Admin team
Emma Healey
Emma Healey
Director / General Manager
LLB(Hons) Newc
After qualifying in Law in the 1990s, Emma transitioned into Healthcare Management. Having managed numerous GP surgeries, managed clinical services with GP Commissioning groups, and provided contract consultancy services to the Department of Health and NHS University, she joined Community Audits Australia in 2020. Emma has successfully completed the NDIS Auditors course and enjoys the complexities and challenges of her role on a daily basis, with her greatest passion being to help Providers through their audit journey.
Berre Birkandan
Berre Birkandan
Customer Relations Officer
Berre started her career within the banking industry, completed her studies in an Advanced Diploma in Banking and Finance, and worked with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, in the customer service sector for 13 years.
After an extended career break to have and raise her family, Berre was very eager to return to the workforce and commenced with Community Audits Australia in February 2023 in a customer relations role which is her passion.
Berre strives to help people achieve their goals and has a passion for learning and further developing her skills.
Hayley Clark
Hayley Clark
Admin Assistant
Hayley has over 13 years’ experience within the Real Estate Industry, from Property Manager’s Assistant through to Office Manager and everything in between. She has worked in many different locations and with different demographics throughout Australia due to her husband’s job in the RAAF.
After some time off on maternity leave, Hayley realised she wanted to do more to help and felt that the health industry was the way forward, and she decided to study again. She is currently undertaking her Bachelor of Health Science to find her way in the “Health World” and help her decide on which avenue she will take. She has an interest in neurology and oncology along with occupational therapy. Her studies will provide depth and understanding in her role within CAA.
Esteban Luengo
Esteban Luengo
Admin Assistant
My name is Esteban Luengo, and I began my career in 2012 at Sanytrans, where I served as a Transportation Manager, managing a team of transportation professionals, and notably, I played a key role in overseeing the transportation and logistics operations for the world’s largest copper producer, CODELCO, on the Chuquicamata mine project in Chile.
After moving to Australia, I transitioned into the hospitality industry and in May 2021, I was part of the exceptional dining experience at Rockpool Bar and Grill Sydney, ranked the eighth-best steak restaurant in the world.
In January 2022, I joined Apple as a Sales Specialist, where I was responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences. At Apple, I learned the importance of putting the customer first, delivering unparalleled service, and being part of a team dedicated to making a positive impact.
Currently, I am working as a Marketing and Customer Relations Officer at CAA and in this role, I am responsible for the company’s social media presence, marketing materials, market share development, creating and fostering effective customer and auditor relationships, communicating effectively and achieving results.
In all my endeavours, I am driven by a passion for achieving excellence and delivering exceptional customer service. I am excited to continue growing and developing the success of the team at Community Audits Australia.
Bernard McNair
Bernard McNair
Clinical Quality Manager / Director
RN, BNursing, GradDipNM, FRCNA
Bernard is an experienced General Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, and holds a Graduate Diploma in Nursing Management. Bernard holds current Nursing Registration. Bernard has held several senior positions including Group Manager, Operations Manager, Clinical Adviser, and Director of Nursing in both public and private sectors.
From 2004 to 2016 Bernard was the co-owner of a disability and community services provider with operations from Canberra to Townsville.
Bernard holds the following fellowships/memberships: Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, New South Wales College of Nursing, Institute of Nursing Administrators of NSW and ACT, and the Royal College of Nursing Australia.
Bernard has also held several Board Memberships including NISAD, SANE Australia, and the National Mental Health Council Australia. From 2016 to 2018 Bernard was Director of a not- for- profit mental health and disability service that offered services all along the Eastern seaboard of Australia.
Bernard is the Principal of Bernard McNair Consulting Services-an independent consulting service that focuses on the provision of disability services, community services, mental health services and certification across the community sector.
Bernard is an Expert Reviewer certified by the Health Care Complaints Commission, Management Systems Auditing, Quality Management Systems, and Leading Management Systems Audit Teams by SAI Global. Bernard has completed the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s auditor training on requirements of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Guidelines 2018 in addition to completing requirements for auditing the Queensland Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF).
Audit team
Evelyn Clinton
Evelyn Clinton
Evelyn holds a Master’s degree in Health Services Management and Diplomas in Work Health and Safety, Business, Business Management and Business Marketing.
Evelyn’s working career includes her service as a Queensland Ambulance Officer and working roles within Pharmacy, in both dispensary and home care. She has managed multiple Retirement Villages and Home Care services for various providers and has worked in aged care in Human Services, WHS and Training management roles.
