We are thrilled to welcome the Hon Brigadier Linda Reynolds CSC (ret’d) to the SpinalCure Australia Board of Directors. Linda has been a tireless champion for spinal cord injury (SCI) cure research, dedicating her time, energy and influence to advancing life-changing research for Australians living with paralysis.
Linda has stood with us in parliament, at our clinics, at fundraising events, and alongside our community, helping drive a national movement for change. During her tenure as Senator for Western Australia (2014–2025) and as a Cabinet Minister in the Morrison Government, she played a pivotal role in securing critical federal investment for cure-focused SCI research.
Linda personally joined us to deliver our petition of 30,000 voices to Canberra, elevating neurostimulation research to the federal funding agenda. She was also a critical part of our campaign that unlocked a $10 million neurostimulation Medical Research Future Fund grant round. $6 million of this funded two of Project Spark’s globally important clinical trials. Linda also played a vital role in Project Spark’s expansion into Western Australia, bringing neurostimulation clinical trials to Perth for the very first time.
Her commitment goes far beyond policy. Linda has spoken with deep empathy and clarity about the life-altering impact of SCI:
“It only takes a second, a single second, for our lives and the lives of our families to be changed forever. It could be a car accident, a sporting injury, a fall from a roof or a swim at the beach. A catastrophic accident that results in a spinal cord injury, years of rehabilitation, specialist health care and a life in a wheelchair.”
This reflection, delivered in the Senate in March 2023, encapsulates why she has fought so hard for better treatments, better support and better futures for people with SCI. She also highlighted the profound physical, emotional and financial toll of these injuries, noting the staggering $3.7 billion annual cost to the Australian economy. Her advocacy has amplified the urgent need for innovation, funding and hope for thousands of Australians and their families.
“Linda has been a guiding force for SpinalCure over many years. Her strategic insight, advocacy, and unwavering belief in the potential of SCI research make her an extraordinary addition to our Board.” SpinalCure Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Borkovic
Linda is a values-led, outcomes-focused leader with distinguished careers across the military, political and corporate sectors. She has successfully delivered complex organisational reforms through disciplined governance, risk management, probity, compliance and regulatory oversight.
Elected as an Australian Senator from 2014 to 2025 Linda represented the state of Western Australia and was a leading advocate for the State’s significant geo-strategic, mining and energy interests. She also held key Cabinet Ministerial portfolios in the Morrison Government in Defence, Government Services, National Disability Insurance Scheme, Defence Industry, Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery.
In addition to her parliamentary service, Linda dedicated 29 years to the Australian Army Reserves, holding a variety of regimental and staff roles. She made history as the first woman in the Army Reserves to attain the rank of Brigadier (a 1-star General) and was honored with the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC).
Since retiring from the Australian Senate in June 2025, Linda has provided strategic corporate advice on the critical minerals sector, defence industry and the AUKUS alliance. A prominent global advocate against human slavery and trafficking, she continues to lead global reforms to combat orphanage trafficking. Linda also speaks widely in Australia and overseas on contemporary defence, security, slavery and people trafficking issues and was a guest of the Ukrainian government for the 2025 Yalta European Strategy summit in Kyiv.
We are confident that Linda’s insight and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to restore function for the ~21,000 Australians living with SCI and ultimately a cure.