Our Team

I'm honoured to lead the team at QAMH, driving lasting change through genuine collaboration, innovation, and a people-centred approach. At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to people—their voices, experiences, and well-being—which makes my role in mental health advocacy incredibly fulfilling. I hold a Bachelor of Science (International Business) and a Foundations of Sexology qualification from the U.S., along with a Graduate Certificate in Management and a Master of Education (Educational Research) from Australia. My experience in the not-for-profit sector spans strategic reform, advocacy, digital communications, workforce development, and system transformation. As CEO of QAMH, I’m focused on challenging the status quo, redefining our strategic vision with a bold, forward-thinking approach, and working alongside stakeholders to amplify our collective impact. Outside of work, you’ll find me walking my two rescue pups, Phoenix and Polly, podcasting, playing tennis, or jumping into a group boxing or dance class. I don’t mind the occasional bruised ego.

I believe the strength of the community mental health sector lies in the deep expertise of those working within it whether through professional knowledge, lived experience, or both. At QAMH, our role is to elevate this expertise, ensuring it shapes policy and reform. As Deputy CEO, I am committed to creating opportunities for our members to share their insights, advocate for change, and collaborate on solutions that reflect their needs. I believe leadership isn’t about being the expert in the room but about creating space for those with the knowledge and experience to shape the conversation, while consistently seeking out opportunities to learn and grow. Whether engaging with our members, drawing insights from other sectors through my Board roles, or expanding my own understanding through my Master of Public Policy and Governance studies, I strive to remain curious and open to new perspectives. In our team, I deeply value the professional and lived expertise that informs and strengthens our advocacy. Outside of work, my husband and I are constantly on the go with six-year-old twins, but I always make time for powerlifting. While no longer a competitive pursuit, the training keeps me strong and disciplined, teaching me the value of consistent effort and perseverance.

I have worked in the NFP sector for many years, most recently being the last five years in a Residential College in Brisbane, where my role was not only finance but also operations, overseeing the property, maintenance, and associated staff in those departments. Prior to that I held various financial roles in industries including, Disability Service Provider, Civil Engineering, Corporate Catering, Accounting. Taking on the role of Business Manager at QAMH in June 2022 felt like a natural fit for me. I have also owned a coffee shop, I thought it was a great idea at the time, still love my coffee though. Away from work I enjoy hiking, and spending time with family and my dogs.

At QAMH, I am delighted to lead our government relations efforts, shaping policy and securing investment to support mental health services that are accessible, compassionate, and embedded in local communities. What drives me is a commitment to systems change. Throughout my career, I’ve worked to elevate the voices of those with lived experience and frontline workers, translating these insights into meaningful policy revision and strategic advocacy. My work spans national mental health reform, where I’ve built strong connections at the intersection of government relations, mental health policy, and the emergency services sector. I’ve cultivated relationships across federal and state governments to drive impactful, community-centred outcomes. I’m proud to bring this experience to QAMH at a time when community mental health must be recognised as central to national wellbeing and economic productivity. Reform starts by supporting what works - community mental health services that are locally delivered, nationally coordinated, and built to last. At QAMH, we are committed to ensuring that community mental health is sustainably funded and firmly positioned as a core pillar of Australia’s health system. At home, I’m a husband and dad to two fiercely loving, endlessly curious daughters, who’ve shown me that family life is great preparation for a career in government relations. Outside of work, I take on ultra-endurance challenges, including national and international ultramarathons and a team world record in a 24-hour ‘Concept2 SkiErg’ event, fuelled by stubbornness and coffee. I use these experiences to challenge stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health. These days, with a young family, bedtime routines feel like an endurance event in themselves! I’m also a policy tragic, political enthusiast, and avid podcast listener.

Before arriving at QAMH, I worked as a dietitian supporting patients with complex chronic conditions across various community settings. Through this experience, I developed a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between mental and physical health, as many patients faced both challenges. My background in public health research and community nutrition projects has been fundamental in shaping my passion for influencing community wellbeing at a systems level. I’m excited to bring this experience to support the delivery of projects aimed at improving community mental health and wellbeing and making a meaningful difference in people's lives. When I’m not working on projects, you’ll likely find me at Bunnings, pretending I know what I’m doing with house renovations, or at home being endlessly entertained and followed around by my furry shadow and supervisor - my cat Frankie.

