Meet the team of experts behind ATHENA. Sally, Frances, Jelena and Dhiren have over 50 years combined experience.
We take expert care in formulating our products specifically for the needs of women, using the most up to date research and best quality and scientifically proven ingredients.
Sally Walker is an Advanced Sports Dietitian and Accredited Practicing Dietitian, with over 16 years experience in high performance sport, supporting a wide range of athletes from talent athletes through to Olympic medalists, Paralympic Champions and World record holders.
Sally holds a MSc (Nutrition Dietetics and Exercise Rehabilitation) from the University of Wollongong. Her experience covers:Working with NRL and AFL players and clubs.
· Working with over 25 different sports programs, including team and individual sports, aquatic sports, track and field and combat sports in her role as the lead dietitian at the NSW Institute of Sport.
· She is currently the President of Sports Dietitians Australia and running her own private practice and high performance consultancy business.
· The lead dietitian for the Australian Olympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022 and Gold Coast 2018 making nutrition an integral part of performance and success.
Sally is a trusted and respected leader in her field. Sally knows the application of appropriate nutrition is achievable in all people, not just the elite. She understands the needs and challenges of everyday active and athletic individuals who are seeking to improve performance, health, and reach their goals.
As an expert consultant in the ATHENA team Sally has brought a depth of experience and understanding of athletic and active women at all levels and has highlighted the specific biological and functional differences to consider for females.
Graduating with distinction from the University of Otago with a Master of Applied Science in Advanced Nutrition Practice, Frances has since dedicated herself to empowering women through nutrition and fitness. Working one-on-one with hundreds of clients, Frances has refined her abilities as a compassionate and knowledgeable practitioner.
As a New Zealand Registered Nutritionist and qualified personal trainer; Frances has worked extensively with active women at all stages of their health and fitness journeys, including female athletes. This diverse background has provided her with a deep understanding of the unique challenges women face when it comes to nutrition and exercise.
Through running nutrition workshops, designing nutrition programs, and consulting individuals one-on-one, Frances has developed a talent for translating complex nutritional science into practical, understandable advice. Her goal is to empower women to make informed choices not only for their performance but also for their overall well-being.
Frances is driven immensely by a passion for helping women thrive and is committed to education and advocacy in the field of women’s health.
An experienced Naturopath with over 13 years of dedicated involvement in the health, wellness, and fitness industry, demonstrating expertise across various roles.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy (BHSc Nat) from Endeavour College of Natural Health, Jelena possesses expertise in Nutritional and Herbal Medicine, Clinical Practice, Clinical Research, Technical Writing, Educational Webinars & Seminars, and TV and Radio Health Education/Brand Representation. Currently, she serves as the National Naturopathic Product Trainer for Vitaco Health Australia.
Passionate about promoting overall health and wellness, Jelena has a particular focus on women's health and fitness, advocating for a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She is committed to sharing her wealth of knowledge through impactful presentations and engaging public speaking engagements aimed at empowering others to optimise their health and well-being.
Dhiren Dunraj is a Medicinal Chemist and Certified Nutrition Coach who has been working in product development and innovation of sports nutrition and dietary supplements for over 11 years. He holds a BSc, PGDipSci, MSC, and MBA from New Zealand universities, with a research focus on peptide chemistry in drug development. Additionally, he is a Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach. Dhiren has developed products for brands including Musashi, Balance, Aussie Bodies plus many other well-known sports nutrition and supplement brands.
Dhiren has a strong passion for the latest research in all things related to sports nutrition and performance. He has collaborated with high-level athletes across powerlifting, MMA, soccer, rugby, and sailing to develop world-class products that meet their unique needs while complying with banned substance regulations in various sports. Personally, Dhiren is passionate about strength and conditioning, powerlifting, and soccer. He is an accomplished powerlifter with multiple national records in New Zealand and has competed at world championships, including the ProRaw Invitational at the Arnold Sports Festival.
As a member of the ATHENA team, Dhiren applies his expertise in product development, nutrition, and chemistry. Working alongside female sports nutrition experts and listening to the voices of female athletes, he has helped bring to life a range of world-class sports nutrition products for the ATHENA brand.
“We are only at the beginning of understanding what optimal nutrition looks like for the female athlete and their unique physiology. I’m really excited about the products which we are launching and the innovation that are still to come”.
