Our Advisors

Chief Veterinary Officer, Greencross

Dr Magdoline Awad has a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Sydney, a graduate degree in Veterinary Professional Practice Management, and Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the Animal Welfare Chapter.

She was appointed to the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW in 2019 representing vets in urban areas. She is a member of the UNSW Animal Care and Ethics Committee and the NSW representative for the AVA Welfare and Ethics special interest group.

Mags was Chief Veterinarian at RSPCA NSW from 2008-2015, after starting with the organisation in 1996. She was involved in the development and management of community programs in remote regional areas of NSW, working with local veterinarians and government to improve the welfare of pets in those communities. Programs for the disadvantaged, including the elderly have since been incorporated into the University of Sydney Veterinary Undergraduate Degree. The role also included Veterinary oversight of animal cruelty matters, ensuring adherence to legislation and policy and any related media.

Prior to her role at Greencross, Mags spent 4 years as the Chief Veterinary Officer for PetSure, working closely with the Veterinary Profession and Industry to increase Pet Insurance awareness and penetration in Australia.

I am an ecologist and wildlife management professional who specialises in working with wildlife and people to achieve practical outcomes from science-based programs. Most of my research deals with controversial and or challenging topics, such as the management of predators, including feral cats, foxes, dingoes and the endemic spotted-tailed quoll.   I lead a range of projects for Government agencies / University and supervise Higher Degree Research students at the University of New England.

Executive Director, Taronga Zoo, Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Simon has 25 years’ experience working in the zoo and wildlife conservation industry.  In 2009 Simon was awarded the position of Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science at Taronga Conservation Society Australia.  In this role he was responsible for developing the care and welfare of Taronga’s wildlife population and the 2000 injured and orphaned wildlife admitted to the Wildlife Hospitals annually, the expansion and evolution of the conservation science team and the transformation of Taronga’s investment and impact in wildlife conservation.  In 2019 Simon was appointed to the position of Executive Director for Taronga Zoo, responsible for the full operations of the Zoo in Mosman, Sydney and shaping what Taronga Zoo will look like and be for the community well into the future.

Simon’s an active member of several conservation and welfare committees and Boards. He is currently Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia Board.  Simon is passionate about creating better relationships between wildlife and communities – how they can connect and interact for a more balanced and sustainable future.

Non-Executive Director, Animal Welfare League NSW

Rebecca is a veterinarian with masters degrees in wildlife health and population control, and business administration.  She has worked in veterinary practice and on animal welfare projects in the UK, Greece, Canada and Australia. Rebecca has experience in the Animal Health Industry, and in the University sector where she was responsible for animal ethics and welfare.  She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Sydney Quantum Academy and a Non-Executive Director of the Animal Welfare League NSW.

Sarah Zito is the Senior Scientific Officer for Companion Animals for RSPCA Australia. She is a veterinarian who has a membership in feline medicine and has worked in small animal, equine, and university teaching practice.

Sarah set up and ran the University of Queensland’s veterinary shelter medicine rotation and completed a PhD investigating the human factors involved in the unwanted cat problem in Australia and has continued to progress and publish research. Sarah has also previously worked as an animal welfare research coordinator with the Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics and as a Senior Scientific Officer with SPCA NZ.