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Meet the team
Founded by families of people with disability, we are dedicated to advocating for a truly inclusive world where people with disability can lead good, ordinary lives through natural, community-based supports and socially valued roles. Unlike other organisations, we focus solely on the person with disability, prioritising authentic inclusion and meaningful participation in all aspects of life. Our team shares a deep commitment to this vision, each bringing unique skills and a shared passion for fostering communities where everyone belongs.
Executive Officer
Cecile Sullivan Elder
Cecile is the Executive Officer at Family Advocacy and is appointed by the Management Committee to o...
Advocacy and Leadership Development
Joanne Cross
Joanne brings to the team her experience working in both vocational education and the disability sec...
Jacqueline Currey
Jacqueline commenced as Coordinator for the Advocacy and Leadership Development team in 2018. She br...
Mandy Vandertouw
Mandy has come from over 20 years in the early childhood education and care sector as an educator, d...
Karen Tippett
Karen joined Family Advocacy in 2008. She manages multiple teams within Family Advocacy and Resourci...
Systemic Advocacy
Leanne Varga
As the Systemic Advocate and Campaigns Manager at Family Advocacy for over six years, Leanne is pass...
School to Work Project
Katie Hodges
Katie brings to the team over 11 years’ experience working in the disability sector. She is pass...
Talia Roshan
Talia is passionate about promoting the rights and interests of people with disability. Both her per...
Inclusive Lives: Possibility to Reality Project
Jane Scott
Jane has lived and advocated alongside her peers through mainstream education, university, open empl...
Laura Abrahams
Laura is passionate about ensuring equal opportunities for every individual as well as supporting co...
Linda Hughes
Linda is excited to be working with Family Advocacy in the role of Capacity Development Coordinator ...
My home, my way and making home real - Individualised Living Projects
Linda Hughes
Linda is excited to be working with Family Advocacy in the role of Capacity Development Coordinator ...
Marketing and Communications
Kelly Evagelakos
Kelly brings more than 15 years’ experience in marketing, communication and media. She has a Diplo...
Clara Maldonado
Clara started her career in the printing and graphic arts industry and moved into communications in ...
Operations and Human Resources
Marybelle Ignacio
Marybelle joined Family Advocacy with a technical background and so brings a great attention to deta...
Troy Hester
After three and half years heading up Family Advocacy's work supporting people to contribute to the ...
Accounts
Melissa Chan
Driven by a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, Melissa shares Family Advocacy’s goal and eff...
Marie Kirkman
In this role, Marie supports and collaborates with the Finance Officer. Marie, a Chartered Accoun...
Want to join our team?
We’re always looking for people who share our commitment to improving disability rights, equality, and creating a more inclusive world. If you’re interested in joining our team and share our vision, please send your resume to communications@family-advocacy.com and keep watch for jobs on our ‘employment opportunities’ page.
Get involved
Join us in driving positive change
Family Advocacy supports and encourages families and allies of people with disability to become members of our organisation. Membership enables you to connect with like-minded people around NSW who aim to achieve positive change for people with disability. Members can also have pivotal roles in both our systemic advocacy work, workshop development, and presentations.
Become a Member