Our People

Chief Executive Officer

Catherine Hughes commenced as Diabetes SA Chief Executive Officer in October 2025.

With a strong interest in system wide ways to improve health care and health promotion, Catherine seeks to enhance the work Diabetes SA has accomplished over the last 70 years. She aims to provide advocacy and services for the South Australian community at risk of or living with diabetes, ensuring Diabetes SA is a trusted and relied upon organization, well into the future.

Catherine studied to become a pharmacist, has completed an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her career includes senior leadership roles across both public and private hospitals and community health, acute and not-for-profit aged and general system reform in SA within metropolitan and regional/remote communities.

Seeking to optimize the skills and commitment of the team at Diabetes SA, Catherine aims to ensure quality of outcomes and programs in a way that meets the evolving needs of the community and individuals. Her goal is diversification of the business model, to ensure financial sustainability and will advocate for and champion individual and community needs at the health policy level.

Jane is energised by her role as the Health Services Manager, working towards increasing both accessibility and awareness of services across South Australia. After fourteen years in SA Health, and experience and qualifications in business, project management, business development and lean strategy, Jane is committed to build strong partnerships to foster greater understanding and engagement within the diabetes community and looks forward to collaborating with others to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with diabetes.

Jane’s connection to diabetes is both personal and profound. Having supported close family members living with Type 1 diabetes for over 40 years and navigating her own diagnosis at age 32, she brings invaluable lived experience. Jane also has family and friends with Type 2 and gestational diabetes. This perspective fuels her commitment to advocacy, education, and community engagement, and motivates her to contribute to the continued success of the Health Services Team.

Outside of work, Jane enjoys life with her daughter and their lively household of rescue animals, a result of her volunteer and foster carer role with the RSPCA. When she isn’t racing her daughter between sports and singing commitments, she enjoys walking, pilates, and dancing.

Brand & Fundraising Manager

Chantelle Vella is the Brand & Fundraising Manager at Diabetes SA. Her role is focused on the development and implementation of new and innovative marketing, communication and fundraising strategies, to support the wide range of services offered by Diabetes SA. Chantelle brings 22 years of Marketing, Graphic Design and Communications experience across multiple sectors both in Australia and in the UK.

Chantelle is passionate about the work of Diabetes SA and raising awareness of the range of services available to members, including education and professional consultation services, diabetes management and prevention/detection. Her aim is to further expand the brand awareness of Diabetes SA to the broader South Australian community in-line with the four key pillars of the Associations work – Prevention, Detection, Management and Research.

Chantelle is looking forward to diversifying the pathways for the Association to generate revenue, with a particular focus on digital marketing and open doors to new collaborations that bring added benefit to Diabetes SA Members.

Running, travelling, hiking, gym, dance, baking and all things food and wine fill her personal time, and she is a busy mother to two active boys and her beloved French Bulldog Benji.

Fundraising & Marketing Officer

Cassidy is enthusiastic to be the Fundraising and Marketing Officer at Diabetes SA, where she focuses on developing and executing key fundraising and marketing activities that grow revenue and strengthen the organisation’s ability to make a greater impact. Passionate about the power of meaningful fundraising, Cassidy brings extensive experience in the health not-for-profit space and is driven to bring stories to life, amplifying the voices and experiences of South Australians living with diabetes to inspire the community to give, engage and make a difference.

With both her father and father-in-law living with type 2 diabetes, Cassidy understands the realities of navigating life with diabetes and the ripple effects it can have on families. This personal connection fuels her commitment to helping build a future where all South Australians can live well with their diabetes.

When she isn’t championing campaigns, crafting stories that inspire generosity, or creating opportunities to make an impact, you’ll find Cassidy at a morning Pilates class, trying out new local cafés, or wandering her local farmers market. Reading, spending time with her partner Gavin, cat Winny and dog Ruby, long lunches with her family and delicious coffee fill her cup.

Finance Business Partner

Carina Li is the Finance Business Partner at Diabetes SA, who plays a key role in helping the Board, CEO and management make informed decisions by providing sound financial reporting, analysis and advise ensuring that finance is considered in strategic, commercial and operational decisions.

