cardiomyopathy. She is looking forward to undertaking these activities again with the current team.

Kerry’s personal journey, marked by her experiences with Dialted Cardiomyopathy and an extended family history of DCM, has fuelled her passion for empowering and supporting those affected by this condition. Her dedication ensures that together with a committed team, those with cardiomyopathy have the resources and guidance to live their best lives.

Kerry has two daughters and loves spending time with them and her two granddaughters. She enjoys retail therapy, going for walks along the beach, and dining out with family and friends.

Julian Genn

Julian joined the Board of CMAA in late 2023. He is a high-level corporate executive and qualified lawyer based out of Brisbane. One of his wife’s best friends who was a bridesmaid at their wedding passed from Cardiomyopathy in her early 30’s. For this reason, he felt an instant connection with CMAA and wanted to be involved with the work they do around patient support, awareness and information sharing.  

Julian is currently the Managing Director of an Aboriginal Recruitment, Training & Consulting business that he founded in 2015. In this role, he has gained experience with business governance, the implementation of policies and procedures and market presence. His goal is to work with the CMAA Board of Directors to grow the organisation into one that is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, and both equitable and inclusive.

Donna Harrison

Donna joined the Board in 2023. She brings a unique blend of life experiences and strong commitment to our mission. In 2008, she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The journey with HCM has not only taught her resilience but also deep empathy for individuals and families navigating similar health hurdles. 

Prior to her involvement with this charitable organisation, Donna spent the past eight years operating a small business while pursuing her studies in nursing, emphasising her commitment to personal growth and adaptability. Donna’s career has been centred around networking, administration and customer service both as a small business owner, and for a large national organisation where she held management and leadership roles.

Her family's shared experience with cardiomyopathy has fuelled her passion for improving the lives of those with Cardiomyopathy. With unwavering dedication, Donna is enthusiastic about contributing to the organisation's efforts to drive innovation and provide vital support to the community.

Bronwyn re-joined the Board of the CMAA in 2023, after originally serving from 2014 - 2018. She has a deep understanding of the benefits a group such as the CMAA brings to its community. She is passionate about supporting those living with this condition through the sharing of individual experiences and medical resources. At the age of 10 Bronwyn lost her mother just 42 years old to a hereditary form of Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Twenty eight-years later when Bronwyn received her own diagnosis access to practical medical information and everyday support was incredibly limited. This condition has affected several members over three generations of her family. 

Bronwyn works to bring awareness and support widely to those impacted by Cardiomyopathy. She established the first CMAA Facebook group and managed the CMAA Facebook page. She also assisted in organising peer support meetings, fund raising events, and other awareness activities. Beyond the important work of the CMAA, Bronwyn has completed business studies and recently retired from her family Logistics business, going on to plan and owner built her new home.  Bronwyn is able to draw upon her business skills and life experiences in her role at the CMAA. She is hopeful that future treatments lay within gene therapy and has a keen interest in research and medical advances in this area.