Our People

Our Team

The VANISH team are skilled professionals with specialist post-adoption training, search expertise, and an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of separation from family by adoption. Guided by our vision, purpose, and values, we work together to support people affected by adoption and separation from a child by adoption, using a person-centred, trauma-informed approach. Many of our team also have a relevant lived experience as well as extensive experience working in post-adoption support.

Our Governance

Lived experience runs through every level of our organisation and this unique understanding informs everything we do.

VANISH Committee of Management

Kerryn Pennell

Chairperson

Kerryn is an executive with 30 years of expertise in the health sector working in partnership with governments; philanthropic foundations; corporate and not-for-profit enterprises; and sector stakeholders operating at a state, national and global level to design, develop, and advocate for policy, services, and facilities to address the critical needs of individuals and wider communities. She is widely recognised as a champion of change and an innovator in her field, designing the frameworks that support organisational success at all levels.

Driven by passion and authenticity, Kerryn’s career has focussed on leading complex healthcare and research organisations to achieve operational excellence, financial growth, and superior outcomes for clients. Her expertise spans strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and fostering innovation in service delivery. She is skilled in building high-performing teams, driving transformation, and enhancing stakeholder engagement, and adept at navigating industry challenges, implementing sustainable growth strategies, and integrating technology to improve efficiency and user experience. Kerryn is passionate about advancing healthcare accessibility and quality while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Kerryn was adopted in the late 60s in South Australia. She has an acute awareness of the psychological and social impacts that adoption can have and does have on natural or birth parents, adopted persons, wider members of their families and the issues of historic harm caused to many because of the policies and societal views of the day.

Kerryn has kept a keen eye on the further developments in changes in legislation regarding adoption and as an emerging area the policy matters and arising issues related to donor conceived people.

Anne Donnellan

Vice-Chair

Anne, an adoptee, joined the VANISH CoM in August 2023, commenced as Secretary in February 2024, and became Vice-Chair in November 2025. Anne spent 34 years in the trade union movement, primarily as an elected senior national official of the AMWU representing the interests of members at national (and international) levels, including in negotiations with employers and as an advocate in the Fair Work Commission. Anne has extensive experience in governance -including as a member of the AMWU National Council, a Trustee Director of CBUS Super, a Director of Coal LSL, a Director of UCover (Income Protection) and as Deputy Chair of Automotive Training Australia (ATA).

She was a titular member of the 60 person Global Executive of the Industrial Global Union Federation as an elected representative from the Asia Pacific Region for a decade. Anne was the Coordinator of the SA Health Commission Equal Employment Opportunity Unit prior to her time as a union official and previously worked as a social worker for 10 years in the SA public service in the health, community welfare and education sectors. She has a long standing demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice and is a skilled advocate.

Jon Phillips

Treasurer

Jon has been the Treasurer on the VANISH CoM since December 2022. As an adopted person, he brings a lived experience of adoption that informs his role as a CoM member.

Jon is an experienced Public Practitioner with five years experience in taxation.  Following public practice, Jon spent 19 years as a lecturer at Monash University, teaching most aspects of accounting in all undergraduate year levels. Topics taught included financial statement preparation and analysis, financial planning, financial modelling, and cost and management accounting among others.

Jon has 10 years experience as a voluntary member of the Committee of Management of Mornington Yacht Club, where he was the Honorary Treasurer. During that time, he implemented a rigorous long-term budgeting program, prepared finance applications, and interviewed prospective employees. He contributed to several strategic planning programmes involving club redevelopment and major capital works, and sat on numerous sub-committees and prepared monthly reports for the CoM.

Fiona Zito

Secretary

Fiona, an adoptee, first connected with VANISH in 1995 while seeking her original birth certificate and related information. Over the past 25 years, she has actively participated in support groups while navigating the complexities of searching for and establishing contact with her biological parents and siblings.

Fiona holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Drama and Sociology. Her professional journey spans various roles in the education sector, including administration, philanthropy, and community engagement.

Since 2023, Fiona has been leading a team of psychologists delivering Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessments under a government grant. With the recent conclusion of the grant, she continues to lead multidisciplinary teams, including psychologists, paediatricians, and speech pathologists, providing a range of complex assessments for young people in the Out of Home Care and Juvenile Justice systems across Victoria and Tasmania with Patches Assessment Services.

Anna Anderson

Anna is a leader in strategic communications and engagement, with extensive experience overseeing innovative communications programs for policy areas with a focus on multicultural affairs, prevention of family violence and education sectors. Currently she leads a team of specialists to enhance transport and infrastructure projects, listening to communities and stakeholders to design better, more inclusive transport for everyone.

She has held governance roles as public affairs and community engagement representative on committees for major transport and infrastructure projects as well as creative arts initiatives designed to mitigate disruptions and enhance Melbourne’s liveability.

As one of the first South Korean Australian adoptees through formal government channels, Anna brings valuable personal experience and a strong appreciation for the vital work of VANISH and understanding of the complex and diverse needs of those impacted by family separation. Anna is passionate about advancing equity, inclusion and belonging among diverse communities. She actively supports adoptees and prospective parents through mentoring and speaking engagements, and currently volunteers as a crisis supporter for Lifeline Melbourne (Naarm).

Todd Dargan

Todd has served on the VANISH Committee of Management (CoM) since 2018 and as Chair from 2023-25. Todd is an adopted person and first became involved with VANISH in 2008 when he undertook his search and reunion. He was a regular attendee at the VANISH adoptee support group and through this, he understands the unique experiences of adoptees and the common threads they share. Todd has an MBA from Swinburne and works for Westgate Community Initiatives Group (WCIG), an organisation providing Employment, Disability, Youth and Training Services to the community.  Todd oversees WCIG’s quality and information management systems.

Aimee Shackleton

Aimee first joined the VANISH CoM in 2021. She was also co-Founder and National Director of Donor Conceived Australia (DCA), a charitable volunteer-run organisation led by donor-conceived people offering support, information and advocacy for those affected by donor conception.

Over the last two decades, Aimee’s career in education includes positions as Director of Digital Learning at independent schools across Melbourne and she is a sought-after speaker internationally in the educational technology space. Her work has led to certifications and awards with Apple, Microsoft and Google, including Apple Distinguished Educator and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.

Aimee regularly appears on television and radio, as well as in the print media, both sharing her own story as a donor conceived person and representing the community. Currently, Aimee’s volunteer work includes consulting with numerous jurisdictions both in Australia and internationally regarding legislative reform in the area of donor conception to ensure the rights of the child created are upheld both now and into the future.