Cate Uhe, President
Bsc (Hons), Grad. Dip Ed, Dip Business Management, Dip Breastfeeding Management, Cert IV in Training & Assessment, Cert IV in Management (Frontline and Human Resources), Cert IV in Breastfeeding Education
Cate has volunteered for ABA for over 30 years, across local, regional, branch, national and board levels, and within several states. Cate has very strong communication and project management skills and an extensive background in human resources and volunteer management through her work in the community sector as a manager. In addition, she has many years of experience in training, coaching and mentoring.
Louise Brown, Vice President
BSc BDSc IBCLC Cert IV Breastfeeding Education
Louise has been a member of ABA since 2002. She has held roles at local, regional and branch level. Apart from her professional knowledge, Louise also brings to the Board governance skills from serving on management committees.
She is passionate about the role ABA plays to ensure breastfeeding women and their families have access to support and evidence-based knowledge to guide them on their breastfeeding journeys.
Dominique Bougoure, Honorary Treasurer
MBus (Professional Accounting), BBus (Hons), CPA
Dominique is a financial services professional with over 10 years experience in retail and investment banking in Australia and the United Kingdom.
She works closely with senior executives to develop and execute organisational strategy and successfully deliver key business priorities and goals. She is experienced in financial and business planning, management reporting, operating model design, communications and corporate governance.
Dominique was introduced to the ABA through friends and family who have benefited from the association’s support and education services. She looks forward to contributing to the ABA as a Board member and playing her part in the ongoing success of the association, for the benefit of its members and volunteers.
Lynn Ng, Company Secretary
RN, BN, IBCLC, TAE, Cert IV BE and CE
Lynn is a registered nurse with more than 15 years experience. She has lived and worked across the world in Asia, Australia, Central America and Europe. She was born in Singapore, lives in Australia and is not sure which country to call home. She is passionate about community and population health, and is currently based at a metropolitan health service working in public health.
Lynn joined the ABA in 2009 after buying a raffle ticket from local members in front of the supermarket. She has held many roles as a volunteer and enjoys being a trainer and assessor, regional representative, speaking at breastfeeding education classes and hiring out breast pumps. She is proud to have taken calls on the Breastfeeding Helpline in two countries and has presented at multiple branch conferences. She looks forward to combining her ABA knowledge with her health expertise to further ABA’s goals as well as learning as much as she can from the amazing Board team.
Daile Kelleher
In her professional life, Daile manages a not-for-profit focusing on women’s health in Queensland.
Daile has experience as an executive in non-profit organisations, including those that are member and volunteer led and driven.
Her governance and industry experience include as a current Management Committee member of Ending Violence Against Women Queensland representing the women’s health sector, member of the ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety) Practitioner Engagement Group, and as a member of the Women’s Health Services Alliance of Queensland.
Daile has a happy and healthy breastfed baby who attends board meetings with her and while it can create a distraction for board members at times, also reminds us of why we do what we do! She lives in Brisbane with her husband, 2 stepchildren, baby and a very grumpy cat.
Sally Eldridge
BA, Grad Cert Public Sector Administration, Certificate IV Breastfeeding Community Education
Sally has been a breastfeeding educator and advocate with the Australian Breastfeeding Association since 2003. As National Manager for Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces from 2003 to 2007, Sally oversaw re-branding and program growth, and contributed to ABA's advocacy to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Breastfeeding in Australia, and the campaign for paid parental leave.
Sally had a 32-year career in the Commonwealth Public Service in policy, program and case management roles across several states and on three overseas postings. Now retired, Sally contributes to the work of the Board, Breastfeeding Friendly Environments programs, and the Advocacy Working Group. Sally lives in Canberra with her partner and has two adult children.
Alannah Shore
MTeach, BHProm, Cert IV in Training & Assessment, Cert IV in Breastfeeding Education
Alannah Shore has been a breastfeeding counsellor since 1996, and is a breastfeeding educator, and trainer and assessor. She has held local, regional and national positions including the Manager of Breastfeeding Friendly Communities and is especially proud of Baby’s Day Out. Alannah has a strong belief that the ultimate health promotion is the promotion of breastfeeding. In her paid work, she is a learning adviser in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
Alannah has four adult children. She considers it a privilege to have helped two of her daughters to breastfeed her three granddaughters. Alannah lives in a regional city in Queensland and brings a unique perspective of the issues Australian families find away from metropolitan cities.
Nitty Brown
Cert IV in Breastfeeding Education
Nitty has dedicated over 12 years to the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), where her passion for the organisation’s vision, mission, and values has defined her professional and volunteer journey. She began her tenure by managing the Victorian Branch for nearly a decade, continuing as a volunteer to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to ABA’s goals.
With a deep understanding of the health sector and a strong ability to remain attuned to local developments, Nitty has been an influential advocate and voice for the community. She has successfully led numerous programs and projects at state and national levels, consistently aligning them with strategic and operational priorities. Her experience in the for-profit sector has further strengthened her expertise, enabling her to lead across membership, engagement, professional volunteering, and advisory functions.
Simone Flanagan
With over 15 years of experience in strategic fundraising, marketing, and event management, Simone has successfully led high-level initiatives for diverse arts, advocacy, and non-profit organisations in Melbourne, including Arts Access Victoria, The Big Issue, JDRF Australia, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, and Victoria University. Her career is driven by a passion for building strong relationships and fostering inclusive environments.
Simone's connection to the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is both personal and professional. Growing up with a mother who was a breastfeeding counsellor, she developed a deep appreciation for the vital role ABA plays in supporting families. Her own breastfeeding journey with her two sons further reinforced her passion for ensuring all parents have access to evidence-based information and compassionate support (and she has benefitted from the wisdom and kindness of ABA’s phone counsellors on more than one occasion!).
Promoting accessibility is a core value for Simone. She has significant experience designing and implementing digital and event-based accessibility solutions, ensuring that everyone can participate equitably. She is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s DEI Working Group.
As a Board Member of both ABA and the Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Partnership Australia, Simone is committed to strengthening governance, sustainability, and accessibility in the not-for-profit sector. She holds a Diploma of Governance from the Institute of Community Directors Australia and is a firm believer in philanthropy’s power to create change. Simone is excited to contribute her expertise and insights to the ABA Board.
Natalie Polkinghorne
Grad Cert Human Resources Leadership and Change Management
Natalie brings over 17 years experience leading people, programs and strategy within the not-for-profit sector, with a specialisation in aged care, carer services, and the disability sector.
Natalie supports organisations in linking a Boards' vision to the customer experience through communication, collaborative engagement, strategic vision, and coaching for success.
Natalie first became a member of ABA (then Nursing Mothers) in 1994 with the birth of her first child. She then trained and qualified as a Breastfeeding counsellor in 2000 and ABA trainer thereafter. This volunteering relationship encompassed numerous roles over the 9 1/2yrs and she is excited to be able to support the Association again in a different and valuable way.