Our Trustees
Jacki Morris - Chairperson
Jacki is the mother of two boys (Michael and Matthew) and wife to Grant.
She was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of seven and has been on carbamazepine for an extended period.
Jacki is extremely passionate about all those of child bearing potential being given informed consent and informed choice around antiepileptic medications in pregnancy.
Jacki brings a broad background in Governance and lobbying to the Board. Whilst leading a very busy life, she is proud of her knowledge when it comes to children’s movies, thanks to her youngest son!
Denise Astill- Founder, Trustee and Executive Officer
Leading this forward thinking organisation is our Executive Officer, Denise Astill. Denise has hands on practical experience and knowledge that is not found in a book. She has lived experience of having loved ones who have been affected by Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS), as her twin daughters’ were diagnosed at 4 1⁄2 years of age. Denise has become used to having to pave a way for recognition, knowledge, acceptance, education and support for FVS. Her girls’ were the very first cases accepted under Treatment Injury with ACC. This was a monumental achievement as it has led to future cases being accepted.
Denise is the well recognised face of FACSNZ and leads the support, education, awareness, and prevention strategies throughout New Zealand. She has formed strong working relationship with Governmental bodies, medical professionals, researchers and other organisations.
When she is not changing the world Denise can be found doing diamond art or something creative.
Nigel McNie- Trustee
Nigel’s stepdaughter was diagnosed with FACS in 2016, and had cover accepted by ACC in 2018. He cares about everyone affected by FACS getting the support they need to live their best lives. When not playing “invent a silly voice for the stuffed Hippo” with his stepdaughter, Nigel works as a principal engineer for Sharesies.
Christina Milligan (Ngāti Porou)- Trustee
Christina Milligan (Ngāti Porou) has experience in small-business ownership and has served on boards in the screen industry and in the not-for-profit sector. In 2023, she was appointed to the board of the Broadcasting Commission (New Zealand On Air). Her working background is in the screen industry as an award-winning producer of feature films and television drama. She now shares that knowledge as a lecturer and supervisor at Auckland University of Technology, where she researches Indigenous media production at a national and international level. Her work reflects her interest in seeing those less empowered - youth, women and Māori - enabled to contribute both through education and through empathetic representation at board level.
She is our latest member of our trust board, joining us in December 2023.
