Board members

Keryl has worked in the area of disability since 1989. She is the chief executive officer for LEAD, which includes LEAD Employment, LEAD Access, LEAD Contracting and LEAD Development. LEAD Employment is a Disability Employment Network program and business service operating across the ACT and surrounding NSW areas. Keryl's previous work history includes policy officer for the Division of General Practice, disability educator for Family Planning ACT and various employment and accommodation positions with disability organisations in Sydney and the ACT. Keryl has a Bachelor of Applied Science (occupational therapy) from the University of Sydney, Certificate IV in training and assessment, advanced diploma in disability work, Certificate IV in employment services and is a supported wage assessor.

Donna's entire professional life has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with a disability. She graduated as a teacher in special education and has worked in a variety of settings with both children and adults with disabilities. For the past 16 years she has led a team of people pursuing equal employment opportunities for people with a disability in the mainstream workforce. Work Solutions Gippsland is one of only a handful of private providers of employment services for people with a disability in Australia. Work Solutions Gippsland has eight outlets in regional Victoria, and offers a range of DEEWR services.

Peter has worked in the disability sector since 1992, first in a business service, and then establishing an individual supported jobs agency called North West Employment Service in 1994. This service has grown to a multi service organisation called Ability Tasmania Group that provides vocational and non-vocational support to people with a disability across the Northern half of Tasmania. Peter has a particular focus on clients with high support needs, seeing them as the ?forgotten group' in community based employment. This is combined with an interest in supporting people in regional and remote areas. It's the second time Peter has been on the national board of ACE.

Garry has managed Job Match (Gympie) for more than 10 years and has had extensive experience and involvement in local council, business and community operations, including six years as alderman, Gympie City Council and nine years running his own retail business. Garry is also treasurer of ACE Queensland.

Anne has worked in the industry since its inception in WA in 1981. During that time she has been an employment consultant, marketing manager and CEO of Emtech in Perth. After a short attempt at early retirement Anne took on the role of CEO at a small rural service in the south west and, quick to recognise an opportunity, merged with a larger regional provider, Forrest Personnel. She currently chairs the West Australian Country Managers, (WACM) and is a long serving member of the ACE WA state executive. 'My long history and experience in both the city and country gives me a unique perspective that I hope to bring to the national board,' she says.

Craig is Chief Executive Officer of Direct Employment Services, a single site Disability Employment Network operating in the Cairns region of North Queensland. He sits on the Management Committees of the Cairns Community Legal Centre and Rights in Action (Disability Advocacy) and has previously sat as Chair and Treasurer of Direct Employment Services. Craig has been involved in the development of disability employment policy and has engaged in numerous advisory bodies, projects and working groups. Craig has undertaken studies in Management and Disability and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Hayley has worked in the disability sector since 1993. Having managed regions for Intework since 1998 she was recently appointed CEO for the organisation. Intework's services encompass a wide range of state and federal funded programs including DEN services, supported employment and state funded alternatives to employment services. Hayley has previously been involved with ACE at both state (serving terms as president) and national levels.

Kerry has worked in the disability sector since 1995 and is currently a Manager in the Senior Management Team of Personnel Employment (First Disability Employment Service to commence operation in South Australia). She commenced her work in disability employment by establishing the first disability related service on Kangaroo Island. She has a Degree in Applied Science (Disability Studies), a Diploma in Business Management, a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training and a passion for learning. Kerry's experience includes working in rural communities, case management, employment training and support, managing a Registered Training Organisation, project managing, and managing a Disability Employment Network service.

Phillip has worked in the disability services sector for more than 20 years in direct service and management roles. He is currently the executive officer of Options Victoria, which provides a range of services to people with a disability, including open and supported employment, community participation and leisure services. In 1990 he established an open employment service, originally specialising in assisting people with intellectual disabilities with high employment support needs, which merged with another similar service in the late 1990s to form Paramount Personnel, the present day service of Options.

Phil has been the director of Jobsupport since 1986. He was previously the principal of a special school. Jobsupport operates a specialist open employment service for about 480 people with a significant intellectual disability and an ATLAS transition service. Phil has a Masters degree in Special Education and an MBA. He has established demonstration projects for FaCS (open employment), the NSW Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care (PSO to work transition) and the NSW Department of Education (school to work transition). He has also served on numerous government and industry committees.

Rosemary holds tertiary qualifications in retailing, marketing and human resources management. She is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute. Her experience includes senior management positions in a range of industries. Rosemary's community service involvement includes chairing the Women's Advisory Committee for Training and Employment, being employer representative for Business SA on several industry training boards, the SSABSA (Senior Secondary Assessment Board of SA) and the South Australian WorkCover Board. Rosemary sees her role as CEO to lead and advocate for improved opportunities for those who face barriers to mainstream participation in the benefits available from valued employment and community participation. Interwork has 10 offices through South Australia delivering Disability Employment Network and the Personal Support Program.

Ross has been the chief executive of Break Thru People Solutions for 12 years. With 200 staff throughout the NSW mid north and central coasts, Newcastle, Dubbo, Coonabarabran and seven sites in Sydney, Break Thru is a multi program service (including DEN, job network, PSP and VRS). Previously Ross worked for the Department of Family and Community Services and was instrumental in establishing open employment services for people with disabilities. He also worked for the Commonwealth Employment Service in roles including operator, senior management, marketing and training. Ross has a Masters of Business Administration and teaches part time in Charles Sturt University's Masters of Management.