Our Board

Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM

Jonathan became Executive Director and Board Member of the The Kids Research Institute Australia in July 2012.

A top paediatrician and infectious diseases specialist, Jonathan is recognised as a leading mind in the Australian health field, with particular expertise in Indigenous child health. He is Chair of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) WA and Past President of AAMRI nationally.

Jonathan is a Member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, Executive Committee of the Strep A Vaccine Consortium (SAVAC) and the Vaccine Track Co-Chair of the World Congress RHD Steering Committee.

Professor Carapetis is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences (FAA) and the Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences (FAHMS).

Naomi Flutter, Chair

Naomi is Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs at Wesfarmers Limited, a role she has held since 2018. Naomi works with Wesfarmers diverse divisions, across responsibilities spanning communications, government, sustainability, Indigenous affairs, philanthropy and the arts.

Before Wesfarmers, Naomi worked with Deutsche Bank for 20 years in public sector mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, commercial banking and business management. From 2013, she led the Bank's Global Transaction Banking business in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for the delivery of commercial banking to local clients. In 2016, she assumed additional responsibilities, leading the Bank's Trust and Agency businesses across seven Asian markets, from Japan to Mauritius.

Naomi holds honours degrees in Economic History and Law from the Australian National University (ANU) and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government.

Alongside her work, Naomi served on the ANU Council for ten years to June 2024, including seven years to June 2024 as Pro Chancellor.

She commenced the role of Chair at the Institute in August 2024.

Jane Muirsmith

Jane is one of Australia’s leading digital strategists and is Managing Director of Lenox Hill, a digital strategy and solutions advisory company.

She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has an Honours Degree in Commerce.

Jane currently serves on the board of Australian Finance Group and Cedar Woods Properties, and is the Chair of HealthDirect Australia and past President of the WA Women’s Advisory Council to the WA Government.

Jane joined the The Kids Board in February 2018 and also sits on the Risk and Compliance Committee.

Hon. Ben Wyatt

Ben joined the Board in April 2021 and is a member of the Institute’s Finance Committee.

He is the former WA Treasurer and Minister for Finance; Aboriginal Affairs; and Lands.

Ben studied Arts and Law at The University of Western Australia and completed his Masters at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He was elected to the Legislative Assembly to represent the electorate of Victoria Park in 2006, and between 2008 and 2016 held a number of senior positions in the Shadow Cabinet.

Ben’s current Board appointments include Woodside Petroleum Ltd and the West Coast Eagles.

Jozef Gécz

Jozef joined the Board of The Kids in 2016 and is a member of the Institute’s Risk and Compliance Committee.

Jozef is an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, Chair of Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation for the Prevention of Childhood Disability, and Professor of Human Genetics at the Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide.

He established the Neurogenetics Research Program at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Jozef was awarded the 2019 South Australian Scientist of the Year.

Nicole O’Connor

Nicole joined the The Kids Board in 2016 and is Chair of the Risk and Compliance Committee and also a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Nicole is WA State Manager Public Sector at Amazon Web Services and a Non-Executive Director of Remsense.

Nicole is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ed Bostock

Ed joined the Board in August 2021 and is a member of the Institute’s Development Committee and Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Ed is Chair of Wespine Industries Pty Ltd and the Chief Financial Officer of Wesfarmers Health.

Prior to joining Wesfarmers, Ed had a long career in private equity leading global and domestic investment firms Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts and Pacific Equity Partners.

Ed brings a wealth of experience in investment, business development and corporate strategy across a broad range of industries.

He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne.

Brendan Crabb AC

Professor Brendan Crabb AC PhD is an infectious disease researcher, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, and Chair of the Australian Global Health Alliance and the Pacific Friends of Global Health.

He serves on the International Advisory Boards of the Sanger Institute (UK) and WHO’s Malaria Vaccine Advisory Committee (Geneva).

He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

His passion is to use science and innovation to improve the health of all peoples, especially to contribute to a more equitable Australia, region and wider world.