Saran Chamberlain – GIST Member

Saran Chamberlain is a passionate advocate for stroke survivors within her home state of South Australia and at a national level. She currently works as a Project Coordinator in Stroke Foundation’s Young Stroke Project, and holds positions on the Consumer Council for Stroke Foundation and the Stroke Community of Practice in South Australia. Beyond these roles, Saran is involved in many stroke research programs and advocacy activities.

In 2019 Saran started YESS SA (Young Enabled Stroke Success South Australia), a young stroke support group. Through YESS SA, Saran aims to engage with and connect young stroke survivors. Beyond connection, YESS SA enables each individual to customise a community-based exercise program to their own needs, with the assistance of physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Saran also enjoys sharing her experience with health professional students as they put theory into practice, through her involvement in student workshops.

Through her own experience, Saran knows the journey after stroke can be long and isolating for young stroke survivors. She hopes through her involvement in genyus network Community Leadership Team, to strive for increased awareness of young stroke, to ensure young stroke survivors are connected and have the supports they need to make their journey that little bit easier.

Colton Carner – Lead Developer

Colton is a software engineer who works in the edu-tech space and teaches at the University of Melbourne in his spare time. He met Cal while he was still a student, working on a project to improve ‘genyus Roundtable’. Since collaborating, he has stuck around to support the genyus mission 🙂

“I’m most excited about the ability of technology to connect people and facilitate teaching, learning, and growth, and look forward to seeing the genyus network platform drive all of these within the community and beyond”.

Richard Carr – Accountant

Richard has many years’ experience in providing taxation, business and valuation services to a broad range of clients. As a director of West Carr & Harvey since 1986, he comes from the fourth generation of Carrs in Geelong and has successfully established himself as a trusted resource in the region. The firm has recently achieved 70 years in business and Richard services and supports many long standing businesses and organisations in the community.

Richard’s strong focus on valuations and forensic services for over 20 years sees him regularly providing reports required for hearings at the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court. Richard works with Geelong’s leading law firms, medical professionals, professional service firms, primary producers, retailers and the not-for-profit sector.

His ongoing passion for Geelong and the surrounds has allowed him to provide substantial support to many community organisations throughout the region.

Ashleigh Wall – Lawyer

Ash is an experienced lawyer and provides clients with clear, practical and commercial solutions.
Her practice areas include business and investment structuring, governance, business and personal succession planning, trusts, commercial contracts and transactions, not-for-profit, and family business specialist services.

Ash is a passionate advocate for creating positive change through business, and is the Chairperson of Surfing Victoria and a Board Member of Genyus Foundation.

Ash holds an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has also undertaken advanced tax courses with the Tax Institute of Australia, and the Family Business Institute course in family business advising.

Ash is also Mast’s resident adventurer and loves surfing, all things outdoors and travelling.

Professor Natasha Lannin – Research Director

Natasha Lannin is a Professor in Neuroscience. She is an occupational therapist by professional background and a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Academy of Research, and the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy. Professor Lannin is a Heart Foundation Senior Future Leader and as such has been recognised as one of the nation’s most outstanding leaders of clinical and applied health research in stroke.

She leads the Brain Recovery and Rehabilitation Research Group in the Department of Neuroscience (Central Clinical School, Monash University). The group works with people to improve long-term outcomes for adults after neurological damage, in particular from stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Caleb Rixon – Chief Vision Officer

Caleb Rixon is not just a resilient stroke survivor; he’s a dynamic force as a speaker, advocate, and the Chief Vision Officer for genyus network. His journey is a fusion of triumph over adversity and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in the world.

With academic accolades from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Film School, Caleb’s narrative weaves artistry and advocacy into a powerful tapestry.

In the realm of projects and consultations, Caleb plays pivotal roles in collaborations with La Trobe and Deakin University, Christine Couzens MP, Prof. Patsie Frawley, Dr. Amie O’Shea, and various others. His expertise extends across diverse sectors, including research, education, and healthcare, where he has delivered impactful events for universities, the Stroke Foundation, Health Justice Australia, genU, City of Greater Geelong, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI), National Disability Services (NDS), National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Occupational Therapy Australia’s National Conference (OTA) and the UK Stroke Forum.

Caleb is a familiar presence in the media, having made appearances on ABC News Breakfast, ABC TV, Channel Seven’s House of Wellness, SBS Insight, and publications in ABC News and Cambridge University Press. His advocacy efforts have earned him national awards from the Stroke Foundation and the Sit Down Shut Up and Watch This Film Festival.
The global impact of Caleb’s advocacy is exemplified by his participation in the HealtheVoices conference in New Jersey, where he was among a select group of online health advocates flown to the USA by Johnson & Johnson in 2023.

As a seasoned speaker and emcee, Caleb infuses passion, precision, and cheeky charisma into every event. His engagements span major organisations such as BUPA, NBN, and L’OrĂ©al Australia, showcasing his ability to connect with diverse audiences.

Professor Avril Drummond of the University of Nottingham attests to Caleb’s insights being “gold dust,” emphasising his wealth of knowledge, warmth, honesty, and engaging nature.

For a deeper dive into Caleb’s journey and contributions, visit his website at https://www.calebrixon.com.