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DANII Foundation: Board Membership

The DANII Foundation has sound governance structures and a highly experienced board

Robert Hossary (CEO)

Robert Hossary has been involved in the not-for-profit space for over 10 years. Robert is passionate about giving back to the community. Besides being the CEO of the Danii Foundation and advocating for the rights of those with type 1 diabetes, he is also on the board of Phoenix House Youth Services an organisation that caters to at risk youth in Sydney’s North. Once a month Robert hosts a BBQ on the Central Coast of NSW for the Mr Perfect Charity, an organisation dedicated to Men’s mental health. Robert’s corporate career includes General Manager for the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham); Regional Vice President of the Americas for based in the USA for a technology company; He has also worked in Taiwan with responsibility for Asia Pacific and the Middle East; and much more. With a diverse industry background: Technology, Transport, Fashion and Healthcare Robert is very well connected. Robert has a Bachelor of Business and a Masters of Business Administration.

Donna Meads-Barlow (Co-Founder &  Director)

Donna

Donna Meads-Barlow was born in 1961 in Sydney, NSW. She is co-founder and Volunteer CEO of the DANII Foundation and Managing Director of the Donna Barlow Travel Group (DBT). Donna has more than thirty-five (35) years Travel Consulting experience, the last 30 at DBT since she founded the company. Donna is Managing Director of DBT and oversees the high-level management of her companies. Donna has a sincere passion for her company, her team, her customers and the travel industry as a whole. Donna is arguably a “pioneer engineer” in the Travel industry and is often called upon by her peers for mentoring.  In 2012 following the death of her daughter Daniella from diabetes complications known today as “dead in bed” syndrome, Donna co-founded the DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation with husband, Brian. Today Donna drives and directs the DANII Foundation supporting Australian’s who live with type ONE diabetes. Donna sat on the Corporate Travel Board for Hello world from 2009 till 2014 and is a representative on a number of steering committees for the Travel Industry. Donna and her DBT company have won many prestigious awards over the years including 2018 Best Travel Management Company Nationally, 2018 International Women’s Day Winner, Telstra Business Women’s finalist and nomination for Australian of the Year just to name a few.

Brian Meads-Barlow (Co-Founder & Director)

BrianBrian Meads-Barlow was born in London UK in 1957 and immigrated to Australia with his family in 1968 where he grew up and schooled to later become Director of the Donna Barlow Travel Group (DBT) in 1994 and the ensuing DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation in 2012.
Brian’s tertiary studies include Business, Scheduling/Timetabling; Marketing and Information Technology. His current employment relies heavily on these qualifications as well as his ability to demonstrate efficient publicising across Social Media platforms. Brian is father to five children, including Daniella; his daughter sadly lost due to complications surrounding her Type 1 Diabetes in 2011. He is an integral but often quiet member of the DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation Board of Directors.

Peter Fogarty (Chair)

Peter Fogarty-May18Peter was born in 1979 in Sydney. Bachelor of Laws from University of Technology Sydney, Master of Applied Finance from Kaplan and currently completing a Master of Laws at The University of Sydney. Peter is an in-house lawyer at Macquarie Group advising the wholesale fixed income and currencies business, and has over 17 years’ experience working in legal and compliance roles in the financial services industry. Peter has type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed as a 12 year old and in his early 20’s had hypoglycaemia in his sleep “resulting in coma, he” was fortunate to be found by a family member and received life-saving medical attention. Peter is passionate about sharing his personal experience of living a full life with type 1 diabetes. Peter joined as a Director of DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation Ltd in 2018

Robert Bryan Cameron (Director)

Robert

Robert Cameron Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from University of Sydney 1980. Robert is recently retired from Cameron Legal, a successful and busy legal practice in Epping, NSW. Robert has over 35 years’ experience as a solicitor, his practice covering a wide range of legal services. Robert has been heavily involved in serving the community and charitable organisations for many years. Robert has been a member of the board of the DANII Meads-Barlow Foundation Ltd since its inception in 2012 and is committed to ensuring DANII’s Legacy in providing benefits to all living with type 1 diabetes.