Evelyn co-owns a Registered Training Organisation and is a qualified Trainer Assessor across various disciplines including the health and WHS sectors.
Evelyn has served on the Mackay District Health Council (3-year term) and is an ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
Skills include Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Disability. TAE40116 – Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Diploma in Work Health and Safety, and JP (Qual).
Christine Coombs
Christine Coombs
RN, BNursing, GradDipNM, FRCNA
Chris’ experience as a Senior Manager and Director of Nursing and Midwifery has encompassed three distinct settings: a small hospital, a large base hospital and significant periods of secondments as District Director of Nursing, Executive Support to the Area Director of Nursing, General Manager of a service and Area Director of Nursing and now a consultant to health services. Within these settings, Chris has worked with and managed a variety of services and service providers during a period of unprecedented change.
Chris is very much aware of the differing cultures and needs of service providers and organisations during both turbulent and stable times. She has a good understanding of the interface between health and the community it services
As a Health, Disability, Aged Care and Management Consultant, Chris brings many years of industry experience to the market. In the last eight years she has entered the auditing world and brings a wealth of experience to meet the requirements of a Lead Auditor.
Julie Dorans
Julie Dorans
BEd(Primary), BEd(Secondary), GradDipEd(Inclusive Support), Cert IV (Training and Assessment).
Julie Dorans gained her professional qualifications as a Teacher Infants/ Primary from the University of Wollongong in 1981. Julie also has a Bachelor of Education and Graduate Diploma of Special Education gained through study at Wollongong University and Charles Sturt University respectively. Julie also has Training and Assessment certification and has qualifications in Management, Person Centred Training, Motivational Interviewing, Project Management and Counselling.
Julie moved into the area of disability services after teaching and has extensive experience in the government and non- government sectors in various roles including Manager, Casework Consultant, Case Manager and Support Co Ordinator.
Julie has worked across government agencies including ADHC and FACS (DOCS) as a Disability Consultant in the lead up to the roll out of the NDIS in NSW.
Julie completed training for ADHC staff in her role as Casework Consultant and worked across the sector identifying gaps in disability services and developing and implementing Early Intervention projects with government and non government partners.
Julie has come to auditing in 2018 and is trained in Health and Disability Standards in 2017, HSQF and ACIS in 2018 and also completed the new NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Auditor training in July 2018.
Julie lives in Gerroa on the beautiful south coast of NSW and has lived on the coast since attending university.
Debbie Fairburn
Debbie Fairburn
RN, BNursing, BEd(Training and Adult Education)
Debbie progressed to developing, coordinating, and implementing an aged care and community training programme for a large residential and community care organisation in Queensland. Debbie moved to New Zealand in 2008 and worked in human resource management and quality advisory roles for a rest home and hospital in Auckland, as well as a providing inpatient and community palliative care as a casual registered nurse. Debbie continues to maintain her clinical skills and knowledge through ongoing education and professional development to maintain her nursing practicing certificate.
Debbie is experienced in auditing health, community, NDIS 2018, ISO 9001: 2015 standards, ACIS 2018 and has also completed the new Australian Community Industry Standards 4.0 in January 2022. Debbie has been auditing various quality standard across Australia and New Zealand since June 2010.
Throughout her nursing and auditing career, Debbie has developed and implemented quality systems for aged care and community organisations. Debbie moved back to live in Australia in January 2018 and now lives on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung/ (Bunurong) people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation.
Kathy Ferguson
Kathy Ferguson
RN, BNursing, GradDipHSM.
Kathy Ferguson is a Registered General Nurse with a current practicing certificate and holds a Graduate Diploma in Health Service Management. Kathy has 40 years’ experience working in the NSW public health system and retired from full time work in 2017.
During her career Kathy worked in both acute and community health sectors in clinical and senior executive management roles.
Kathy has extensive experience and knowledge in compliance; quality and safety; policy development; governance; risk management; strategic and operational planning; and system and process development to improve outcomes for individuals and the community.
Kathy holds qualifications in auditing and has completed the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Auditor and NSQHS Standards (2ND Edition) Assessor Orientation Courses. Kathy has been auditing disability services since 2018.
Sheila Frater
Sheila Frater
BNursing, DipAppSc, AdvDipCSM, AdvDipWHS, CertGovernance.
