Our Board

Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) Board

The Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) was incorporated in March 2001 with its own Board, whose role is to help set the objective and facilitate the achievements of PIRI by providing experience and knowledge to assist in PIRI’s development, to act as a guiding body and strategic directions assist with fundraising and to improve community awareness and networking. Prof Jeannette Milgrom is the Executive Director and founder of PIRI. The Board is chaired by Prof. Helen Skouteris, and Prof. Jeannette Milgrom AM is the Exceutive Director. Its members include Ms. Sarah Jones (Treasurer), Ms. Barbara Wellesley AM, Ms. Jennifer Ericksen, Ms. Leonie Young, Mr. Brad Ward and Prof. Lyn Littlefield OAM. Located at Austin Health, Medical Director supports the Board as the hospital nominee.

PIRI Board Members

Prof. Helen Skouteris

Prof. Helen Skouteris

Appointed Chair of the Board in 2018. Appointed to Board in 2017
Helen's work has been focused extensively on maternal and child health, as well as on social service and educational sector improvement that translates to better health outcomes for infants, children, young people, parents and families and is critical to transforming policy across these sectors.
Prof. Jeannette Milgrom AM

Prof. Jeannette Milgrom AM

Appointed Executive Director of the Parent-Infant Research Institute in 2001
Jeannette Milgrom established the Parent‐Infant Research Institute (PIRI) in 2001 conducting basic and applied research (ante and postnatal depression, anxiety, prematurity, screening, CDSS, and developing psychological treatments – mothers, fathers and babies).
Ms Sarah Jones

Ms Sarah Jones

Appointed to Board in 2017 and Treasurer in December 2017
Sarah Jones is a qualified Accountant (CPA) and Financial Services specialist who has successfully led Finance, Risk and IT Teams and delivered complex regulatory, data and reporting projects by using her superior leadership and stakeholder management skills supported by over 15 years’ experience as an Accountant and Project Manager.
Ms Barbara Wellesley AM

Ms Barbara Wellesley AM

Appointed to Board in 2009, appointed Chair of the Board 2017 – 2018
Barbara Wellesley is currently Convenor of the Early Years Chapter of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Young People (ARACY) and President of Contact Inc. since 2014. Barbara was the co-founder and National Director (1997-2007) of Good Beginnings, Australia.
Leonie Young

Leonie Young

Appointed to Board in 2011, appointed Chair of the Board 2014 – 2017
Leonie is currently Deputy Chair, Australian Gynaecological Research Foundation; Director, Grow Australia. She was formerly National Chair, Grow Australia; Director, The Hobart Clinic; Director, Rural Alive & Well (RAW); CEO & Director, beyondblue.
Bradley Ward

Bradley Ward

Appointed to Board in 2019
Company Director of Medical Minds Pty Ltd, a leading strategic marketing and brand development organisation for medical and health care professionals. He has a national reputation for helping to deliver strategic marketing and advertising solutions for health care professionals and organisations using marketing science and social science research.
Professor Lyn Littlefield OAM

Professor Lyn Littlefield OAM

Appointed to Board in 2019
Recently retired as the Executive Director of the Australian Psychological Society. Previously the Head of the School of Psychological Science at La Trobe University and the Inaugural Director of the Victorian Parenting Centre.
Ms Barbara Frazer

Ms Barbara Frazer

Minute Secretary & Manager, PIRI
Barbara Frazer has had extensive experience at Austin Health in administration and project management. She has played a major part in the preparation work necessary to incorporate PIRI and continues to play a key role in plans for development.