Di Pass (Director)

Di Pass is the Founder and Director of 360HR Pty Ltd, a recruitment and consulting organisation established in 2001. Her prior professional career included Primary Teaching, State Manager of the American Chamber of Commerce, Sales Director of Creator Promotion then Executive roles with the global recruitment giant Adecco. She has extensive expertise in Human Resources, Professional Development, Sales and Marketing, Management Consulting and Public Speaking. Her career has included leadership responsibility for teams, locally, nationally, and internationally. She describes her career highlight as leading the Adecco team to place more than 10,000 individuals into Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic jobs. For the past 20 years she has been a proud director of cause related organisations including Paralympics Australia (NSW), TAFE NSW, Job support, Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT and the ASX listed Board of Kip McGrath Education. Di is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is delighted to join the Board of the DANII Foundation.

Alen (John) Rogina (Director)

Alen holds over 20 years’ experience in Banking, the majority of which has been spent in the Small and Medium Enterprises as well as the Commercial Business segments, ranging from small and family businesses to large corporate groups. Expertise in Marketing, Project Management, Relationship Management, Strategy, Credit and Risk Management, Sales and Business Leadership. Appointed to his current role of Senior Manager, Growth & Capability for Westpac Business Banking in April 2021, he has prime responsibilities for leadership and development of the Small Business Strategy and Sales distribution team as well as growth in the Small Business segment market.  Alen is an experienced Finance professional and has completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and Public Relations. He has a passion to develop and lead people and has been involved in various mentoring programs within the industry. Alen is actively engaged in the local community through volunteering and fundraising for multiple charities. Including involvement in the Type 1 Diabetes community after his oldest daughter was diagnosed 3 years ago. He lives in Sydney with his wife, Belinda Rogina and two kids Bailey and Macey.

Patrick Cameron (DANII Foundation Fundraising Director)

Patrick CameronPrior to joining 360HR Patrick was a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and an award winning professional fundraiser gaining a wealth of experience, expertise and in depth knowledge of the not-for-profit (NFP) sector including the challenges of recruiting staff. 15 years of experience was gained in senior fundraising positions for organisations that included Care Flight, Make-A-Wish Australia, Wheelchair Sports NSW and CEO at FSHD Global Research Foundation. As a CEO Patrick developed and implemented strategic plans that relied on the recruitment of quality staff. Having left full-time work in NFP industry, Patrick is well positioned with a strong network and understanding of the industry to focus and recruit talent for executive management and leadership roles, fundraising, business development, project management, marketing & communications. Patrick also works consulting to NFP’s and has been working with the DANII Foundation since 2016.

Nicole Burdon (DANII Administration Coordinator)

With over 30 years travel and consulting experience, Nicole is also a mother and understands the importance of empathy, support and compassion.  Nicole has been an avid volunteer and supporter of the DANII Foundation for many years prior to joining the DANII team in July 2021.  Nicole has expertise in sales and administration and loves to interact with people.  Nicole has a genuine interest in learning and has found her passion in sharing accurate information about Type 1 diabetes. Nicole is eager to increase advocacy and support our DANII friends.

Blerina Mesiti (Administration/Community Coordinator)

Blerina joined the DANII Foundation in December 2019 as the Administration/CGM Coordinator.
Bler has a Master of Science degree and is passionate about the environment and moved to Australia from Albania last year to live with her husband Eddie. Bler has an extensive background in office administration, services, events and project management.
Bler is honest, kind, caring and compassionate with  a great attention to detail and excellent customer service skills. She is your first point of contact when you get in touch with the DANII Foundation. In Albania Bler was involved  with many charities for fundraising events and we are lucky to have her experience. Bler is eager to make a difference and is passionate about our cause of keeping those with diabetes safe.

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