Meet the team

Dr. Tonia Mezzini – Founder of V.supple®

Dr. Tonia Mezzini, a sexual health physician and researcher with decades of experience in women’s health, mental health care and oncology has developed V.supple®: a range of non-hormonal products designed to restore hydration and comfort. After her patients sought alternatives and adjuncts to hormone therapies to improve their sexual health, she discovered the benefits of ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and natural oils to provide relief for vaginal atrophy and painful sex.

V.supple® has been founded to address a clinical gap in comfort care for women seeking safe, effective, non-hormonal alternatives, starting with the intimate products her patients needed and providing solutions to support women’s recovery, well-being and health.

 

Jim Fazzalari – Business Development Manager, V.supple®

With over 30 years of experience in medical sales and health product development, Jim Fazzalari brings deep industry knowledge and strategic insight to his role at V.supple®. His background in regulated healthcare markets informs his passion for delivering products that blend science, innovation, and real-world care.

As Business Development Manager, Jim oversees product strategy, partnerships, and market growth — ensuring that every formula launched is grounded in integrity, performance, and customer need. From sourcing premium ingredients to shaping brand voice, his work drives the evolution of the V.supple® range.

Jim believes great products come from asking the right questions, listening closely, and never cutting corners. His ethos is simple:
“Nature knows best. Science proves it. Innovation drives it.”

Working on the V.supple® project has given Jim a humbling insight into the physical and emotional challenges many women face — especially those experiencing menopause, cancer treatment, or intimate health conditions. Listening to real stories and contributing to solutions that genuinely help has deepened his commitment to thoughtful, respectful innovation. It’s a role he approaches with care, curiosity, and a profound sense of responsibility.

Dr. Karen Hawke – Chief Scientific Officer, V.supple®

Dr. Karen Hawke brings over 15 years of research leadership to her role as Chief Scientific Officer at V.supple®. With a PhD in Molecular Epidemiology and a background in Behavioural Science and Neuroscience, Karen is known for her sharp scientific mind, deep analytical skill, and unwavering dedication to evidence-based innovation.

Karen has played a significant role in national and community health initiatives, including Aboriginal health research and HIV surveillance across Australia. As a founding member of the Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA), she has championed respectful, community-driven research that prioritises impact and inclusivity.

Her experience spans laboratory research, clinical study design, and public health policy — but it’s her personal journey that makes her contributions to V.supple® especially profound. After undergoing treatment for a rare cancer in 2024, Karen brings lived insight into the very challenges V.supple® is designed to address.

With empathy, rigour, and a passion for accessible care, Karen leads the scientific direction of the brand — ensuring every formula stands up to scrutiny and meets the needs of those who need it most.

Naveena Nekkalapudi – Market Engagement Consultant

Naveena Nekkalapudi brings both personal insight and professional acumen to her role as Market Engagement Consultant. A two-time breast cancer advocate—first as a patient herself in 2014 and later as a carer for her mother in 2022—Naveena has first-hand understanding of the physical, emotional, and systemic challenges individuals face when navigating cancer care.

Motivated by these lived experiences, Naveena has dedicated herself to improving the patient journey, with a strong focus on equity of care, health system navigation, sexual health, quality of life during and after treatment, and reducing the financial burden that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis.

Prior to her advocacy work, Naveena was a senior executive with deep experience in strategy, research, mergers & acquisitions, and business management. Her corporate career spanned diverse sectors including dairy, superannuation, funds management, and private health insurance. She holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School.

Today, Naveena is an active consumer representative with numerous leading organisations, including Cancer Council Victoria, the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC), Eastern Health, Safer Care Victoria, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

Naveena’s rare blend of strategic insight, lived experience, and advocacy makes her a powerful voice in the push toward more compassionate, equitable, and patient-centred healthcare.