Chair 

Anne McKenzie AM 

Consumer advocate and engagement consultant 
 

Anne is a senior consumer representative on health and research committees and was appointed to the Order of Australia for 20 years of service in the area of health consumer advocacy. In 2021, Anne received the NHMRC Biennial Award for Consumer Engagement Award.

Speakers

Kathleen Wilkins

Regional Consumer Advocate, Founder Every VoiceCAN

Kathleen has been actively involved in cancer consumer committees and steering groups for many years, first with the VCCC Alliance, and now with Every VoiceCAN, a consumer advisory network for the ReViTALISE project. Kathleen founded Every Voice Consumer Advisory Network (Every VoiceCAN) to facilitate information sessions and empower consumers to actively share their experiences and ideas with ReViTALISE initiatives, working closely to with Regional Trials Network - Victoria.

Dr. Julia Paxino 

Research Fellow at the Collaborative Practice Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and the Department of Medical Education, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne.

With a PhD in Health Professions Education focused on interprofessional communication in rehabilitation, Julia’s work aims to advance collaborative care and interprofessional education. She is passionate about the intersection of education, communication, and patient care, and seeks to enhance team dynamics while ensuring patients remain at the centre of healthcare transformation. Her research spans interprofessional communication, teamwork, and consumer engagement, with a focus on qualitative research and participatory approaches that drive practical, impactful changes in healthcare delivery and education.

Jo Cockwill 

Co-Chair Consumer-Led Research Group, Deputy Chair VCCC Alliance Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee

Jo is an original member of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee (CCAC) and currently Deputy Chair. She was a member of the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre Consumer Advisory Committee for seven years, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) Consumer Advisory Panel for four years, and a current member of the WEHI Consumer Research Program. 

Jo has worked as the Hunter Breast Cancer Education Officer for Breast Cancer Trials in Newcastle, where she also trained as a Genetic Counsellor with Hunter Genetics. Jo is passionate about supporting cancer research and equitable cancer care, following her own lived experience both as a carer and patient. She strongly believes that consumers can provide valuable input into decisions about cancer research, policies and practice and can play an important role in improving cancer health outcomes for all.

Dr. Elizabeth Deveny

CEO of Consumers Health Forum of Australia
 

Dr Deveny is an experienced and well-respected director and executive with a strong commitment to providing sustainable health outcomes for all Australians. She also has a demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, productive partnerships with key stakeholders and the broader community.

Dr Deveny is currently the CEO of Consumers Health Forum of Australia, the national independent peak body for health consumers. Her recent roles include CEO of South Eastern Melbourne PHN, CEO of Bayside Medical Local and Chair of Southern Metropolitan Partnership. She holds a Masters in vocational health education and a PhD in Medicine (clinical decision support development), both from Melbourne University.