Meet our Friends of the Foundation
Alex Cullen
Alex Cullen is a news and sports journalist who grew up in Coonamble, NSW, and now lives in Sydney with his wife, Bonnie, and their three children. His twin daughters, Audrey and Evie, were born prematurely and spent weeks in the NICU at The Royal, where his son Max was also born. As an ambassador for The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, Alex is proud to support the hospital’s life-saving care for women, newborns, and families.
Deborah Symond-O'Neil
Deborah Symond-O’Neil is a dedicated supporter of The Royal Hospital for Women, co-hosting the annual Ladies Luncheon alongside Harriet Waugh. Since 2016, this event has raised over $2 million, including $550,000 in 2024 to fund a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine for Maternal Fetal Medicine and life-saving NICU equipment. Beyond her philanthropic work, Deborah is the Founder and Director of Mode Sportif, a leading Sydney fashion boutique chain. She lives in Sydney with her husband and their two young children, Beau and Violet.
Harriet Waugh
Harriet Waugh founded the Ladies Luncheon in 2016 to give back to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at The Royal, following her own experience with pre-eclampsia and the premature birth of her first child. Since its inception, the event has raised over $2 million, providing essential equipment and advancing models of care at The Royal. Held annually at Nobu, Crown Sydney, it has become a standout fixture in the charity event calendar. Harriet remains dedicated to championing The Royal and its life-saving work.
Dr Jana Pittman
Dr. Jana Pittman is a PhD candidate under Dr. Rebecca Deans, researching uterus transplantation in the deceased donor setting. She is a board member of the International Society for Uterus Transplantation (ISUTx) and a key member of the UTx clinical trial teams at The Royal. A former elite athlete, Jana is a two-time World Champion, four-time Commonwealth Champion, and the first Australian woman to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Beyond her professional and philanthropic pursuits, she is a proud mother of six.
Jade Redmond
Jade is a passionate advocate for The Royal’s world-class medical and trauma-informed care. After experiencing an ectopic loss in 2020 and delivering her sleeping angel, Harper Rose, in May 2021, she was deeply moved by the compassionate support she received, particularly from the Maternal Fetal Medicine team. Dedicated to raising awareness of baby loss, Jade openly shares her journey to support others navigating grief. In November 2022, she and her partner, Craig, welcomed their second daughter, River Rose, at The Royal.
Kirsty Bryant
After undergoing an emergency hysterectomy due to a postpartum hemorrhage in 2021, she and her mother, Michelle, became Australia’s first successful uterus transplant patients under the care of Dr. Rebecca Deans at The Royal. Thanks to this groundbreaking procedure, Kirsty was able to carry her second child. On December 15, 2023, she, her partner Nick, and their daughter Violet joyfully welcomed Australia’s first baby born from a transplanted uterus. Kirsty is passionate about raising awareness of The Royal’s pioneering role in life-changing medical advancements.
Lisa Seiffert
Lisa’s journey has taken her across the globe as an internationally renowned model, gracing the covers of major fashion publications, including Australian Vogue. Her life took a new direction following a breast cancer diagnosis, which brought her home to Australia for life-saving treatment at The Royal. Her experience inspired a commitment to raising awareness about the importance of regular health checks. Lisa remains actively involved with The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation and is currently leading a new art program, bringing donated and loaned artworks into the hospital to uplift and inspire patients.
Rachael Casella
Rachael’s journey has been one of immense love, loss, and resilience. After experiencing a miscarriage in 2016, she and her husband, Jonny, welcomed their daughter, Mackenzie, in 2017. At just ten weeks old, Mackenzie was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and tragically passed away five months later. Determined to grow their family, Rachael and Jonny endured nine rounds of IVF and the loss of two more babies before welcoming their sons, Izaac in 2021 and Joshua in 2022. Throughout their struggles, The Royal remained a steadfast source of care and support. A passionate advocate for genetic carrier screening and IVF, Rachael is the author of Mackenzie’s Mission and is dedicated to raising awareness of the life-changing work of The Royal Hospital for Women.
Sylvia Jeffreys
Sylvia Jeffreys is a respected journalist and co-host of Today Extra, with a distinguished career in the Nine Network’s top-rating news and current affairs team. She has a deep appreciation for the life-changing and life-saving work at The Royal and is passionate about supporting its groundbreaking medical and research advancements. As a proud Friend of The Foundation, Sylvia is committed to showcasing The Royal’s vital work. She lives in Sydney with her husband, fellow journalist Peter Stefanovic, and their two sons, Oscar and Henry.
