The Australian POTS Foundation
A brighter future for those living with POTS, through advocacy, support and research
Our Mission
Board Of Directors
CEO | Marie-Claire Seeley
Marie-Claire became ill in 1994 after a viral infection and endured a protracted pathway to diagnosis and treatment of her POTS.
The diagnostic odyssey Marie-Claire navigated now provides motivation for her clinical work and PhD research.
Recognising the need for advocacy, she founded the Australian POTS Foundation in 2021. As a volunteer CEO, she leads the work of the Australian POTS Foundation by highlighting the urgency for improved recognition, diagnosis, and treatment options for Australians living with POTS.
Chairperson | Amanda Burgan
Amanda has extensive experience as a Corporate Manager and a long history in Project Management and now spends her time across a number of volunteering roles.
Having learnt of POTS through her friendship with Claire, and with the increased prevalence of the condition for those who have had a COVID-19 diagnosis, she is passionate about helping those who suffer from the debilitating effects of POTS.
Secretary | Nick Baldock
Nick is a corporate commercial solicitor of 33 years and a director and/ or adviser to a number of companies and Not-for-profit organisations.
He has given his time to multiple community organisations over the years and has invaluable experience in the charity sector which he brings to our board of directors.
Nick hopes to use those skills to help the Foundation in its efforts to raise funds for research and support for this debilitating condition.
Director | Jon Seeley
Company Director, Chartered Accountant. Jon has 30+ years professional experience in the Not-For-Profit and Corporate sectors and serves as a Non-Executive Director for two large international non-governmental organisations.
His first experience with POTS was only weeks after his marriage to Marie-Claire when she was struck down by ‘chronic illness’ after a viral infection.
As a husband, father and carer, Jon has witnessed the prejudice and difficulty those with POTS face when seeking help from the medical system. He has a passion to see better recognition and treatment of POTS for all Australians affected by this condition.
Director | Catherine Cooper
Catherine brings significant expertise in law and ethics, corporate services, risk management and governance to our board of directors.
She has extensive experience in directorship across a large array of fields including those in the Not-for-profit and medical research sector.
Whilst she tells us she “is not clever enough to undertake ground-breaking research into this condition”, we are excited and thankful to have her skills as a professional Non-Executive Director to ensure that the Foundation delivers for all who can benefit from its services.
Treasurer | Peter Burgan
As an experienced Senior Executive, Peter brings extensive expertise in financial management, risk management and governance.
He provides his expertise and support to a number of community-based organisations and over the years has given his time to several not-for-profit groups.
In his role as Treasurer, Peter will guide the financial management of the POTS foundation to maximise the benefit of funds for the advocacy, support and research for those living with POTS.
Director | Ali Flynn
With over a decade of experience founding, growing and scaling companies, Ali brings a unique skillset to the POTS board including expertise in strategic planning, executive coaching and marketing.
Ali has a background in Psychology and Emotionally Focused Therapy and has founded multiple fitness studios, one of which she remains owner and CEO. She has previous experience project managing and providing services on number of community-based initiatives, and has volunteered her expertise to several not-for-profit organisations.
The Scientific Committee
Dr Celine Gallagher | Scientific Chair
Dr Celine Gallagher is an academic nurse with a special interest in dysautonomia and cardiovascular disease. She completed her PhD in 2019, which explored the role of alternative models of care delivery and cardiovascular risk factor management to improve outcomes in AF. Recently she has increasingly focused on opportunities and interventions to improve outcomes in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She has been personally affected by POTS, with her daughter diagnosed with this challenging condition in 2021.
Professor Dennis Lau
Professor Dennis Lau is a Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, and is recognised both nationally and internationally in the field of Heart Rhythm research. In addition to his focus on cardiacpacing, electrophysiology and ablation procedures, he is a leading specialist in Australia in the management of patients with dysautonomia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. His clinic in Adelaide currently runs the only national POTS patient registry and manages over 1000 patients with this complex syndrome.
Dr Fraser Burling
Fraser Burling is a rheumatologist and general physician with a sub-specialisation in musculoskeletal medicine and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Trained in New Zealand, and graduating in 1993, he has been working in private practice since 2006. Dr. Burling now has over 1000 patients with EDS and is active within the international EDS community, seeking ways to provide even better care for people affected by this syndrome. Given the vast array of cross over between POTS and EDS, Dr Burling is able to bring a holistic perspective to the management of these commonly comorbid conditions.
