Susan Alberti
About
Susan Alberti AC is one of Australia’s pre-eminent philanthropists, having donated millions of dollars to medical research and other charitable causes over her successful business career.
Susan developed a passion for medical research when her only child, Danielle, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the 1980s. Danielle tragically died from the complications arising from the chronic disease. It was at that point that Susan’s lifelong commitment to raise funds for better prevention, treatment and to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes became a dedicated mission. This has led her to focus on medical research more broadly.
Susan was a finalist in the Australian of the Year Award in 1997 and again in 2009. In 1997 she received an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for her contributions towards the cause of diabetes research. Susan was awarded an AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) on January 2007.
On Australia Day 2016, Susan was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) Award in recognition of her eminent service to the community, particularly through philanthropic and fundraising support for a range of medical research, education and to young women as a role model and mentor.
Susan is a former president of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is chair of the Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation, retired chair of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research Foundation, director of the Western Health Foundation, chair of the DANII Foundation, chair of the Victoria University Foundation, retired vice-president of the AFL Western Bulldogs Football Club, director of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation, retired president of the VFL Footscray Bulldogs, director of the AFL National Women’s League Advisory Group and director of the National Australia Day Council.
