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Our Management Team

Spud

B. Cuteness

Chief Puppy Officer (CPO)

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.

Tania de Jong AM

LL.B (Hons), GradDipMus

Executive Director

Tania de Jong AM is a trail-blazing Australian soprano, award-winning social entrepreneur, creative innovation catalyst, spiritual journey woman, storyteller and global speaker. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Creative Innovation Global, Mind Medicine Australia, Umbrella Foundation and The Song Room.

She works across the public, private, creative and community sectors.  Tania speaks and sings around the world as a soloist and with her group Pot-Pourri releasing ten albums. She is Founder and Executive Producer of future-shaping events series, Creative Innovation Global.  She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2008 and named one of the 100 Women of Influence and the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and in the 100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics globally.

She regularly presents on psychedelic-assisted therapies, mental health and wellbeing at major conferences and events around the world and to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public.

Tania’s TED Talk How Singing Together Changes The Brain has sparked international interest.  Tania’s mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

Scott Edwards

B.Mus

Executive Officer

Scott is driven by a deep desire to understand the nature of human experience and to use that understanding to cultivate health and wellbeing for himself and others.

This has led to a winding road through life. Before arriving at Mind Medicine Australia he has worked as a paintball referee, professional musician, music teacher, online education company founder/director, sales assistant, gardener, remedial massage therapist and somatic body worker. Outside of work he has spent considerable time exploring both the world at large and his own internal world.

In addition to his role with MMA he continues his work as a somatic body worker and in his time off you’ll often find Scott enjoying time with family and friends or sitting on a meditation cushion or under a tree.

 

Ilan Hayman

B. IS, ITIL Cert, M. ProjMngt

Operations Manager

Ilan has played a pivotal role in the General Management of healthcare businesses including a private cosmetic surgery chain and the commercialisation of a breakthrough skincare range. He successfully led the development of these products from concept through to production commercialisation.

Most recently Ilan oversaw a group of national medical centers.  His career into operations management was triggered by his valuable experience as part of the Risk and Controls Solutions practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Specifically, Ilan’s passion is assisting the medical fraternity in their practice management and business administration functions. Ilan’s ambition is to work in a role that utilises his analysis expertise enriched by his exposure to the commercial side of business.

Ilan has a passion for assisting community organisations and sits on several boards of not for profit organisations. He also holds Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and brings along a unique set of community and industry related experience.

Nicole Hearnden

B Ed

Events & Partnership Manager

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 Acccount Management, she has worked at Inclusion Australia and spent 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.

Nicole has spent the last eight years at Tennis Australia, on The Australian Open, in key Business Development roles and now embraces the opportunity to build meaningful Mind Medicine Australia partnerships, with a focus on positive change in many people’s lives.

Vanessa Piciocchi

B.Psych

Education, Training & Administration Officer

Vanessa is a dedicated and driven individual with the aspiration to manage, educate and lead people within their professional and personal pursuits. She graduated university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Science majoring in Education, and has accumulated a wide array of administrative and management skills developed over 6+ years’ experience working in the health, education, consulting and media sector.

Her simultaneous juggling of administration and consultation tasks for multiple psychology clinics, management of booking systems in advertising, volunteer work tutoring primary school students and development of employee training programs is a reflection of her passion for helping others in a multitude of professional fields.

In her spare time she’s loves trying new restaurants, spending quality time with her friends, playing some beach volleyball, or probably at home with her cat!

Anthony Licciardi

Education, Program, Administration Coordinator

Anthony is a current Biomedicine student at LaTrobe University aspiring to pursue a career in the field of Neuroscience. He aims to one day be involved in the research behind psychedelic medicines and their therapeutic benefits, alongside other holistic health practices. In accordance with his line of study, he is extremely passionate about bringing life-lasting treatment to people in need and is driven to apply his interpersonal skills and knowledge of the health industry to a professional environment.

Anthony began his journey at MMA as a volunteer and has spent the past 10 years in the hospitality/retail sector. His experience has helped develop the expertise to form lasting relationships with people involved in all areas of the organisation, and the clerical skills required for administrative tasks.

Alongside his genuine nature and passion in health, Anthony’s interests include reading, meditation and jiu-jitsu, and loves to spend his time outside in nature with family and friends.

Julia Neubauer

B. A.

Digital Communications, Design and Social Media Consultant

Pursuing her passion in the creative arts, Julia graduated in the UK with a first-class Bachelor of the Arts in Music Production. Developing her craft in the years to follow, she worked with e-commerce companies before launching her own business in 2016. Working remotely while travelling across the world, Julia has been supporting entrepreneurs in building their brand through content creation, designing websites, and building sales funnels.

Her international upbringing and work experience have equipped Julia with strong adaptability, excellent communication skills, and an entrepreneurial growth mindset. Julia is a multidisciplinary artist working across photography, music, and writing to capture the depths of our human experience. She is interested in the intersection between psychedelic medicine, ancient Buddhist meditation practices, and the creative arts. Fascinated by the healing power that altered states of consciousness can provide, Julia is driven by the profound impact these modalities can have on our collective wellbeing. Currently, she is also studying art psychotherapy at the IKON Institute.

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