OUR STAFF

Mary brings a wealth of experience in policy, research, advocacy and service delivery across the public and community sectors. Mary previously led Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) and Associate Director at the Centre for Community Child Health at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Mary has personal and family experience of disability. She is passionate about ensuring people with lived experience are co-designing services and involved in creating the evidence-base that informs Australian disability policy and practice.

With a strong background in advocating for children and young people with disability, Sue has most recently been a key member of Children and Young People with Disability Australia’s (CYDA) Policy and Research team and led CYDA’s Inclusive Education ILC grant activities, focused on building the capacity of families of children with disability to enact their child’s right to inclusive education. 

Her focus is on supporting the translation of evidence into practical solutions that promote inclusion and equity for people with disability.

Gillian is proudly disabled and queer, and loves bringing people together to share what they know, be curious, and co-create new futures. She has expertise in collaborative, disability-inclusive research, co-design and creative ways of working that value disabled peoples' skills, cultures and ways of being.

She is based in Muloobinba ('Place of Sea Ferns', Newcastle), on unceded Awabakal and Woromi country. Gillian brings experience built over two decades working in strategic leadership, governance, advisory, research and clinical roles in the health and medical research sectors. 

Natasha brings over 25 years of operational experience, having worked with disability advocacy organisations such as the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit and Blind Citizens Australia. With a strong belief in the power of systems that work for people, she is dedicated to promoting collaboration and efficiency within the team. Natasha’s lived experience of disability informs her commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all.

Outside of work, Natasha hosts a 70s music show on local community radio station 3MDR, sings with a local choir, and plays drums. She enjoys long walks and reading, finding inspiration in both nature and literature.

Sally is a communications and marketing professional with almost a decade of experience across disability services, not-for-profit, arts and government. She has delivered communication strategies for audiences with a range of different communication access needs and has lived experience of disability.

In her spare time, she enjoys crafting and is studying sustainability.

Tessa has been involved with the NDRP since its inception in 2020, coordinating the establishment and transition phases under guidance of the Working Party. She has now moved into a Strategic Advisor role for the NDRP until the end of 2024. Her previous experience includes managing the Melbourne Disability Institute at the University of Melbourne, and coordinating a Centre of Research Excellence at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute. She left the city life behind and now lives in regional Vic with four horses and two cats.