Our Team
AIIP Governance Board
The AIIP Governance Board members have dedicated considerable effort and commitment to the establishment of the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice (AIIP).
Every member of our team is deeply invested in the success of the institute, fuelled by enthusiasm and a shared vision to bring the AIIP’s mission to fruition. Under the esteemed leadership of Emeritus Professor Anneke Fitzgerald, the Founder and Chair, the Board is poised to navigate the institute towards excellence and growth.
Emeritus Professor Janna (Anneke) Fitzgerald
Chair of the Board of AIIP
Professor Health Management, Griffith University
Emeritus Professor Anneke Fitzgerald has over 20 years’ experience in the health industry as a nurse and health services manager. She completed her PhD in Commerce in 2003 and since entering academe in 2002, she has mainly focused on organisational behaviour and leadership in change management. As a pracademic, her scholarly work focuses on closing the research-to-practice gap through knowledge translation, implementation and sustainability in healthcare contexts. She has completed 17 Higher Degree by research Students, over 140 peer reviewed publications and a little more than $28 mil external income. Anneke is the initiator of the Griffith University intergenerational practice research program, successfully building an evidence base for best intergenerational practice in Australia. Anneke has significant experience in leading projects involving technical and clinical stakeholders and complex organisational cultures. She is an applied researcher demonstrating high impact by focussing on the end-users of her research.
Anneke Fitzgerald stands as a preeminent figure in Australian intergenerational practice, recognised for her pioneering research in the field. Her significant involvement in many projects including both the pre and post-production phases of the beloved ABC television series, “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds,” underscores her expertise and commitment to promoting intergenerational connections
Associate Professor Kevin Forde
Kevin has taught healthcare finance and economics and comparative health systems at several Australian universities over the past 25 years, including the University of NSW, LaTrobe University and the University of Technology in Sydney. He currently has an adjunct appointment at Griffith University.
His main research interests are the impact of private health insurance on equity and access in the healthcare system, financial management of medical practices, and the costs and benefits of accreditation for healthcare organisations.
In addition to his academic career, Kevin has been an analyst with a stockbroker, a fund manager with an insurance company, managing editor of Australian Practice Management – a monthly magazine for doctors about the business side of running a medical practice, and editor of the Company Director, the official magazine of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kevin co-authored Microeconomics: An Introduction for Australian Students and has co-authored five books on investing, including:
- You only make a profit when you sell
- Successful share buying, and
- Understanding personal investment and finance
Ms Barbara Langford
Barbara Langford has been a Montessori teacher for the past 37 years during which time she has established seven highly regarded Montessori childcare centers in Adelaide. Barbara is a passionate advocate for raising the quality of education and care for young children. She spent many years as the President of Childcare SA and Childcare Associations Australia, enabling her to champion at both a state and federal government level for the benefits of high-quality early education for children.
Barbara has also participated as a Deputy Member of the Education Standards Board of SA and she continues her voluntary role as an Executive member of the Australian Childcare Alliance SA which she has done for the past 16 years. She has a consultancy business called Montessori Management and Mentoring (MMM) through which she offers her expertise to assist others in the establishment of new centres and the training of educators. Barbara’s most recent venture, in partnership with her daughter Jessica, was establishing Echoes Montessori in 2020 which is a purpose-built childcare centre connected to a community of people living independently in surrounding retirement apartments. It is one of the first childcare centres of its kind in Australia to be purposefully co-located in such a way that it provides an authentic intergenerational opportunity for children and their elders to meet daily to learn with and from each other.
The success of this venture has inspired Barbara to become more involved in promoting intergenerational living as a positive way forward to combat loneliness and isolation in an aging population. For the past two years Barbara has Co-Chaired the AIIP Advisory Council and now joins the AIIP Board where she hopes to contribute to the continued growth and success of the organization.
Kerry Hardey​
Kerry Hardey is an experienced physiotherapist with over 20 years’ practice in community aged care. Throughout her career, she has witnessed firsthand the impacts of social isolation, loneliness, and ageism on older adults, shaping her strong commitment to fostering inclusive, connected communities.Â
Kerry is currently completing a Master of Ageing and Health at Charles Sturt University. She is also undertaking a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, reflecting her commitment to evidence-informed, cross-sector approaches to wellbeing across the lifespan.Â
This combination of clinical expertise and education has led Kerry to co-found The Intergenerational Project, with a shared vision of creating meaningful connections between generations.  Kerry brings a values-driven approach to her work, grounded in social inclusion, advocacy, and relationship-centred practice. Â
Outside of her professional roles, she enjoys spending time with her young family and exploring the outdoors through beach walks, hiking, mountain biking, and camping.
Lysha Lee
Secretary to the BoardÂ
Lysha Lee is an early career researcher with a background in psychology. She is currently completing her PhD in applied health services (ageing and aged care) at Deakin University and the National Ageing Research Institute. Her doctoral work uses a realist approach to understand how intergenerational programs in residential aged care can enhance psychosocial wellbeing for older adults and improve staff experiences.Â
Alongside her academic research, Lysha contributes to several intergenerational and ageing‑focused initiatives across Victoria and South Australia. Her work spans program design, mixed‑methods evaluation, and knowledge translation to inform evidence‑based models of practice.Â
Lysha has been an active member of AIIP since 2022, serving on the Advisory Council and convening AIIP’s NextGen (student and early career) arm. Through her roles, she is committed to strengthening Australia’s intergenerational sector by advancing research‑driven, socially connected approaches to ageing and community wellbeing.Â
Advisory Council Members
The AIIP Council Members represents a formidable force committed to realising the vision of the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice.
The collective dedication and expertise of the Council members, coupled with strong Board leadership, position the AIIP as a trailblazer in fostering meaningful intergenerational connections and practices in Australia.
Ms Jessica Langford (Chair of Advisory Council)
Rafaela Prado Umeno​ (NextGen Leader)
A/Prof Jennifer Cartmel
A/Prof Katrina Radford
Dr Gaery Barbery
Ms Kristy Fox
Samantha Heron
A/Prof Clare Littleton
Karen Verney
Ivey Anne Panicker Ryan
Casey Baldwin
Mr Greg Cronan
Janelle Rapley
Natalie Reyes Bernard
Hannah Forbes
Sarah Brady
Gina Haebich
Mel Knucky
Ellie Meissner
The Support Team
Natalie Reyes Bernard
Professional Development and Education OfficerÂ
Vicki Ryder
General Administration
Maree Stanley
Content Creator
Dr Lisa Jones
AIIP Chair Support
Enamul Hasan Ismail
Web Development
AIIP PATRON
The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO
We welcome Dr Kay Patterson as the honorary patron of AIIP.
The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO was appointed as Age Discrimination Commissioner on 28 July 2016 and completed her seven-year term on 28 July 2023. She is the second person in Australia to be appointed to this position. Dr Patterson’s key priority areas were: improving recognition of, and responses to, elder abuse in the community; increasing employment opportunities for older workers and promoting positive ageing; and increasing housing security for older women at risk of homelessness.