Speaker Biographies Welcome to Country Agnes Shea, Elder of the Ngunnawal people Welcome ...

24 Pages·2016·0.16 MB·English

by  Jessica Lobo

Speaker Biographies
Monday, 30 May

Welcome to Country
Agnes Shea, Elder of the Ngunnawal people
Agnes Shea is a highly respected elder of the Ngunnawal people of the Australian
Capital Territory (ACT) and its region. She is a foundation member of the United
Ngunnawal Elders’ Council and a member of the ACT Heritage Council. Throughout
her life Agnes has worked towards building a better understanding of Aboriginal
culture among other Australians and is known for her traditional Ngunnawal
‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies in the ACT.
In 2001, Agnes received the Centenary Medal for her contribution to reconciliation
and the community. Agnes OAM was the first person to receive the Chief Minister’s
Award in 2003 and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2004 for her service
to the Ngunnawal people and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
community of the ACT.
Welcome and Opening
Joan McKenna Kerr, President of National Disability Services
Joan McKenna Kerr is Chief Executive Officer of the Autism Association of Western
Australia and has spent the last 25 years working in the field of disability at a State
and national level. She is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin from where she gained
a Moderatorship in Sociology. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of
Company Directors.
Ms. McKenna Kerr is Chair and National President of NDS and Deputy Chair of NDS
WA. She is a current member of the NDIS Independent Advisory Council; and a
Director and Vice-President of the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum
Disorders. Ms. McKenna Kerr has also recently been appointed to serve on the West
Australian South West Native Title Settlement Pre-Qualification Committee.
What’s next for disability employment?
The Hon. Jane Prentice MP, Assistant Minister for Disability
Services
The Hon Jane Prentice MP, Assistant Minister for Disability Services.
Jane Prentice was elected to the House of Representatives for the Federal Seat of
Ryan as the Liberal National Party Candidate on 21 August 2010. She was
appointed Assistant Minister for Disability Services in February 2016.Prior to her
election to Federal Parliament, Jane served for 10 years as Councillor for the
Brisbane City Council ward of Walter Taylor. In Council, Jane was a member of Civic
Cabinet, with the portfolio of Public and Active Transport and Economic
Development Committee.
Disability Excellence Award
The Hon. Jane Prentice MP, Assistant Minister for Disability
Services
The Hon Jane Prentice MP, Assistant Minister for Disability Services.
Jane Prentice was elected to the House of Representatives for the Federal Seat of
Ryan as the Liberal National Party Candidate on 21 August 2010. She was
appointed Assistant Minister for Disability Services in February 2016.Prior to her
election to Federal Parliament, Jane served for 10 years as Councillor for the
Brisbane City Council ward of Walter Taylor. In Council, Jane was a member of Civic
Cabinet, with the portfolio of Public and Active Transport and Economic
Development Committee.
Developing a desire to work
Darren Coppin, Esher House
Darren specialises in the analysis of behavioural change in the unemployed and the
impact of resilience upon job outcomes.
Darren oversees operations in Australia and Europe implementing academically-
validated behavioural and psychological interventions drawing on direct input from
some of the most esteemed experts in their field.
Darren will speak on how to develop a desire to work among people with barriers to
employment.

Let’s join the dots – can we see the picture?
Ken Baker, Chief Executive, National Disability Services
Ken Baker is the Chief Executive of National Disability Services (NDS), the peak
association for non-government disability service organisations. In that role, he
provides information, representation and policy advice.
Ken has worked in social policy and public affairs for 30 years. Based in Canberra,
he is currently a member of the NDIS Independent Advisory Council and other
committees advising on disability policy.
With a membership of around 1100 non-government organisations, NDS promotes
and improves services which support people with disability to participate in all
domains of life, including employment.
PANEL: How can we drive employment opportunities for people with
disability?
Ken Baker, NDS
Maryanne Diamond, NDIA
Maryanne is the General Manager Media, Communications and Engagement at the
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). She is the chair of the International
Disability Alliance (IDA) and the Immediate Past President of the World Blind Union
(WBU).
Maryanne has held a range of roles in Australia and at the global level for more than
25 years. She was the inaugural CEO of the Australian Federation of Disability
Organisations and most recently was the General Manager Advocacy and
Engagement at Vision Australia until November 2015.
Maryanne’s most significant achievement was leading the WBU delegation during
the negotiations and diplomatic conference with The World Intellectual Property
Organisation (WIPO) that led to the adoption of the Marrakesh treaty to Facilitate
Access to Information for persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired or otherwise Print
Disabled in June 2013.
In June 2015 Maryanne was awarded an Officer in the Order of Australia.
Sean Fitzgerald, C3 Solutions
In mid-2007 Sean started working for Hartley Lifecare, a local accommodation and
support service, to start up and manage their Accenture sponsored Assistive
Technology program. This allowed him to continue his passion in matching
technology to a disabled person’s needs and capabilities. He started focusing his
energies on a "Technology to Work" program aiming at using technology, training
and employer/employee disability awareness to help people get meaningful work.
Sean left Hartley's assistive technology program in late 2009 and now runs his own
technology, training and awareness business for people with a disability, C3
Solutions.
It is Sean's advocacy and technology work that brought him closer to the wider
disability community and acutely aware of individual and families need for a peer to
give them a voice with politicians, government and in the media. Eventually this led
Sean to be a campaigner with the "Every Australian Counts" campaign for a National
Disability Insurance Scheme. His involvement with the campaign has seen him
joining other campaigners at Parliament house lobbying our politicians for a fully
funded NDIS. Sean considers the NDIS a vital initiative for Australia's future as it will
help people and their families be engaging and productive members of society as a
whole.
Marlene Krasovitsky, Australian Human Rights Commission
Marlene Krasovitsky is currently the Director of Willing to Work, the National Inquiry
into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with
Disability with the Australian Human Rights Commission. This Inquiry is being led by
The Hon. Susan Ryan AO, Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

