Board Profiles
Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies (JFNT) is a not-for-profit charitable fund that supports research in naturopathy and its related modalities, and the development of a community of researchers, scholars and leaders in the naturopathic profession.
The Foundation was formed on 18th May 2010 following the sale of the organisation’s educational business, the Southern School of Natural Therapies (SSNT), Fitzroy, VIC. For years, JFNT retained ownership of the premises from which SSNT operated, with the Foundation’s income generated through rental revenue and investment of funds from the sale of SSNT.
With the recent sale of the building, JFNT is entering an exciting new chapter. As we more forward, our commitment to advancing natural therapies in Australia remains steadfast. Our focus continues to be on supporting education, research, and initiatives that contribute to the growth and recognition of the naturopathic profession.
JFNT is guided by a team of respected and experienced naturopaths, dedicated to promoting the cause of natural therapies in Australia and the development of the profession of naturopathy.
Dr Sue Evans
PhD FNHAA
Chair
Sue is a herbalist with five decades of teaching, clinical practice and research. She is a storyteller of the history of herbs and herbalists — both ancient and contemporary — and has inspired generations of students with her teaching.
After training with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK) she taught at the Southern School of Natural Therapies between 1985-1995 before becoming foundation lecturer in herbal medicine for the Bachelor of Naturopathy at Southern Cross University — Australia’s first Naturopathy degree.
She has advocated for the profession throughout her extensive career in practice and academia. She was a co-founder of VicHerbs and has been a board member of Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia which honoured her with life membership in 2017.
In recognition of her commitment, Sue was inaugural Vis Mediatrix Naturae Award recipient at the Australian Naturopathic Summit in 2016 presented to ‘an elder of the profession who exemplifies the art and spirit of the healing power of nature in their work, life and community service’
Sue now teaches complementary medicine at the University of Tasmania. Her longstanding concern with the ethics and viability of medicinal plant harvesting and supply chains has led her to take on the position of chairperson of the NHAA’s Special Interest Group in Environment and Sustainability. Working with the Jacka Foundation, enabling support of the profession that she has enjoyed for so long, is a particular joy.
Dr Liza Oates
PhD, GradCert EvidBased CompMed, BHSc(Nat), FASLM
Deputy Chair & Public Officer
Liza Oates PhD has been practicing as a naturopath and wellness consultant for over 20 years and has been involved in the clinical education of hundreds of naturopaths, nutritionists and medical students. Liza is an Adjunct Fellow in the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University, a member of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA), a Fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and was a finalist for ATMS Practitioner of the Year in 2020.
She has served on the board of the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH) and is a member of the Blackmore’s Naturopathic Advisory Board.
Liza has been involved in the development of the new undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Naturopathic Medicine at SCU and previously helped to develop the world’s first Master of Wellness program at RMIT University. She also teaches Clinical Studies and Integrative Complementary Medicine and supervises naturopathic student clinics at Torrens University Australia.
Her doctoral degree investigated ‘the health and wellness effects of organic diets’ and she has contributed to several textbooks and authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Liza has been a director of JFNT since 2020 in the role of Public Officer and is currently serving as Interim Deputy Chair. She has been honoured to be able to serve alongside some of her naturopathic heroes to support the Jacka Foundation’s mission to promote the development of a community of researchers, scholars, and leaders in the Australian naturopathic profession.
Poh Poh Chin
CFA, CPA
Treasurer
Passionate about healthy living and wellbeing, Poh Poh is an avid long time yoga practitioner, Poh Poh is excited to be part of the JFNT board to contribute towards research and development in naturopathy and its related modalities.
Poh Poh holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Masters in Applied Finance from Monash University. She is a CFA charterholder and a member of the Certified Practising Accountant Australia. Poh Poh’s experience in finance spans across industries including positions held within financial services, diversified healthcare and mining corporates.
Dr Lauren Burns
PhD, BHSc(Nat)
SECRETARY
Lauren Burns created sporting history by winning the first Olympic gold medal for Taekwondo when the sport debuted at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She has a PhD in Athlete Lifestyle and Mindset and works closely with the Australian Institute of Sport, both with the Gold Medal Ready program and their research institute. Her doctoral work won the prestigious RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Prize and Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Research Impact and is published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
Lauren runs a successful speaking and consulting business, presenting to a wide variety of audiences on high-performance, mindset, lifestyle, wellbeing, performing under pressure and leadership and engagement, combining theoretical evidence-based knowledge with lived experience. She compliments this with exclusive one-on-one executive-level coaching and naturopathic consultations.
A best-selling author, she has penned two books: Fighting Spirit and Food from a Loving Home. Lauren also shares her nutritional expertise by designing whole-food menu plans and education content and social media for a renowned Melbourne childcare centre. She loves the variation her work eschews, along with balancing the joys and responsibilities of a busy family life.
Lauren is an Adjunct Fellow at Southern Cross University, and a member of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA). Lauren was extremely fortunate to be awarded a JFNT Scholarship to complete her PhD. Since graduating, Lauren has been a director JFNT since 2022 in the role of Secretary and coordinating social media and communication.
