Meet our Board
KIERA COLLIER
PRESIDENT
Kiera Collier has a strong passion for the not-for-profit sector and public health and is particularly interested in women’s health and health promotion. She holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from UWA and is currently studying for a Master of Public Health. Kiera also sits as a Board Director of ConnectGroups - Support Groups Association WA Inc., a peak representative organisation with a mission to support, nurture, advocate for and build capacity in support groups in Western Australia.
After many years of seeking a diagnosis, Kiera joined the Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support Facebook group. Subsequently, Kiera was diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis and other chronic conditions. Kiera’s passion for supporting others and health advocacy inspired her to volunteer for EndoWA as part of the Facebook moderation team and as an Events Facilitator. Shortly after, she was appointed to the Board.
With a background in Medical Science and lived experience with chronic illness, Kiera has advocated for women’s health in the education sector at both secondary and tertiary levels. Kiera was recently awarded the 2020 City of Canning Youth Citizen of the Year Award for her voluntary efforts.
AKAITI JAMES
DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Akaiti’s childhood friends have recollections of her missing school due to painful periods. However, she was not diagnosed with endometriosis until her late twenties. Seeking ways to manage her symptoms, she joined the Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support Facebook group. Reading and learning from her fellow endo sufferers, Akaiti has found ways to live with her condition on both the good and bad days. Encouraged by the support and knowledge she has received from EPSS, she decided to volunteer with the Facebook moderation team followed by stepping into her Newsletter Editor role.
Akaiti holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Western Australia with a double major in Immunology/Microbiology and Pathology/Laboratory Medicine. She is currently undertaking her Honours year in medical research and has a keen interest in fibrotic conditions including endometriosis. She hopes to bring a wide range of skills to the Board, including facilitating research collaborations, seeking research and grant funding, and academic research and writing skills. She loves cooking and reading in her spare time and aims to complete further tertiary education in the health sector.
TEGAN PHILLIPS
SECRETARY
Tegan began volunteering for our events team in 2019 after joining Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support following her own diagnosis in 2018. Loving the sense of community and wanting to give back further, she also joined our Facebook moderation team and board in the same year.
Tegan is a registered property manager and is currently completing a degree in Political Science and Marketing. She comes from a background in politics and government and has a varied skill set, including speechwriting & public speaking, policy research, compliance, and conflict resolution.
REBECCA KALE
TREASURER
MONIQUE ALVA
BOARD MEMBER
Monique was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2011, after two years of countless hospitalisations and invasive tests. Soon after, Monique was also diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome and adenomyosis. A few years after her diagnoses, Monique found Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support on Facebook.
The support and insight she received from members motivated her to volunteer for the group. Monique is passionate about raising awareness, creating meaningful connections and inclusivity. With a background in customer service and sales, Monique forms a fundamental role in the administration and delivery of our organisation’s services. Monique’s passion for understanding and community awareness contributes to strong social media development within our organisation. Monique was recognised for her volunteer work early in 2020 when she was nominated for Victoria Park Community Citizen of the year.
DR KATYA FLEMING
BOARD MEMBER
Katya's dissatisfaction with her experiences living with endometriosis lead to her applying to medical school. It was there she learned despite what she had been told after her first surgery, endometriosis is not a disease that can be cured, only managed. Seeking help beyond that of her colleagues, she joined Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support in 2016, joining the team shortly thereafter. She realised that quality medical care alone was not enough and that Endometriosis WA could help her achieve her goal of improving the lives of Western Australians with endometriosis.
After working as a junior doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology, she is pleased that the understanding of endometriosis among health practitioners has improved dramatically since her diagnosis, with the number of skilled and empathetic specialists increasing every year.
Katya has found her passion in pathology. She works in a supportive organisation allowing her to train part time, having reduced her workload to manage her own medical needs and the needs of her three daughters. She is confident that if her daughters develop endometriosis, Western Australia will offer their generation world-class care and support.