Our Board

Bronwyn Sheehan OAM

CEO and Founder

Bronwyn Sheehan founded The Pyjama Foundation in 2004 to positively impact vulnerable children. As a nurse, midwife, and business owner, she was inspired by foster carers and concerned by poor literacy and numeracy levels in children in care. This led to the creation of the Love of Learning Program. Bronwyn is a motivational keynote speaker and has received numerous awards, including 2009 Queensland Australian of the Year, 2010 Australian of the Year Finalist, 2018 EY Social Entrepreneur National Finalist, 2018 Telstra Business Award Social Change Maker National Finalist, and 2021 Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

Fiona Murdoch

Chair

Fiona brings over two decades of Board and senior executive experience to The Pyjama Foundation. She has held senior operational roles with AMCI Investments, MIM Holdings, and Xstrata Queensland in the resources and infrastructure sectors. Fiona is a Non-Executive Director of NRW Holdings Limited, Ramelius Resources Limited, and Metro Mining Limited. She also serves on the Joint Venture Committee for the Australian Premium Iron Project. Her roles span public and private sectors, including mining, water, minerals processing, and infrastructure. Fiona holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors program.

Roxanne Dunkel

Roxanne has extensive commercial experience as a lawyer and co-owner of the Australian Jewish News. She has provided voluntary legal advice at Kingsford and Redfern Legal Centres, focusing on family issues. Roxanne chairs Kids Giving Back and has broad philanthropic sector experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and is currently studying for a graduate diploma in counselling. A mother of four, Roxanne is a strong advocate for ensuring all children have the best possible opportunities in life.

Anita Kariappa

Anita is a Partner at EY with more than 20 years’ experience. She has worked in the New York and Tokyo offices, and currently is based in Sydney where she leads a number of audits for both local and global clients. Anita’s experience includes specialising in investment and retail banking, reviewing business processes and internal control frameworks, regulatory and prudential reporting. Anita currently serves on the board for Kidsafe NSW Council and previously the Association of Women in Finance during her time in Tokyo. Anita leads the people initiatives across EY’s FSO Oceania practice, and brings energy, curiosity and a transformative mindset to all her roles.

Peter Ostick

Peter Ostick is an Internet executive, founder, and board member with over nine years as a non-executive director for The Pyjama Foundation. He founded a technology company and a meditation retreat, and works with leaders on the Becoming Visionary Retreat. Peter is an investor/advisor for early-stage tech businesses like Vow Food, PSYLO, Tide Foundation, and Players Voice. He co-created TVN and Soma Byron and was part of the Microsoft team that launched Microsoft Media Network in Australia. Peter brings entrepreneurial energy and a goal-oriented mindset to all his ventures.

Shane O'Kane

Shane O'Kane has over 30 years of experience in the finance sector and extensive involvement in the not-for-profit sector. He serves on the boards of a private philanthropic foundation, a regional children’s hospital trust, and an environmental foundation. Shane specialises in agriculture, energy, and property development. Key roles include director/advisor for QANTAGRI Pty Ltd, ProAg Pastoral Pty Ltd, and ProAg Pastoral Brazil Pty Ltd in agriculture; director/investor for ASA Properties LLC and other mixed-use developments in property; and strategic advisory roles in renewable energy and energy efficiency. He is also a director of GIA Limited, focusing on energy sector innovation.