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.
DIANNE PETRIE OAM
Board Director
Dianne with her husband Richard started the Williams Syndrome Australia organisation in 1984 after their daughter Natasha was diagnosed with Williams syndrome in 1983. Since then they have run the association which has grown from a handful of families to many hundreds. An annual Williams Syndrome Picnic Day has been held South of Sydney on the last Sunday in August every year for 38 years. Dianne has organised many WS seminars and social get togethers along with a number of WS conferences in conjunction with Macquarie University. An anonymous generous donation saw the establishment of a partnership with Macquarie University researching Williams syndrome which has provided many insights into the condition. Dianne has a BA majoring in Psychology and an Advanced Certificate in Counselling.
Over a twenty five year period, Dianne as the Executive Director of Genetic Alliance Australia (GA) a peak umbrella organization for rare genetic conditions, the organization expanded and achieved national and global recognition. Dianne established Genetic Alliance's rare diseases contact register representing over fifteen hundred conditions and in 2005 implemented a rural outreach program for carers and developed follow-up information and support systems. She fielded over a thousand calls a year regarding the diagnosis of a genetic condition providing support and information and has personally organized and conducted hundreds of genetic seminars bringing families and individuals together with health care professionals in a non-clinical setting. She has been involved in research projects with Macquarie and Monash Universities and through advocacy has helped to shape government policy.
In 2017 GA conducted a ground breaking survey culminating in the Genome Sequencing Report - Australian Patients and Families Perspectives on Genome Sequencing and Patient Charter. Dianne participated as a consumer partner with the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit and others in a three year national survey on rare diseases. She was a consumer representative on a number of government committees - Human Genetics Advisory Committee, the NSW Newborn Screening Advisory Committee, ACI Clinical Genetics Executive Committee, PGD Assistance Program, Northern Hospitals Network POWH/SHSEH & CHS Incident & Complaint Review and Consumer Advisory Committees. She has worked in the area of genetics and family support for 25 years retiring in 2019.
Dianne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2006 in recognition of her work.
RICHARD PETRIE OAM
Board Director
Richard with his wife Dianne started the Williams Syndrome Association in 1983 when little was known about the condition. Through their daughter Natasha's cardiologist they learnt of two other WS families, one in the Sydney area and one in the Northern Territory both of whom they visited. Both Richard and Dianne travelled to other countries where WS support groups were established and gathered much needed facts and materials. Slowly, the number of identified WS families grew and in the late 1980's an appearance on “A Current Affair” with Elisabeth Murdoch increased awareness and added around thirty new members. It is estimated there are around 600 WS families around Australia.
In 1989 Richard was on a steering committee with several other like-minded souls with a combined vision to set up a support organisation that would represent all rare genetic conditions.
Initially, staffed by volunteers, government funding was obtained and under the stewardship of Dianne who ultimately became its Executive Director, the organisation has a contact register of over 1500 conditions. Genetic Alliance Australia (GAA) enjoys a national and international reputation.
Richard served on the Board of GAA for nearly thirty years and was awarded an OAM in the 2009 Honours List for his services.
Richard retired from a long and successful career in the pharmaceutical industry in 2017.
