Donna Faulkner - Chairperson
Executive Director, Work Solutions, VIC.

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 disability.

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 Jones - Vice Chairperson
Manager, Personnel Employment, SA.

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.

kerry 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 Connor - Treasurer
CEO, Job Centre Australia Limited, NSW.

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 for 13 years. Job Centre Australia has 16 offices throughout NSW running multi programs (including DES, 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.

Keryl Neville - Board Member
CEO, LEAD Employment, ACT.

Keryl has worked in the area of disability since 1989. She is the chief executive officer for LEAD. 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 Lewis - Board Member
CEO, Break Thru People Solutions, NSW.

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 DES, Job Services Australia, VRS, RTO and various state funded programs).

Previously Ross worked for the Department of Family and Community Services where he was instrumental in establishing open employment services for people with disability. Ross has a Masters of Business Administration and teaches part time in Charles Sturt University's Masters of Management program.

John Lysaught - Board Member
CEO, Forrest Personnel Inc, WA.

John has been involved in community enterprise for over twenty years with the last fourteen in management roles. Joining Forrest Personnel in 2004 as CEO, John has overseen the organisation's growth from three to eleven sites, and 150 to almost 800 active clients in our DES program, over the last five years.

John holds a Bachelor of Business in Marketing as well as minor qualifications in management and governance areas. With family members experiencing disability, John has genuine empathy for clients and has a strong desire to see the sector continue to move from a welfare focus to one of empowerment.

Garry Hooper - Board Member
QLD.

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 accounting. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Management and a representative on the Sunshine Coast Regional Disability Council. Garry was the CEO at STEPS, and during this time the organisation grew from a single site in 2000 to 13 sites throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory in 2008.

Rick Kane - Board Member
Policy Advisor, Wise Employment, VIC.

Rick has worked within the disability employment sector for 15 years. He has worked at WISE Employment for six years,  focussing on policy development in relation to employment services in the Australian and international environment.

He began his career at the Salvation Army, first as an Employment Consultant, and later a Manager of the Disability Employment program. He also worked as the Executive Officer for Workforce, which merged into WISE Employment.
His driving motivation is to assist people who have been impacted by poor mental health and disability through no fault of their own. Rick has a Bachelor of Education.