The VBB Board

Anna is a 2003 veterinary graduate from the University of Sydney. From 2004-2008, Anna worked in a busy 24-hour veterinary hospital in Sydney and also volunteered with VBB in Sikkim, India in 2006. Anna's interest in the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases led her to complete a Masters of International Public Health at the University of Sydney in 2007, including an Honours thesis in influenza epidemiology. Since then, Anna has been working in the area of zoonoses epidemiology and policy with the World Health Organisation (health agency of the United Nations system) in Manila, Philippines and in Hanoi, Vietnam. Anna's funding for her one-year assignment in Hanoi was through the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program, an initiative funded by AusAID (the Australian government's overseas aid agency), of which VBB is an Australian Partner Organisation. In 2009, Anna was admitted as a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, by passing qualifying examinations of the Epidemiology Chapter.

One of the founders of VBB, Catherine started her veterinary volunteering career in 2006 spending 10 months in Africa working with wildlife after graduating form the University of Queensland with a Bachelors Degree in Veterinary Science and another in Veterinary Biology specializing in diseases in whales and dolphins. Since then she has worked in Europe, India and Australia as a vet, now specializing in holistic veterinary treatments including acupuncture. Catherine has spent most of the last five years living and working in India where she has helped establish most of VBB's activities and plays a continuing role overseeing activities, liaising with government agencies and other animal welfare organisations. Her in depth knowledge of animal welfare activities in India and Asia, networks with local communities and governments, passion for animal welfare and public health provide ongoing support and bring a wealth of experience to the board of VBB.

Margaret has held CEO positions in public health, overseas development and veterinary not for profits, and continues to hold a number of director positions on government and not for profit boards. Her qualifications are in management and political science, and she is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has a long-standing commitment to improving human and veterinary public health as one of the important building blocks on which to nurture an understanding and acceptance of global interdependence.

Peter is a 1972 veterinary graduate from Sydney University. He joined the biotechnology industry as a senior research scientist working on on gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) and developing an immunological castration/sterilization agent. Peter then completed a PhD in the molecular biology of male mediated birth defects. This remains his main research interest and he is just concluding his MScMed ( Reproductive health and human genetics) degree with a research project in the Fertility unit at Westmead Hospital Sydney. A highlight of his career, has been being involved with running large animal clinics and the ABC-AR program in Bodhgaya, India.

Jan is a legal secretary at a large city legal firm. She is currently Chairperson of the Reflexology Association of Australia's NSW branch is also Editor of their official journal, FootPrints. Jan's committment to animal welfare issues has included many years working with WIRES. She brings specialist administrative and management experience to the organisation.

Kirsty Officer graduated from Murdoch University in 1995 and worked for a number of years in mixed and small animal practice in both Australia and the United Kingdom. After some years in practice she returned to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Australia, majoring in history and politics. Kirsty has a strong interest in and commitment to improving animal welfare in Asia. Since 2007 she has been a regular volunteer with Vets Beyond Borders projects, spending a total of 5 months in Sikkim and 2 months in Ladakh, and was a member of the teaching staff for the pilot phase of Project Vet-Train in 2009. Kirsty is currently working for Animals Asia Foundation as the veterinarian at their Moon Bear rescue centre in Northern Vietnam, which rescues and rehabilitates bears from the bear bile trade.