MARIA HALPHEN, PRESIDENT

Maria Halphen is originally from Sweden and an international collaborator on stigma research. She was inspired by the harrowing experiences of Susie Hincks, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. As a result of further discussions with the wider mental health community, Maria gained valuable insights into the issues faced by those living with mental illness. Maria decided to devote her time and energy to create a foundation for encouraging and coordinating research at an international level and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness through communication and education. Maria is also the President of the Philippe and Maria Halphen Foundation, which is under the auspices of the French Academy of Science in Paris, France.

SUSIE HINCKS, CO-FOUNDER

Susie Hincks grew up on a farm in the South-West of Western Australia and met Maria when they were in their early twenties. Maria moved back to Europe and Susie slowly succumbed to mental illness. At the age of 28, she was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia. Fortunately, Susie responded well to a small amount of medication and moved on to become a mental health advocate. This involved speaking at schools and universities about her experience with mental illness in order to educate and inform people. She has been a Consumer Representative for the Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry at Graylands Hospital in Perth, Western Australia.

HON KEITH WILSON AM, DIRECTOR

Keith Wilson is a former Western Australian Minister of Health and former chair of the Mental Health Council of Australia. He has been involved in ongoing mental health advocacy through membership of non-government agencies such as WA Association for Mental Health, the Mental Illness Fellowship WA, Carers WA, and the Learning and Attentional Disorders Society of WA. Keith was a member of the Board of St John Health Care for 10 years. He was awarded the Centenary Medal (2001) for service to people with a mental illness and their carers. He is also a Member of the Order of Australia (2009) and is a director of Meeting for Minds. Keith is a powerful voice promoting the cause of mental health not only in Australia but globally.

YANNE NORUP SCHMIDT, GENERAL SECRETARY

Yanne Norup Schmidt was born and educated in Denmark and studied French in Paris and then worked in a special effects and film production company. Upon her return to Denmark, Yanne worked with her father in fashion/ready to wear. Later she moved back to Paris and specialised in the purchase and sale of Art Nouveau objects. In 1990, she married theatre producer, Lars Schmidt, one of the great European figures from the fifties through to the nineties. She supported her husband in their private life and in his work.

ANNE-SOPHIE PLOUHINEC, LEGAL ADVISOR

Anne-Sophie Plouhinec was born and educated in France. She is a business in-house lawyer with over 15 years of operational experience. Since 2010 she has worked in the elderly care sector and supported the development of a European nursing home management company specialising in Alzheimer’s disease. She has been involved with Meeting for Mind’s activities from the start.

ISAAC (TSACHI) SHARIV, CEO

Dr. Isaac (Tsachi) Shariv has served in several management roles at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. These include Vice President for Administration and Finance, CEO of Yeda – the commercialisation arm of the Weizmann Institute, and CEO of Mul Nof – the assets management company of the Institute (current role). From 2006 to 2009, Dr Shariv served as the managing director of the commercial arm of the University of Sydney, Australia. From 1994 to 2000, Dr. Shariv was the CEO of El-Mul Technologies, an Israeli high-tech company.
Dr. Shariv holds a B.Sc. in physics and computer sciences from Tel Aviv University, M.Sc. and Ph.D. in physics from the Weizmann Institute, as well as an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University.