Deb Portughes

Chief Executive, Women & Infants Research Foundation

State or Territory:

  • Western Australia

Primary position including institution/organisation:

  • Alliance Development Manager and Chief Executive, Women and Infants Research Foundation

About Deb Portughes:

  • Deb Attard Portughes is the inaugural Chief Executive of the Women & Infants Research Foundation with responsibility for implementing the directions of the WIRF Board, providing leadership to staff and effectively managing the Foundation’s day-to-day operations in-line with WIRF’s strategic direction.
  • Deb has a strong and successful background in business development, marketing and fundraising and brings with her a wealth of experience in stakeholder management and leadership of both staff and volunteers. She was previously the Development Executive for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) where she worked for over 13 years.
  • Before coming to Australia, Deb worked in Malta where she taught Creative Thinking techniques with Prof. Edward deBono. For 7 years Deb served on the board of POWA institute for creative thinking, here in Australia, this institute is based on Edward deBono’s thinking methods. Deborah also worked as a family and commercial mediator and was an executive producer of a current affairs television program.

Why does preventing early birth matter to you?

“We still don’t know why some babies are born too soon, but we need to. The emotional turmoil for families that experience a preterm birth is beyond measure. The fear and uncertainty is often all consuming.

“We can make no greater investment than that of ensuring every women, mother and child is allowed to exercise their right to good health.”

The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is working to safely lower the rate of early birth across Australia.