YUMI WONG-PAN
Board Director
I am a Korean Aussie mum of 3 kids.
My eldest is my 10 year old son Caleb who has Williams Syndrome. His siblings are Micah (7) and Myra (22mo).
Caleb was diagnosed with WS when he was 2 years old. He loves brass instruments (especially the trombone), the Sydney Harbour Bridge, cars and motorbikes lobsters & crocodiles. He loves being funny and making people laugh (especially if it involved fart jokes!)
I am a primary school teacher with a background in design and the creative arts. I've spent my most of my teaching years in alternative education. I'm currently also working in social media as a local news group moderator and admin. I also do some investigative reporting.
I grew up in Sydney with parents who work in media for the Korean community in Australia. My dad has always been very active in the community and hosts many fundraisers for charities. I hope to have more opportunities as a director of Williams Syndrome Australia to hold more fundraising events for our kids. I also hope we can have more social events in place to support families and also for adults with WS. My big dream is to one day hold a big fundraising ball for Williams Syndrome with lots of great music throughout the night.
POONAM NAGPAL
Board Director
Hello, I am Poonam, a 44-year-old Indian Australian mother of two. I have a Master's degree in Child Development and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. My 15-year-old daughter, Sana, was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at 8 months old and has a strong interest in dance, singing, and playing musical instruments. Sana also enjoys karaoke, spending time with her dog, listening to spiritual music, cooking, and visiting water parks.
My 10-year-old son, Shaurya, has a keen interest in sports, participating in table tennis and basketball, and learning the violin and piano. My spouse, Yatinder holds a finance degree, and has over a decade of experience in corporate finance. We jointly own a childcare business called Wiggles And Giggles.
I am committed to continuous personal and professional development and enjoy educational podcasts, practice yoga and reading books to enhance my ability to effectively support and interact with Sana and Shaurya.
For the past 14 years, I have organized an annual art night as a fundraising event, with proceeds donated to Westmead Children's Hospital and Ponds School and donated over $1,00,000 to these 2 charities. Since last year, we have expanded our fundraising efforts to include further research on Williams Syndrome, and successfully raised over $22,000.
My vision as a director is to create a supportive community that empowers individuals to navigate the challenges of raising a child with additional needs and fosters social engagement. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with an exceptional Williams Syndrome community. I would love to keep holding the Annual picnic, Williams Syndrome Walk- A - Thon and many more events to raise more awareness and social involvement for Williams Syndrome families.
DEBRA NAPIER
Director
I am a Mum of two young men, Tobias and Judah. My eldest Tobias, has Williams Syndrome.
Tobias was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at 2 1/2 years. Prior to this, we knew he needed lots of support and embarked on an intensive Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapy Program. This isn't normally recommended for people with Williams Syndrome but it provided an exceptional learning path. It incorporated Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy recommendations and was lead by a psychologist. We had a very busy 4 years but I'll be forever grateful that this is the path we took.
Tobias's diagnosis opened up a whole new world to us. We have attended a regular family camp with other 'Williams Families' and attended many picnics and get togethers. Judah has become friends with other siblings and we have become friends with other parents. I have found a great deal of support and knowledge from other parents online with regard to medical issues. I have learnt about self-confidence, using my own voice in medical advocacy, breaking down barriers through not following social norms and all about seeing the world in a different way.
I now work in the quality and safeguarding space in the Disability Sector. This way I can provide a parent/carer perspective on how NDIS supports affect a person with disability and their family.
I have met way more people than I would have otherwise as Tobias is known as the friendliest boy (young man) in the suburb. It's been challenging but has made our lives and awareness so much richer.
Christopher Moore
Board Director
Coming soon...
Jo Baker
Board Director
Coming soon...
Rheza Tanudjaja
Treasurer
I am a Chinese-Indonesian father of three. My eldest daughter, Zara, is 15 years old and was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at age three. Zara brings music into our home every day, she seems to have perfect pitch, loves to sing her favourite songs, and delights in inviting others to sing or play along with her. She also has a keen interest for languages; she can greet people in Japanese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Mandarin and Fijian, often with a smile and a joke ready to share.
We are grateful that Zara is supported by a dedicated team: her high-school teachers, a learning centre, her music therapist, her Paediatrician, and the Westmead Heart Centre for Children. As a parent, I've seen first-hand how important it is for families to have a strong, connected support system around them.
Professionally, I am a Registered Psychologist with master's degrees in business and public health. I currently serve as a Clinical Director at a digital mental health service, where I bring clinical expertise, strategic thinking and operational leadership. I hope to contribute this experience to help the organisation grow, bring impact, and expand the support available to the Williams Syndrome community.
Families and carers of children with Williams Syndrome know the joy, warmth and humour our children bring. We also understand the daily challenges, the health and developmental concerns, and the uncertainties about the future. As a board director, I am committed to creating a supportive network where no family feels alone or overwhelmed. I believe in nurturing meaningful opportunities for connection and engagement, such as our annual picnic, and developing new initiatives that allow families to share their experiences and support one another. I am also keen to explore partnerships with like-minded organisations to broaden opportunities for our community.
Lauryn Woodward
Secretary
I'm the proud mum of a beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Nadia, who has Williams syndrome.
Nadia has the biggest heart of anyone I know; a little pocket rocket, she wears her heart on her sleeve, approaching the world with big feelings and even bigger love. An avid reader, she's deeply curious about natural science and will bury her nose in a book for hours, reporting back all kinds of fun facts from how tornadoes form to why bees lose their stinger. At home, one of her favourite things to do is wrestle and laugh with her dad, and our dog usually joins in too! She's fascinated by new languages, loves swimming, practicing flips on the trampoline, as well as playing tennis and piano.
Walking this journey with her has opened my heart in ways I never expected - It's taught me patience, joy, strength, and the importance of community. I'm so grateful to have a strong network of supportive doctors, therapists and loving family with us along the way.
With a professional background in business and marketing, I'm experienced in leading strategic campaigns, building collaborative partnerships, and communicating across large organisations. I'm excited to bring these skills to Williams Syndrome Australia with the hope of helping our community feel even more supported and seen.
Inspired by the remarkable individuals in our community, I'm looking forward to contributing to a future where every person with Williams syndrome feels celebrated, valued and included. I want to help elevate the voices of our families, and connect people with the right support at the right time to create meaningful opportunity for our incredible Williams Syndrome community to thrive.