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Our board, scientific advisory board and executive team have the decades of combined scientific, research and business acumen needed to drive Vitrafy’s pioneering approach to delivering better product quality outcomes.
(Chair)
Sonia is a lawyer with extensive experience as a non‑executive director and chair in various highly regulated sectors. She is currently Chair of ASX-listed QantmIP Limited (ASX:QIP), a non‑executive director of TAL Dai Ichi Life Australia Pty Ltd, a member of the University of Melbourne Law School Foundation and a councillor of the Victorian Division of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Sonia previously served as Chair of Virtus Health Ltd (previously ASX:VRT) and Chair of Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria. Sonia holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of Chief Executive Women.
(Chair, Scientific Advisory Board and Non-Executive Director)
Associate Professor John McBain is Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for Vitrafy and is also a non-executive director of Vitrafy.
He is the former head of reproductive services at The Royal Women’s Hospital, the former president of the Fertility Society of Australia and was a founder of Melbourne IVF, now part of Virtus Health.
In 2013, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) for his contribution to and distinguished service to reproductive medicine as a gynaecologist, to medical education as an academic, and to professional organisations.
(Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Executive Director)
Brent is a creative entrepreneur with extensive knowledge in intellectual property development, which has seen him pioneer Vitrafy’s technological innovations and supporting patent protection.
Brent is responsible for developing the strategic vision for Vitrafy and the alignment of Vitrafy’s technology innovations with commercial opportunities.
Brent was the runner‑up Biotechnology Pioneer of the Year in the 2023 AmCham Alliance Awards.
(Co-Founder and Executive Director)
With more than 20 years’ experience in business development and innovation, Brian is a qualified engineer with an established track record of strategic partnership development.
Brian began his career in the development and reconstruction of businesses and has significant experience in identifying and analysing market opportunities to deliver creative business solutions. Brian has developed several innovative start‑ups and business developments across Australia and Asia.
Prior to his role at Vitrafy, Brian established and operated a group of successful export companies sourcing and delivering Australian product into China. Brian is responsible for initiating and facilitating discussions with potential partners to maximise opportunities for Vitrafy’s unique cryopreservation technology.
(Non‑Executive Director)
James has worked for leading law firms in Australia, US and UK, specialising in corporate and commercial law. He has also worked as senior corporate counsel and company secretary for the Australasian operations of one of the world’s largest financial services organisations.
James’s practice is extensive and covers negotiating and documenting commercial transactions of all types, corporate and financial services law, intellectual property and corporate governance and compliance. James has a particular interest in assisting start‑up companies with establishing appropriate systems and processes.
James has been a director of several public and private companies and is currently a Deputy Chancellor of the University of Tasmania.
(Non‑Executive Director)
Vaughan has extensive industry and public markets experience, having spent more than 20 years in corporate finance at leading Australian stockbrokers focusing on developing, funding and executing strategies for mid-to-small cap ASX-listed companies (including extensive IPO experience).
Vaughan has held directorships in private and other ASX-listed companies and is currently a non‑executive director of PRT Company Limited (previously ASX:PRT).
(Co-Founder and Executive Director)
Sean is a co-founder of Vitrafy.
With more than 15 years’ experience in executive leadership roles in manufacturing and industry development, Sean’s expertise includes developing and executing business strategies, capital raising, major project funding and incubating new businesses.
Sean holds an MBA from Federation University Australia and is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
(Chief Executive Officer)
Kate has extensive and diverse experience as a senior executive at ASX-listed health and services companies. Most recently, Kate was the CEO of Virtus Health Limited (previously ASX:VRT), one of the largest global providers of assisted reproductive services. While at Virtus Health, Kate created Virtus Ventures, which included successful collaborations between Virtus Health and a range of biotech start-ups to undertake translational research, commercialise technology and successfully obtain innovation grants.
Kate is currently Chair of the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre, which is a federally funded collaboration of more than 60 industry and university participants, focused on fostering innovation and facilitating the greater use of data and digital technologies in healthcare to improve health outcomes.
Kate is also a non-executive director on NZX listed Ryman Healthcare Limited, which develops, builds and operates retirement villages and aged care services across New Zealand and Australia.
Kate has deep operational experience, including as Chief Operations Officer at Ramsay Health Care (ASX:RHC) and as Chief Executive Operations at Transfield Services (previously ASX:TSE) (now Ventia Services Group Limited). Before moving into operations, she was Chief Risk and Legal Officer / Company Secretary for eight years while Transfield Services was listed on the ASX.