A Lead Auditor since 2017, Sheila is a qualified health and disability services auditor (NZQA Standard 8086) of six years and was a member of the NDIS Audit Pilot Team. Currently Sheila is accredited to assess organisational performance against:
• National Disability Insurance Scheme Practice Standards 2018
• Australian Community Industry Standards (ACIS 2018)
Sheila has a lifetime career in both nursing and disability sectors and is a graduate of the University of Wollongong (B. Nursing, Dip. Applied Science) with additional undergraduate qualifications (Adv. Dip. Community Services Management, Adv. Dip. Work Health and Safety, Cert. Governance).
Maintaining her clinical skills working in both public and private hospitals, Sheila has, since 1985 focussed on her work with people who have a disability and seek care and support, with experience and special interest in people who have complex health / behaviour support needs. Disability positions have included clinical, line and executive management roles in specialist disability accommodation, community support services and quality performance.
Sheila has served as director on disability organisation and peak body Boards and as an independent professional representative on a peak body risk and audit committee. As a consultant, Sheila assists community organisations to build quality management systems and assess their readiness to meet Quality Standards and conducts independent incident investigations.
Kolade Giwa
Kolade Giwa
MD, MPH.
Kolade is a Public Health and Program Management Specialist with a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Manchester (UK) and over 20 years demonstrated progressive Program management, Audit, Enterprise risk management and Corporate Governance experience in both the public and private (including not for profit organisations) sectors.
As part of his professional development, Kolade has attended certificate courses in Leadership, Audit, Quality Management Systems, Enterprise Risk Management, Corporate and Clinical Governance.
Kolade has a good understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and worked with 2 NDIS service providers over a 5year period both at Operational and Assurance levels providing practice uplift support including the development of simplified process flow diagrams for key processes, development training guides, facilitation of capacity building sessions and conducting internal audits of the Disability, Aged Care, Mental Health, Children,
Youth and Family programmes, all with good quality outcomes and Audit Ready Always status.
Prior to Kolade’s NDIS experience, he spent over 10years working with an American NGO – Family Health International (FHI360) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) where he managed multiple donor funded health portfolios providing treatment and psychosocial services to over 100,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Kolade is the Director of a best practice management advisory company – Potter’s Touch Pty Ltd based in Darwin Australia.
Daria Hashemizadeh
Daria Hashemizadeh
Daria holds a Masters degree in Organisational and Life Coaching from the University of Sydney and an undergraduate degree in Psychology. For the last 15 years, using her coaching skills in the social sector has always been a focus of her, ensuring that people are supported to achieve the goals that they set for themselves.
Daria has worked in large organisations in the disability sector, setting a focus on ensuring that client experience, quality services, and values driven practices are at the core of organisational decision making and strategy. She has a thorough understanding of the NDIS, having worked within the system since the introduction of the trial sides.
Her skills and knowledge are in education and training, business development, and the implementation of processes and structures.
Jim Holland
Jim Holland
BSocSc
Jim is an experienced auditor with an impressive background in management and service provision stemming over fifty years. Jim holds a Bachelor of Social Science and is passionate about supporting human rights for all.
For much of his career Jim has worked in the social welfare and health sectors where he enjoyed a diversity of challenges. His experience includes working with young offenders, adolescents at risk, people living with a disability or mental health issue and drug and alcohol addiction. For the past twenty or more years Jim has lived and worked in the Northern Territory where he established an integrated support service for Child Protection, aged, disability and mental health.
Following this Jim was the Regional Coordinator for Family and Children’s Services in Central Australia. Later he was appointed as the Director of Anglicare NT in Central Australia. During this period Jim provided a number of support services in Alice Springs for people living with a disability and mental health issues and worked with the SA Government to set up services in two far North SA Communities dealing with volatile substance abuse.
Today, Jim is the Principal of his own consultancy business, an auditor, and an appointed Community Visitor under the NT Mental Health Act and the NT Disability Services Act.
Antony Jaeger
Antony Jaeger
BSc(Psychology), MMT(Community)
Antony has worked in management and leadership roles in the disability sector, across non profit and government for over 20 years.
Currently Antony is accredited to assess organisational performance against:
National Disability Insurance Scheme Practice Standards 2018, Australian Community Industry Standards (ACIS V4.0 2021)
Starting in direct support, then moving into management, service delivery, policy and then into the quality arena, he brings an in depth understanding of the disability sector, experience providing individualised support and meeting client outcomes, and navigating the breadth of organisational compliance and audit requirements. Antony has comprehensive experience in Behaviour Intervention Support, leading a team of clinicians, and implementing client focused BIS programs.
