SOWFI Management

We believe a "skills-based" Board enhances decision-making and board effectiveness by ensuring board diversity and coverage of necessary skills. A diverse board provides a variety of perspectives, encouraging innovative thinking and robust discussions.

Our Board works under the following Guiding Principles:
Fostering Healthy Debate: We promote an environment where all voices are heard and valued.  We encourage respectful, inquisitive dialogue that leads to the best outcomes for our members and the animals we serve.
Respect & Equality: Every board member's perspective is treated with equal importance, and that discussions are grounded in mutual respect.
Commitment to Transparency: Honesty and transparency guide all board decisions and communications
Empathy & Compassion: We are driven by empathy and compassion, ensuring that the well-being of both animals and members is at the heart of every decision.
Solution-Oriented Leadership: The board is focused on finding constructive solutions, emphasising collaboration, understanding, and accountability in all initiatives.
Ongoing Engagement: We prioritise active engagement with members, keeping the lines of communication open and maintaining strong relationships between the board and members
Collaboration & Accountability: By working together, we ensure that our actions are accountable to both the organisations mission and its members.
Adaptability & Flexibility: The board remains adaptable to changing circumstances, maintaining flexibility in our approaches to best meet the needs of the organisation.

SOWFI Board Members 2024

Acting Chairperson
Marketing/Fundraising Officer: Alida Parente
Alida joins SOWFI with significant experience in a range of Marketing and Communications roles within Australia and internationally, and has undertaken some exciting projects at Carers SA, Centennial Park, St John Ambulance Australia and the University of Adelaide in recent years. Alida has a passion for animals and protecting wildlife and is very excited to be a part of SOWFI.

Deputy Chairperson: Marian MacLucas
​Marian is a Wildlife Carer/Rescuer and a founding member of SOWFI.
She has 20+ years of experience in business & marketing, including 12 years working for Not-For-Profit organisations and the last 6 years self-employed.
​In her 10 years in the “wildlife rehabilitation” sector in South Australia, Marian has identified many areas for improvement, expansion and collaboration to raise the bar in rehabilitation and wildlife volunteer recognition and support.
Her passion is to improve outcomes for wildlife in South Australian, educate the public to better live with wildlife, and gain the recognition for wildlife volunteers as front-line responders providing a highly valued service to wildlife and the community. 
Marian's belief is that SOWFI’s role will only become more important as we see first-hand the impacts of climate change and continuing habitat loss on our wildlife in this state.

Secretary: Prue Pethick
I have worked as an Optical Dispenser and Manager for 40 years.  I volunteered for a few years at the RSPCA working with rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and other small animals.  Becoming a foster carer was a natural progression and a role I absolutely adored.   Having a passion for all animals I have now moved into foster care for possums but hope to be able to care for other native animals in the future.

Membership Officer: Kym Staples
Kym has a background in Social Work and Counselling and experience working in not-for-profit and private organisations. She has an appreciation for the positive impact that volunteers have in the success of community-driven organisations. With a commitment to giving back to the community and a love for wildlife, Kym is looking forward to working with SOWFI to continue creating meaningful difference.

General Member: Jane Kelly
Jane joined SOWFI in 2021, and has enjoyed being part of the vital 24/7 rescue hotline as a phone operator, as well as being a rescuer and a bird carer.  Before SOWFI, Jane has volunteered in other facilities including the Animal Welfare Organisation, where she was an Adoption Assistant, assisting the public with dog adoptions.  Jane works fulltime, managing a private SME, where she has worked in a vast variety of roles for the past 29 years, with the last 17 at the helm. 
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She originally trained as a Registered Nurse and specialised in emergency & trauma nursing, and as such has compassion for people and animals, and loves working in dynamic and changing situations. Jane loves to travel, and enjoys local, interstate and international travel, both for business and pleasure.  Jane is a Company director on her company board and is Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

General Member: Matt Swann
Matt is a seasoned digital specialist with over a decade of experience in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design. With a strong focus on human-centred design, he has worked across both the public and private sectors, developing impactful digital products that drive success. His expertise spans front-end development, digital design, and business development, making him a valuable asset in crafting accessible and engaging digital solutions.
Known for his problem-solving abilities, Matt leverages modern technologies to create practical, user-friendly tools that enhance interaction and experience. His passion for wildlife conservation aligns perfectly with the mission of SOWFI, and he is excited to bring his skills to support the organisation's goals through innovative digital strategies.

General Member/Acting Treasurer: Denise Starick
Denise joined SOWFI in February 2023 as a volunteer phone operator and recently was elected to the Board as a General Member. She had been a bookkeeper for over 35 years and in 2019 purchased a Commercial Cleaning Franchise with her daughter. Unfortunately, chronic arthritis forced her retirement. In her youth she was a member of the Army Reserve and served as Treasurer for the RAAME Shooting Club, until parenthood took over. She was the Treasurer for the Tonsley Park Primary School and later Treasurer for the Marion Primary School OHSC.

Denise has always been an animal lover and over the years has had several dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds and a Bearded Dragon. She currently has a tortoise Shell cat named O.C. (18yrs old) and her daughter's 2-year-old Leonberger. She Looks forward to working with the board and all members in the future.