Since joining Monash Health in 2021, I have worked in various designated consumer Lived Experience (LE) roles, including Consumer Inpatient Peer Worker, Consumer Inpatient Peer Work Team Lead, and most recently, Consumer Consultant on the Mental Health Service Reform Team. First and foremost, I bring to my work a LE of complex mental health challenges and recovery, combined with recent and contemporary experience working within the mental health program at Monash Health, tertiary qualifications, and participation in ongoing professional development. I am a strong advocate for mental health reform and believe in the development and embedding of LE work, expertise and perspectives into mainstream mental health services – a priority highlighted by the Victorian Royal Commission in Mental Health.

Emily is a Sociologist with a postgraduate degree in Policy and Applied Social Research with extensive experience in project development, implementation and evaluation. Overseas, she participated in the development of programs that supported survivors of armed conflicts and coordinated the monitoring and evaluation of public policies in forced displacement. In Australia, Emily has contributed to the settlement sectors, coordinating community-based programs and improving their governance. Currently, she coordinates the evaluation of community development projects for the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (NSW).

Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka Ko Puke Huia me Puke Haua ngā maunga Ko Hokianga Whakapau Karakia te moana Ko Ngāpuhi me Ngāti Porou ngā iwi Ko Ngāti Hau me Te Mahurehure ngā hapū Ko Kerri Butler āhau Kerri has worked in various roles in the sector, at local, regional and national levels since 2009. She is an experienced Prince2 practitioner, with over a decade experience in senior project management positions within Te Rau Ora, Te Kete Pounamu, CM Health and Take Notice Limited. Her own lived experience is a key factor in ensuring the delivery of outcomes that are informed by, and meaningful for tangata whaiora.

Susan has a Bachelor of Social Science, Psychology and Applied Science Nursing Degree. Her background working as a regional Paediatric Nurse, and advocate for people with disabilities has provided a passionate platform for inclusive strengths based models of support with vulnerable families experiencing Domestic and Family Violence and as well as promoting and enhancing the child's voice in their therapeutic journey.

Amelia has worked in the health sector for over twenty five years, and has experience working in both alcohol and other drugs and mental health services. Amelia has held national, state and territory management roles and has a background working in both government and community based NGO mental health services. She is a passionate advocate for early intervention services aimed at reducing the long term impact of mental illness on children, young people and families.

Gill has dedicated her career to improving public policy and service delivery, particularly for vulnerable people in the community, and was recognised with a Public Service Medal in 2019. Most recently an Associate Dean and Vice President at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) in 2019-20, Gill served as Secretary of two Victorian Government Departments over almost 10 years from 2009 to the end of 2018 – The Department of Human Services and The Department of Education and Training. This followed a range of senior roles in the Victorian Public Service and a ten-year stint in the community sector working with children, young people and families. In 2022 Gill was appointed a member of the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Board, the new Centre being a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health system. Gill holds an Adjunct Professor role at Monash University and her leadership in public policy was recognised in 2013 when she received a Sir James Wolfensohn Public Service Scholarship to attend Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In October 2014, Gill was awarded the IPAA National Fellowship award and a Monash University Fellowship, and in 2017 Gill was named one of the top 50 women in the Victorian public service.

Beginning in 2014, Chris has been the State Operations Manager for The Big Issue in NSW and QLD, where he oversees the Street Magazine Enterprise, Women’s Work Force Enterprise and Community Street Soccer Programs. Prior to that he managed a NFP in the Aged and Disability sectors. His first job in Australia was as a Climb Leader on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Before moving to Australia in 2004, he worked in the USA developing in school counselling programs, chemical dependency programs, ran entertainment festivals, and worked in television production. He believes that TBI’s “A hand up not a handout” offers real and immediate support allowing people experiencing disadvantage to improve their own lives.

An experienced clinical leader with a background in the drug and alcohol sector in government and not for profit organisations across metropolitan and rural/regional NSW, Michele is the Clinical Director of the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), the peak body for the non-government sector in NSW.

