Jeanette Gellard
President
“I love inspiring people to make a positive contribution through Trees For Life and helping them experience significant health and wellbeing benefits at the same time.”
Jeanette brings experience in rural and natural resource management to the Trees For Life Board including a number of years as General Manager with the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board. Jeanette was a recipient of the Centenary Medal in 2003 for her contribution to the rural sector, and in 2001 was awarded the Rural Industry Research & Development Corporation’s (RIRDC) South Australian Rural Women’s Award.
After joining Trees For Life as a member in 2017, Jeanette has served as Vice President, and is now President. She lives on Kangaroo Island and travels regularly to Adelaide for Innovative Influences, her engagement, coaching and strategy business.
Phil Donaldson
Vice President
“I want to bring my interests and experience in the not for profit sector and Government to deepen the relationship between urban and rural communities in delivering the Trees For Life mission.”
Phil is passionate about working locally to create global impacts. He is currently Director of Sustain SA, and co-facilitator of Adelaide Design Link, The Australian Living Lab Innovation Network and Green Cities Global. Phil aspires to see urban communities playing a larger role in tackling climate change impacts and keeping our cities cool. Phil is Chief Executive Officer at Bioregional Australia Foundation.
Marina Deaville
Treasurer
“I look forward to this opportunity to share my experience in managing financial sustainability, risk mitigation and strategic direction for the benefit of Trees For Life.”
Marina has been responsible for corporate finances across many sectors - construction in Hong Kong, automotive manufacturing in the UK and USA and, most recently, for environment and healthcare not for profits in Adelaide. She lives in the Adelaide Hills and has a desire to reconnect with nature and expand her contribution to protecting and preserving the local environment.
Therese Halili
Secretary
“I look forward to contributing my administrative and project management skills to support Trees For Life and to learning more about South Australia from an economic and environmental perspective.”
Therese is a Project Management professional and is deeply committed to volunteering. She believes that the small time and effort we collectively share to these organisations will go a long way and affect people’s lives in ways we cannot even imagine.
Martin Breed
Member
"I hope to bring my scientific expertise to Trees For Life to help repair humanity's relationship with nature.”
Martin is a dedicated university educator and scholar of restoration ecology, ecosystem health, and genomics at Flinders University. He runs a close-nit research group that works on pressing global issues, such as climate-ready seed sourcing, links between biodiversity and human health, and plant-soil-microbe interactions.
Jason Size
Member
"I want to ensure our land is not just sustainable, but in a better position for the children and generations into the future. It takes lots of small steps to make a large change, Trees For Life helps us do this."
Jason is from Bookpurnong in the Riverland where he owns a small mixed fruit orchard and works as a vocational trainer in horticulture. Jason is committed to conservation and land management in the regions and has worked with Trees For Life to help accomplish goals on his own land. Jason is Chair of Summerfruit SA and is a member of the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
Dr John Virtue
Member
“As a board member, past Bush For Life volunteer and current seedling grower I have enjoyed contributing for over two decades to Trees For Life’s mission to sustain and grow our natural world.”
John works as a biosecurity professional, with a long history in the South Australian government and now working across the country as a consultant. He received the national Dr David Banks Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. John has a passion for plants, whether that be tackling weeds, growing native plants or restoring native habitat. He lives on a grassy woodland property at Rockleigh in the eastern Adelaide Hills. John joined the TFL Board in October 2018. He has been chair of the Technical Advisory Sub-Committee, which has focused on addressing the risks of climate change, assessing revegetation ecological outcomes and project prioritisation.
Ingrid Franssen
Member
“Being a Trees For Life board member enables me to combine my work skills and experience with my passion and interest for protecting the Australian natural landscape and engaging people in nature based volunteering.”
Ingrid is a strategic thinker and thrives on collaborating with others to develop solutions. She currently works in Fire and Flood Management for State Government and is very aware of the impact of extreme weather events which has led her to develop an interest in greening urban spaces for both human health and for biodiversity benefits. Ingrid has been actively involved in landcare and bushcare work for many years and always valued the support from Trees For Life in propagation, seed collecting and bushcare.
Michael Cornish
Member
“Trees For Life has so much to offer our community, and I am so proud to be part of their shared journey.”
Michael is a public policy professional with specialist skills and degrees in economics, law, advocacy, and conflict management. He has worked in economic consultancy and international aid project management roles, as a policy advisor for a Federal Parliamentarian and lecturer in economics and social sciences. Michael is passionate about public service and the environment.
Bryce Winter
Member
“I am proud to be associated with Trees For Life. It is a wonderful community of people who passionately restore and protect South Australian landscapes."
Bryce is a management consultant with expertise in strategic planning, governance, organisational development, and technology. He has worked at the highest levels with many institutions in Australia, Asia, Africa, and throughout the Pacific.
Bryce has a Masters degree in International and Community Development, and has Bachelor degrees in Business Management and IT.