Board of Management

Chairperson:Marian MacLucas
​Marian is a Wildlife Volunteer with SOWFI, and a marketing and business professional with 20+ years of experience, including 12 years working for Not-For-Profit organisations and the last 6 years self-employed. Her strengths lie in project management, strategic planning, marketing planning and networking.  She enjoys working collaboratively with other like-minded professionals and approaches her volunteer work with a high level of professionalism and dedication. After 5 years in the “wildlife rehabilitation” sector in South Australia, Marian has identified many areas for improvement, expansion and collaboration to ensure our wildlife is better protected into the future.  Her 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. One of her priorities as Chairperson is to ensure SOWFI’s volunteers are well supported, trained and recognised for their dedication and service to wildlife and the organisation.

Secretary: Peter Knapp
As Board Secretary, Peter understands the need for good governance in addition to bringing broad experience to the Board. Starting in the private sector as a rehabilitation counsellor working with injured workers, employers and their doctors, Peter developed a passion for working with people. His passion and ability to think analytically and strategically saw him work his way up to National Business Manager. Peter lead the business to break into new states and expand its services into new markets beyond its traditional injury management roots. It was this experience that embedded the importance of good governance practice for Peter. By establishing a fair and consistent way of operating, supporting open and transparent conduct both internally and externally, responding to customer needs, and developing a culture of accountability within the business, Peter oversaw the business’ survival amidst times of significant legislative and industry reform. Peter has brought this understanding to the government sector. He has worked as Parliamentary committee Executive Officer as well as Secretary of number of national committees. In addition to providing executive secretariat services, Peter has provided project support and policy advice to the highest levels of government. Peter is excited for this opportunity to work with SOWFI and to support it achieving its vision of stopping the decline in South Australian native wildlife.

Treasurer: Linh Dao
Linh is an Adelaide Hills resident for the past 5 years and has naturally drawn closer to the Australian wildlife as a result of this. She lives with her family on their Forreston property with almost 30 animals, more than half of them are rescued. 
Linh is an Associate Director at BDO Adelaide, a chartered accounting firm, with 15 years’ experience gained both domestically and internationally, including Singapore, Vietnam and the UK. Among Linh’s diverse client base are ASX listed, public non-listed and private companies, State Government, local councils and a wide range of not-for-profit organisations. She provides support to senior management and boards, delivering advice on accounting, corporate governance, risk management and business strategy matters.

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.

Membership Officer: Samantha Wilkinson
Samantha is an Adelaide Hills based Human Resources professional, with a unique blend of expertise, encompassing a broad cross section of Australian and International organisations.  Samantha has great volunteering and committee experience and she currently sits on two curriculum boards with the University of South Australia.  Samantha is a degree qualified (Bachelor of Business (HR)) and in the final stages of an MBA.  With a passion for wildlife, Samantha is committed to supporting SOWFI and our volunteers to achieve it’s purpose in a best practice and values-based way. 

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.  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.

Kaila Menz
Kaila is an Adelaide based Operations Manager working in the health sector. Joining SOWFI, first in the capacity of a rescuer, she quickly moved into coordinating the training program for the organisation and thereafter, nominating for board. Kaila has chosen to work with SOWFI to apply her business skills and experience to the benefit of a value lead and skills driven organisation. With a passion for wildlife, Kaila intends to contribute, in a variety ways, to SOWFI objectives and protect the wellbeing and preservation of Australian native animals. She will continue to use her platform to promote the broader awareness and conservation that is needed to ensure the longevity of our unique biodiversity.