We’re thrilled to introduce the SilVR Adventures Board of Advisors—an extraordinary group of experts spanning healthcare, technology, aged care, and innovation. Their diverse insights and passion for improving lives guide our journey as we redefine care through virtual reality, bringing joy, connection, and impact to older adults worldwide.
Maria Paz - Expert in Advancing Innovation in Healthcare
Maria Paz, a seasoned CIO in aged and healthcare, brings decades of leadership and expertise to SilVR Adventures’ Board of Advisors. With a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in aged care, Maria is passionate about driving transformative solutions that improve the lives of residents and enhance the capabilities of care providers.
Maria sees SilVR Adventures as uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of aged care through its evidence-based, culturally adaptable VR solutions. By fostering social connection, improving cognitive function, and reducing the burden on staff, SilVR addresses critical pain points such as social isolation and staff shortages. Its turnkey solutions allow care providers to integrate meaningful technology with minimal technical barriers, creating impactful experiences for both residents and staff.
“SilVR Adventures combines innovation and empathy to deliver technology that truly enhances the quality of care. By bridging the gap between residents’ needs and cutting-edge solutions, it sets a new standard for personalized, impactful engagement,” Maria shares.
As technology adoption becomes essential in aged care, Maria envisions VR as a cornerstone for therapeutic applications and personalized engagement. With SilVR leading the way, the next decade holds immense potential to transform care through immersive, human-centered solutions.
Dr. Leeroy William – Expert in Palliative Care
Dr. Leeroy William, former President of the ANZ Society of Palliative Medicine, brings decades of expertise in palliative care to the SilVR Adventures Board of Advisors. With a profound understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by individuals in end-of-life care, Leeroy is passionate about leveraging innovative tools like VR to enhance quality of life.
Leeroy believes that VR offers unparalleled opportunities to provide comfort, connection, and joy to those in palliative care. “Virtual reality creates moments of peace and fulfillment by enabling patients to revisit cherished places, experience nature’s beauty, or engage with family in ways that transcend physical limitations,” he says.
At SilVR Adventures, Leeroy collaborates to ensure the platform aligns with the holistic needs of palliative care. Through tailored, immersive content and a person-centered approach, SilVR helps patients reconnect with their memories, foster meaningful relationships, and experience new adventures, even in their final stages of life.
By partnering with palliative care teams and incorporating feedback from caregivers and families, SilVR continues to develop deeply personalized VR experiences. Leeroy’s vision and expertise are instrumental in shaping SilVR’s commitment to supporting emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being in end-of-life care.
Jason Burton – Dementia Care Expert
Jason Burton brings over 35 years of expertise in dementia care to SilVR Adventures, shaping its innovative approach to improving the quality of life for individuals living with cognitive challenges. As the Associate Executive Director of Dementia Training Australia, Jason leads the development of national standards for dementia education and training, ensuring person-centered care remains at the forefront.
Jason’s career spans a wide range of care settings, from leading Alzheimer’s Australia WA’s innovative dementia practices to contributing expert testimony to the Royal Commission on quality dementia care. His dedication to enhancing well-being through meaningful engagement is perfectly aligned with SilVR Adventures’ mission.
“VR provides opportunities for growth and connection that are intrinsic to being human. For individuals living with dementia, VR opens new worlds, taps into long-term memories, and creates meaningful moments of joy and self-expression,” Jason shares.
With a focus on tailoring VR experiences to individual life histories and interests, Jason sees VR as a transformative tool in dementia care:
“SilVR Adventures’ commitment to person-centered care ensures every experience is meaningful, fostering connection, communication, and a deeper sense of self for those living with dementia.”
Through Jason’s guidance, SilVR Adventures is driving impactful innovation in dementia support, enhancing well-being and enriching lives globally.
Prof. Jenny Waycott – Expert in Human-Computer Interaction and Aged Care Innovation
Professor Jenny Waycott brings her expertise in human-computer interaction and a deep commitment to enriching later life through technology to SilVR Adventures’ Board of Advisors. At The University of Melbourne, Jenny leads the Design for Ageing research theme, focusing on designing technologies that enhance social connection and emotional well-being for older adults.
Jenny’s extensive research includes exploring the use of VR in aged care, examining its potential for virtual travel, storytelling, and emotional enrichment, while addressing barriers to effective implementation. Her work is dedicated to ensuring technologies like VR are designed ethically and deployed meaningfully to support the needs of vulnerable populations.
“SilVR Adventures is a unique service that enables aged care residents to experience the wonders of VR while fostering meaningful engagement and support,” Jenny shares.
Since joining the board, Jenny has found joy in hearing the transformative stories of residents experiencing VR. These narratives align closely with her research findings, reinforcing the value of VR as a tool for bringing wonder, adventure, and connection into aged care settings.
Jenny believes evidence-based innovation is critical for scaling technologies like SilVR. By integrating academic research, stakeholder feedback, and continuous evaluation, she supports SilVR’s mission to ensure impactful and inclusive VR experiences for all.
