VANISH welcomes new Committee of Management Members

VANISH is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerryn Pennell and Fiona Zito to the VANISH Committee of Management. Their extensive expertise and commitment to advocacy and community engagement will be invaluable in guiding VANISH’s mission to support and empower individuals affected by adoption and family separation.

Kerryn Pennell brings three decades of leadership experience in the health sector, working in partnership with governments, philanthropic foundations, corporate and not-for-profit enterprises, and key stakeholders at state, national, and global levels. 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. Her own experience as an adoptee, as well as her professional experience means that Kerryn has an acute awareness of the psychological and social impacts that adoption can have on all affected.

Fiona Zito has a long-standing connection with VANISH, having first engaged with the organisation in 1995 while searching for her original birth certificate and information about her biological family. She has actively participated in VANISH support groups and has firsthand experience navigating the complexities of adoption-related searches and reunions. Fiona’s professional background spans education, administration, philanthropy, and community engagement, with a focus on supporting vulnerable young people through multidisciplinary assessments.

The VANISH Committee of Management and Team are delighted to welcome Kerryn and Fiona and are confident that their leadership and expertise will strengthen our ability to advocate for the needs of people affected by adoption, donor conception or family separation, diversify our funding sources and explore new ways to support the wellbeing of the community.

Thank You to Claudia Lassetter

As we welcome Kerryn and Fiona, we also express our gratitude to Claudia Lassetter for her service on the VANISH Committee of Management from October 2023 to February 2025. We sincerely thank her for her time, passion, and invaluable insights.

About Kerryn Pennell

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. Expertise in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and fostering innovation in service delivery. Skilled in building high-performing teams, driving transformation, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Adept at navigating industry challenges, implementing sustainable growth strategies, and integrating technology to improve efficiency and user experience. 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.

About Fiona Zito

Fiona Zito, 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.