Viv Kissane OAM is an experienced not-for-profit executive, board director and lived experience professional with 15 years’ experience in perinatal and infant mental health.

‍

Drawing on her personal experiences of perinatal mental health challenges and the loss of a family member to perinatal suicide, Viv founded the peer-led organisation Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness. Under her leadership, Peach Tree has grown from a volunteer-led community initiative into a statewide organisation delivering direct services through Parent Wellbeing Centres across Queensland.

‍

Viv brings strong governance, strategic and organisational leadership experience, with expertise spanning service design and delivery, lived experience workforce development, partnerships, funding, risk and quality oversight, and systemic advocacy. She previously served for four years on the Board of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, Queensland’s peak body for the community mental health and wellbeing sector. She has also contributed to policy, strategy and service reform at local, state and national levels.

‍

As a Director of Perinatal Mental Health Australia, Viv brings the combined perspective of an experienced board director, CEO, direct-service provider and lived experience professional, together with a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the perinatal mental health sector.

\

In 2022, Viv was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to community mental health.