Our people

The people at RaggAhmed come from varied professional backgrounds – medicine and journalism, law, publishing, marketing, public health policy and adult education. We are all committed to improving health and reducing disadvantage, and our diverse skills and backgrounds provide expertise in complementary areas. 

Mark Ragg   MBBS BA    

Dr Mark Ragg trained as a medical practitioner, but has worked as a professional writer and editor for 20 years. He has been a reporter and health editor at The Australian, a contributor to The Bulletin and a senior writer and editorial writer at The Sydney Morning Herald.   

He has worked in a variety of NSW public hospital emergency departments, as a volunteer doctor in East Timor and has sat on the NSW Mental Health Tribunal.  

Mark has written 15 books, including texts he co-authored for the NHMRC on communicating with the public, and a novel The Dickinson Papers.

He is an adjunct senior lecturer in the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney.  He combines a passion for equity with a love of language. Contact Mark

Tanya Ahmed   MBBS MPH & TM Grad Dip Health Serv Man    

Dr Tanya Ahmed is a medical practitioner with a special interest in cross-cultural issues and mental health among disadvantaged groups.

She has extensive clinical experience in hospital, general practice and community settings, including work with migrants, refugees and Indigenous peoples. She has worked in drug and alcohol medicine, in travel medicine and as a volunteer in East Timor.

She has taught communication skills, public health, clinical epidemiology and clinical ethics at Flinders and Sydney universities. She has worked in management at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, and sat on the Council for Early Postgraduate Training in South Australia. She has carried out research with the Cochrane Centre and the Repatriation Medical Authority, and received an NHMRC grant for a project on women’s health.

Tanya has been an actor on ABC radio and a reporter on ABC TV. She is now training in psychiatry, and strives to have people with mental illness seen as people, not just a diagnosis. Contact Tanya

Catherine Stevens   BA LLB    

Catherine Stevens is our deputy director. Initially trained as a lawyer, Catherine has worked in a variety of editing, publishing and business development roles in New Zealand, the UK and Australia. These include publishing manager at FPC Magazines, business operations manager at Independent Digital Media and new business manager at Edge Custom Media.

She has a wealth of experience in developing effective communications solutions for targeted audiences, and has a strong interest in Australian health policy. Contact Catherine

Rebecca Gordon   MIPH BA  

Rebecca Gordon is our consultancy services manager. After studying art history, Rebecca completed a Master of International Public Health at the University of Sydney. She has worked with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, AUSTCARE and NSW Health's Centre for Aboriginal Health, and has also been assistant editor of the WHO's website in Geneva. Most recently, Rebecca worked with the Government of Catalonia in Spain across a number of European Commission-funded projects.

She has expertise in mental health and a strong background in research and analysis. Her passion lies with reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Contact Rebecca

Anne Saunders 

Anne Saunders is our office manager. Anne brings broad experience across all business functions to the RaggAhmed team, having worked in the health care industry for 18 years in a number of senior roles. Anne is responsible for ensuring the smooth-running of the office, including managing accounts, coordinating marketing activities and providing support across our projects.

Her professionalism and eye for detail are second to none, and she has a thorough understanding of the health sector and strong commitment to client service. Contact Anne

Mae Hurley   BSocSc (Hons)

Mae is our editorial services manager. A University of Sydney graduate, Mae holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Linguistics as well as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate. She has worked in health and human services, and has strong research and analytical skills. Her most recent position was language analyst at The Plain English Foundation.

Mae is passionate about language and the power of plain English communications. She brings broad editorial knowledge to her role as well as strong experience in project management. Contact Mae

Susan Williamson   PhD

Susan Williamson is our medical writer. Susan holds a PhD from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the University of Melbourne, and a BSc (Hons) from Macquarie University. She has extensive experience in biomedical writing and online publishing, as well as a strong background in production management. Susan has authored magazine feature articles, research reports, conference and workshop papers, clinical trials documentation, funding and grant bids and book chapters. Widely published, Susan has written for Australian Life Scientist, Sleep Disorders Australia News, Australian Biotechnology News and Today's Life Science.

Susan brings a keen analytical mind to her work, and her distinguished career is a testament to her integrity, professionalism and client focus. Contact Susan

Jackie Stephenson   BNurs

Jackie Stephenson is our professional development manager. Originally a registered nurse, Jackie completed a health services management program with the Australian College of Health Service Executives and has since managed health projects with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia, South East Asia and the Pacific. These projects have included training programs for health professionals in Vietnam, Nepal and Nauru. Most recently Jackie has managed national social marketing campaigns in Australia targeting multiple language groups.

Jackie brings to her role a passion for meeting the needs of diverse audiences, a strong understanding of the health sector and extensive experience in project management. Contact Jackie

Laal Farrokhzadi   BS (Nutrition) MPH

Laal Farrokhzadi is our research officer. Laal holds an undergraduate degree in nutrition science from California Polytechnic State University and has worked as a dietitian in the USA. She holds an MPH from the University of Sydney and is currently completing her PhD at the Sydney School of Public Health and Faculty of Medicine on the affect of nutrition and lifestyle of women with gynaecological cancer during their cancer care journey.

Laal is passionate about the importance of nutrition education particularly for pregnant and breastfeeding women and at risk groups in the community. Laal brings not only research expertise and strong analytical skills to all her work but also great attention to detail.

Mitchell Ward

Mitchell Ward has been working with RaggAhmed since our inception and is our art director. He developed the company's corporate identity, and is responsible for the design of many of its publications and reports. Mitchell, a graphic designer and website designer and developer, is also artistic director and principal of Rock Lily Design & Consulting. Mitchell's illustrations and photographs have been published in books, magazines, professional journals and online publications.

Our consultants

For each project, we assemble the best possible team. We can draw on a substantial network of consultants – writers, editors, designers, printers, proofreaders, librarians, film-makers, photographers and market researchers – as needed. All have expertise, and all add to our ability to fulfil the needs of our clients and produce work of the highest possible standard.

Our memberships

RaggAhmed belongs to and supports key professional organisations in public health and publishing. 

• Australian Health Promotion Association
• Australian Science Communicators
• NSW Society of Editors
• Public Health Association of Australia.