Our Advisors
Our Advisors provide specialist insight that strengthens decision-making and sharpens our long-term strategy. Drawing on expertise in conservation science, veterinary care, ecology, genetics, education, policy, and governance, they help ensure our work is credible, ethical, and future-focused.
Advisors don’t run day-to-day operations—but their guidance shapes how we think, where we invest, and how we scale impact responsibly in a rapidly changing environmental landscape.
The Big Smoke
The Big Smoke is a valued media and communications partner of Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, providing strategic PR support, editorial storytelling, and access to both mainstream and local media channels. Through feature articles, opinion pieces, and broader media amplification, The Big Smoke helps elevate SHWS’s mission, expand public awareness, and reach new audiences who care about wildlife conservation, community impact, and environmental recovery.
TBS Digital Labs
TBS Digital Labs is a strategic digital partner to Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, providing advisory leadership across digital strategy, platforms, and audience growth. Working closely with the SHWS team, TBS Digital Labs supports the sanctuary’s digital footprint — from website experience and fundraising journeys to content, campaigns, and conversion pathways helping expand reach, strengthen engagement, and maximise impact in the digital space.
Karen Burke da Silva
Karen Burke da Silva is an advisor to Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, bringing deep expertise in koala research, conservation science, and evidence-based wildlife management. As CEO of The Koala Sanctuary on Kangaroo Island, she leads population monitoring, health assessment, habitat restoration, and collaborative research initiatives, providing strategic guidance to support SHWS’s long-term conservation and recovery goals.
Karen Burke da Silva is also a Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University.
Philippa Lewis
Philippa Lewis is an advisor to Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, bringing visionary leadership at the intersection of health, technology, and innovation. With a career spanning Medtech, Biotech, Digital and AI, she has founded more than ten start-ups and led major global IPOs, mergers, and cross-border ventures across North America, Europe, China and Australia. Philippa also mentors CEOs and serves as a director and chair across listed and private companies, contributing strategic insight and innovation-led thinking to support SHWS’s long-term impact and growth.
Tom Bertinshaw
Tom Bertinshaw is an advisor to Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary with a long-standing commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable habitat recovery. Although his professional background includes senior executive roles in business management and corporate governance, Tom has also contributed voluntary support to international conservation initiatives (notably with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation), where he has overseen infrastructure and habitat restoration projects at the Samboja Lestari sanctuary in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Winsome Hall OAM
Winsome Hall OAM is an advisor to Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, bringing more than 25 years’ experience across public, private and listed organisations in the financial and governance sectors. She currently serves as Chair of the Brandon BioCatalyst Audit and Risk Committee, a director of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Chair of The WILD Program, and a director of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Her expertise in funding strategy, governance, and corporate advice supports SHWS’s long-term sustainability and conservation impact, alongside her deep connection to environmental advocacy through the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Dean Carey
Founder and Dean of Theatre of Actors Centre Australia, established in 1987, and one of Australia’s most respected acting teachers, authors, and creative leaders. Dean has taught in 9 countries around the world and headed Australia’s leading drama schools. Now based in the Southern Highlands, Dean is a passionate advocate for the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, bringing his voice, networks, and creative flair to amplify its mission. Deeply committed to community engagement, he uses the power of storytelling, education, and the arts to inspire connection, care, and collective action for wildlife and the local environment.
Barbra Curtis
Barbra is a University of Sydney graduate with a 30-year career in veterinary medicine and a long-standing commitment to wildlife care. Throughout her career, she has actively encouraged and supported wildlife treatment wherever she has worked. Her conservation experience includes working with an NGO in Ghana to protect local monkey populations and volunteering at a cheetah reserve in Namibia. Now focused closer to home, Barbra is passionate about expanding her expertise in wildlife medicine and contributing veterinary and animal health support to SHWS’s koala conservation, education, and research programs.
Cheryl Kirgan
Cheryl is a marketing and communications professional with over 40 years’ experience across large organisations.
She brings more than 20 years’ fundraising expertise, including securing and managing philanthropic and government grants for major national charities.
Cheryl is passionate about giving back and helping SHWS achieve lasting impact.