Kate was previously a partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Baker McKenzie, has a Bachelor of Laws from University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) from University of Technology Sydney and is a member of Chief Executive Women.
(Chief Financial Officer)
Simon has had a career spanning more than 25 years in executive and non-executive roles across private, ASX listed, private equity-owned, and purpose-driven organizations. His background encompasses finance and strategic roles in the software sector, both domestically in Australia and internationally across the UK, Asia, and North America.
Simon is currently an investor and director of a number of private technology-based organisations, with a focus on coaching and assisting management teams in developing and executing business strategy and managing capital transactions. Simon has deep executive experience, including as Chief Executive Officer at iCareHealth and Chief Financial Officer at MYOB Ltd (formerly ASX:MYO).
Before moving into operations, Simon was an investment banker and an accountant with Price Waterhouse. Simon has a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Business of Administration from University of Melbourne and is a member of AICD and formerly a Chartered Accountant with CA ANZ.
(Chief Technology Officer)
David brings over 25 years’ experience in developing innovative technology solutions. He
was most recently the Chief Technology Officer and Head of Advisory at IBM Consulting
ANZ. He is also a Microsoft Regional Director (a small team of industry experts selected by
Microsoft to provide advice on the companies’ product roadmaps and business strategy).
David’s experience includes Chief Architect – Automation & Innovation at University of
Sydney; Head of Strategy at the Fortune 500 company Insight; Managing Director at eSavvy
which was a cloud-based systems integrator and Director for Microsoft Asia Pacific.
David has a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things from the University of
Sydney; a MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and Management from
McMaster University in Canada and a Bachelor of Arts from York University in Canada. He
holds over 20 technical certifications across a number of technology platforms.
In 2023, David was ranked one of the Top 10 CTO’s in APAC by Technology Magazine and
number 2 in Australia.
(Chief Commercialisation and Financial Officer)
Tim serves as Vitrafy’s Chief Commercialisation and Financial Officer. Since joining Vitrafy in 2023, Tim has brought his extensive corporate finance and public market experience to lead Vitrafy’s corporate strategy and finance functions.
Prior to joining Vitrafy, Tim spent a decade in various roles across banking, finance, advisory and investments with specific expertise in capital strategy, markets and strategic advice.
Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University, a Masters of Banking & Finance from Monash University, and is currently a CFA Program participant with the CFA Institute.
(Member, Scientific Advisory Board)
Dr. Gook has been involved in IVF for the past 30 years and worked alongside one of Australia’s IVF pioneers, the late Ian Johnston. Dr. Gook holds a position as a senior research fellow in Reproductive Services/Melbourne IVF and is a lead scientist in the oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation program at The Royal Women’s Hospital and has continued to publish research on the cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue.
(Member, Scientific Advisory Board)
Associate Professor Marks is an R&D Program Leader at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, whose research focuses on all aspects of improving blood component quality and safety, from blood collection through to processing, storage and transfusion. This includes the development of novel blood products such as platelet lysate and frozen blood components.
Dr. Marks is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Medicine at The University of Sydney, an Associate Editor of the journal Vox Sanguinis and has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers.
(Member, Scientific Advisory Board)
Dr. Anand Srinivasan M.S, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Technology and Innovations and the Head of The Centre for Innovations and Biodesign at BioBridge Global, San Antonio, Texas.
He began his career with a baccalaureate degree in Biotechnology from India. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Prior to his appointment at BioBridge Global, he served as a principal investigator at the coagulation and blood research program of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. He has published several peer-reviewed research articles and has been awarded with many patents.
At BioBridge Global, Anand leads a team of engineers and scientists working on the expansion of cells using bioreactors, media formulation, process engineering, development of miniaturized technologies for assay and drug development, automation, lab-on-a-chip microfluidics, and novel potency assays for cell and gene therapies. In the regenerative medicine space, his work has led to the development of osteobiologics, allografts for wound healing, and xeno-free supplement formulation. He enables front‐end customer engagement to facilitate the design and development of new product, process, assays and service opportunities for BioBridge Global and its subsidiaries. He is also responsible for driving innovation and developing intellectual properties pertinent to advanced therapies.
Dr. Srinivasan is an active member of the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT), where he serves as a mentor for early-stage professionals. He is also a member of the Innovation Partner Program with Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT). He serves on the advisory board of the department of biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