I have worked in public health for several decades. Most recently I worked for the Cancer Society of New Zealand, a not-for-profit in cancer prevention where challenging the status quo and re-orientating the health sector was my focus. I have a background in disability support services and community services where I further developed an appreciation for a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. I look forward to working with and alongside people of Lived Experience in my role at QAMH. A recent arrival from Ōtepoti/Dunedin with James we hope to establish a family base for our three adult kids to enjoy time in Queensland with us. I love the great outdoors, being in nature, listening to music, sport and gardening as well as quiet time cooking for family and friends. A whakatauki from Aotearoa, He waka eke noa, translates from Te Reo into English ‘we are all in this together’.

I’ve worked for the past 16 years in Queensland across a range of services including, homelessness, disability employment, mental health and harm reduction. I’ve held positions from front line service to management. I’m passionate about lived experience practice, learning to live with my own mental health issues and using these experiences to assist others, advocating for innovation and change with individuals, communities, health services and systems. I’m dedicated to community empowerment, coaching and mentoring. In my spare time I coach Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), supporting athletes at the highest level both nationally and internationally. I also enjoy mountain biking and blacksmithing.

I discovered a passion for communications and design when studying Journalism at UQ, which has led to a career in Brisbane and Melbourne working within the oil & gas, education, government, and now NFP mental health sectors. I love the creative aspect of my role and being able to combine that with advocating for positive change for Queensland while working with such a great team. I ADORE cats and have two rescues who still have no love for each other after 15 years together. In my down time I like to bake (I’m an amazing cake decorator in my head), work in my garden with my daughter and listen to true crime podcasts and ol’ skool rnb & hip hop.

I am a social worker from Adelaide who has worked across South-East Queensland and South Australia in community services, workforce development and vocational education, primarily in the areas of mental health, disability and sexual health. For the last 15 years, I have supported individuals, families and teams through amplifying voices, system navigation, advocacy, capacity building, and education and training. I’m excited to be at QAMH because my passion and career has been focused on cultivating a thriving mental health and wellbeing workforce and community. I enjoy picking up new hobbies (and then putting them back down again), adding to my ‘to-read’ pile (which is really just aspirational rather than functional) and keeping up with my young children.

Before moving to Australia, I worked in the UK for a corporate events company - very much as a generalist with responsibilities across marketing, event administration and CRM software. The latter was where I found a passion for business technology and how it can free up time for the people using it to focus on what really matters. In my role at QAMH, I am responsible for the configuration and adoption of our new Salesforce CRM system alongside events and communications duties. It’s inspiring to see the passion the entire team has for community mental health and wellbeing and it's exciting to be part of such an amazing group. Outside of work, I am all over anything exercise and outdoors – surfing, hiking, camping, rugby union (to name a few!). I also am a religious New York Times puzzler and casual chess player.

I have worked in the mental health sector in both South Korea and Australia, with a deep commitment to community-based mental health care. My journey began at a clubhouse (an evidence-based psychosocial rehabilitation program) in South Korea, where I trained as a mental health social worker. Upon moving to Australia, I continued working with clubhouse members who experience mental health challenges, focusing on employment, education, and social enterprise programs. It has been a privilege to be part of their journeys, witnessing their growth and achievements. Recently, I coordinated a research project focused on the bilingual and bicultural workforce in the health and community services sectors, which has provided me with new insights into the vital role these professionals play. I’m excited to continue contributing to this important work in workforce development with the dedicated team at QAMH. Outside of work, I’ve recently taken up tennis, aiming to play doubles with my three kids soon—a fun way to stay active and spend quality time together.

Since coming to Australia ten years ago my work has focused on supporting human service organisations to adjust their workforce strategies and practices to sector-wide developments and reforms. I do this because I’m driven to help create enabling work environments where employees flourish and can do their best work for the people they support. Before coming to Australia, I worked in the Netherlands as a principal workforce advisor to various sectors including disability services, aged care, health care, education and government. In my spare time I’m a volunteer coordinator for a greyhound rescue and rehoming charity. I also enjoy spending time with my own greyhound and my husband and practicing routines and performing on stage with my local dance teams.

I’ve always been curious about how people learn, grow, and care - for themselves and each other. That curiosity has guided my journey from secondary teaching into social work, counselling, mental health promotion, and higher education, where I’ve designed courses and delivered training in mental health, counselling and community services. As a life-long-learner, I’ve seen how powerful well-designed learning can be - especially when it’s grounded in real experiences and shaped by the voices of those it’s created for. I'm excited to bring this experience to create practical and impactful micro-credentials for the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Sector. When I’m not deep in work, you’ll likely find me camping with friends, exploring a local market or walking by the ocean with my ever-faithful cocker spaniel, Bonnie, close behind.