Leigh Bell

Leigh joined the Board of the CMANZ in late 2022. She is a long term cardiomyopathy patient, having been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) as a young child. After a lifetime of intervention, (including a myectomy at 17, multiple ICDs, ablations, and a heart transplant in 2021) and with a number of family members affected by HCM, she is passionate about improving support for cardiomyopathy patients in Australia.  

Leigh's first involvement with the CMANZ began at its inception in the 90's when her mother, Robyn Bell originally established the organisation as a support and education group for HCM patients. 

Leigh's career was in multinational steel and mining companies with senior management roles in operations, project, transition, and logistics management. She volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for over 20 years. She intends spending her gifted years post-transplant in pursuit of better support, experiences and outcomes for those impacted by cardiomyopathy. 

Mary Smith

Donna joined the Board in 2023. She brings a unique blend of life experiences and strong commitment to our mission. In 2008, she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The journey with HCM has not only taught her resilience but also deep empathy for individuals and families navigating similar health hurdles. 

Prior to her involvement with this charitable organisation, Donna spent the past eight years operating a small business while pursuing her studies in nursing, emphasising her commitment to personal growth and adaptability. Donna’s career has been centred around networking, administration and customer service both as a small business owner, and for a large national organisation where she held management and leadership roles.

Her family's shared experience with cardiomyopathy has fuelled her passion for improving the lives of those with Cardiomyopathy. With unwavering dedication, Donna is enthusiastic about contributing to the organisation's efforts to drive innovation and provide vital support to the community.

Bronwyn Stewart

Gordon joined the Board of CMANZ in late 2024 following the tragic and devastating loss of his 23-year-old daughter, Alexandra to an undiagnosed Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in 2023. His younger son, Charlie, also has the same heart disease and has had a heart defibrillator installed as well as being on daily heart medication. 

Through his involvement with CMANZ and other related organisations, his strong motivation is simply to work with others to build awareness, research capability and advocacy  - in the hope that other families will not have to live through his family’s tragic experience.    

Gordon has had a successful career in financial services, having worked in senior roles with a number of global investment banking firms before establishing his own advisory business which he has recently sold. 

He serves as a board member and director of a number of private companies and charitable foundations.

Christine Wilson

Jenny has recently been appointed as secretary of CMANZ, joining in May 2025. Jenny is a chartered accountant with more than 30 years of diverse experience across many industries in the private sector and latterly for local government in the public sector. Jenny currently works for a not-for-profit organisation providing literacy skills in early education.

Jenny’s passions include volunteering with a strong family influence in making a positive difference to the community. It is with this passion that she is looking forward to contributing to the effective operation of CMANZ in supporting the Board of Directors in their endeavours and aims for this worthy organisation.

Shelley joined the CMANZ Board in 2023. She has a professional background in public health, program management and business development, holding leadership roles in commercial and not-for-profit organisations in the health sector. Shelley is currently the Strategic Partnerships Manager for ASHM Health which is a not-for-profit, member based organisation dedicated to improving person centred care and health outcomes related to blood borne viruses and sexual and reproductive health in Australia and the Asia and Pacific regions.

With a passion for equity, social inclusion and community, Shelley believes that health services and health systems deliver the best outcomes when people who are most affected are involved in the design, delivery and monitoring processes. With family affected by cardiomyopathy, Shelley is a passionate advocate for the cardiomyopathy community and brings her personal and professional experience to the role of treasurer.

Gordon Thoms

Vikki has recently become a member of the CMANZ Board after having been involved in the organisation for many years where she has assisted with coordination of support groups, administration of social media and fundraising. She is passionate about supporting our Cardiomyopathy community, creating awareness and keeping up to date with new information.

Vikki was first diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in 2006 at the age of 32 and has been learning about the condition with its highs and lows ever since. 

Vikki has a background in administration however recently decided on a career change where she felt compelled to do something more meaningful. This led her to community aged care where she assists our older community with daily activities and social support gaining great satisfaction from seeing the benefits that this brings to her clients. 

Vikki enjoys volunteering, time with family and friends, baking sweets and going for rides in the country on the back of her husband’s motorcycle.  

Kerry Shaddick

Dionne joined the CMANZ Board in 2025. Diagnosed later in life with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), alongside both of her sons and without any known family history, Dionne’s journey with the condition became intensely personal. Just nine months after diagnosis, her eldest son required a heart transplant, fast-tracking their family’s experience through the complexities of cardiac care. All three have lived with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which have saved her sons’ lives on multiple occasions.

A registered nurse with a career spanning 25 years in paediatric intensive care, Dionne credits her clinical background with helping her family navigate the healthcare system’s challenges. She brings this dual perspective, as both clinician and carer, to her advocacy. Passionate about empowering others with cardiomyopathy, she is committed to improving access, understanding, and support for those living with the condition.

Julian Genn