Carina holds a Master of Commerce major in Accounting from Sydney University and has more than ten years’ experience in commercial environment with various industries. She also has experience in Audit and Finance Assurance and Advisory at large accounting firms.

With a family history of diabetes, Carina is passionate about the work the Association does and feels proud to be part of the team.

Outside work, Carina enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as travelling around and gardening.

Research and Program Development Manager

Natalie is the Research & Program Development Manager at Diabetes SA. Responsible for leading a research team to undertake a variety of research activities for the purposes of building an evidence base for the prevention, early detection and management of diabetes. A strong scientific evidence base is critical to guide the implementation of new therapies, programs and services to ensure they are appropriate, effective and accessible for all affected by diabetes, to live a healthy life. She will also contribute to raising awareness of outstanding efforts of South Australian and Australian researchers, and will foster strong multi-disciplinary, collaborative, networks as part of a state-wide effort to tackle diabetes and increase funding for research into this condition.

Several of Natalie’s family including her husband live with diabetes. Motivated by family experiences with diabetes, Natalie completed a PhD at the University of Adelaide in the fields of nutrition and disease, including T2D. Over the past 17 years, she has developed a national and international profile for designing, project managing and disseminating the findings from complex clinical trials assessing metabolic, gut, physical and cognitive health outcomes in response to nutrition and exercise exposures in both younger and older adults with chronic conditions including diabetes. She has worked for several world-class research organisations including the Universities of Adelaide and Maastricht (Netherlands) and the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). A career highlight has been her contribution to CSIROs diabetes research team who worked with industry partners to translate their research findings into a series of top-selling low-carbohydrate diet books and ready meals.

In her spare time, Natalie enjoys taxiing her two boys to basketball, cricket, and football, catching up with family and friends and going for walks. She also enjoys her role as a co-opted board member for another outstanding not-for-profit organisation – Meals on Wheels South Australia.

Corporate Services and Facilities Manager

I am an experienced executive with a strong background in corporate services, dedicated to supporting the mission and sustainability of the not-for-profit sector.

With a career built on analytical thinking, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence, I bring both strategic insight and practical expertise to organisational operations. My focus is on building efficient systems, fostering safe and supportive workplaces, and ensuring compliance and accountability across all areas of corporate governance.

Passionate about enabling organisations to thrive, I take pride in creating structures that empower teams, strengthen partnerships, and deliver long-term value to the communities we serve.

Commercial and Membership Manager

Dan is the Member Services Manager in the Member & Community Partnerships team at Diabetes SA.

The Member Services Coordinator is responsible for leading a team to engage, grow, and retain Members of Diabetes SA, to identify strategies to support the service delivery to Members and strengthen the offering, ensuring the continued relevance and value of Association membership.

Dan holds a Diploma in Public Services, and in June 2021, Daniel commenced a double diploma in Business Management and Leadership.

His professional work experience has seen him work in England and New Zealand across Customer Service, sales and sales training, retail management and IT support.

Daniel is very passionate about providing exceptional Customer Service and promoting the support services and benefits that Diabetes SA offers to its members.

Outside of work, Daniel enjoys coaching and playing soccer, being outdoors, spending time with his dogs and experiencing new foods with his fiancée.

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Amy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics in 2013. She has experience in the private sector seeing clients one-on-one to help them achieve their health goals.

At Diabetes SA, Amy has a diverse role delivering diabetes education programs to community members across South Australia, including the DESMOND and Smarts programs, as well as seeing clients for one-on-one nutrition consultations. Amy is passionate about helping clients understand the role of diet in diabetes management and working together to negotiate achievable and sustainable nutrition goals.

Amy previously worked with culturally diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including Aboriginal Health Workers to promote diabetes awareness and management.

Credentialled Diabetes Educator

Satinder is a Registered Nurse and Credentialled Diabetes Educator working in the priority area of older people with diabetes, with a focus on health professional training for those working in Aged Care. She holds a Master’s of Science in Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management.

Satinder is passionate about the social and health issues affecting Aboriginal community members, having worked collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations, and communities over the last 3 years.

Through the provision of education that is consumer-orientated, Satinder aims to help people live well.

In her spare time, Satinder enjoys cooking healthy and tasty meals for her family, with whom she loves to spend time.