He was part of the development of individualised and self managed funding models pre-NDIS, then worked on the LAC rollout of the NDIS in NSW. He was also the lead project manager for NDIS transition for a large nonprofit from State based funding to the NDIS.
With a background and Masters qualifications in Community Management, he brings an understanding of both the organisational challenges and opportunities, and the requirements of government and audit standards to demonstrate real outcomes for people being supported.
As a collaborative and solution focused consultant, he works with a community organisation to embed quality systems and improve client focus..
Kelli Mason
Kelli Mason
Kelli holds a Diploma in Human Resources, Leadership & Management and Auditing.
For the last 10 years Kelli has been in Senior Management roles and is also a partner in a large NDIS Registered organisation.
Kelli has extensive experience and knowledge in Human Resources, Quality & Compliance, Safety & Risk Management, Policy/Procedures, Governance, Risk management, Operational planning and also Support Work.
Kelli has worked in many industries – Banking, Engineering, Distribution, Manufacturing, Community Services and the NDIS.
Dr. Nicole McKenzie
Dr. Nicole McKenzie
RN, B Nursing, MPH, PGradDipCN (Critical Care), PhD
Dr Nicole Mckenzie (PhD) is a Senior Research Officer and completed a PhD in the Prehospital, Resuscitation and Emergency Care Research Unit (PRECRU) at Curtin University, Western Australia and holds an adjunct research position in the Intensive Care Unit of Royal Perth Hospital. Nicole has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing (Critical Care) and Master of Public Health.
Nicole has worked in health care accreditation since 2014, across a range of health care facilities from primary care to tertiary hospitals. She is qualified to work across different sets of standards including QIC Health and Community Services, Standards for Health Services in Prison, National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, National Standards for Mental Health Services and National Disability Insurance Scheme Standards.
Nicole has spent a number of years working within the custodial environment which gave her an appreciation of broader public health issues. She joined the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, Independent Visitors Program, as a volunteer in 2018 to maintain this connection.
Nicole’s current research aims to describe post-resuscitation care of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients and identify factors that may improve patient survival and neurological outcome. Her motivation to complete this research is her first born daughter Madeleine, who is herself an OHCA survivor.
Kerrie McLean
Kerrie McLean
Kerrie has worked at a school for students ages K-12 with significant intellectual and/or physical disabilities for over 30 years and is competent using alternative communication systems such as PODD, Proloquo2go and Key Word Signing.
She has seen the changes the introduction of the NDIS has brought about to improve the quality of lives for the children and their families by allowing them better, and for some access for the first time, to the services of allied health professionals, and how their services were able to be integrated into their school life as well as at home.
Kerrie decided that she would like to help these children and adults with a disability to find and utilise the services they need through the NDIS and started studying and completed her Lead Auditor Quality Managements training ISO 9001 in March of 2021, NDIS Approved Quality Auditor Training in August 2021 and more recently attended the ACIS 4.0 Auditor Training in December 2021.
While 2021 was a very busy year with all of this study Kerrie is now looking forward to an equally busy future with CAA assisting NDIS providers to help participants gain maximum benefit from their NDIS Plans.
Fiona Montgomery
Fiona Montgomery
RN.
Fiona is a Registered Comprehensive Nurse (Ahpra). She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood and Promotion of Family and Community Health. She has held senior management roles including Regional Manager, Facility Manager and Program Manager.
Fiona has worked as Facility Manager in an aged care residential facility in Perth; and as a Program Manager for a disability and rehabilitation service in Perth. She has worked as a Clinical Nurse Consultant and Clinical Auditor within mental health and addiction services in New Zealand. She has held the role of Regional Manager and child health nurse for Whānau Āwhina Plunket, (a child and family community health service) in New Zealand.
Fiona is a Lead Auditor and reviewer and has been auditing since 2018. She has completed auditor training for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), ACIS, ISO 9001:2015 and 2018, HSQF and Healthcare Auditing Qualifications in Management Systems Auditing.
Ken Moore
Ken Moore
BArts, MHP.
Danielle Northey
Danielle Northey
BEd, PostGradBEd(Special Education)
Danielle is a qualified disability services auditor (ISO 9001 QMS), she is accredited to assess organisational performance against the National Disability Insurance Scheme Practice Standards 2018.
