Q: How did you came to love science and research?
JH: I have a degree in Agricultural Science, and my PhD focused on plant genetic engineering because I acknowledge Australia’s role in producing food, particularly for developing countries. Over time, I realised I loved the world of science communication and saw how important it was to keep scientists communicating not only with each other but with the general public.
Q: You’ve had some interesting jobs, including time in the US. How was that?
JH: I started work (in the field of science communication) with CSIRO Publishing. This was followed by a move to New York where I worked as an Editor at Nature, then with the New York Academy of Sciences. I recognised I had a gift for driving enthusiasm for the impact of scientific research.
Q: What is your current role?
JH: After seven years in New York, the family moved back to Australia, and I became a Bequests Manager. This enables me to use my communications skills to promote research to both confirmed and potential bequestors and bring in support for those researchers.
Q: Did your work in this area affect your decision to be a bequestor?
JH: Through this experience, I realised that I too could make a difference by including a gift in my Will, over and above what I could support with annual donations.
Q: Thank you for including WEHI as a beneficiary in your Will. Why did you choose WEHI?
JH: I chose WEHI because they punch above their weight as a research institute, and extra support will help them take the research to the next level.
Q: Is there a particular area of research you’d like to fund through your bequest?
JH: Through reading Illuminate over a number of years, I’m aware how much great work is being done at WEHI on neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s disease. I’m keenly aware that these are conditions that will potentially affect many people of my generation – because we are living longer and not dying from other diseases (thanks to medical research!).
I met with some researchers at WEHI and learnt about work being done on prevention, early detection, and slowing the progress of these conditions. I’m confident that WEHI has a critical mass working on neurodegenerative diseases on many fronts.
Q: Have you included other organisations in your Will?
JH: Yes. I have included gifts to other organisations, including the performing arts and to support climate change research and advocacy.
Q: How does your family feel about your decision to leave bequests supporting organisations like WEHI?
JH: My family is very supportive of the choices I’ve made. My children know they will receive some of my estate, but not all. They’re on board!
Q: What advice would you offer to others who may be thinking about leaving a gift in their Will?
JH: Definitely consider it! Think about what changes you want to see in the world and then look for organisations working to bring about those changes.
