PANDA Lived Experience Advisory Group
The collective voice of lived and living experience stakeholders providing guidance to the PANDA CEO and leadership team about planning and implementation issues, and advice on emerging internal strategic and community-based challenges.
The PANDA Lived Experience Advisory Group will facilitate opportunities for the collective voice of lived and living experience stakeholders. The group will be heard and to inform the co-design, review and evaluation of PANDA's performance in delivering the Strategic Approach and related Business Plan.
This includes providing guidance to the CEO and leadership team on planning and implementation issues and providing advice on emerging internal strategic and community-based challenges.
August 2024
PANDA advertised an opportunity to form the PANDA Lived Experience Advisory Group. We were pleased to receive 56 high caliper applications.
Eight people were selected and we look forward to their collective experience and expertise contributing to the work of PANDA.
October 2024
PANDA's Lived Experience Advisory Group had their first meeting, establishing the group Terms of Reference, getting to know PANDA and identifying the priority projects for the first 12 months.
“Being on this group is a privilege to give back to PANDA and utilise my lived experience, after they helped me so much during my own postnatal journey.”
Advisory Group Members
Vicky Pellowe
Vicky Pellowe
Keshia Arbour
Keshia Arbour
Keshia is a busy mum to an energetic toddler and works in medical research development at the University of Melbourne, with a particular focus on supporting medical research bids that incorporate lived experience around mental health and neurodiversity.
She has lived experience of post-partum depression and anxiety and is neurodivergent with an adult diagnosis of ADHD. She is passionate about creating more awareness and knowledge of the unique support required for neurodivergent parents, as well as destigmatising perinatal mental health.
Jamila Djafar Khodja
Jamila Djafar Khodja
Jamila Djafar Khodja is an events and program producer of British and Algerian background, currently working with Human Rights Watch in Development and Outreach. Prior to this, she worked in the arts and publishing industries. Jamila is also a board member of the Emerging Writers Festival.
She is a mother and a passionate advocate for perinatal rights and social justice. Her motherhood journey began in 2020, with the birth of her daughter. Jamila has lived experience of perinatal depression and anxiety, birth trauma and PTSD. She believes strongly in advocating for the rights of parents during the perinatal period, and joined PANDA's Lived Experience Advisory Group to help publicly advocate for women and parents at this crucial time in their lives.
Jamila lives and works on the unceded Sovereign lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nation.
Larissa Thomas
Larissa Thomas
Larissa is a mum of two toddler boys and lives in the country town of Ballandean, Queensland. She has a background in HR, data analysis and currently works in research and advocacy with her local Council.
Larissa utilised the support services of PANDA following the birth of her two boys during the pandemic and has joined the Live Experience Advisory Group to give back and contribute her lived experience to the organisation that supported her.
Cath Colvin
Cath Colvin
Anna Cappiello
Anna Cappiello
Anna Nelson
Anna Nelson
Anna has a passion for supporting mental health, particularly having experienced her own challenges during the perinatal period with both of her children.
She is a strong advocate for the work of PANDA, having had direct engagement with them during the early months of new parenthood and seen first-hand how impactful that understanding ear can be in making you feel less alone.
She is looking forward to engaging through the advisory group to help ensure PANDA programs and activities are based on the needs of parents and carers.
Damien Geyle
Damien Geyle
Damien has one young daughter and has personally experienced the impact of perinatal mental health as a carer, as well as his own lived experience of mental health issues and the impact that can have on someone’s life.
Damien is a Registered Nurse with significant experience in emergency management and recently has dedicated his career to significant Mental Health reform in leadership positions across Western Victoria.