This week we inducted two stalwarts of the disability employment sector into the Disability Employment Australia Hall of Fame.
Keryl Neville and David Coles join a group of people we’ve honoured in recognition of their enduring and remarkable contributions to the disability employment sector.
DEA Chair Mat McIntyre’s remarks on David Coles when inducting him:
Our first new inductee has built a strong reputation for his leadership in service delivery, stakeholder engagement, governance, and strategic policy development.
His work focuses on creating person-directed employment pathways that support people with disability to build confidence, independence, and meaningful long-term employment outcomes.
Throughout his career, he has held senior operational and executive roles across Australia, including Employment Plus, Job Prospects, Barkuma and EPIC Assist.
He has also contributed extensively to sector leadership through Disability Employment Australia (DEA), serving as Chair, Director, and Governance Committee Chair over multiple terms.
In addition to his formal roles, he is a long-time supporter of DEA’s mission, always the first to register for our events, quietly working behind the scenes and emphatically advocating for the sector.
He currently works with EPIC Assist as Project Coordinator for Far North Queensland and Policy Officer, assisting the EPIC CEO and leadership team with strategic insights.
DEA Chair Mat McIntyre’s remarks on Keryl Neville when inducting her:
Our next new Hall of Famer grew up with a family who also were committed to employment rights for people with a disability.
She is the Chief Executive Officer of LEAD Disability Services, an organisation based in Canberra, dedicated to empowering people with disability through employment, vocational training, inclusion, and community engagement.
With a degree in Occupational Therapy and over three decades of experience in the sector, she brings a rare blend of clinical insight, strategic leadership, and deep compassion to her work.
Since the nineteen-hundreds, she has led LEAD’s transformation into one of Australia’s most respected disability service providers, championing person-centred approaches and advocating for employment equity.
Her influence extends beyond national borders through her involvement with the International Initiative of Disability Leaders now known as Global Leadership Exchange (GLE), and through international work exchanges in Alaska, Auckland, Manchester, and San Francisco.
She has served on numerous boards and steering committees, including the Board of the World Association of Supported Employment, and Disability Employment Australia, where she has held roles as Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer.
Widely recognised for her unwavering belief that employment should be accessible to all, she continues to shape national and international conversations around disability employment, inclusion, and social justice.
We warmly welcome these deserving inductees.
