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Karl developed a career in healthcare recruitment in both Australia and the UK. Karl has an unwavering passion and drive to create a significant footprint in the world of SIDS research and infant safe sleep education.
Karl experiences great satisfaction in knowing that River’s Gift are making significant inroads in the world of saving infant’s lives.
Supported by a highly credentialed and experienced Board of Directors, Advisory Committees and team of employees, Karl is excited for the future direction of the organisation and the goal oriented outcomes we strive for.
Karl regularly represents River’s Gift and provides keynote deliveries at health industry seminars, corporate events and community fundraisers, representing his family’s story and the organisation’s mission of Stamping Out SIDS.
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With an extensive background in events and project management, Alex combines this experience and knowledge with a sincere passion for raising funds for SIDS research.
Originally from the UK and with 19 years of experience in the events industry, Alex has managed and developed a variety of events from product launches, exhibitions and festivals to gala balls, conferences and educational programs. Having worked in theatre and television as an actress, Alex’ events often have theatrical elements that have become a trade mark of the yearly River’s Gift Gala Ball.
As a keynote speaker, Alex has travelled nationally and internationally, speaking to audiences and industry leaders, passionately sharing her story of courage, resilience and hope.
Alex is a founding member of River’s Gift and most importantly is River’s Mum.
Alex has built a loyal bond with families in similar situations and embraces the ‘Unite’ program; River’s Gift’s unique and personalised program that embraces and brings SIDS families together. Alex says “When people lose a baby they often miss out on being acknowledged as that child’s parent; the title often gets lost in the years that follow. I feel such gratitude that I am often introduced as River’s Mum and I have the opportunity to do all I can, not only in his honour but for all of his little friends who have lost their lives to this devastating syndrome.”
Alex is also Mum to two beautiful “rainbows born after the storm”, daughter Shiloh and son Bodhi.
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Marsha has served on the Board as a Non-Executive Director since May 2022, before becoming the Chair in July 2023.
Marsha has a distinguished 25-year career as a strategic partner across global, multinational, private, not for profit and government business enterprise with experience across APAC and Europe in FMCG, Agriculture, Fashion, QSR, Business Consulting, Health & Automotive.
To River’s Gift, Marsha brings strong skills in strategy, marketing, leadership, and communication. She has deep experience in helping brands and businesses grow and flourish through people, places, and best practice processes.
Marsha is also a mother of 3 children and is very passionate about working to Stamp Out SIDS
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Alexis joined the board in July 2023 bringing expertise in People & Culture from her 25-year career as an executive leader in Asia Pacific.
With experiences in global multinational companies, not for profit and government business enterprise spanning Commercial Real Estate, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Health Care / Aged Care, Transport / Logistics and Manufacturing, Alexis’s diverse industry background has provided many opportunities create and work in diverse, inclusive, and inspiring workplaces where people thrive.
Alexis brings to Rivers Gift her passion for organizational culture, engagement, learning, leadership development and talent management and capability in building people strategies to support business priorities, creative communication skills and a reputation for implementation and transformational change.
As a Mum of 3 beautiful children and an Auntie to 8 amazing nieces and nephews, working to Stamp out SIDS is close to her heart.
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Anthony joined the River’s Gift in July 2023 bringing his background and experience in strategy, marketing, and technology to the Board as a Non-executive Director. Anthony has worked in the professional services (consulting) industry for nearly 20 years.
Anthony is graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Deakin University along executive education in strategy, innovation, and technology at MIT Sloan of Management in Boston.
Anthony is a long-term supporter of River’s Gift previously participating in numerous running campaigns and looks forward to leveraging his professional skills to support River’s Gift in Stamping out SIDS.
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Craig has been working at Deakin University since 2016 providing mental health training and support for both Staff and Students. He also owns and operates a private Psychology business, and prides his business on providing affordable psychological services to vulnerable people who may not be able to access traditional services in the comfort and safety of their own home.
Craig graduated from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours) and has worked across a range of services within the mental health field, including public mental health, Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams (CATT), private practice, forensic services and has provided crisis support to organisations and individuals. He is a registered facilitator of Mental Health First Aid training and has created and delivered training programs for Health Professionals on topics such as working with Neurodiversity, Depression and Anxiety, Violence Risk assessment and Crisis Support. Craig is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and also a member of their Disaster Response Network.
Craig has a personal connection to River’s Gift having been friends with Karl and Alex and sharing both the joy surrounding River’s birth and the horrible pain of his loss. He has a background in studying neuroscience, and hopes to drive research that may ultimately prevent any other families from experiencing such an overwhelming loss”. Craig has three children, and enjoys sharing his love of science, nature, sport and travel with them.