Celina Chew – Board Advisor, SilVR Adventures
Celina Chew brings a wealth of international leadership experience to SilVR Adventures, having worked in a number of countries in Asia, including serving as President of Bayer Greater China. After building a distinguished career in the life-science sector, Celina is now based in Perth, Australia. She continues to be highly interested in the potential of technology to address healthcare issues, including the unique challenges of aging populations and transformative care solutions.
Celina views SilVR Adventures as an innovative solutions provider for healthier and happier aging. “SilVR’s immersive VR experiences address challenges like social isolation, engagement, and mental health, offering older adults meaningful, personalized opportunities to connect, reminisce, and explore,” she explains. “SilVR represents a simple yet impactful way for older adults to expand their horizons. I especially like their multi-lingual options which allow older adults of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to also access these experiences”.
Building on its big range of experiences and its CALD offerings, Celina believes that SilVR has the opportunity to access diverse markets across the world, by establishing strong partnerships, collaborating with local stakeholders and focusing on cultural and regulatory nuances. She said, “It is important to continue to build alliances and demonstrate measurable outcomes”. As SilVR progresses, Celina believes that VR has the potential to be more than a tool for engagement, and can also support improved health outcomes through cognitive training and therapy.
Steven Leong – Finance & Start-Up Expert
Steven Leong brings a wealth of expertise in finance, start-ups, and global expansion to his role on SilVR Adventures’ Board of Advisors. With a track record of navigating complex financial landscapes, Steven plays a pivotal role in supporting SilVR’s mission to scale its innovative VR solutions globally while maintaining a balance between profit and purpose.
As SilVR Adventures expands into new markets, Steven emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and partnerships:
“SilVR’s journey is unique, with no blueprint to follow. To thrive, we must blend financial discipline with visionary strategies—leveraging government programs, healthcare collaborations, and venture capital partnerships to unlock growth and impact.”
Steven advocates for cultivating operational excellence, attracting global talent, and building efficient systems that accommodate cultural, linguistic, and regulatory differences. His insights extend to ensuring SilVR remains purpose-driven while growing sustainably:
“Balancing profit and purpose is essential. SilVR has the opportunity to integrate social impact into its business model, collaborate with healthcare professionals, and even establish a social impact fund to ensure its mission remains at the forefront.”
With Steven’s guidance, SilVR Adventures is well-positioned to navigate financial challenges, drive meaningful innovation, and create transformative experiences for older adults worldwide.
Michael Magura - APAC Sales and Business Development Expert
Michael Magura, Vice President Sales at Nutanix, brings over two decades of expertise in business development and sales to SilVR Adventures’ Board of Advisors. Based in Singapore, Michael’s deep understanding of the APAC market and his strong track record in scaling innovative solutions make him an invaluable asset to SilVR’s mission of revolutionizing aged care through virtual reality.
As a long-time connection of Founder Colin Pudsey, Michael shares a passion for leveraging technology to create meaningful social impact. He recognizes APAC as a region of untapped potential, with its rapidly aging population and increasing demand for innovative, culturally inclusive solutions. Michael highlights SilVR’s unique focus on evidence-based VR offerings, extensive multilingual content library, and partnerships with leading institutions as key differentiators in a competitive landscape.
“APAC’s diversity and rapid technological advancements create unique opportunities for SilVR to transform aged care,” says Michael. “By combining innovation with a relentless commitment to quality and customer success, SilVR is well-positioned to lead the way in enriching lives across the region.”
Michael’s insights and strategic guidance help SilVR navigate the complexities of global expansion, ensuring it continues to set the benchmark for impactful and scalable VR solutions in aged care.
John McKenna – Empowerment Advocate
With 60+ years of lived experience with a physical disability, John McKenna brings unparalleled insight and passion to his role on SilVR Adventures’ Board of Advisors. Based in Melbourne, John has spent more than three decades advocating for empowerment and inclusion, working closely with individuals, families, and communities across a variety of sectors.
John’s impactful career includes advising on landmark initiatives such as Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme, one of the country’s most significant social reforms. He has also collaborated with leading organisations to develop accessible solutions for seniors and individuals with disabilities. His expertise spans palliative care, assistive technology, inclusive sports, and bridging the intersection of disability and aged care.
A dedicated communicator, John has shared his perspectives globally through television, podcasts, and presentations. As the co-producer and host of No Limits, and the founder of Guess What I’ve Discovered, he continues to advocate for meaningful change.
As an advocate for SilVR Adventures, John sees the transformative potential of virtual reality in fostering inclusion:
“SilVR’s ability to listen to feedback and tailor experiences creates moments that spark conversations and connections for people of all abilities.”
John’s lived experience and professional expertise help shape SilVR’s commitment to accessibility and innovation, ensuring it continues to empower diverse communities.
As SilVR Adventures continues its mission to revolutionise aged care through innovative VR solutions, the expertise and dedication of our Board of Advisors stand as a cornerstone of our success. With diverse backgrounds spanning healthcare, technology, finance, and advocacy, this exceptional team helps shape our vision, ensuring our solutions are impactful, inclusive, and transformative.
Together, we are excited to drive meaningful change in aged care, empowering residents, supporting care providers, and unlocking new possibilities for engagement and connection. The future is bright, and we’re proud to embark on this journey with such an inspiring group of leaders by our side.