The Inquiry has held over 120 consultations in metropolitan, regional and remote
locations to speak with older people and people with disability about their
experiences of employment discrimination and their ideas for change. In addition,
over 340 written submissions have been received by the Inquiry.

Marlene has worked in Commonwealth and State Government in a range of policy and
operational roles as well as a number of major public inquires including the Review of
the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force and the Special Commission
of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW.

Marlene is currently undertaking PhD studies with the School of Government,
University of Sydney. Marlene holds an Executive Masters of Public Administration
(ANZSOG), a Masters of Business Administration (University of Technology, Sydney)
and is a registered psychologist.

OE – Innovation
Right support, right job, works everywhere
Olivia Sorre, MJP Employment Services
Olivia has a long history working within the Disability and Employment Services
sector across all levels of service delivery.
Manager MJP Employment Services she leads a team of highly dedicated people
working with local communities and businesses to make a difference in daily lives of
people with intellectual disabilities accessing the service. She has a strong record in
Leadership, Change Management, Business Development and Building Team
Capacity.
She is a member of Disability Employment Australia, Edwardstown Region Business
Association and Community Centres SA.
Olivia holds a Diploma in Management and a Bachelor in Behavioural Science.
Opportunities for innovation: bringing the policy drivers together
Chris Gration, CoAct
Chris is the General Manager Growth at CoAct, a network of not for profits that
believe in the power of sustainable, fulfilling work to transform lives and
communities. He’s interested in how we put people and their communities at the
centre of our effort as markets are unleashed across human and disability services.
Before CoAct, Chris led the National Respite Association working with small services
on transition in the NDIS, community aged care, mental health and carer support. He
has a background in social policy and government; financial services and strategy;
and the not for profit sector.
Peer work in action
Damien Becker, Ability Links North West Alliance
Damien Becker has worked in community development for twenty years, specialising
in developing innovative community-led projects and supporting leadership and voice
within marginalised communities. He is passionate about people living with disability
taking leadership roles in the design and implementation of policies and programs
that affect them directly. Damien has a Masters in Community Development and
lived experience of disability, having been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth and
last year receiving a double-lung transplant. He currently works with Ability Links
NSW for Northern Rivers Social Development Council, lead agency of the North
West Alliance.
Prue McCarthy, Ability Links North West Alliance
Prue McCarthy has cerebal palsy from birth, and is an active campaigner for social
inclusion. From an early age she has been a pioneer in accessing the mainstream
education system, and in 1987 won the Orange Junior Citizen of the Year. Prue is
currently working with Ability Links NSW for CareWest, a partner in the North West
Alliance, and is also active on a range of board committees such as Central
Tablelands Housing. As part of her Peer Linker role Prue coordinates a Disability
Awareness Program called ‘Different on the Outside but Same on the Inside’ which
has delivered strong results to a range of primary schools across the Central West of
NSW. Prue loves to travel, and will shortly add China to her extensive list which
includes Europe, UK and South East Asia.
Valerie Thompson, Ability Links North West Alliance
Valerie Thompson is the Program Manager of North West Alliance Ability Links and
coordinates the implementation and delivery of the service across the Northern and
Western regions of NSW. Valerie has a diverse background in strategic planning
and policy development across state and local government as well as the non-
government sector.
OE – Business Challenges
The impact of star ratings on service provision
Ann Nevile, ANU
Dr Ann Nevile is an experienced Australian social policy researcher who has spent
many years evaluating the impact of funding and performance management
frameworks on third sector service delivery agencies and their clients, most recently
in the area of disability employment where she has been Lead Chief Investigator and
sole Chief Investigator in two Australian Research Council Linkage projects.
Today Dr Nevile will be presenting results from the second of these research
projects.
Partnerships deliver results
Justin Brown, Castle Personnel
Justin Brown is the General Manager of Castle Personnel Services.
Having commenced with Castle in 2015, Justin is responsible for the overall
operations and achievements of the business, both DES and NDIS operations.
Always looking for new ideas and innovation in the way a business operates; he is
focused on Castle developing new models of service and the achievement of great
outcomes for the participants.
Justin describes his key responsibility as leveraging the past successes of Castle to
ensure the organisation is capable of succeeding through the significant environment
of change that exists today.
Business initiatives in the current DES environment
Bill Gamack, Epic Assist
As the CEO of EPIC Assist (EPIC), I am responsible for developing EPIC’s business
globally. I have worked in the recruitment industry since 2006. My career has taken
me from working at a major Chartered Accountancy firm in both Australia and
England, to senior management positions in a range of industries, including seven
years in the Middle East.
I joined EPIC because I’m passionate about helping people obtain meaningful work
and aspiring to their greatest potential. As a disability employment organisation,
EPIC was particularly relevant since in my family I have a lived experience of
disability.
At EPIC we provide a personalised service to assist people with disability or
disadvantage to achieve success. We stay with them on their journey until we are
no longer needed. We place people into meaningful jobs, deliver education and
training and provide services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme
(NDIS).

