Our Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team (aka our Board of Directors) is committed to success in all areas of
support, education and research for GBS, CIDP and related conditions.

Kath Donaldson
CEO, Founding Director

Diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in August 2011.

Leisa Bulow
Founding Director

Diagnosed with CIDP in
July 2016.

Jeff Ibbotson
Founding Director

Diagnosed with CIDP in
mid-2014.

Gina Lawrie
Secretary, Founding Director

Diagnosed with CIDP in December 2020

Chris Nemeth
Chair, Founding Director

Diagnosed with CIDP in August 2021

Joanne Colonnello

CFO

My journey with CIDP has been anything but straightforward — and it’s far from over.

I’m a mother, a wife, and a business owner. I’ve always lived life fully — constantly on the move, connecting with friends, exploring new experiences. Travel has always been a big passion of mine.

In November 2023, I began experiencing numbness and tingling in my feet. I knew something wasn’t right. I saw many doctors to no avail or official diagnosis. It wasn’t until a chance conversation with a friend and colleague that I first heard of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. That moment changed everything. In May 2024, I was formally diagnosed with CIDP.

The path since then has been incredibly challenging. Constant ups and downs. I haven’t responded to conventional treatments, started chemotherapy, and am barely walking at this stage. In the meantime, I saw a haematologist to discuss Mexico stem cell treatment as I am barely walking at this stage. Between my neurology team and haematologist, they have found some rare cells that are affecting my neuropathy. I will be starting a new chemotherapy later in the month (July 2025) to target these cells and hopefully improve my mobility.

This experience has been confronting in many ways, but I have learnt so much through it. My daughter discovered this support group as a way to support me, and through it all, I’ve been continually reminded of the power of friendship, community, and resilience.

I want people to know that self-advocacy is so important in navigating complex health issues. Trust your intuition. Ask questions. Keep searching. And above all, surround yourself with people who lift you up. It makes all the difference.

See Our Founders for personal stories of our Founding Directors.