In 2001 Karen Livingstone AM, along with a small, dedicated group founded the ovarian cancer consumer movement in Australia to ensure no woman would travel alone after a diagnosis. 

Since that time, Karen has been pushing for increased awareness, and funding for research to improve survival for women. There are personal motivations for her to help drive research. Karen is a BRCA positive woman, who lost her mother and aunt to ovarian cancer.

In a huge honour, Karen was named a Finalist in the Victoria Australian of the Year 2018 and in 2019 was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to community health as an advocate for ovarian cancer research. 

Karen has been involved with ANZGOG since 2008, including a decade as a Board Director. She is the Head of Fundraising and Development for WomenCan, who fundraises for ANZGOG’s research and education programs that enable women to live better and live longer after a gynaecological cancer diagnosis.