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Sharon Sarah has worked in the health and community sector for 25 years, primarily in the mental health sector and is currently the CEO for Bridges Health and Community Care in the Wide Bay and Central Qld regions.
She manages a diverse multi-disciplinary workforce including people with a lived experience of mental illness and addictions. Sharon is passionate about system reform and collaborative practice to enhance consumer and carer outcomes, building a professional sustainable mental health and Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce and strong clinical governance, particularly program fidelity and evidence–based practice.
Sharon is committed to lifelong learning, sourced through both the health and business sector. She is a registered Psychologist with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology and Masters in Mental Health Practice.
Sharon was the Branch Chair of the Australian Psychological Society for many years, now a committee member and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM).
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Currently an Associate Director in the People and Change team at KPMG, Jessica is a highly experienced management and organisational change professional, who has built a career helping organisations navigate through strategic, operational, technological, and cultural change.
She brings a wealth of experience in solving complex business problems across a number of sectors, including government, finance, banking, infrastructure, and information technology. However, at the core of her work is a desire to help businesses adapt in order to best deliver on their core values. Jessica has a passion for supporting the not-for-profit sector and a personal commitment to driving improved outcomes for mental health in Australia.
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Julia Riordan brings extensive international and Australian experience in executive assistant roles in corporate, government and non-government organisations to her role as QAMH’s Executive Officer, where she works closely with the CEO, supporting her across the everyday running of the business.
She has completed her Certificate in Governance Practice and undertakes the role of Company Secretary for QAMH. Julia is also the secretariat for the Queensland Transition to NDIS for Mental Health Strategic Forum.
Julia worked for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in Policy and Governance Divisions for 12 years before joining QAMH, initially as Executive Assistant to the CEO, in 2012. She has contributed to all aspects of the business, including office management, communications, finance, membership management, event organisation and Secretary of QAMH State Council. She is passionate and committed to her role in community mental health and the broad contribution it makes to the community.
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Karen has over 20 years of experience within the community sector, predominately in leadership roles in Mental Health Community Service Organisations; throughout Tasmania, Victoria and for the past 12 years across Queensland.
Karen considers that responsible sector leadership is based on creating robust, supportive, respectful and trusted working relationships. Karen is an advocate in engaging with diverse sectors and all stakeholders to actively work on developing partnerships that will improve outcomes for individuals and the community. Karen appreciates the collegiality across organisations, and the learning and sharing that ensues when working together on an issue of mutual concern. Karen believes that with the implementation of a number of state and federal reforms, more than ever there will be a need for the sector to work collaboratively.
Karen has an adaptive and transformational leadership style resulting in an ability to work in uncertainty and ambiguity to discover new ways forward, which lends itself to the current environment of change and reform. Karen is committed to supporting the ongoing work of the QAMH across the mental health sector in Queensland, not only in navigating these new reforms but in thriving in the new environment.
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Chris Skelton has over 37 years of experience in professional services encompassing the provision of advisory, accounting and audit services to a diverse range of industries covering private business and public companies. In his 25 years of experience as an Audit Partner at major accounting firm BDO, Chris has assisted in the improvement of a wide variety of financial reporting and governance systems. He works closely with directors and management to help in their understanding of financial reporting information and enjoys unlocking the myths associated with accounting and making the numbers understandable and useful. He has undergraduate qualifications in Business, in addition to an array of roles and memberships outside of his daily practice as Director of NFP Accountants Pty Ltd, including, but not limited to, Fellowships with Governance Institute of Australia, Queensland and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
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Sarah Stoddart is an experienced lawyer who practises primarily in healthcare, commercial and employment law. She is a Director of Stoddart Legal Pty Ltd and holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in law and legal practice as well as admissions to both the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia.
Sarah regularly advises on business transactions and regulatory compliance issues and is regularly instructed to make detailed submissions to government departments on various issues related to the healthcare industry. She also works with employers on industrial relations and human resource matters concerning all stages of an employment relationship. She also regularly conducts training sessions and publishes articles on topical issues. Sarah is a personable and trusted advisor who is committed to providing high quality legal advice, practical options and business solutions.
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Nicci is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Nursing, Masters of Mental Health Nursing, and a Masters of Applied Science (Research).
Nicci commenced in the mental health field in 1997 working in a youth mental health inpatient service and has since worked in clinical and management roles in adult acute, psychiatric emergency, community, school-based programs & youth detention, moving into leadership roles in the public health system as a mental health nurse educator and Clinical Academic Fellow with a joint position with QUT and Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital.
In 2016 Nicci took the leap into NGO land, commencing with Aftercare as the Redcliffe Service Manager and most recently being appointed as the General Manager. Nicci’s passion is to ensure the people we serve remain central to all activities and decisions that inform their care.
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Melanie is the Executive Director of Stepping Stone Clubhouse. She has been with Stepping Stone since 1996 and is passionate about engagement of people with mental health issues in service delivery. Melanie has an interest in system reform and ensuring change at a systemic level. Melanie is a registered psychologist and has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours) in Psychology.
Through involvement in Clubhouse International, Melanie has conducted accreditation visits to Clubhouses predominately in the USA and Asia. In addition, as Stepping Stone is an International Training base, she has provided Clubhouse training to Clubhouses from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, USA, UK and Europe. Being connected to an international movement allows for a thorough understanding of global mental health trends.
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Cathy has four decades of experience leading people, and managing organisations and projects, many as a Chief Executive Officer.
She has a Masters in Metaphysical Science, a Bachelor of Education, and a Diploma of Teaching TAFE, as well as Diplomas in Community Welfare, Frontline Management, Training and Assessment, and Business Management.
More recently, as the Federal Member for Herbert, Cathy’s work involved navigating social and economic policy, driving strategic direction, and serving on various committees.
She is currently a Board Member of Carer’s Australia, representing Qld Carers, the President of Townsville Multicultural Support Group (TMSG), Board Member of Glasser Australia and Committee Member of the Townsville Regional Committee for the Aging (TRCOTA).
She has also held the positions of President and Board member of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) and Board member of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA).
Cathy has extensive experience relating to the challenges that face people living with mental ill health both in her private life and professional work as a leader.
She was appointed to the Board of QAMH in August 2020.
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Jeremy was voted in by the QAMH Membership and has previously served on our Board a number of years ago, it is great to have him back. Jeremy Audas has worked in human and community services in North Queensland for over 30 years and has gained an appreciation of the importance of high-quality services in addressing the needs of people who find themselves in challenging circumstances.
Currently employed by Richmond Fellowship Queensland he is also president of Townsville Community Law, chair of the board for the Townsville Intercultural Centre, and Independent Chair of the Townsville headspace Consortium. As a former CEO of the Mental Illness Fellowship of North Queensland, he enabled and supported partnerships and collaborative relationships with a focus on better supporting and advocating for people living with mental illness including their family members. He believes that working together, supporting each other, and engendering warmth, empathy and trust are key enablers for the effective delivery of community services.