SE – Innovation
New approaches to supporting people with disability in employment
Lisa Browne, Kalianna Enterprises
Lisa Browne is the Business Services Manager for Kalianna Enterprises ADE. From
the beginning Lisa knew that she wanted the ADE to be a vibrant, challenging, and
forward thinking environment. First up was to allow ADE staff to step up, staff to run
it and staff to own it. Allowing ADE staff to fully participate has resulted in increased
profit, less absenteeism, increased opportunities and a greater level of positive talk.
The flow on effects to the entire business has been outstanding and marks for a
positive future.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Leisure & Health), Graduate Certificate
(Leisure & Health) and a Masters in Gerontology from Charles Sturt University.
Transitioning from supported employment to a social enterprise
Cathy Miller, Minda
In May 2010 Cathy accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer, Minda Incorporated,
a non-government organisation and a leader within the disability sector. Services to
over 1,700 people with intellectual disability include residential, commercial
enterprises, aged care, day options and respite care. A turnover of over $85 million,
1,400 staff and over $110 million in assets. Minda has entered the retirement living
sector with a $265 million development. At the end of eight years there will be 288
beachside retirement apartments at Brighton.
Cathy Miller was Chief Executive Officer, Southern Adelaide Health Service (SAHS)
from July 2007 – May 2009. SAHS had a catchment population in excess of
330,000 people, employs more than 7,000 staff and has a budget of in excess of
$700 million. Services include Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Service,
Drug and Alcohol Services SA, Repatriation General Hospital, Southern Mental
Health and Southern Population and Primary Health Care.

New ways to solve old problems: innovation through social enterprise
Fiona Beermier, Intework
Fiona Beermier is the Chief Executive Officer for Intework, one of Western
Australia’s leading Disability Organisations. Intework provides opportunities for
people to participate in employment, education, social and cultural activities both
within Intework and the community.
Prior to her appointment at Intework, Fiona spent seven years as the Chief
Operating Officer at Youth Care where she was instrumental in leading the
organisation through a period of cultural and structural change.
With over 30 years’ experience in health, community and social services she is
passionate about leaving a positive legacy in the not-for-profit sector.
Fiona is a member of the WA NDS state committee and advocates strongly for
employment opportunities for people with disability.

SE – Business Challenges
On the road to sustainability – Wallara Logistic’s journey
Warren Kemp, Axial Enterprises
Warren Kemp is an experienced business development professional who has been
working with ADE’s to transition their businesses for over 10 years.
He works on the principle that ADE sustainability and enhanced employment
opportunity provision have to be driven by commercial principles. He tasks himself
and ADE management with answering the question ‘Where do I want this
organization to be in five years and how can we get there?
He is currently working with a number of ADE’s in Melbourne to plan, implement and
consolidate business strategies that establish the foundations for sustained business
growth.

Garry Baker, Wallara Logistics
Garry Baker is a highly experienced business executive who has extensive
commercial business management experience spanning over 35 years.

Garry has worked in commercial enterprise in Senior Management and CEO roles
across a diverse range of businesses, including Direct Marketing, Logistics,
Manufacturing and Oil & Gas industries. Garry has both the experience and capacity
to analyse and develop new opportunities, implement processes to drive business
growth, and obtain buy-in from all levels from the Boardroom to the shop floor.

Recruited to Wallara Industries in the capacity as General Manager almost 6 years
ago, Garry has driven change management of the entire operation and grown the
business by in excess of 400% in that time.