BUDDY UP AUSTRALIA HQ
Buddy Up HQ is made up of people with lived experience in both military and first response. We understand you!
BUA STAFF
Kiki Stokar von Neuforn
Office and National Event Manager
Kiki is ‘system’ and ‘organisation’ obsessed! She keeps the whole team in check. What would we do without her!
Not to forget, Kiki has been instrumental in organising national events, managing every aspect from planning to execution. Her expertise and efficiency have consistently resulted in successful and memorable events.
When Kiki closes her laptop she enjoys cooking, baking, house renovations, swimming and walking her little monster – Bluey.
Tina Innes
Program Manager – National
Tina played a special role in Buddy Up Australia from the very beginning, being one of the three Founding Directors of the organisation. Tina stepped down as a Director in 2022 to travel Australia and upon her return reconnected with the organisation and the timing was right for Tina to reconnect on a deeper operational level as the new Program Manager.
Tina has a military background having served in the Australian Regular Army. Tina will be based in Western Australia.
Hassan Bhatti
Marketing Manager
Meet Hassan - with a background in the Defence industry, state government, IT, Legal and Ecommerce. He brings extensive expertise in Marketing and Communications, including Marketing Campaigns, Branding, Digital Marketing, and Team Leadership. His visionary approach combines strategic planning, creativity, and analytical skills to align marketing with business goals. And when he’s not conquering the business world, you’ll find him slam-dunking on the basketball court or turbo-charging startup growth like a superhero with a Masters in Marketing.
Kris Amiet
Team Leader Tasmania
Kris has been working and volunteering in the veteran & first responder space for many years, and Kris helped launch Buddy Up with Megan Davidson back in the early days.
Kris is a husband, father, adventure guide, fisherman and lover of anything active, especially in the outdoors.
Kris resided in Hobart with his family and is looking forward to leading team Tasmania and providing support to our amazing community
Evie Henstock
Team Leader Perth
Evie is taking a gap year in 2025 before studying physiotherapy in 2026. She has been part of the Australian Army Cadets for six years and is working to open BuddyUp to younger veterans.
This year, she is embracing new adventures while balancing work, leadership, and personal growth. She is passionate about sport, recreation, and health sciences, with a strong focus on helping others.
Mark Amiet
Team Leader Brisbane
A dedicated volunteer with Buddy Up Australia since 2018, Mark is passionate about fostering community well-being and strong connections.
Having had an extensive career in the Australian Defence Force and then transitioning into community services, Mark promotes resilience and active lifestyles.
Committed to supporting veterans, first responders, and building a healthier community through teamwork and compassion.
Mike Birchall
Research & Policy Lead
Mike brings a wealth of experience in research, policy, and program evaluation to his role as Buddy Up Australia’s Research & Policy Lead. He served five years in the New Zealand Police, including various frontline roles in Auckland and the national child exploitation team.
Holding a master's degree in psychology, he has worked in various research, policy, and evaluation roles across New Zealand and the United Kingdom. At Buddy Up Australia, Mike ensures that research and policy initiatives align with best practices, supporting the mental and physical well-being of veterans and first responders.
BUA BOARD
Jeff McLean
Chairperson
Jeff is a seasoned professional with a background in business and military training. He resides in Brisbane with his family and enjoys outdoor activities.
With over 20 years at UPS, he held leadership roles globally, specializing in human capital transformation. Jeff was instrumental in expanding UPS's operations in Vietnam and South Asia.
He managed HR operations, training, and development across UPS Asia Pacific. Additionally, he lectured on Strategic Management at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Jeff served in the Australian Army for over fifteen years. He also chaired the Vietnam Chapter of the Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers.
MEGAN DAVIDSON
Founder & Board Member
Megan served 11 years in the Australian Regular Army, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). Megan is a senior consultant and coach with Integral and a trek leader for Back Track Adventures, which have given her the capacity and support to launch Buddy Up Australia. She has seen the need for an organisation which helps current and ex-service personnel reconnect with their local communities, find a new purpose and avoid the mental impact of service. Experienced in both the Not for Profit and corporate sector, she also holds qualifications in business, training, leadership and project management. As the founder, Megan wants to see a member driven organisation where we look out for each other whilst undertaking fitness and purposeful volunteering activities and thus keeping everyone in the ‘well zone’ of physical and mental health.
Megan is an active person, spending her free time on activities like trekking, mountain biking and yoga.
DR SAMARA MCPHEDRAN
Board Member
Samara has two decades of experience across a range of leadership and management roles, including in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
She holds qualifications in law and psychology, and her research has been published widely in both academic and mainstream media outlets. She specialises in the study of mental health, suicide, homicide, and domestic and family violence. She has worked extensively in legislative and policy evaluation and is currently an Honorary Associate Professor with the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland.
Samara has a track record of providing evidence-based recommendations to decision-makers to guide policy and legislative change and has served on a number of high-level advisory groups, including state and federal Ministerial panels.
She enjoys cycling, gardening, and spending time with her cats.
Philip Armstrong
Board Member
Philip Armstrong brings a wealth of experience to his new role as a board member of Buddy Up, having dedicated his career to supporting veterans and promoting community well-being.
A former member of the Australian Defence Force, Philip has worked extensively in mental health, supervision, and veteran advocacy. He has been instrumental in fundraising efforts, including treks to Mount Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp.
As the leader of Optimise Potential, his expertise in mental health and leadership will greatly contribute to Buddy Up's mission of fostering community connection and enhancing the well-being of its members.
Kathleen Beu
Secretary & Board Member
Kathleen is an accomplished Airfield (Civil) Engineer currently serving in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with over 15 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of leadership and management roles, both operationally and strategically, showcasing her ability to drive results and foster collaboration in dynamic environments.
Kathleen holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), which complements her extensive technical expertise and enhances her strategic thinking. Her background equips her with a unique perspective on problem-solving and decision-making.
Residing in Brisbane with her young family, Kathleen is passionate about outdoor activities. Together, they enjoy running, hiking, camping, water skiing, and snow skiing, reflecting their love for adventure and an active lifestyle.
Craig Heslop
Chief Executive Officer & Board Member
Craig’s passion is to ensure that those who have served their country or community are given the respect and support they deserve.
Prior to joining the Buddy Up Team, Craig served as a sergeant in the New Zealand Police. Here, he enjoyed several roles including frontline, organised crime and tactical policing.
Craig also has extensive experience in the fitness sector, establishing a successful health and fitness company in the Middle East. He is proud to have improved the lives of many hundreds of people.
The Buddy Up values of wellness, mateship, service and courage attracted Craig to the organisation. He holds an Executive MBA from Massey University.
In his spare time, Craig enjoys adventures in the outdoors, coaching football and supporting his beloved Liverpool!