About Our Team

Meet Our Committee

The main functions of the Brain Ball Planning Committee are to ensure a successful event and to optimise what can be raised for the cause.

Our committee have within its membership a breadth of expertise in medical research, clinical care, legal, event management, marketing and consist of families impacted by these devastating diseases.

Responsibilities include event logistics and operations, budget management, working with the researchers and clinicians where the money is to be directed, liaising with sponsors, marketing and communications and styling.

Committee Members

Ms Emily Galea is a Registered Nurse, Co-Founder of the Brain Ball and the Committee Chair. She has a strong background in medical research and education.

Emily is the Director of Medical Sphere, a Healthcare Marketing and Communications Agency and Project Manager of the National Muscle Disease Bio-databank (NMDB). Based at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute she is responsible for consenting patients, collecting samples and overseeing the legal and ethical requirements of the work.

Working in field, Emily knows the importance of fundraising for healthcare. She is actively involved in the community to educate, bring awareness and raise funds for research into rare and deadly diseases.

 

Ms Nadine Udorovic is a Senior Partner at Nicholes Family Lawyers, and Co-Founder of the Brain Ball. She has extensive experience in all areas of family law including complex children’s and property matters, intervention orders, international family law matters, child support, surrogacy and, adoption. She also has practical experience in criminal law matters.

Nadine joined the Brain Ball Planning Committee due to her very personal connection to this cause- the loss of her father the late John Udorovic, QC. John fought hard against poor odds and sadly lost his battle in April 2008. 

Nadine has been interviewed by the Law Institute of Victoria’s Law Institute Journal regarding her fundraising work– and very personal connection to this cause. To read more, click here

Ms Jessie Roberts is a Qualified Interior Designer, TV Presenter and Co-Founder of the Brain Ball.

She was shocked to hear Emily’s work stories about brain cancer, the minimal funding for vital research and lack of community awareness. With such a big heart and good ideas, she wanted to help.

Jessie uses her skill to help create content about the cause that will resonate with the public and, optimise reach on social media. Additionally, with her interior design background and impeccable taste, she is lead on styling the event. What she creates with our key suppliers every year is magic!

Mrs Kelly Ewert is a Marketing and Sales Consultant working in the beauty and fashion industries across ecommerce and retail brands. 

In 2021 Kelly’s husband Toby was diagnosed with incurable stage 2 brain cancer. Experiencing firsthand what few treatment options are currently available, that only slow down the progression of the tumor and essentially buy Toby more time, Toby and Kelly have become very proactive in trying to raise awareness, funds and make a change. 

Toby and Kelly have formed a strong partnership with The Brain Cancer Center, and in 2023 Kelly became a committee member of The Brain Ball to help create an amazing night for a cause so close to all her family and friends.

Let's make a change, learn how you can help!

Dr Heidi McAlpine (Neurosurgeon Trainee and Researcher), Dr Lucy Gately (Medical Oncologist and Researcher), Associate Professor Misty Jenkins (AO Laboratory Head at WEHI and Joint Head of Research Strategy) at The Brain Cancer Centre and Dr Sarah Best (Scientist and Laboratory Head at WEHI Institute) at The Brain Cancer Centre.

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