Board members

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.

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.

Chris has worked in the area of disability since 1987. He has been the CEO of Job Centre Australia Ltd for 3 years and prior to that CEO of First Contact Human Resources (a DEN/ RTO service) for 13 years. Job Centre Australia has 16 offices throughout NSW running multi programs (including DEN, VRS, TTW, RTO and various fee-for-service programs). Chris' previous work history includes; General Manager for a Business Service, Senior Partner in an Accounting Practice, Lecturer (Diploma in Community Services), TAFE Teacher (Accounting Diploma) and a Business Franchise owner. Chris has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies (Accounting), Diploma in Training & Assessment Systems, Accounting and Commerce Certificates (TAFE). He has been a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management since 1979. Chris has lived and worked on the Central Coast of NSW for 38 years - he enjoys red wine and golf, not necessarily in that order!

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.

Ross has been the CEO of Break Thru People Solutions for over 15 years. With over 600 staff throughout Queensland, NSW and Victoria, Break Thru is a multi program service (including DEN, Job Services Australia, VRS, RTO and various state funded programs) and has recently merged with Western Plains Workforce, Syd West Personnel, CARE Employment, NEPS and WorkWise Central Coast. Previously Ross worked for the Department of Family and Community Services where he was instrumental in establishing open employment services for people with disabilities. Ross has a Masters of Business Administration and teaches part time in Charles Sturt University's Masters of Management program.  Ross lives on the NSW Central Coast and importantly is still a regular surfboard rider!

Richard has been working in the disability sector in Western Australia since 1994, beginning as an Open Employment direct support officer for 7 years and then moving into a management position. He joined Good Samaritan Industries in 2008 as the Operations Manager Employment Services (Options Employment) and is responsible for the day to day running of an Australian Disability Enterprise employing 160 people with disabilities and Open Employment outlets with over 330 registrants. Richard has a BSc (hons) in Applied Science, a diploma in Business Management and various certificates in Information Technology and Employment Services. Having spent his full working career (to date) within the Disability field, Richard is passionate about employment choices for people with disabilities. In his spare time his is (tragically) a committed Dockers fan and frustrated golfer.

Coming soon

Garry Hooper has worked for 11 years in the disability sector and prior to this worked in local government and Aboriginal communities throughout Queensland.  He has a Bachelor of Business in Management and various certificates and diplomas in training, corporate governance and studying accounting. He is a member of the Australian institute of management and a representative on the Sunshine Coast Regional Disability Council. While Garry has been CEO STEPS has grown from a single site in 2000 to 13 sites throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory in 2008. STEPS main focus has been the Disability Employment, but in recent times it has diversified into training and lifestyle support for people with a disability.