William is the CEO of Independent Community Living Australia (ICLA); a specialised mental health and psychosocial disability service provider in NSW. Previously he was a founder of Helplines Australia a peak body - national helpline Association. He was also involved researching the efficacy of Telehealth services and founder and chair of the Australian psychological Society interest group on ePsychology. More recently, he was Head of department at western Sydney PHN involved management of mental health services, policy development, research, and commissioning. In 2020 he was appointed Mental Health consultant at NSW Health to develop COVID responses to multicultural communities. He is a strong advocate for people (and their families) who experience a mental health condition.

Alyce Cannon is the Psychosocial Disability Policy and Research Manager at Mental Health Carers NSW. Since joining MHCN in 2020, Alyce has been involved in several research, policy, and engagement projects as Program Manager for the Mental Health Carer Advocacy Network and now running the Disability Advocacy Futures Program for systemic advocacy for psychosocial disability. Alyce has an extensive research background and holds a PhD from the University of Sydney where she also works as a sessional academic. Alyce recently returned from a Fellowship in Athens, Greece where she pursued studies in ancient Greek history and archaeology, her other passion outside of mental health reform. Alyce is a passionate lived experience advocate and enjoys working in a sector that is values-driven and pushes for a trauma-informed and accessible.

Karen Cashman is a Wiradjuri woman and the Senior Aboriginal Research Manager for ReachOut Australia. Karen has a Master’s in Public Health, Postgraduate Degree in Social Health and Wellbeing and Advanced Diploma: Community management. Karen is the lead for the Aboriginal Social Emotional Wellbeing 'Meeting where you are' project at ReachOut and has been involved in research in the Aboriginal community for over the last 23 years.

Cath is Director of Research Development and Strategy at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, where she is also Program Director of an NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Prevention and Early Intervention in Mental Illness and Substance Use (PREMISE). She is Board Chair of TheMHS Learning Network, having been a Board Director since 2000.

As CEO of HelpingMinds, a Western Australian Mental Health and Carer Support organisation, Debbie brings her lived experience as a mental health carer in her leadership and is a passionate advocate seeking to find innovative ways to breakdown barriers of discrimination around mental ill health.

Mike is the Lived Experience Worker at headspace Bentleigh (which is part of Alfred Health), where he supports young people going through a tough time. Outside of this role, Mike is a youth advocate with the headspace Youth National Reference Group (hY NRG), which is made up of a diverse group of young people of varying ages, genders and cultural backgrounds. Mike joined the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) at headspace Hawthorn and Malvern because he enjoyed being among his peers in an exciting, friendly, and hopeful space. In this role, he created and facilitated different groups for young people, and promoted mental health literacy through workshops at schools. Mike has also graduated with his Bachelor's in Psychological Science at Swinburne University and is currently studying Psychology (Honours). He wants to remind young people that reaching out when times are tough is a sign of strength, and that the experiences we go through help to shape the people we are. Mike loves spending time with his dog, Sunny, listening to hip-hop and R&B music and going hiking. Mike comes from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background. Having been born in India, he moved to Australia when he was 6 years old.

Rosemary Clifford is MIEACTs Project Officer and a PhD Candidate in the School of Medicine and Psychology at the Australian National University (ANU). She obtained her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the ANU. In addition to her academic work, she works in mental health education and uses her lived experience to advocate for better mental health services in the ACT. In recognition of this work, she was awarded the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year award for 2020.

Jo Cole is a clinical psychologist and the Senior Manager of Therapeutic Services at Capital Region Community Services. She is an experienced leader, manager and clinical supervisor, with over 25 years’ experience in clinical, management, education project and leadership roles. She has experience managing clinical and allied health staff and services in the public, private and NGO sectors and supporting clinical placements and the development of early career professionals.

Jessica is an Occupational Therapist with over 15 years experience working in the area of complex inpatient mental health care.

Anita is a dynamic emerging Lived Experience leader, a dedicated project manager, and an emerging researcher, blending personal experience with professional insights. With proficiency in the latest co-design techniques, she excels as an effective communicator. Currently, she serves as the Lived Experience Coproduction and Engagement Lead at Wellways, where she has been instrumental in implementing Victorian Reform Programs. Notably, she has contributed to the operationalisation of the Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Services and the Peer Cadet Program. In addition, Anita is a Lived Experience Academic at La Trobe University.