Our Team

Hollie Feller – Director & Board Member
Hollie is a co-founder and Director of UsherKids Australia. She is a fierce advocate for early diagnosis of Usher syndrome through genetic testing, the education of clinical professionals as well as support for families around the country to share research and information about the current generation of USH kids.
Hollie divides her time between work at the Genetic Support Network of Australia, volunteering for UsherKids Australia, Paediatric Vision Impairment Alliance and is also on the Board at Genetic Cures Australia (www.geneticcures.com.au), a charity she established with her husband to further accelerate Australian research and therapies for genetic conditions such as Usher syndrome.

Emily Shepard – Director & Board Member
Emily Shepard is a co-founder and Director of UsherKids Australia. Emily is passionate and committed to making the lives of children with Usher syndrome and their families better. She has brought her perspective as a mother of a child with Usher syndrome, as well as skills from working in a commercial environment and combined them with her studies in Auslan and Public Health to successfully manage the not-for-profit organisation.
Emily divides her time between work, volunteering for various organisations including UsherKids Australia, Paediatric Vision Impairment Alliance, Deafblind International Usher Network and Deafblind Centre for Excellence, and is also currently undertaking a Master of Public Health online through Curtin University.

Tracey Jonston
Case Coordinator
Tracey is a Senior Teacher and Consultant with NextSense (formerly RIDBC). Her knowledge and experience working with families of children with sensory impairments spans over two decades. Tracey will provide guidance to families particularly in the early years after diagnosis to reduce isolation, increase support and service provision to improve the longterm health and well-being of our families. Tracey will assist UsherKids Australia in the implementation of our National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant by working directly with families and healthcare professionals to improve skills and capacity.

Lauren Johansen
Project Coordinator

Lisa Kearns
Board Member
Lisa’s knowledge of Usher syndrome combined with her talent and passion for improving people’s lives make her an incredibly valuable addition to the UsherKids team. She brings new insights and helps guide the organisation to continue to improve and expand its services.
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