Staff

Robert Stirling DrPH, Chief Executive Officer

Robert (he/him) plays a key role in supporting member services in AOD and public health policy, advocacy, planning and funding, research and evaluation, performance and compliance, accreditation and quality improvement, governance, and sector and workforce development. Robert has worked in the AOD sector for almost 20 years, and holds qualifications in public health and community management. His doctorate explored performance measurement of NSW non-government AOD treatment services. Contact Robert Stirling.

Chris Keyes, Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Chris (she/her) plays a key role in organisational development and lead on AOD sector policy and advocacy. Chris has 20 years’ experience across government and non-government healthcare settings in Australia and the UK, including occupational therapy, mental health and peak body positions. She also brings a background in organisational leadership, planning and performance, workforce development and commissioning. Chris holds qualifications in occupational therapy, project management and community sector management. Contact Chris Keyes.

Sarah Etter, Clinical Director

Sarah provides clinical leadership for the non-government AOD sector in line with NADA’s strategic direction, and also informs workforce strategies, policies and evidence based practice. Sarah has over ten years’ experience working in the AOD sector, both overseas and in Australia, in residential and community based services, and across government and non-government organizations. She holds a master’s degree in social work and is a member of the Australia Association of Social Workers. Contact Sarah Etter.

Michelle Ridley, Senior Program Manager - Workforce Development

Michelle provides NADA and its members with workforce development, clinical advice and advocacy support. Contact Michelle to learn more about workforce and peer workforce development activities, responding to DFV in the AOD treatment context, access and equity to AOD services, enhancing cross sector partnerships and consumer participation. Michelle has lived experience of AOD use and accessing treatment. She holds qualifications in training and assessment, psychology, criminology and a Masters in Social Science in addictive behaviours. Michelle is passionate about enhancing the peer workforce and living and lived experience participation across the AOD sector. Contact Michelle Ridley.

Raechel Wallace, Aboriginal Program Manager

Raechel provides NADA and its members with advice and guidance regarding culturally appropriate practice alongside Aboriginal people who work in, or are seeking assistance from, AOD treatment. Raechel’s mob is the Wandi Wandian people of the Yuin nation. Raechel has worked in the AOD sector for the past 15 years primarily supporting Aboriginal people. Her background includes service management, project management and workforce support. Contact Raechel Wallace.

Tata de Jesus, Program Manager

Tata provides NADA and its members with NADAbase support, specifically around learning and development on data collection, reporting and analysis. Tata also works on the CALD project, which seeks to enhance the experiences of CALD clients accessing AOD treatment. Tata comes from a project administration and management background with experience in Australia and overseas. She holds a bachelor degree in international studies. Contact Tata de Jesus.

Hannah Gillard, Project Coordinator

Hannah (they/them) is non-binary and bi+, and manages projects for NADA. Contact Hannah if you would like to join or learn more about: the Youth AOD Network, the Women’s AOD Network and/or the Gender and Sexuality Diverse AOD Worker Network. Hannah is also the contact point for NADA’s Policy Toolkit and Reconciliation Action Plan, which are being developed with staff and stakeholders. Contact Hannah Gillard.

Alice Guirguis, Project Support Officer

Alice is responsible for event planning and project support, as well as training grant administration. She also provides general secretariat support to the NADA Practice Leadership Group. Members can contact her with event or training grant queries. Alice comes from a human security/international relations background, and is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in social work. Contact Alice Guirguis.

Mei Lin Lee PhD, Senior Research Officer

Mei Lin provides NADA and its members with research and ethics support. She also supports best practice governance of NADAbase data, in coordination with the NADA Data and Research Advisory Group. Mei Lin comes from a clinical pharmacist and public health background. She holds a Ph.D. from the Center for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW Sydney. Contact Mei Lin.

Jennifer Uzabeaga, Consumer Engagement Coordinator

Jennifer assists member services to assess their level of consumer participation initiatives and advise and support them to improve existing initiatives and/or develop new ones. She is also responsible for ensuring that NADA’s programs and service has input from people with living / lived experience, and for supporting our consumer groups and network. She has experience working in frontline AOD services and is working towards a degree in social science. Contact Jennifer Lucas.

Sharon Lee, Communications Officer

Responsible for NADA’s communications, Sharon’s activities include strategy, marketing and promotion, brand management and publications. She is also a member of the advocacy subcommittee. Contact Sharon if you would like to contribute to Frontline or the Advocate. Sharon holds qualifications in public health, marketing and visual art, and is driven to create positive health and social change. Contact Sharon Lee.

Maricar Navarro, Operations Manager

Maricar (Maz) is responsible for office management, human resources, finance support, executive/secretariat support for the NADA Board of Directors, and coordinating functions in relation to operations and corporate events. She leads NADA’s accreditation process, providing oversight of continuous quality improvement systems. Members can contact her for quality improvement and membership enquiries. Maricar holds qualifications in business and management, human resources, and visual communications. Contact Maricar Navarro.

Jo Murphy, Administration and Project Support Officer

Jo is responsible for administrative duties, accounts, incoming enquiries, and provides secretariat support for a range of NADA networks. Members can contact her to upload job vacancies to the NADA website, and also for account and general enquiries. Jo holds qualifications in politics and international relations. Contact Jo Murphy.

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