Two new members have joined The Kids Research Institute Australia Executive team, each tasked with helping the Institute realise its vision to drive greater health impact where kids and families need it most, sooner.
Jenna Palumbo has been appointed Director of Innovation and Impact and will draw on her experience in social impact to ensure The Kids’ ambitious strategic plan, Research Reimagined 2025-2035, achieves its goal to establish a pipeline for the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow which systematically and holistically tackle the major health and wellbeing challenges for kids.
New Director of Partnerships and Engagement, Louise Ardagh, is responsible for maximising the reach of The Kids’ impact through nurturing and building relationships beyond Western Australia to ensure the translation of research is embedded in communities across the country and globally.
Executive Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis said the two appointments were critical for the Institute to fulfill its bold vision. “Our community and key stakeholders tell us they want research to have more impact, quicker, and they want to be active partners in that process,” Professor Carapetis said.
“Jenna and Louise join an Executive team determined to better deliver life-changing research to the kids and families that need it most and we want to do this in true partnership and collaboration with communities and stakeholders.”
Most recently, Ms Palumbo was an Executive Director at Minderoo Foundation where she managed partnerships, impact investing, strategy and insights, impact measurement and environmental, social and governance practices.
She began her career in corporate finance before moving to the UK to pursue her interest in impact investing. In the UK, she contributed to pioneering outcomes-based funding models and supported the establishment of the first social investment bank. Since returning to Australia in 2014, Jenna has worked for non-profits, philanthropy, Commonwealth and State governments to define and enhance their targeted impact.
Ms Ardagh’s career spans marketing, commercial growth, philanthropy and social impact. She has led major brand, marketing and engagement strategies, including heading the marketing and member engagement teams at Australia’s fifth-largest health insurer, HBF, where she drove initiatives that deepened member loyalty and strengthened market position.
Most recently she ran a specialist consultancy focused on advocacy and strategy, supporting organisations to strengthen their voice, clarify purpose and navigate complex stakeholder environments.