Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Jim Hungerford

Dr Jim Hungerford has over 20 years’ experience as a senior executive in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Butterfly Foundation in July 2023. From 2011-2023, Jim was CEO of The Shepherd Centre, a world-leading early intervention support service for children who are deaf or have a hearing loss. During this time, Dr Hungerford was also the Chair of First Voice, a peak body for charities which focus on providing listening and spoken language therapy services to children who are deaf or hearing-impaired. He was appointed to the Hearing Australia Board in June 2023 and, prior to joining Butterfly, was on the Boards of RSL NSW and Fundraising Institute Australia. Dr Hungerford held early career roles in veterinary, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in Australia and overseas, in private veterinary practice and in the Australian Army Reserve. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Fundraising Institute Australia, and holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney.

Head of Clinical and Support Services

Natalie Spicer

Natalie brings nearly 18 years of experience in the health sector, primarily in private hospital management. Her extensive background includes leadership roles focused on mental health management, emphasising quality and continuous improvement. Passionate about mental health care, particularly eating disorders, Natalie is committed to providing essential support for individuals affected by these challenges through her work in the not-for-profit sector.

Head of Prevention

Danni Rowlands

Danni has worked in the not for profit sector for over 25 years and the eating disorder sector, specifically for over 20. She has led and grown Butterfly’s Prevention Services since 2007. Danni has a passion for supporting youth mental health and body image and it is her lived and learned experience that motivates and inspires her work in prevention so that young Australians can thrive.

Head of Communications & Engagement

Melissa Wilton

Melissa has more than 20 years of global experience in communications, marketing, branding, fundraising, and membership. Over the past decade, she has channeled her expertise into the not-for-profit sector, spanning disability, health, housing, and mental health.   

Head of Knowledge, Research & Policy

Sarah Squire

Sarah’s work at Butterfly is informed by her learned experience in research, policy development and program management, alongside her lived experience of an eating disorder. Sarah has held several leadership roles in government and non-government organisations over the last 20 years across human rights, health and human services. 

Head of Fundraising

Rebecca Havas

Rebecca is an experienced fundraiser having spent almost 20 years working with health and education organisations in the not-for-profit sector. She is passionate about using her skills to lead teams to fundraising success and to ultimately change the lives of those in need. 

Head of People & Culture

Therese Coffey

Therese has over 25 years’ experience working in generalist Human Resources positions across the Finance, FMCG, Security, Insurance and Health industries both in for profit and not for profit organisations. 

Head of Finance

Darani Stuart-Gibson

Darani is a chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience in the public and private sectors. She has specialist knowledge in finance, risk management and business process and control redesign gained across a range of industries and has worked in Australia, US, UK and Asia. Her roles have included steering significant cost savings, business improvement and organisational transformation. 

Wandi Nerida Residential Treatment Centre

Chief Executive Officer

Brian Mayahle

Brian has extensive experience across a range of mental health services in the UK and Australia. He has worked at various levels of leadership and in different settings including research, commissioning of services, inpatient, community mental health services, public, private, and now, not for profit sectors.

National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC)

Director

Sarah Trobe

Sarah is the National Director of NEDC and a Clinical Psychologist. Sarah worked clinically for 10 years across public and private settings including the Royal Children’s Hospital and private practice, before taking on leadership roles in eating disorders service development organisations, aimed at building the system of care for all people impacted by eating disorders.