Board of Directors
Andrew Harrison, BEC MBA (Chair)
Andrew is an experienced company director and corporate adviser and has held a number of non-executive directorships with public and private companies including serving as the Chair of ASX-listed WiseTech Global and Bapcor Limited. He was previously CFO of Seven Group Limited and Landis & Gyr among other senior finance positions, and has worked internationally as an investment banker and Chartered Accountant. He holds a BEc from the University of Sydney and an MBA from the Wharton School. He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Andrew has a child with arthritis.
Arti Brown
Arti has over 20 years of experience in public policy and advocacy, regulatory affairs, governance, risk management and organisational design. Having worked across mining, telecommunications and more recently, finance, Arti currently drives Line 1 Risk Strategy, Governance and Operations as a General Manager at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Arti is a graduate of the University of Sydney and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Arti has a daughter with Juvenile Arthritis.
Ruth Colagiuri AM (Founder)
Ruth is an Honorary Associate Professor of the University of Sydney’s Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, and School of Public Health. She has worked in clinical care, health policy and health services research in the NSW hospital system, NSW Health Department and academia and led projects and commissioned work for AusAID, the WHO, and the OECD. Ruth is a former vice president of the International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Australia and served on national and international advisory committees. Ruth has a grandchild with arthritis.
Stephen Colagiuri AO (Co-Founder)
Stephen Colagiuri is Professor Emeritus at the Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. He is a medical specialist in diabetes and an active researcher. Stephen has worked in the Australian public and private health systems and university sector. He is an advisor to the WHO. He is a former president of the Australian Diabetes Society and former a vice president of the International Diabetes Federation. Stephen has a grandchild with arthritis.
Joni Henry (Director)
Joni has over 25 years of experience working as a corporate and commercial lawyer and is currently a partner at Pinsent Masons. She is a graduate of Victoria University, NZ (LLB/BA), the University of Cambridge(MPhil/PhD) and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Joni has a daughter with Juvenile Arthritis.
Patron
The Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn
JAFA is honoured to welcome Her Excellency, the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia as its Patron. The Governor – General’s patronage will be invaluable in raising awareness of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and related childhood rheumatic diseases (CRDs) to new levels.
Staff
Amelia Seeto (CEO)
Amelia joined JAFA in July 2026. Ms Seeto brings with her a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector from organisations ranging across health, disability, women’s rights and homelessness, and special expertise in fundraising, communications and marketing.
Benjamin Laxton (IT Lead)
Ben joined JAFA in June 2021, bringing with him extensive experience and expertise in digital technology and communication in the private sector, the public health system and health non-profits.
Medical and Scientific Panel
- Dr Jonathan Akikusa, Head, Paediatric Rheumatology, Royal Children’s Hospital
- Dr Emily Boulter, Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist, Perth Children’s Hospital
- Dr Jeffrey Chaitow (Chair), Head, Paediatric Rheumatology, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
- Dr Ben Whitehead, Director Paediatric Rheumatology, Queensland Children’s Hospital
- Dr Sophia Zagora, Ophthalmologist and Uveitis Specialist, The University of Sydney
Pro bono support
JAFA is grateful for the following valuable pro bono contributions:
LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE
Keith Rovers, MinterEllison, Sydney
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
Felicity Moffatt, Founder and Principal MD Media
SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Dr Shilo McClean and James Murty, experts in their field and parents of a child with arthritis
HEALTH POLICY
Associate Professor Christine Giles, Menzies Centre for Health Policy, The University of Sydney
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
- Lisa McDermott, Director EngageComms
Friends and allies
JAFA liaises closely with other existing national and state based arthritis not-for-profit organisations and has a strong and growing network of highly reputable friends and allies:
- The Australian Paediatric Rheumatology Group (APRG) – the professional association of medical specialists treating and researching juvenile arthritis. JAFA values its relationship with and the ongoing support of the APRG and its individual members and relies heavily on its input to JAFA’s policies and positions on clinical health care and research issues.
- The Uveitis Special Interest Group of the Royal Australia & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists – the medical specialists treating juvenile arthritis eye disease. Members of the uveitis group have been unfailingly helpful and supportive of JAFA in all its attempts to raise awareness of juvenile arthritis and the need for improved access to medicines and services.
- The (Federal) Parliamentary Friends of Child and Adolescent Health & Mental Health– co-chaired by Dr Mike Freelander (Member for Macarthur), Hon Dr David Gillespie (Member for Lyne), and Dr Monique Ryan (Member for Kooyong). The support of the Co-Chairs has been central to the success of JAFA’s efforts to raise political awareness about juvenile arthritis.
Volunteers
JAFA is eternally grateful to the dedicated band of parent volunteers who have given their unwavering support since its inception.
JAFA would not have flourished without their energy, input and conviction that change is possible.