The Marmalade Foundation Board
Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Chair
Rebecca Fitzpatrick began volunteering at Lou's Place as a specialist music teacher in 2009, joined the Marmalade Foundation in 2014, and became a Board member in 2016. Rebecca holds a BA in Music, a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, and an Associate Diploma in Music (A.Mus.A). Over the last thirty five years, she has worked as a music educator, performer, and conductor, developing and leading programs for schools and businesses . She is involved in mentoring programs, volunteered in remote Indigenous communities, served as an educator at Consent Labs and developed impactful campaigns for women's advocacy at Lou's.
Karen Martin, Treasurer
Karen joined the board in 2023 as Treasurer. She has a Commerce Degree from The University of NSW. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the fields of Project Management, Property Development, Marketing & Event Management and Investment Management. She currently works for a Family Office managing its investments and private Foundation. This Foundation focuses on the areas of mental health, social justice, homelessness and migrant worker rights.
MICHELLE FOX, Secretary
Michelle Fox joined the Board of the Marmalade Foundation at the end of 2021. Michelle is the managing partner of the Australian office of global law firm Quinn Emanuel. Michelle is qualified, and has practiced, in the US, the UK and Australia, and represents some of Australia’s leading companies in a broad range of complex litigation matters. Michelle graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and summa cum laude from Boston College Law School.
Alexa Haslingden
Alexa Haslingden joined The Marmalade Foundation in 2014, became a board member in 2015 and served as Chair from 2017-2024.
Alexa holds a degree in International Relations from Stanford University and has over 25 years experience in the advertising industry, having worked in the USA, Hong Kong, and Australia for J. Walter Thompson, DDB Needham, John Bevins Pty Ltd and Goldsmith-Jeffrey New York. Alexa sits on the Board of Sydney Dance Company as well as The Racat Group which includes Northern Pictures, Junkee Media, Australian Geographic and Runaway Play Games.
Elizabeth Gilbert
Libby Gilbert joined the Marmalade Foundation in 2014 and started the Marmalade Foundation Next Generation Committee, which she chaired from 2014-2017. Libby joined the board in 2017. She has an Arts Degree majoring in history and philosophy and Law Degree (Hons) both from The University of Sydney. Libby has worked at UBS and Clayton Utz as well as having experience in the not-for-profit sector. Libby lives locally and has always had a passion for working with the community. She is currently in charge of Institutional Donors and Relationships.
Jennie Kovacs
Jennie Kovacs is a director of the Ottomin Group. She joined the Marmalade Foundation in 2016 and the Board in 2020, having been a long term supporter of Lou’s Place through her advocacy with the Ottomin Foundation which she co-founded in 2010.
With a background in interior design, events management and fundraising, Jennie has overseen various fit outs for Lou’s and has helped organise several client, volunteer and corporate events.
She works closely with several charitable organisations in the areas of Youth Mentoring, Children’s Health and Respite care and Community Sports. She is passionate about helping to extend the services that are offered at Lou’s Place and is currently developing a Philanthropic Foundations program.
Helen Fraser
Helen joined the Board in 2023.
Helen has a Bachelor of Nursing with postgraduate qualifications in HIV/AIDS Nursing and Oncology Nursing, a Master of Public Health and is an alumnus of the Vincent’s Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Fellowship.
Her 30 plus year career includes roles in clinical care, clinical research, health and medical research policy and tertiary education in Australia and overseas. She is currently working at the University of Sydney in the Faculty of Medicine and Health as the Associate Director, Strategy and Partnerships, Patyegarang Precinct.
Amanda Lawson
Amanda Lawson began volunteering at Lou’s Place as a creative writing tutor in 2017, and then as newsletter editor in 2019. She joined the Marmalade Foundation in 2022 and the Board in 2024. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), a Bachelor of Arts (English and Linguistics), and a Master of Art (Photography). She works as a freelance portrait and interiors photographer. Amanda enjoys volunteering at a grass-roots level within the community. She has had numerous volunteering roles in not-for-profit organisations in both Australia and the USA.