Meet Our Board
Our Board
Our dedicated board of volunteers are the driving force behind the foundation. Committed and passionate, each member brings a unique blend of expertise and personal dedication to the table, working together to raise vital funds for research initiatives and increase awareness about ovarian cancer. We share a commitment to funding research into early detection and improved treatment options, and to increasing awareness of ovarian cancer.
Madelyn Duckmanton
Chair
I am an experienced healthcare executive with an extensive background in both the public and private pathology sectors. I served as a Director at SA Pathology for three years and as CEO of Abbott Pathology, where I led strategic growth, strengthened organisational branding and communications, and built high-performing teams.
I have expertise in strategic communications and marketing, financial management, organisational leadership, policy development, WHS compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
After the heartbreaking loss of my sister- in-law Rose then my daughter, Letitia to Ovarian Cancer, I chose to step away from my corporate career to be more available for my young grandsons.
Motivated by this personal experience, I founded the Letitia Linke Research Foundation, a completely volunteer-run charity that raises funds to help support research to find an early detection test and improved treatments for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
As a Medical Scientist I know the power of a population screening test and how this can help to detect disease early and improve outcomes and survival. The Foundation is helping to fund innovate and collaborative Ovarian Cancer research, with the ultimate goal of saving women’s lives and improving outcomes for future generations.
Together we can make a difference.
Ruth Cece
Vice-Chair
Sonja Scobie
Treasurer
I joined the board of the Letitia Linke Foundation committed to my belief that no woman should face ovarian cancer. I was moved by the extraordinary commitment of the LLRF to supporting those with ovarian cancer and the LLRF’s determination to work with researchers to develop an early-detection test. Ovarian cancer is too often overlooked, diagnosed late, underfunded, and misunderstood.
Being part of this organization allows me to contribute to changing that reality. Research, advocacy and education are key to overcoming the difficult and painful battle inherent in ovarian cancer – and that is what the LLRF is all about. A powerful collaboration ensuring that early detection is not just an idea, but inevitable.
Letitia was my younger sister, and after her diagnosis with Ovarian Cancer, she was determined to raise funds and awareness about the disease. When she hosted the first Adelaide Silver Style in 2016, I was one of her committee members and I helped set up a website and design collateral for the event.
Since Letitia's death in 2018, I've continued to support the annual Silver Style fundraiser, and when the foundation was incorporated I joined the LLRF board. I lost both my sister and my aunt to this disease, yet before they were ill, I didn't even know it existed. I'm grateful to be part of the board and to have the opportunity to use my marketing and design skills to focus on a cause very close to my heart - raising awareness of Ovarian Cancer.
Melissa Kyd
Public Officer
As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, I spent 52 years of my working life in Pathology Laboratories. Here in Adelaide, I headed up the Haematology departments at Gribbles Pathology, Adelaide Diagnostics Pathology and until my retirement Clinpath Laboratories.
Whilst my speciality is haematology I also have a sound knowledge of other medical laboratory disciplines. Overlapping with my last few years of full-time work, I ran a horse agistment property and olive grove together with my wife, Madelyn.
I was stepfather to Letitia for over 30 years and brother-in-law to Rose Denton who also died as a result of Ovarian Cancer.
John Duckmanton, FAIMS, AIMLT (UK)
Board Member
Jane Dawson
Board Member
I am a retired teacher and enjoyed a forty-year career in education. I taught at various city and country schools, including a stint as principal. I enjoy a very busy, active life which includes swimming with a squad 3 mornings a week, rowing, walking, playing bridge and mahjong, sewing, gardening and entertaining. I have been married to Simon for 54 years and have 2 daughters and 6 granddaughters.
Seven years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. I have undergone several surgeries and many months of chemotherapy. I am very proud to be on the board of LLRF supporting Ovarian Cancer research, as I believe that this research is vitally important in order to find and early detection test and to develop better targeted treatments for Ovarian Cancer. My daughters and granddaughters are a huge motivation for me as in the future, it would be wonderful to know that they can be protected from this disease.
Sam Denton
Board Member
As Commercial Manager at DP World, I lead sales strategy and customer engagement in the freight and logistics sector. My work is grounded in building strong client relationships, delivering tailored solutions, and driving commercial growth in a dynamic industry.
But beyond the numbers and negotiations, this work is only one part of who I am.
My connection to the LLRF is personal. In 2016, four years after her diagnosis with ovarian cancer, my mum, Rose Denton, passed away. Just two years later, my cousin Letitia Linke - in whose honour the Letitia Linke Research Foundation was founded - also lost her battle with the same disease. Teesh, as we lovingly called her, left behind a legacy of hope and determination. Her deepest wish was that an early detection test would be found so that no other family would have to endure what ours did.
That legacy lives on through the work of the LLRF, now chaired by my aunty, Madelyn Duckmanton. The foundation is entirely volunteer-run and raises funds for ovarian cancer research based here in South Australia at our three Universities, with a focus on early detection and personalised treatment—two keys to improving survival rates.
Each year, we host the Adelaide Silver Style - a night of great food, wine, music, community and fundraising with all proceeds going directly to research.
Because this disease doesn’t discriminate. It could affect your wife, your mother, your sister, cousin, niece—or even your daughter.
Paul Linke
Patron