About Us
Meet the Team
Donna Rendell
General Manager
Born in the tiny country town of Corrigin, Donna has gone from humble beginnings to the exciting heights of launching a brand new Australian radio station, before a life changing journey brought her to The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA.
After beginning her radio career as a receptionist for 96FM, Donna worked her way to the top and within just a few years became the Director of Marketing and Promotions for Perth’s 92.9. After enjoying this role, the bright lights were calling and Donna headed to Melbourne to launch NOVA FM, which in an unprecedented move, went straight to number one in only its second survey.
Four incredibly successful years followed and then, after having been in the industry since she was 21, Donna knew the time had come to make the tough decision to stop work and do what she had always dreamed of – travel the world. She took a year long sabbatical and headed to India, a holiday that was to alter her way of thinking forever.
Doing volunteer work with under privileged children and sharing the lives of the inspirational people she met saw Donna come back to Perth with new priorities and perspectives. She decided on a career change and on finding a job that not only would be challenging and stimulating, but would also fill her heart and soul and give her a sense of pride.
Knowing she wanted to help people and lead a team with the same passion has brought Donna to The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA. Her mission is to make sure everyone in this state knows about the BCFWA and is able to benefit from the excellent support and services it provides.
“I feel extremely privileged to be working with such a passionate team who strive on a daily basis to support each person who reaches out to us for help. You can not measure the satisfaction and although some days emotions run high and it can be very difficult, the strength shown by the men, women and families who we are able to support is truly inspirational”
donna@breastcancer.org.au
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Sherryl Potts
McGrath Breast Care Nurse
Sherryl brings with her more than three decades of experience in health and community care. Since attaining her initial nursing qualification from Royal Perth Hospital Sherryl has worked in hospitals and in the community setting in cities and rural and remote Australia and the USA. During this time she also completed a post graduate nursing qualification from Deakin University and breast care nurse accreditation from LaTrobe University.
Over the years she has observed that when women are unwell it impacts on the whole family and beyond. The opportunity to be involved in an organisation that is all about providing specialised and meaningful support to women and their families through the breast cancer journey is a particular joy.
“Working as a nurse all around Australia and especially since joining BCFWA in 2006, I have been privileged to be invited into the lives of many inspiring women; sharing their joys as well as their difficulties. If I can smooth the pathway of what can be a rocky road I feel fulfilled and satisfied.”
Denise Kiff
Specialist Breast Care Nurse
With over twenty five years experience in nursing, Denise began her career in the UK but soon after emigrated to Perth and worked in paediatrics, renal and cardiothoracic care. She completed a Bachelor of Nursing at Edith Cowan University and after developing a passion for women’s health, completed the Breast Care Nurses Course at La Trobe University.
But it was while working as a client assessment nurse for BreastScreen WA that Denise really began to understand how significantly breast care nurses can help improve the outcome for those diagnosed with breast cancer, which is why she has been drawn to the BCFWA.
Denise has also worked at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital caring for women and families following a cancer diagnosis and so has seen the great benefits that come from dealing one on one with patients. Married with a teenage son, Denise now calls Australia home and is excited about this new opportunity to provide even more personalised care to those touched by breast cancer.
“I believe the journey of people diagnosed with a breast cancer should be supported as much as possible. The BCFWA goals are very unique and I believe my role can improve the support and help smooth the journey for individual people and their families with the provision of holistic health care.”
Nerida Lovell
Support Services Coordinator
Counsellor
Nerida is a trained Social Worker with 15 years’ experience, having worked in a variety of government organisations including the Disability Services Commission. She worked for a number of years for the Health Department, in the areas of adult mental health and elderly mental health and this has also included a stint at the Lockridge Community Health Centre.
Her work in the non-government sector includes a few years at Mission Australia, where she worked with unemployed people who faced significant and multiple barriers to employment..
More recently Nerida moved into Local Government, putting in home services for older people with physical limitations for younger people with disabilities. She also worked at Carers WA where she held rural carer workshops around WA, coordinated a counselling team and oversaw the operation of a 24 hour counselling line and email counselling service.
Nerida has been drawn to BCFWA because its mission to provide personalised support and care for each person fits with her strong commitment to provide equal access to services for all. She also has personal connections with breast cancer. She is considering research in this area now she is doing post-graduate studies in Advanced Social Work.
“I am touched by the level of dedication of the staff and volunteers and the gentle persistence of the breast cancer survivors I have met, who are exploring life on their own terms, undertaking this journey in their own way. I am surprised by the generosity many women show to those around them - including those who are going through similar yet different experiences - and their frank perspectives on life and its many opportunities and challenges.”
nerida@breastcancer.org.au
Paula Hicks
Indigenous Program Coordinator
Raised in Geraldton and the youngest of seven children, Paula’s Father is a traditional land owner and a Banyjima descendent from the Pilbara region. It was obvious from an early age that she had a natural affinity for aboriginal affairs and social issues when she won the Indigenous Youth of the Year Award for being an outstanding student leader and role model. After high school she moved to Perth to study law at the University of Western Australia.
