Page Text: Eric Sidoti
Interim Director
Eric Sidoti is interim Director of the Whitlam Institute having previously served as Director (2007-2017). In 2018 he was appointed Adjunct Professor and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at Western Sydney University. Eric continues to work as a consultant and adviser to several NGOs and ‘for purpose’ organisations.
Over the years he has held senior leadership positions in a number of organisations including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Council of Australia. Most recently he was Executive Director with the Public Interest Journalism Initiative [PIJI].
Fiona Pacey
Institute Manager
Fiona has joined the Whitlam Institute as its inaugural Institute Manager after 15 years with Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine, including ten years as its School Manager. Prior to joining the University, Fiona had undertaken policy and program administration roles with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Commonwealth and NSW public service agencies & was a procedural officer at the NSW Legislative Council where she also provided assistance to a number of Council committee inquiries, including on rural health services and Aboriginal political representation. Following completion of a Masters of Politics and Public Policy, in 2019 she was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy examining the formation of new national agency relating to the regulation of the health professions, drawing on her long-standing interest in health workforce, and inter-governmental relations following from s. 51 of the Constitution.
Clare Patience
PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER
Beginning her career at a technology magazine in London, Clare Patience has also worked as an associated editor and writer for News Ltd and Pacific Magazines for more than a decade in Sydney before taking up a senior media advisor position at the Department of Premier and Cabinet in NSW. Clare joined Western Sydney University in 2017, first working in the Office of Vice Chancellor, before moving to the University’s media team as a Senior Media Officer and is now Public Affairs Manager for the Whitlam Institute. Clare has a passion for journalism and media but prefers to be behind the camera rather than in front!
Jenna Beck
ENGAGEMENT AND CONTENT Coordinator
Jenna is a communications professional with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Her background is in corporate advertising, digital marketing and retail loyalty programs. She holds a degree in Public Communication from the University of Technology, Sydney and brings a long term interest in and enthusiasm for public policy and history along with her professional skills. Jenna is also Vice President of a children’s charity, assisting and supporting families following the diagnosis of rare disease. Jenna joined the Whitlam Institute in March 2016.
Emma Breidahl
Development Coordinator
Emma Breidahl is a fundraising, communications and relationship building specialist with over 17 years experience in Australia, the UK, Europe and America.
She has worked in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations and Fundraising and has a passion for supporting people and organisations to come together in areas of shared interest to create impactful outcomes.
Emma first joined Western Sydney University in 2016 as part of the Advancement Team and is now the inaugural Development Coordinator for the Whitlam Institute.
Andrea Connor
Acting Policy and Research Manager
Andrea Connor has worked as both a journalist for the SBS and the ABC and as an academic. She holds a PhD in the Social Sciences and is the author of a book exploring built heritage in conflict zones and the potential for heritage to contribute to peace-building and civil society. She has taught and lectured at a number of universities in Australia and worked as a researcher at the Institute of Culture and Society. She is interested in how good research can shape social policies that contribute to social justice, create more inclusive societies and enhance democratic participation.
Lisa Cuffe
Senior administrative officer
Lisa joined the Whitlam Institute in May 2018 on a full-time basis. Lisa has an extensive history in administration with almost 20 years of experience and a Diploma in Business Administration. Before joining the Whitlam Institute Lisa worked for a not-for-profit health organisation, and Macquarie University for many years prior.
Kerrie Pacey
visitor services officer
Kerrie joined the Whitlam Institute in April 2019. Kerrie has an extensive Visitor Services background gained from past roles with both Sydney Living Museums and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Kerrie holds qualifications in both economics and tour guiding, two diverse fields that blend together to form a solid understanding of the needs of visitors.
Maria Scanlon
visitor services officer
With almost two decades of administration experience in roles mostly responsible for the coordination of events and training, Maria joined the Whitlam in January this year. Maria has previously worked in hospitality, tourism, non-for-profit and civil service before joining Western Sydney University in 2018. Maria brings to her role strong attention to detail and the ability to think creatively from her Visual Arts background along with a flare for providing outstanding customer experience.
Ranuka Tandan
Engagement and content coordinator
Ranuka Tandan joined the Whitlam Institute Public Affairs Team in 2021 after graduating from Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. She has extensive writing, editing and content creation experience, after being Editor of Honi Soit in 2020. Ranuka has been published in The Guardian, and remains committed to advocacy and is passionate about social justice and the issues championed by Whitlam. She wants to ensure that she’s provoking thought wherever she goes and thinks that the Institute is a great place to do that.
Our Fellows
Our Whitlam Institute Fellows are an esteemed group of scholars who contribute intellectual and strategic focus to the contemporary relevance of Gough Whitlam's work, through our public policy program.