Our 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
Leigh Farrell is Chair of Vitrafy Life Sciences (ASX: VFY), bringing more than 25 years of leadership across life sciences, biotech and defence commercialisation.
He has deep expertise in regulatory strategy and governance, and a strong track record guiding innovative technologies from development to global markets. As Chair, Leigh provides strategic stewardship as Vitrafy scales its next-generation cryopreservation platform globally.
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.
Non-Executive Director
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.
Non-Executive Director
Jeannie Joughin is a Non-Executive Director of Vitrafy Life Sciences, bringing more than 30 years of executive and board experience across blood, biotech and medical devices. She has held senior roles at CSL, Bristol Myers Squibb and Enable Injections, with deep in-market expertise in the US blood products sector.
Jeannie holds a PhD in Immunology and brings a strong track record translating science into scalable commercial outcomes through venture and board leadership.
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).
(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.
