About Us

Our Mission

HAE Australasia is a not-for-profit patient advocacy organisation dedicated to serving persons with hereditary angioedema, in Australia and New Zealand. Our goals are highlighted in our name HAE, hope, advocacy and education.

The movement focuses on increasing HAE awareness and education, diagnosis, improving patient access to therapy and fostering research.

The hereditary angioedema community is small and spread across two large countries. Many of us live in isolated areas where medical facilities are limited. We wish to build a community of support for patients with HAE.

Meet the Team

Fiona Wardman
Fiona Wardman
Fiona is on the Board of HAE Australasia and lives in Sydney. She has over 20 years experience in office and project management. Fiona is committed to helping all HAE patients live a good quality of life by having access to treatments, educating patients, carers and health care professionals as well as helping to create awareness of HAE throughout the wider community. Due to her continued passion for this cause, Fiona has been appointed as Executive Vice President Global Advocacy, Chief Diversity Officer, Treasurer, Director, Regional Patient Advocate – Asia Pacific & South Africa for HAE International (HAEi).
Louise Ridout
Louise Ridout
Louise is the Chief Finance Officer of HAE Australasia. She lives in Melbourne and has worked as an Accountant in public practice for over 13 years. She is passionate about raising awareness of HAE and looks forward to seeing better treatment options available to all patients.
Olivia Worthington
Olivia Worthington
Olivia is on the Board of HAE Australasia and is based in Auckland, New Zealand and represents the interests of New Zealand patients. She is passionate
about New Zealand patients receiving and having access to the same treatment and care as patients in Australia and the rest of the world. Olivia is a senior marketing professional with over 13 years experience working across organisations and advertising agencies in New Zealand.
Dr. Connie Katelaris
Dr. Connie Katelaris
Dr Katelaris is on the Board of HAE Australasia and is a Professor of Immunology and Allergy, Western Sydney University, Head of Department and Senior Staff Specialist at Campbelltown Hospital. Throughout her career, she has published numerous papers about HAE and has been at the forefront of improving patient outcomes in Australia and New Zealand. She has keen interest in HAE and is passionate about increasing HAE education within the medical profession and in HAE families.
Evelien de Bruin
Evelien de Bruin
Evelien is on the Board of HAE Australasia and is based in Melbourne. Evelien works in Program and Risk Management with a background in project and change management, HR and Quality and voluntary local community committee positions. Evelien is interested in patient wellbeing and to contribute to the overall performance and governance of HAE Australasia.