Gidget Founding Committee

Simone Short

With a background in IT, Simone has been involved with the Gidget Foundation since its inception.

Having begun as a Founding Committee Member, Simone has held various voluntary roles over the past 16 years including that of Committee President. Simone was also the Company Secretary for over 4 years and continues to be the organisation’s Event Producer.

Simone is both a Committee Member and Board Director and the youngest sister of Gidget.

Lou Hunter

Lou Hunter is a founding Committee member of the Gidget Foundation and close school friend of Gidget.

Relishing her primary responsibility as Coordinator of the Raffles and Auctions for all the Gidget Foundation fundraising events, from which the collective funds raised over the years have contributed significantly to the facilities and services that help women just like Gidget.

The fashion industry is where Lou has invested a lot of her career, working with numerous Australian and International labels both in Retail Sales and Training, and in Wholesale and Distribution.

Passionately advocating for removing the stigma surrounding all mental health issues is an ongoing crusade for Lou.

Lisa Humphries

Lisa is a passionate Mother, Social Media Manager, Fundraiser, Blogger and volunteer for many causes close to her heart.

Since experiencing brain injury and breast cancer in her immediate family as an adolescent Lisa has been driven to support others by sharing her own story and through her career in the charity sector.

As a motivated fundraiser and volunteer Lisa hopes to inspire and share the values of compassion, philanthropy and kindness in her only son.

As well as serious side to her life, Lisa simply loves taking and sharing beautiful photos, cooking for and celebrating with loved ones, painting her furniture white, reading as many books as possible and using social media for good.

Stephanie Hughes

Steph has extensive experience in executive management, finance, program delivery and stakeholder communications across the corporate and community sectors. She is currently the Sydney and Central NSW Division Manager for CanTeen and previously held positions as General Manager for the Gidget Foundation and CEO of the Australian Charities Fund.

She has also been a Board member of CUFA and a member of the advisory/fundraising committees for Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, The After Party Project and the Gidget Foundation. Prior to her work in the community sector, she owned a corporate events business following a lengthy career in corporate finance and investor relations at Qantas.

Steph has a Bachelor of Commerce from University of NSW and an MBA (Executive) from the Australian Graduate School of Management. She is CPA qualified and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jacqui Cotton

Jacqui is a mum to her beautiful little boy, Gidget’s middle sister, a founding member of the Committee, and a freelance Executive Producer.

Juggling her role as mum and freelance executive producer working in various agencies keeps her very busy.

Having produced many large-scale events – both corporate and sporting, corporate videos (including our Gidget DVD Behind the Mask) and communications campaigns both locally and in the UK, Europe and USA, she brings to the foundation a wealth of knowledge and experience along with a passion to make a change in supporting families in need.

Libby Bowditch

Libby is a founding member and was the first President of the Gidget Foundation. She was a close friend of Gidget’s.

Libby has a background in public relations and event management and more recently interior design. Libby’s role within the committee is event management as well as interior design for the growing number of Gidget Houses.

She is married to Jarrod Bowditch, a Board Director, and together they have three teenagers.

Zarnie Berthold

Alexandra (Zarnie) Berthold is a founding committee member of the Gidget Foundation and was a close friend of Gidget’s.

Zarnie prepares graphic design / marketing and website update material for the foundation and has her own business limedesign. When she is not working she can be found picking up wet towels / clothes and general miscellaneous items dropped around the house by her four messy children.

She is a passionate advocate for PND support and emotional health.