Credentialled Diabetes Educator

Brenda is a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator with a role of delivering group education programs including DESMOND, Smarts and Living Well seminars. She is passionate about primary healthcare’s contribution towards promotion of healthy living, prevention of disease, and its’ model of meeting the treatment and self -management needs of people, their families and communities.

Her desire is to raise awareness of diabetes risk factors, support and empower people to live well with diabetes. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Nursing from University of Adelaide and Master’s in diabetes education and management from Flinders’University.

She has passion about all things creative ranging from sewing, cooking, dancing and enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Kayla is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a Master of Dietetics from Monash University and a Bachelor of Nutrition Science from the University of Tasmania. She has worked across aged care and community health, with a strong focus on supporting people to improve their wellbeing through practical, person-centred nutrition care.

Having grown up in regional Tasmania and spent time working in Gippsland, Victoria, Kayla is deeply passionate about addressing health inequities in rural and regional communities. She enjoys helping people not only enhance their physical health through food and nutrition but also build a positive and sustainable relationship with food. One of her favourite aspects of nutrition is the way it brings people together socially.

Outside of work, Kayla loves spending time at the beach, camping, cooking, watching the footy, and keeping in touch with her family back in Tasmania. Her favourite cuisine is Greek.

Exercise Physiologist

Brady is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with a goal of helping others improve and manage their health through physical activity and to create lasting positive lifestyle changes. He has graduated with a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours) and Bachelor of Human Movement (Exercise and Sport Science) from the University of South Australia.

Prior to joining Diabetes SA, Brady has experience within the private health sector working with a diverse range of clients both individually and in groups. Brady is passionate about helping clients understand the role of physical activity within diabetes management and assisting in implementing individualised, safe and effective exercise tailored towards clients’ goals and health status.

Brady keeps himself busy spending time with his family, cooking and trying new meals, playing football and getting away to the country.

NDSS Engagement and Relationships Officer

Mel has returned to the position of NDSS Engagement and Relationships Officer at Diabetes SA where she is responsible for maintaining professional relationships with customers, members of the association and business associates.

Mel provides ongoing support in the oversight and management of Access Points (Pharmacies) in relation to NDSS product orders and services. Mel engages with Health Professionals to provide information and promote NDSS services, programs and events.

Mel is an experienced community and stakeholder, marketing and events professional within the community, not for profit and corporate environments.

Mel has had a connection with Diabetes SA for over 40 years, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes aged four. In 2019 Mel received a successful Simultaneous Kidney Pancreas (SKP)Transplant. She is passionate about supporting people with a Diabetes diagnosis.

In her spare time, Mel enjoys keeping active, being outdoors, yoga, hiking and most of all, spending time with her daughter.

Administration Officer

Customer Service Officer

As a Customer Service Officer of Diabetes SA, Rita brings over 30 years experience in customer service and dealing with people from all walks of life.

Rita comes from a background in hospitality, travel and tourism. She is passionate about providing exceptional customer service, information and products, so people can manage their life with diabetes in a fulfilling and positive way.

In her spare time, Rita enjoys travel, reading, music, entertaining and experiencing new foods, cultures and destinations!

Liaison Officer

Kathy is a Diabetes SA Membership Liaison Officer and often the first point of contact for people newly diagnosed with diabetes (including their families), seeking support.

For many, a diagnosis can be overwhelming and can come as quite a shock and a challenge.

Kathy’s role is to listen and to understand the individual challenges faced. The benefits of membership are talked about and tailored to support the individual.

Kathy comes from working in a number of customer service roles over the years including life insurance, children’s scholarship programs and for the past 7 years she has worked for kidney health focused not-for-profit raising funds for research and programs.

Supporting people to help manage their health is so important and Kathy finds this very rewarding in her role.

Kathy enjoys spending her weekends with family and friends – walking and keeping fit.

Customer Service Officer

Gerlie looks after the Members of the Association, NDSS Registrants and the general public.

She holds a law degree in The Philippines and believes that helping people is a gift that keeps on giving. She has extensive experience in customer service that inspired her to work at Diabetes SA.

She is also a Postcrosser who collects and exchanges postcards around the world. To her, the love of family is life’s greatest blessing.