Meet Our Team

Sharon lives and works on the land of the Ngunnawal (Ngunawal) and Ngambri peoples.

Sharon is a dynamic professional with a multifaceted background that encompasses healthcare, advocacy, lived experience as a patient with Systemic AutoInflammatory Disease (SAID) as well as a carer to family also diagnosed.

Using her 20 years experience as a Registered Nurse and over 10 years working in the Disability Advocacy space, Sharon actively bridges the gap between healthcare, researchers, and patients.

Passionate about awareness and support, Sharon co-founded (with fellow director Khal), the first dedicated Australia and New Zealand patient and carer support group for Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in 2013.

From there Sharon founded the FMF and AID Australian Association in 2022 which quickly outgrew its humble beginnings, necessitating its closure and the establishment of ANZFAID.

For many years Sharon has continued to advocate for and support the SAID community behind the scenes nationally and has represented the Australian SAID community in international collaborations.

In her spare time, Sharon is also a licensed wildlife carer and you will find her prepping orphaned possums for release back into the wild.

Khal lives and works on the land of the Darkinjung people.

Khal is a compassionate and highly accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His multifaceted background encompasses roles in pharmaceuticals, media education, medicines information, and health advocacy.

This extensive expertise is deeply informed by his personal journey as a patient living with a Systemic Autoinflammatory Disease (SAID), which inspires his authentic dedication to raising awareness and supporting others facing similar health challenges.

In 2013, Khal co-founded, alongside fellow director Sharon, Australia's and New Zealand’s first dedicated support group for patients and carers affected by Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). This initiative exemplifies his unwavering commitment to fostering community, understanding, and hope for individuals and families impacted by rare autoinflammatory conditions.

Khal remains steadfast in his pursuit of a compassionate, patient-centered approach, effectively integrating his professional expertise with advocacy efforts to enhance education, awareness, and support within the community.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Khal finds joy in staying active through sports, especially football, and enjoys walking his dogs, Rolo and Teddy.

Nabil lives and works on the land of the Gundungurra, Dharawal, and Darug (Dharug) peoples.

A seasoned leader with more than 25 years’ experience across operations, IT, software development, and frontline support, Nabil has built a career in fast paced, complex environments. Known for his strength in systems thinking, process improvement, and team leadership, he has spent decades designing solutions and managing services that enable organisations to scale and operate with confidence.

Beyond professional expertise, Nabil brings lived experience as a patient with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), a rare systemic autoinflammatory disease (SAID) diagnosed in childhood. Balancing a demanding career while navigating the challenges of a chronic, often invisible condition has shaped his leadership style around resilience, empathy, and authenticity.

Nabil co-founded, alongside directors Sharon and Khal, the first dedicated patient and carer support group for FMF in Australia and New Zealand, laying the groundwork for what would grow into a national advocacy and awareness movement. This work expanded in 2022 with the creation of the FMF and AID Australian Association, ultimately leading to the establishment of ANZFAID, a dedicated organisation supporting individuals and families affected by autoinflammatory diseases across Australia and New Zealand.

Driven by a commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and systemic improvement, Nabil continues to support the SAID community behind the scenes, using both professional expertise and personal insight to champion better awareness, access, and support for those living with rare and under-recognised conditions.

When not in work mode, Nabil can usually be found spending time with family, exploring new technology, or contributing to community initiatives.

Kathie lives and works on the land of the Yidiny people.

Kathie brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight to her role as ANZFAID’s Digital Communications Advisor. With a background in online content, communications, and digital strategy, she is passionate about creating an accessible, engaging platform that informs, connects, and empowers the AutoInflammatory community.

As someone living with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), Kathie understands first-hand the challenges faced by those navigating complex and often misunderstood conditions. Her lived experience fuels her dedication to ensuring the voices of patients are heard, and that support, education, and advocacy are at the heart of every digital touchpoint.

Kathie’s work is focused on shaping ANZFAID’s online presence, helping to build awareness, and supporting community engagement across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

In her spare time.... Kathie is grandma to six and runs her own business as an online business strategist. 

Karen lives and works on the land of the Kaurna people. 

Karen has CAPS, caused by an A439V mutation in her NLRP3 gene. After a 43 year long diagnostic odyssey, Karen was finally diagnosed in 2016, thanks to a cousin reaching out to her father.

Frustrated by the patronising and dismissive medical treatment she continued to receive, Karen completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Adelaide University in 2019 and immersed herself in the research of her condition, even completing a summer placement in the Inflammasome Lab at the Institute of Biomedical Science at the University of Queensland. 

“When autoinflammatory patients are first diagnosed, the learning curve can be pretty steep. I like to help demystify some of the scientific and medical language faced by patients and their families by explaining complex concepts in plain language.”