Who Is Fara

WHO IS FARA AUSTRALIA?
The Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara) is a not for profit organisation that supports research into treatments and a cure for Friedreich Ataxia. fara Australia does not receive State or Commonwealth Government support and relies largely on the family and friends of Friedreich Ataxia patients and generous businesses within Australia to fund its research programs.

OUR PRIORITIES:

We will deliver on our Mission by focussing on:

  • Awareness & Fundraising

  • Informing & Care

  • Supporting Research

  • Dedication to Governance

Since its establishment in 2003, fara Australia has funded over $4m in scientific research. Although there has been significant progress, today there is no cure for FA. But we have hope.

OUR TEAM:

The Board is made up of five voluntary Directors. fara Australia is staffed by three part time employees.

Please contact the Secretary, Jason Coffey jason.coffey@morgans.com.au to discuss issues relating to the board, including appointments.

  • Mason has a Commerce Degree, Diploma of Superannuation Management, Diploma of Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. Mason is a Partner and Co-Founder of Escala Partners, a leading Australian wealth management business and a Partner and Co-Founder of 2nd Chapter, a business management company. Mason was recently ranked 3rd in the Barron's Australia Top 100 Financial Adviser List, published in the Australian Financial Review 2020.

  • Jason Coffey (B. Com, G. Dip.AF) is a Principal at Morgans Financial Limited. He has 17 years experience in wealth management, providing professional investment management and strategic financial planning advice. Prior to joining Morgans Jason was a Director with JBWere. His is currently President of the Friedreich Ataxia Association Victoria.

  • Richard Steer (B. Bus) is a manager at NineSquared, a Brisbane based management consultancy. His expertise includes financial management and analysis, program and portfolio management, policy development and electronic ticketing.

  • Emma is a Director of Sydney Educational Tours, providing study tours with English language tuition at leading Australian universities, TAFE colleges and private secondary schools based in Wollongong, Sydney and Canberra. Emma recently completed the New York Marathon, raising over $10,000 for fara Australia.

  • Andrew is the Head of Business Development ANZ for IQVIA, a global contract research organization. He has >20 years research and pharmaceutical experience, and has held local and global roles in R&D in large pharmaceutical companies as well as local research institutions. Andrew has expertise in the development and operational delivery of global clinical studies across Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and North America. He is passionate about the development of new medicines for diseases with inadequate treatments, and spent many years working on clinical trials for malaria and tuberculosis vaccines.

  • Brad Hyde (B.Eco) has had a career in Senior Marketing & Strategic Management roles with Australian and International companies where he has worked to define and differentiate organisational purpose and brand positioning and used this to drive engagement. He is an enthusiastic story teller with a love of simple, clear communication. With a passion for volunteering, Brad has been involved in local education and sporting groups for more than a decade where he applies his professional experience to help support the community.

  • Dorota (B. Com, FCCA) assumed the Financial Controlling responsibilities at fara in 2017 by establishing a robust accounting and reporting system. She continues to implement and oversee the finance practices and policies and is a member of fara’s subcommittees. Dorota is a Fellow of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and prior to joining fara, has been in public practice for over two decades, mainly with KPMG in the Cayman Islands, and Poland in areas of financial services and assurance. She is passionate about the environment and enjoys providing sustainable digital solutions to analogue problems, within the NFP sector.