LEADERSHIP
We have a group of leading executives, business strategists, scientists and inventors guiding our translational research activities
Prof. Kovin Naidoo
Chief Executive Officer
Professor Naidoo is an academic, former anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner, optometrist and an internationally celebrated public health leader. In addition to his role as CEO, he is Global Director of the Our Children's Vision campaign. He is on the Board of Trustees of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), trustee of VISION 2020, a member of the World Council of Optometry Governing Board, and member of the World Health Organization Refractive Error Working Group.
Professor Naidoo is an academic, former anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner, optometrist and an internationally celebrated public health leader. In addition to his role as CEO, he is Global Director of the Our Children's Vision campaign. He is on the Board of Trustees of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), trustee of VISION 2020, a member of the World Council of Optometry Governing Board, and member of the World Health Organization Refractive Error Working Group.
Yvette Waddell
Chief Operating Officer
Yvette Waddell leads the business development, finance and governance functions that help deliver Brien Holden’s strategic objectives. She was appointed COO in 2003, following previous roles as General Manager and Executive Director. She oversees commercialisation transactions and negotiations, also holding responsibility for operational support function and infrastructure. Yvette replaced Professor Brien Holden on the board of Brien Holden Vision Institute in July 2015.
Yvette Waddell leads the business development, finance and governance functions that help deliver Brien Holden’s strategic objectives. She was appointed COO in 2003, following previous roles as General Manager and Executive Director. She oversees commercialisation transactions and negotiations, also holding responsibility for operational support function and infrastructure. Yvette replaced Professor Brien Holden on the board of Brien Holden Vision Institute in July 2015.
GLOBAL OFFICERS
Dr Ravi C Bakaraju
Head of Research and Development
Ravi Bakaraju is a lead inventor on a number of granted patents and several other pending patent applications around lens designs and concepts spanning myopia control technology, novel presbyopia corrections, astigmatism correction and other innovative vision correction platforms. He is the recipient of the prestigious Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award from the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) in 2015, as an outstanding young scientist.
Ravi Bakaraju is a lead inventor on a number of granted patents and several other pending patent applications around lens designs and concepts spanning myopia control technology, novel presbyopia corrections, astigmatism correction and other innovative vision correction platforms. He is the recipient of the prestigious Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award from the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) in 2015, as an outstanding young scientist.
Andrew Mir
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Mir has more than 25 years of experience in various roles in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. He has been a Certified Practicing Accountant since 1999 and has recently been admitted as a Fellow of CPA Australia.
Andrew Mir has more than 25 years of experience in various roles in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. He has been a Certified Practicing Accountant since 1999 and has recently been admitted as a Fellow of CPA Australia.
Linda Puckeridge
Human Resources Manager
Linda Puckeridge has extensive experience in various human resources (HR) generalist roles in both corporate and not-for-profit organisations. Linda has an Advanced Diploma in HR Management and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Linda Puckeridge has extensive experience in various human resources (HR) generalist roles in both corporate and not-for-profit organisations. Linda has an Advanced Diploma in HR Management and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Prof. Padmaja Sankaridurg
Myopia program leader and Manager of Intellectual Property
Padmaja Sankaridurg is one of the world’s leading myopia researchers. She was Leader of the Vision CRC Myopia Program, a 12-year global collaboration to develop optical products to manage myopia. In 2015 she received the Garland W Clay award from the American Academy of Optometry as the lead author on most significant paper published in the journal Optometry & Vision Science, over the preceding 5 years.
Padmaja Sankaridurg is one of the world’s leading myopia researchers. She was Leader of the Vision CRC Myopia Program, a 12-year global collaboration to develop optical products to manage myopia. In 2015 she received the Garland W Clay award from the American Academy of Optometry as the lead author on most significant paper published in the journal Optometry & Vision Science, over the preceding 5 years.
