ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
We have an ongoing
commitment to Research
in Cancer and Asthma
Cancer and Asthma
We don’t offer a cure,
we help look for one
The Foundation
Since 1993, The Picchi Brothers Foundation has run completely on a volunteer basis.
We as custodians of the Foundation are empowered to distribute funds raised
to projects involved in the research and assistance into cancer
and asthma recovery.
And from such, we give Generous donations to further exciting developments in these two challenging fields of research.
Our Board
As a charitable foundation, our Board Members serve on a voluntary basis. We have a strong cross-discipline of Board Members in a variety of fields who work together to achieve the Foundation’s objectives.
The charter requires a representative from both the Cancer and Asthma fields
Our board has a wide range of business and community experience providing targeted value for the Foundation’s earnings.
It provides me with a moment to reflect on a wonderful organisation: the Picchi Brothers Foundation and a lovely group of people who have made a genuine and meaningful impact on cancer and asthma research.
Frankly, I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved and I look forward to our ongoing success and influence.
Professor Mark Rosenthal
The Foundation’s Current Board for 2024:
The Picchi Brothers Foundation is served by volunteers who are not rewarded for their efforts. Our Board consists of these fine people who give their time generously to this wonderful task.
Mr. Joseph Lukaitis AM RFD
Chairman PBF
Joseph is our Legal Advisor and was the lawyer who helped set up the Picchi Brothers Foundation with Pietro Picchi.
Professor Jo Douglass AO
James Stewart Chair of Medicine Precinct Lead, Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne and Executive Director of Research, The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
A specialist physician in Respiratory Medicine and Allergic Disease. She has led clinical services in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital where she has also been a Divisional Director.
A former President of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), co-chair of the Australian Immunodeficiency Strategy and serves on government, industry and consumer-lead advisory boards. She has an MD by research and over 150 publications in asthma, therapeutics, allergic disease and immune disorders with a recent research focus on allergic and Thunderstorm Asthma.
Professor Mark Rosenthal
Director, Medical Oncology,
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Trained as a Medical Oncologist in Melbourne, Sydney, and New York.
He received a Doctor of Philosophy at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (1992-1996). He was Professor Director of the Department of Medical
Oncology and Clinical Haematology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 2006-2016; Chair and Chief Medical Officer of Cancer Trials Australia (2006-2016);
inaugural Chair of the Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (2007-2017) and
was the Clinical Trials Lead for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (2016-20)
Professor Rosenthal is currently a Senior Staff Specialist in the Department of Medical Oncology at the Peter Maccallum Cancer Centre and Director of the Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit.
He joined The Picchi Brothers Foundation Board in 2010
Ms. Lyn Parkin
Executive Officer PBF
Lyn is our go-to for all Public Relations and liaison needs.
Mr. Adrian Trubiani
Treasurer PBF
Adrian’s ongoing contribution with the maddening world of finances has made our Foundation into the solid enterprise it now is
Ms. Bronwyn O’Brien
Board Member PBF
Bronwyn’s real-world experience within the pharmaceutical business world brings a very sensible balance to the table.
Mr. Simon Osborne
Board Member and Consultant PBF
Simon is a highly experienced leadership and organisation culture professional and coach who is passionate about empowering people to be more constructive thinkers and leaders to deliver sustainably excellent business results. His experience has been gained in senior roles in both the public and private sectors in Australia and as a consultant with a major international consulting firm. He has worked with CEOs to team leaders and frontline staff in Australia and internationally.
He has been the Director of his own consultancy for over 20 years providing support for team development, leadership and organisation culture. He has a passion for creating Amazing Workplaces®, with a particular interest in in healthcare. He is also the Lead Coach for an international leadership program for women who have a background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
Mr. James and Mrs. Melanie Pierini
Family and Board Members PBF
As the Foundation requires a family connection, James and Melanie are our blood link to the Picchi family.
Mr. Min Simankevičius
Board Member and Consultant PBF
For a balance of science and arts, Min provides the humanitarian side of the Foundation.
He has been Director of The Imaging Services Group since inception working with both owners and top executives from small, medium and large sized businesses on Corporate Identity, presentation graphics and general publication. The balance of various fields of interest is his strong point, understanding the needs of engineering, science, medical and industrial concerns.
He is currently working on retirement projects including music, painting and the written word.
A little History
The Foundation’s First Board .
By decree of the Foundation’s rules and regulations, the board of the Picchi Brothers must have at least the following representatives:
- one person connected to the Picchi family,
- two medical representatives nominated by the University of Melbourne
- a legal representative
- an accountant
- and at least one consulting representative.
The Board has an option to co-opt other members to the Board at any time it feels necessary.
The Founding Board members were:
- Mr Joseph Lukaitis
Chairman elect - Mr Andrew Zilinskas
Legal representative - Mr Glenn Scott
Accountant representative - Professor Richard Fox AM
Oncology, Melbourne University - Professor Peter Phelan
Paediatrics, Melbourne University - Mr Robert Berger
Accountant - Mr Pietro Picchi
Co-Founder and family representative
Contributors & former Board members
The Foundation has been blessed with on-going contributions from board members & co-opted members. We wish to acknowledge the following people for their past contributions:
-
- Garry Hawking
- Glenn Scott
- Vicki Paulin
- Monika Pakonski
- Professor Terry Nolan
- Professor Richard Fox AM
- Andrew Zilinskas
- Suzie Powell
- Christine Damain