Dr Pauline McCabe
ND, MHSc(PHC), PhD
Pauline has had a long career in health care, in both mainstream and complementary settings. She completed qualifications in naturopathy, acupuncture, nursing, midwifery and aromatherapy which enabled a career as a naturopathic home birth midwife. Subsequently, after a few years in a retail setting (co-founding the Nimbin Apothecary), she turned to teaching and higher education, completing a Masters degree and a PhD. Her academic work led to a position as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing at LaTrobe University, where she developed a double degree in nursing and naturopathy (now defunct).
Apart from teaching, since the 1990s Pauline has been very involved in the development of complementary therapy courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, co-written numerous reports, guidelines and position statements relating to complementary therapies and nursing in Australia, contributed to research on the regulatory requirements of naturopathy and herbal medicine, and participated in numerous educational and regulatory committees. She was a member of the steering committee that established the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists. Her publications include journal articles and book chapters in the above areas.
From 2007-2017 Pauline worked at RMIT University on the development, teaching, and coordination of the online postgraduate wellness program. She developed several courses for the program and was a course and program coordinator and teacher. Wellness theory, assessment and coaching have a natural affinity with naturopathy, and working on this program was a satisfying end to her academic career.
Pauline always harboured a desire to be a philanthropist and was thrilled when a position on the board of Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies enabled her to live this dream. She is honoured to be able to serve the Foundation and support research capacity building in the naturopathic profession.
Associate Professor Greg Connolly B.A, BHSc, MSH, PhD
Greg graduated from the Southern School of Natural Therapies (SSNT) in 1988 and was a naturopathic clinical practitioner for 22 years specialising in Integrative Oncology. He has lectured at SSNT, now part of Torrens University, as a clinical educator for 30 years in Naturopathy and Clinical Supervision.
Greg’s recent achievements are the national Bioceutical Integrative Medicine Award 2020 in the Living Legend category; the NHAA International Conference 2019 award for outstanding work and best oral research presentation on cancer patients, complementary medicine, and the hospital system; and the Torrens University Deans Award (Health) for Excellence in Learning and Teaching 2020. In 2021 Greg was promoted to Associate Professor of Naturopathy at Torrens University.
Greg is a contributor to World Naturopathic Federation policy documents regarding international standards of terminology of naturopathy in education and professional practice. He is also a member of the World Naturopathic Federation committee on Naturopathic Roots – Global Naturopathic History, which is currently writing a textbook on the global history and principles of naturopathy.
Greg has a BA in Philosophy, a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy, a Master of Social Health and a PhD in Medical Anthropology (University of Melbourne) on cancer patients using complementary medicine in oncology hospitals.
David Morgan CPA
David was born in New Zealand, but has lived in Australia for most of his working life. He is a senior executive who has worked in the not-for-profit and community sectors for over thirty years. David has held positions within Aboriginal health, health research and most recently as Chief Executive Officer with Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal community controlled entity providing comprehensive primary health care services to Aboriginal people living in Gippsland, Victoria. David retired from this role and fulltime work in July 2021.
Previous roles include, Chief Executive Officer of Tennant Creek based Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Darwin based Danila Dilba Health Service and Chief Operating Officer of the Lowitja Institute. He has also worked in local Government as Chief Executive Officer of Milingimbi Council. Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations has given David the opportunity to gain an understanding of the social determinants of health and how they must be addressed tonimprove the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
David’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of
Adelaide, registration as a Certified Practising Accountant and Fellow of CPA Australia, and he is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
In addition to financial expertise, David has extensive experience in human resource
management, information technology and stakeholder engagement.
Terri Albert
GD.Mkt, M.Mkt
(Loa) PROJECT MANAGER
Terri Albert holds a Grad. Dip Marketing and Master of Marketing from Monash University in Melbourne (2001). She has also completed numerous educational programs including a two week Executive Leadership Certificate from Ohio State University (USA) and Strategic Management at Macquarie University, Sydney.
Terri is an innovative Strategic Business Developer with almost 30 years of global experience in complementary and traditional medicines and business strategy. She is well respected in the nutritional medicine market, with a proven track record of leadership and business growth through strategic concept design, development and commercialisation, whilst fostering respectful, trust based relationships with key stakeholders and partners. Terri has held positions on international Business Development & Innovation Boards, including Patent Review Boards and Strategic Growth, and has received a number of awards for her passion for performance.
Her experience spans retail, brand marketing, manufacturing, research and development and includes over 20 years successfully working in markets internationally, including Europe, USA and Greater Asia partnering multiple health and nutrition organisations. Terri also has a track record of Australian and world firsts to her credit and brings that passion for growth via research and education to the Jacka Foundation.
Terri has held senior leadership roles for 20 years including Innovation/R&D Director and Global Technology Director with a major US-based pharmaceutical manufacturer where she also served on a number of international new product and technology development boards for complementary medicines. Prior to this she was introduced to complementary medicines via her time with Blackmores Ltd.
