About us
Parkinson’s Australia Board

Professor George Mellick
Director & ChairProfessor George Mellick
George is an interdisciplinary scientist who works on all aspects of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. He is the Deputy Director of the Eskitis Institute, Griffith University and holds adjunct positions at the University of Queensland, RBWH and Princess Alexandra Hospital.
George has authored over 100 research publications including articles in the Lancet, JAMA, Lancet Neurology and Annals of Neurology.
He is also an advocate for people affected by Parkinson’s disease and serves as the President of Parkinson’s Queensland.

Alison Perrot
Director & Vice ChairAlison Perrot
Alison has dedicated over 30 years to the “for-purpose” sector providing treasury management, asset allocation and investment advice to not-for-profit, aged care and religious organisations.
Alison is a financial markets professional, fixed income specialist and highly qualified portfolio adviser. She currently works nationally with specialist advisers to tailor investment solutions for wholesale clients and broadening philanthropy at Ord Minnett.
Alison serves on a number of not-for profit boards applying her highly tuned financial and investment skills, strategic thinking ability and corporate compliance knowledge to achieve desired outcomes for those organisations and their stakeholders. She is passionate about advancing the cause of people living with Parkinson’s and is a Past President of Parkinson’s South Australia.

David Blacker AM
DirectorDavid Blacker AM

Glen Booth
DirectorGlen Booth
Glen is a risk and strategy professional with over 15 years experience at organisations including Westpac, Snowy Hydro, Lion, Tesco, and KPMG. He is a Chartered Accountant, graduate of the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds degrees in Business Administration and Information Technology. His connection to Parkinson’s is through his father who sadly passed away in 2024.

Heidi Clarris
DirectorHeidi Clarris
Heidi is a Strategy and Customer Experience Executive with over 25 years of experience in academic research, the public service and corporate organisations such as Bupa Australia and New Zealand. Heidi is currently the Chief Customer Officer at Aruma, one of Australia’s largest not for profit Disability providers. Heidi has a PhD in Neuroscience and started her career as an academic researcher in the field of Alzheimer’s Disease and she holds degrees in Science and Psychology. Heidi is also a graduate of the Company Directors Course and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Heidi is a strong advocate for people with disability and has a personal connection through her mother who passed away from multiple sclerosis.

Steve Ferguson
DirectorSteve Ferguson
Steve is a Chartered Accountant and was a partner with Ernst & Young for over 25 years leaving in late 2018. Steve was the Financial Services Accounts Leader for EY in Asia Pacific and as an assurance partner has led the audit of a number of large Australian multinational listed companies.
He is a graduate of the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jen Harkness
DirectorJen Harkness
Jen was diagnosed in 2014, with Young Onset Parkinson’s at age of 48. Jen has spent the past 24 years working in the Public Service, with the last 16 years prominently in the international field, working within the Pacific Region as a program manager.
Since her diagnosis she has worked tirelessly advocating and raising awareness for Parkinson’s with a particular passion for those with young onset Parkinson’s. She continues to dedicate her volunteer time to improve support and resources for people and families living with Parkinson’s.
Previously Jen was a member of the Committee for Parkinson’s ACT and then sat on the Board of Governors for The Hospital Research Foundation – Parkinson’s ACT. Jen is the Coordinator for their Young Onset support group.

Marcia Kimball
DirectorMarcia Kimball
Marcia’s husband, John, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s some 16 years ago.
She has over 35 years of experience in corporate and senior executive roles and was the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. As the COO, Marcia had responsibility for providing the Australian Trade and Investment Commission globally across a broad spectrum of corporate services. These services encompassed Finance, IT, HR, Legal, Property and Procurement. Marcia has a Bachelor of Education, a Graduate Diploma as a Resource Educator and Masters’ level qualifications in Financial Management from the Australian National University. Marcia is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Director of The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Parkinson’s ACT and Chair of their Board of Governors.

Sally Macdonald
DirectorSally Macdonald
Sally is a Sydney-based CEO, strategic advisor and investor with experience in retail, fashion, online and biotechnology. She chairs Carla Zampatti, the much-loved Australian women’s apparel business, serves as a non-executive director at Symbyx Biome, and advises early-stage consumer businesses. Previously, Sally was CEO of Oroton Group (2006-2013), overseeing a turnaround of the then-listed group which included Oroton and Ralph Lauren Australia and NZ. Sally was also CEO of Big W department stores in 2016 and her early career was as a management consultant at BCG in Melbourne and New York. Sally holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Commerce from the University of Melbourne, where she received an Alumni of Distinction award in 2010. Sally has a personal connection to Parkinson’s through her Father and Grandfather.
We partner and collaborate with these organisations and alliances to advocate for people living with Parkinson’s and bring you the best possible information reviewed by these expert peak bodies.