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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Migraine Australia is run by our operational board. All our board members are volunteers who live with migraine. 

 

Raphaella Kathryn Crosby | Chair and Founder

Dr Raphaella Kathryn Crosby lives with hemiplegic migraine. She started Migraine Australia in 2019, after the new CGRP drugs became available and it was clear that a patient voice needed to advocate for them to be on the PBS. After resigning from the board at the end of 2021, she rejoined the board as Chair in 2024. 

She has a PhD in behavioural science, and postgraduate qualifications in management and communication. In her day jobs she is a media professional working for NEWFM in Newcastle on air and as the publisher and investigative journalist for New England Times, and also has a strategic communication and research consultancy business. Most of all she loves being able to work at all after many years debilitated by migraine. 

She travels between her two homes of Maitland and Armidale with her dog Brynnie.  

Jude Kingston

With three decades of experience in the Australian and international retail landscape, Jude Kingston has established herself as a formidable and sought-after global retail and fashion expert and Buyer. She leverages her extensive knowledge and expertise to guide her organisation and clients, offering strategic and creative insights that have been honed through her career in retail buying and senior roles with leading fashion retail brands both in Australia and overseas.

Jude is highly regarded for her industry insights and has consulted with key stakeholders around the world, earning a reputation for her business acumen and deep understanding of the fashion industry. She is also a featured guest speaker and a recognized fashion and trend forecaster, frequently attending fashion shows and industry events.

One of the most significant highlights of Jude’s career is her role as the Founding Director of Mind Your Fashion, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and supporting mental health in the fashion and creative industries. She is a driving force behind the initiative, advocating for much-needed changes in how mental illness is viewed and managed within these sectors, particularly through the implementation of The Mind Your Fashion Mental Wellness Program.

Additionally, Jude has been a Fashion Mentor, Stylist for Eurovision 2020, Fashion Education Trainer (Certificate IV Training and Assessment), and facilitator of workshops and seminars for retailers and designers. Beyond her fashion expertise, she is a qualified Health Psychologist and holds board positions as a Director for Mind Your Fashion and Casual Board Member for Migraine Australia.

Jude lives with migraine with aura, and will serve as the alternate Chair in RK’s absence.

Kristy Norman-Hade | Treasurer

As a CPA, Kristy is a partner in a boutique accounting practice in Ballarat, specializing in tax and business advisory. Kristy prides herself on running an inclusive workplace where people with migraine and other chronic illnesses are integral team members.

First diagnosed with migraine in 2004, Kristy has since come to understand the importance of having a robust support network to help enable people with migraine to lead a “normal” life. In fact, her own amazing network have enabled her to achieve more than she ever thought possible while living with Hemiplegic Migraine. 

Kristy hopes to work with the team at Migraine Australia to raise awareness, understanding and tolerance of migraine amongst employers and the general public. She aims to ensure sufferers feel accepted, understood and supported during all phases of their attacks and to make medication readily available and affordable in Australia.

When she is not at the office, Kristy is running “mum’s taxi” for her two beautiful children, relaxing with her family and friends, sweating it out in the gym, or enjoying a good novel.

Kristyne Weiss

Kristyne Weiss lives with migraine with brainstem aura and first experienced a migraine with aura episode at 6 years old. Kristyne has long been passionate about fair and equitable access to health services for people living with migraine as well as accurate education and understanding of the condition in the health and wider community.

Kristyne has worked in media and health globally and now specialises in risk, compliance, governance, and incident management consultancy in the health and technology industries with a values-driven and patient-centric approach. She has a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with her MBA to be completed in mid-2025.

She enjoys spending her time with her rescue dog Dahli and rescue cat Bert, cooking for her loved ones, and playing bass when her body allows.

Krystine is leading a whole-of-organisation review of practices, policies, and the constitution of Migraine Australia. 

Michelle Richards

With a career spanning medical research in the laboratory to executive management of research institutes, and consultancy in related fields, Michelle is passionate about helping organisations that align with her expertise. This coupled with qualifications in biotechnology, risk management, business and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, provides a background to help drive Migraine Australia’s mission.

She has a deep connection to Migraine Australia that stems from personal experiences with misdiagnosed migraine, which inspired a commitment to this organisation.

As a dedicated advocate for advancing Australia’s medical technology and skilled health workforce, Michelle has successfully fostered collaboration across key sectors during their tenure at the Translational Research Institute. Michelle’s extensive network spans research, health, government, and medical technology, positioning her to drive innovation and support MA’s mission. Now serving as an independent consultant, Michelle continues to champion initiatives that align with Migraine Australia's goals and values.

Michelle will be leading the establishment of a health advisory body.

Pamela Simon

Pamela has worked for not-for-profits since 2003 and been employed in the vocational education and training (VET) system in a variety of roles for almost three decades, and is the current Learning and Development Manager for Surf Life Saving Australia. She has previously worked in the hospitality industry, both in Australia and abroad. Her recognition in 2017 as one of the top 36 most influential women in drowning prevention underscores her significant contributions to safety and community well-being both in Australia and beyond. 

Pamela has a Masters in Adult Education and a number of qualifications in VET.

While she’s not a fan of exercise, she enjoys indulging in a glass of bubbles. Originally from Northern Ireland, Pamela lived in Sydney for well over half her life, and has recently made the move to Brisbane. 

Pamela lives with chronic migraine which is managed with CGRP and a cocktail of daily preventative medications. 

Kelly Joy

Kelly has spent most of her career in the public service, recently fulfilling an executive role in the Victorian Government. Kelly also works as a Sessional Academic at universities across Melbourne. She holds a Masters degree in Human Nutrition, a Bachelor degree in Agriculture, and is a is a Registered Nutritionist. Kelly is also a professional member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Kelly lives in Melbourne with her husband and three dogs (Teddy, Maisy and Spice). In her spare time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her adult-daughter, dressmaking (usually canine apparel) and tending her rose and vegetable gardens.

Kelly lives with migraine with aura and hormonal migraine which has at times been chronic. Kelly’s mission is to raise awareness and understanding about migraine – especially in the workplace.

Alex Delaney

Alex is one of the longest serving volunteers at Migraine Australia and has been instrumental in the success of the Men with Migraine group and the organisation generally. He joined the board in 2024. 

He has a background in student leadership and has taken on several committee positions for community groups over time. He is currently studying a Diploma of Community Services, aspiring to work in the Disability Sector.

Alex is motivated by his lived experience driving him to seek to improve the lives of all people living with Migraine. After an increase in attacks in high school, a virus he contracted in his first year of University in 2018 caused his migraine to rapidly spiral to experiencing debilitating attacks just about every day. He is still significantly impacted, but is now doing better, being managed by Botox and Ajovy under a specialist neurologist.

He has a particular interest in raising awareness of under recognised groups in the Migraine Community that don’t fit the stereotypical presentation. During the pandemic, he worked with a small group of other Men with the ongoing support of Migraine Australia to build a support group called Men with Migraine. He is also the longstanding Geelong Ambassador. 

He feels very gratified to see the group grow and blossom into what it is today, becoming the internationally predominant online community by and for men living with migraine. It remains a tight knit space where Men can speak openly about their experience without fearing stigma or judgement.

In his spare time, he enjoys hobbies including Rovers (Adult) Scouts, singing in a choir and long walks with his family’s 2 dogs. He has also recently taken an interest in landscape photography.