The Board

In his role with the Australian Pituitary Foundation, Tim brings lived experience as a pituitary patient along with a strong belief in the power of member-based organisations to make a meaningful difference for patients, their families, and loved ones.

His advocacy has helped drive vital NSW Health research into disparities in patient access to pituitary care across the State. He also continues to be an active collaborator with pituitary researchers, championing patient perspectives in research.

In 2024, Tim was instrumental in securing the listing of a new Cushing’s drug (Osilodrostat) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, expanding treatment options for patients.

His time working at the highest levels of Federal and State government, as well as in the education and the not-for-profit sectors, has taught him the profound impact advocacy and the collective voice of patients can have on policy and political decision-making.

A committed supporter of the APF since 2022, Tim also draws on more than 20  years of expertise in communications and stakeholder engagement. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and a Bachelor of Communications from UTS.

Salim is a seasoned campaigner and governance advocate with a proven ability to grow member-based organisations through strategic leadership and engagement. Beginning his career in 2004, he played a pivotal role in the landmark Your Rights At Work campaign, mobilising thousands of members and communities to achieve decisive wins.

Over the years, Salim has led multi-union campaigns at Federal and State levels, consistently driving membership growth by building strong alliances and fostering active participation. His initiatives—such as founding Union Pride to advance marriage equality and coordinating national election campaigns—demonstrate his skill in expanding reach and strengthening organisational influence.

Today, Salim focuses on frontline organising in private hospitals and aged care, co-leading historic campaigns for fair pay and safe staffing. He brings this wealth of experience and his commitment to justice, equality, and transparent governance to APF, with a clear vision to grow its membership and amplify its impact for patients and families.

William brings nearly two decades of experience in finance and a strong commitment to advancing the Australian Pituitary Foundation’s mission. Throughout his career, he has built extensive networks across corporate Australia, including CEOs, directors, and public leaders, which he leverages to strengthen partnerships and create strategic opportunities.

William currently serves on two other boards, giving him a deep understanding of effective governance, risk management, and strategic decision-making. His experience in investment banking and corporate advisory has equipped him with the skills to navigate complex financial challenges and ensure long-term sustainability for organisations.

Passionate about making a positive impact, William is focused on helping APF grow its membership, strengthen governance, and deliver meaningful support to patients and families. His combination of financial expertise, governance experience, and influential networks positions him as a valuable contributor to the Foundation.

Emma brings both lived experience and professional expertise to the Australian Pituitary Foundation’s mission. After nearly a decade living with undiagnosed pituitary Cushing’s, Emma understands firsthand the isolation and life-changing impact of these conditions. Her experience fuels a passion for improving diagnostic times and ensuring sustained recovery support for people affected by pituitary disease and rare conditions more broadly.

She has been an active volunteer with the Foundation, helping shape NSW Health research into disparities in patient access to pituitary healthcare across the State – amplifying the patient voice in the development of future clinical guidelines. These contributions have strengthened her commitment to advocacy and underscored the APF’s vital role in driving better outcomes for patients and their families.

Professionally, Emma holds a Master of Science and is an experienced environmental professional and public servant with more than 20 years in environmental assessment, research, project and program management, stakeholder engagement, policy development, and strategic analysis.

She brings deep expertise in navigating government processes to achieve practical results. Guided by her personal insight and collaborative approach, Emma is dedicated to helping APF expand its impact and ensure patients receive the care and support they deserve.

In her spare time, Emma enjoys gardening, creative writing, and long walks with her staffy dog.

Dennis is a Mechanical Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Aust (retired). He was employed by consulting engineers Norman Disney & Young in 1977 and was appointed a director and shareholder in 1987. He served in various roles including Deputy CEO until he stepped down in 2013. Projects of relevance to APF included research facilities and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. He has broad experience in marketing, legal and risk, quality management and occupational health and safety.

NFP contributions have included: establishing the Norman Disney & Young Charitable Trust, 40 years as a Rotarian including 3 years as President, establishing the Child’s Play project for the Spilstead Centre in Sydney which provides therapy for vulnerable children and their families, and a water well and water reticulation project to aid survivors of a volcanic eruption in Guatemala.

He was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease in 2103 after many years of suffering without diagnosis. The tumour was not able to be operated on and Dennis was under drugs to control the disease until 2022 when he had his adrenal glands removed. He has recently had his left leg amputated and faces the challenge of learning to walk on a prosthetic.

Rob is an experienced financial services executive who has worked across a diverse range of businesses ranging from global banking giants to Australian start-ups. Across a 30 year career Rob has held responsibilities for Strategy Development, Marketing, Digital, Credit and various operational units. Currently Rob runs a Sydney-based consulting practice servicing a range of clients.

Beyond these commercial responsibilities, Rob has been fortunate to have the opportunity to support a number of volunteer and community organisations including being a committee member for sporting organisations and charities as well as having been a mentor for a charity support group.

Rob is keen on sport and enjoys running and travel.

He holds an MBA from UWS and is an alumnus of the London Business School’s Senior Executive Program.

Amanda Sheppeard is journalist and editor with more than 35 years’ experience in her field. During that time, she has worked across a broad range of areas, including health, education, local government, police/courts, finance/property and features. She has been recognised with awards from the National Press Club and at the Gold Coast Media Awards. She has also been a swim instructor for almost 20 years. Amanda is currently the managing editor of The Medical Republic.

Amanda was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease in 2011 after many years of being unwell and has since undergone a number of surgeries, including an unsuccessful attempt to remove her pituitary tumour and stereotactic radiosurgery.

In her spare time, Amanda and her golden retriever Fred are volunteers with Delta Therapy Dogs Australia, a national non-profit organisation that facilitates dogs and their owners to visit hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health facilities, dementia wards, palliative care, disability services, health clinics, schools, correctional facilities and workplaces.

Amanda lives on Sydney’s northern beaches with her family. She is passionate about raising awareness of pituitary disease at both community, health professionals and government levels.

Ashley is a seasoned healthcare executive with over two decades of leadership experience across hospitals, aged care, and community services. Currently the Chief Executive of Centacare Kimberley, Ashley leads programs supporting vulnerable communities in Western Australia. His commitment to the Australian Pituitary Foundation stems from a personal connection – friends living with pituitary conditions, inspiring him to advocate for better awareness, resources, and care.

Ashley’s career reflects a consistent focus on improving health outcomes through evidence-based strategies and strong governance. He has held senior roles including Senior Regional Manager at CatholicCare NT, Contract Director at Royal North Shore Hospital, and General Manager at Regis Aged Care. His expertise spans commercial management, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure planning, and policy implementation, underpinned by a deep commitment to community wellbeing.

Holding postgraduate qualifications in health systems, public health, and business administration, Ashley combines strategic insight with operational experience. His leadership has delivered multimillion-dollar facility upgrades, successful accreditation outcomes, and statewide health initiatives such as COVID-19 testing coordination in Tasmania. Ashley brings this wealth of experience and collaborative approach to APF, with a vision to strengthen governance and expand support for patients and families.