Our Representatives

Katherine Stanley – Consumer Representative on the Western Alliance Board

Katherine Stanley is an experienced advocate for consumer engagement in health service delivery and health research. She has a lived experience of endometriosis and is the director of Endo Help Foundation which advocates for investment and improvements in women’s health and raises money to support research into pelvic pain in hope of creating further change. Katherine has collaborated with Western Alliance member organisations on research projects focussing on the lived experience of pelvic pain and creating holistic and comprehensive models of care for those with endometriosis.

Katherine’s role on the Western Alliance Board is to provide a consumer voice and perspective for Board discussions and decisions, and to provide guidance on how best to support consumers to be involved in research and translation.

Associate Professor Nicole Mercer – Aboriginal representative on the Western Alliance Board

Associate Professor Nicole Mercer is a Wadawurrung Woman, with ties to Wurundjeri Nation, and has worked in acute and community public health settings and in Aboriginal health for over 25 years as a Registered Nurse. She has extensive experience in higher education, most recently at Federation and Deakin Universities. She has also incorporated her health knowledge when working with Community, families, and children.

Nicole is Associate Head of School-Indigenous Strategy in the School of Medicine at Deakin University and leads the Indigenous Health Team. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held positions on State Government, Peak Organisation, Aboriginal Community and Local Health District boards, advocating for Community and improved social and health outcomes. Having lived and had professional experience in both urban, metropolitan, and isolated rural settings, she has a unique perspective of the inequities and barriers to healthcare access that Aboriginal People may experience.

Nicole’s role on the Western Alliance Board is to provide strategic advice and oversee the implementation of research translation strategies to advance the health of the Aboriginal Community in western Victoria.

Tess Marotta, Consumer Representative on the Western Alliance Research Translation Committee

Tess is an experienced consumer advisor and consultant, who brings lived experience of living with chronic health conditions. She has gained valuable insights into the healthcare system, and is passionate about improving healthcare outcomes through the integration of consumer insights. Tess actively engages with diverse communities, and has experience in shaping research, and influencing healthcare policy and delivery.

Tess will also be supporting Western Alliance as a consumer reviewer of applications for research funding. This ensures that consumers are participating in the decision-making on what
research and translation projects Western Alliance supports, and also enables consumer feedback and advice for applicants to strengthen the consumer and community involvement in
their proposed projects.

Mrs Marilyn Dolling – Consumer Representative on the Western Alliance Research Translation Committee

Mrs Marilyn Dolling is a passionate advocate, empowered ambassador using her personal experiences as a Cancer survivor, carer and family member to ensure optimal care resulting in a positive change in people’s lives.

Marilyn is an experienced Chair with a demonstrated history of working in the education, hospital and health care industries at acute and primary service levels skilled inpatient support, patient centred care, palliative care, cancer advocacy and advocacy training, health literacy, supportive care, survivorship, optimal care pathways, aged care advocacy, education at all levels from preschool to tertiary.

Marilyn provides a lived experience consumer and carer perspective in the co-development of Western Alliance initiatives.