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 2026

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 11 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.

Treasurer: Maykoo Yu
Maykoo is a senior finance professional with over 15 years’ experience across mining, construction and government project environments. She has extensive expertise in accounting management, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, compliance and financial governance. With a strong interest in wildlife rescue and community service, she provides financial consultancy and strategic advice to Boards and team leaders, supporting responsible spending and sustainable growth. Maykoo oversees SOWFI’s financial functions and grant acquittals. She is committed to transparency, accountability and effective resource management, helping SOWFI deliver impactful rescue, rehabilitation and conservation outcomes for South Australia’s native wildlife.

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.

Marketing/Fundraising Officer: Joanne Koehne
I have a deep and personal interest in farming communities, regenerative agriculture, environmental management and biodiversity conservation. I have a broad professional background that has spanned marketing, communications, business development, proposals/bids and project management. This has included working specifically with organisations operating within the agricultural/environmental sectors, as well as several non-profit peak industry bodies and member associations.
I have previously been a volunteer wildlife carer, supporting my daughter’s passion for native birds and studies at Urrbrae High, learning so much in the process about varying species and their needs. Being close to the outskirts of a high-density development zone has reinforced for me the urgency of biodiversity conservation and I am looking forward to contributing to the growth of SOWFI in fulfilling its purpose of educating the public on the importance of, and in saving, our native wildlife.

General Member: Lynda Demaagd
Lynda lives in the beautiful Adelaide Hills and has a lifelong connection with caring for the environment in this region.
She is a founding member of Habitat for Nature, a not-for-profit dedicated to protecting and restoring remnant bushland.
A keen photographer, Lynda often records images and sounds of the local flora and fauna.
Her varied career has included event management, art gallery management, horticulture and jewellery design, with a strong focus on human connections.
Lynda is looking forward to being a part of the SOWFI board, contributing to the Wildlife Finishing School and developing the future working relationship of SOWFI and Habitat for Nature.

General Member: Shelley Greer
Shelley is an NVC Accredited Terrestrial Ecologist with a passion for conserving South Australia’s unique wildlife and natural landscapes. Throughout her career, she has worked across a diverse range of ecosystems, collaborating with communities, landholders, industry and government stakeholders to help ensure ecological values are considered in planning and decision-making. She has a background in undertaking a broad range of ecological assessments including targeted threatened species surveys, avifauna strike risk assessments, population monitoring and rehabilitation management plans. As a member of the SOWFI Board, she is excited to contribute her professional experience, learn from others who share a passion for conservation, and support the organisation’s important work protecting our native wildlife.

General Member: Elizabeth Hutchison
I joined SOWFI as a phone operator soon after my  arrival in SA from interstate in 2022.
I had previously worked with Animal Liberation in QLD and joined Animals Australia when it was founded in 1980. I have adopted numerous cats and dogs over the years but was not in the right place for wildlife caring due to interstate moves with careers in dietetics leadership, teaching across many areas, small businesses and parental care.
I hope to contribute to Board decisions with experience gained across many areas and a passionate concern for our native flora and fauna and their future well being.