But soon Paula realised there were more effective ways of working to improve the lives of indigenous people, so she left study to take on a role with the Department of Child Protection, working mainly with aboriginal families and youth. She went on to become the Indigenous Representative for Family and Domestic Violence Case Management and worked also for the Rural Children’s Support Network, a non-profit organisation that provides children in remote communities with educational support and resources.
A registered foster carer for indigenous children, Paula’s maturity and true commitment is evidenced by the fact that at the tender age of 23 she became the foster parent of a Noongar baby. Three years on she says the experience is amazing and whilst it’s sometimes challenging as she works fulltime, very worthwhile.
Paula is passionate about her role at BCFWA as it is enabling her to continue doing what she loves, which is working with people in rural indigenous communities to improve access to health services.
“My vision is to increase the number of Indigenous women accessing information and support for breast cancer so that the survival rate for Aboriginal women is in line with the general population.”
paula@breastcancer.org.au
Diane Rae
Volunteer Coordinator
Diane has had a very diverse, challenging and exciting career history. She’s owned her own fashion boutique, managed two GP practices in Hong Kong and been a sales consultant for Revlon, The Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times.
Most recently she was the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, on-call twenty-four hours a day and entrusted to attend to both the business and personal interests of Gina Rinehart. Whilst in this role, Diane was also Director of a number of companies and a Board Member of the Hancock Family Breast Cancer Foundation. She was instrumental in raising funds for the Foundation through organising balls and selling raffle tickets, with all the money going directly into medical research.
Diane feels her greatest achievement during this time was compiling one of Australia’s largest petitions which urged the Federal Government to increase funding and resources for breast cancer.
"I have been so very blessed in my life in so many ways with good health, happiness, family and friends that I feel if there is anything that I could possibly do to assist in some way to make somebody else’s life a little easier, would be a wonderful blessing. My favourite saying is "May you have health to spare, friends who care and love to share."
di@breastcancer.org.au
Maree Daniels
Fundraising and Marketing Manager
Maree’s early career was spent developing a strong background of skills in finance ending with a long tenure at SGIO working in financial systems. She spent several years on IT projects as a Business Analyst and went on to become their Systems Accountant.
Maree left this challenging role to pursue her dream of becoming a fulltime musician, which saw her working up to six nights a week for many years, entertaining audiences at a wide range of corporate functions, weddings, pubs, clubs and festivals. So if you think you recognise Maree from somewhere you probably do!
During this time she also took on a volunteer PR role at the RSPCA. This later led to a fulltime position as the Society’s Event Coordinator, where Maree managed all the high profile fundraising events and set about developing new fundraising programs. From here she moved to the Public Transport Authority, heading up the New MetroRail community relations portfolio for the Mandurah railway project and overseeing the inaugural journey from the new Perth underground station.
Giving of her time and energy for others has always been close to Maree’s heart. She continues to be involved with many not-for-profit organisations and currently resides on the voluntary Fundraising Committee for The Dog’s Refuge.
“What impressed me about BCFWA is that it is helping real WA people and we can see the results on a daily basis. I love the fact it is a grassroots organisation that truly makes a difference on an individual level”
Angelique McAvoy
Event and Sponsorship Coordinator
Angelique has extensive experience in marketing, communications and corporate events having spent the last five years as State Marketing and Communications Manager for Professionals, WA’s largest real estate franchise. There she was responsible for sourcing, negotiating and servicing strategic partnerships and organising annual balls, conferences, training seminars and other group activities.
Supporting the breast cancer cause has always been close to her heart and in this role she introduced several initiatives to help raise funds and awareness. Through this position her passion for fundraising grew and she knew the next step would be to try and find a new job that was community focused and socially responsible.
With a Bachelor of Communications in Media Studies from Edith Cowan University, Angelique’s interests also include natural medicine and she is a trained Kinesiologist. She is currently completing a Post Graduate Degree in Psychology.
“I hope to bring my passion for laughter, entertainment and friendship to the Foundation. It’s such an honour to be part of an organisation that serves women and the community with such grace and humility.”
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Stacey Kyle
Fundraising Officer
After leaving school and working in a range of retail jobs Stacey realised she had a passion for customer service and decided to go to university to study communications. During this time she was the Communications Assistant for the Red Bull Air Race and the Advertising and Subscriptions Coordinator for Scoop Publishing.
In 2008 she came to the BCFWA on professional placement to complete a work experience unit, but was so taken with the Foundation that she voluntarily stayed on to help organise the Long Table Lunch and annual Purple Bra Day.
Stacey has since graduated from Edith Cowan with a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Public Relations and Advertising and has taken on the important role of Fundraising Officer.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with a supportive and passionate team of people and am lucky to be in a position where we are in touch with generous West Australians who help us make a difference.”