As a Special Education teacher for 25 years with the Department of Education, Danielle has a Bachelor of Education and a Post Graduate Bachelor of Special Education. She has extensive experience teaching, working with and supporting students with significant disability and their families , with specific interest and experience with autism, mental health and behaviour support needs.
Over the last 17 years, Danielle has specialised as a Transition Support Teacher, supporting students with disability, their families/carers and their teachers, to create goals and transition plans and connect to external supports.
Danielle initiated and coordinated the Links For Life Disability Expo in Tamworth for 12 years.
She has sat on the Disability Advisory Working Group for Tamworth Regional Council for the past 5 years and is currently sitting on the Master of Disability Practice Course Advisory Board for the University of New England.
Dennis Pfitzner
Dennis Pfitzner
Dennis holds a degree in Marketing/Communications and held numerous senior management and consulting roles in Marketing and Organisational Development, overseas and in Australia. His main
experience is in international retail and healthcare, in both, the private and the public service.
Dennis is a skilled and certified facilitator and passionate about developing organisations with a diverse workforce and disciplines. He is the owner of HEADLANDS Integrated Performance Design, a
business consultancy service that is specialised on process design and alignment, people management and communication.
Dennis is a certified Lead Auditor Quality Management Systems, a certified Auditor – NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the Australian Community Industry Standards.
Annette Symes
Annette Symes
RN, BHSc(Nursing), MNMBA.
Annette is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) who has worked in a number of senior executive positions in the Hospital and Healthcare sectors in Australia.
Annette has held various Executive Director, Chief Executive, and General Manager Roles within these sectors. Most recently as Executive Director Nursing, Midwifery and Aboriginal Health and previously as Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery, Northern NSW Local Health District.
Annette is currently the owner of Health Management Matters-a consultancy service relating to health services review, service assessment and planning, auditing, investigations, and mentoring. Annette is a certified Lead Auditor-Quality Management Systems, a certified Auditor-NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, a Registered Nurse, Member of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and has held positions on various high-level strategic groups including Audit Committee, Board Membership, and Co-Chair’s.
Susan Walker
Susan Walker
Bachelor of Nursing, Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, Nurse Immunizer, Diploma of Auditing, Diploma of Leadership & Management, Diploma of Business, Certificate 4 TAE, Advanced first aid & Advance life Support, NDIS, NSQHS ASICS & ACQSC Certification.
With more than 27 years working in Health covering both metropolitan and rural based health services, I have developed exceptional clinical skills in all areas from acute care, as a Registered Nurse, Midwife, Clinical Nurse Midwife Specialist, Nurse & Clinical Educator roles including Team leader & Management. I have worked in both education and teaching for over 10 years focusing on hospital-based education, aged care & disability nursing for NSW HEALTH, Tafe NSW, and Registered training organisations.
These experiences saw me identify my genuine desire to contribute to health education, compliance, and accreditation. My risk management mindset was developed further as I worked on projects that required data analysis and research skills and delivered evidence-based quality improvement activities requiring in-depth knowledge of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. This, in tandem with my nursing and midwifery experience allows me to evaluate and assess the efficiency and compliance of workplace processes.
As an experienced health care provider, I have well developed knowledge of the Accreditation process, as well as demonstrated compliance-based critical thinking, integrity, and a high level of attention to detail. These qualities, combined with my exceptional interpersonal and communication skills demonstrate my ability to deliver strong technical report writing, recording clinical notes, accreditation reporting, student assessments and content development and delivery.
Amanda Ginger
Amanda Ginger
Qualifications here.
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Aurora Lukass
Aurora Lukass
Qualifications here.
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Maria Wiechers
Maria Wiechers
GAICD MBA MA.
I enjoy contributing towards a positive assessment approach. I am a well-rounded assessor with practical experience and knowledge.
I have over 30 years of experience in Governance and Management in the public and private sector including Disability Services, Aged Care and Mental Health with Councils, Local Government Area’s, NFPs, NGOs and Communities. I commenced my career in The Netherlands as a Project, Product and Financial Manager in a corporate environment in organisational change, knowledge management, business transformation and performance improvement (Balanced Scorecard).
I gained valuable insight into the NDIS, working as a Consultant and Senior Planner within the NDIA. Prior to this role I worked as a Case Manager in Disability Services, Mental Health and Aged Care.
My qualifications include Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Diploma of Quality Auditing, Lead Auditor Qualifications, Certificate IV Building & Construction, Certificate IV Aged Care & Community Services.
Boost your business tomorrow, invest in an audit with CAA today.
