Our Management Team

Tania de Jong AM is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia. Tania has garnered an international reputation as an award-winning social entrepreneur, acclaimed soprano, inspirational speaker and storyteller, creative alchemist, philanthropist and spiritual journey woman. She is a passionate leader for social change. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

She regularly presents on creativity, innovation, leadership, purpose, psychedelic-assisted therapies, mental health and wellbeing at major conferences and events around the world across the business, government, creative arts and community sectors. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and the With One Voice programs, Umbrella Foundation, Creative Innovation Global, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room.

Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence, the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally. Her TED Talk has sparked global interest.

Paul Finn came up through the music industry, where eight years of editing magazines, producing live events, and working alongside some of Australia’s biggest acts gave him something no marketing course could: an instinct for what moves people, and a deep understanding of what it means to put the right message in front of the right person at the right moment.

Two decades working across tourism, real estate, hospitality, and commercial services sharpened that instinct into a discipline. He has helped build campaigns that changed the economic trajectory of entire regions and businesses that found their voice for the first time. The work has always been about closing the gap between what something truly is and how the world sees it.

Now that same work has found its most meaningful purpose. At Mind Medicine Australia, Paul brings his full attention to ensuring that the people who need access to psychedelic- assisted therapies can find their way to them, and that the organisations making that possible are seen, heard, and trusted.

Ryan Buckland has spent seventeen years building growth infrastructure at the intersection of performance marketing, capital communications and commercial strategy, working across Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia.

He has delivered measurable outcomes for some of the world’s most recognised names, including Nike, Adidas, Hilton, Virgin Australia, Universal Music and Floyd Mayweather, across sport, hospitality, music and consumer goods. In his role across investment and capital markets, he leads investor engagement spanning property, fixed income, equities and alternative assets. His work in the resources and energy sector spans six continents, operating at Tier-1 standards.

Ryan’s work is grounded in a single conviction: that capital follows proof, and proof is built through marketing.

Scott Edwards is the Joint General Manager of the Mind Medicine Australia Clinic. Previously he was Executive Officer of Mind Medicine Australia delivering the organisation’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training & Education program, including its world-leading Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies program. He also worked on the strategy and implementation of MMA’s successful advocacy initiative to reschedule MDMA and psilocybin.

He has been working in adult education for over 15 years, designing and implementing programs in the music and healthcare fields. In addition, he is a somatic facilitator and breathwork practitioner, working with a variety of techniques to support and integrate expanded states of awareness for therapeutic outcomes. He is the co-founder of Breath Medicine.

Ilan has been with Mind Medicine Australia for nearly 7 years. He was part of the team that made global history in 2023 through our successful applications to the TGA which led to the rescheduling of psilocybin and MDMA from Prohibited Substances to Controlled Medicines, making Australia a World-First and a leader in this rapidly emerging field.

Professionally, he has played a pivotal role in the general management of healthcare businesses, demonstrating expertise in various sectors including a private cosmetic surgery chain and the commercialisation of a groundbreaking skincare range. Ilan successfully guided the development of these products from initial concept to full-scale production.

In his most recent position, Ilan oversaw a group of national medical centers. His career trajectory towards operations management was initiated by his valuable experience gained while working with the Risk and Controls Solutions practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Driven by a passion for assisting the medical fraternity in their practice management and business administration functions, Ilan leverages his well-rounded skills across a diverse range of knowledge areas. He aspires to contribute his expertise, complemented by his firsthand exposure to the commercial aspects of business, in a role that fully utilises his capabilities.

In addition to his professional endeavours, Ilan actively engages in supporting community organisations. He has also been recognised for his achievements with Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards, showcasing his unique combination of community involvement and industry-related experience.

Nicole has completed studies in education, business, sports training and counselling. An experienced yoga and meditation practitioner, with a life-long interest in health and wellbeing, Nicole’s growth mindset has inspired change and innovation in a variety of career settings.

As a specialist in Business Development and Account Management, she has worked at Inclusion Australia and for over fifteen years in National advertising and promotional roles with several radio networks and leading magazine publishers

Nicole’s interest in psychology and self-development led her to complete a Diploma of Holistic Counselling in 2007, before working as a health and wellbeing coach for women and a community volunteer at Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda.  She is currently completing MMA’s therapist training course Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies. (CPAT)

Before starting at MMA, Nicole spent eight years at Tennis Australia, working at The Australian Open, in key Business Development roles. Nicole now enjoys a diverse role at MMA engaging with a wide range of organisations building meaningful Mind Medicine Australia partnerships, raising funds and delivering educational community events, with a focus on positive change in many people’s lives.

Bonny is a values-driven and community-focused professional with 18 years’ experience in executive support and project management. She began her career in consulting firms before moving across to for-purpose organisations, where she is motivated by contributing to meaningful social impact.

In addition to her professional work, Bonny is a kirtanist and singer who performs regularly in Melbourne, Australia. She brings extensive experience in the wellbeing space, including developing workplace wellbeing initiatives, facilitating guided meditations, and leading mindfulness and voice-based workshops designed to foster self-awareness and connection.

Bonny is passionate about trauma-informed approaches to healing and creating psychologically safe environments. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider through MHFA Australia.

Spud is actually Ilan’s dog, or perhaps Ilan is her human…

She attends the office daily and her important role is to remind everyone to get out in the fresh air for walks, enjoy life and eat good food. Cuddles are always welcome.