MIFWA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chairperson
- Member of the Board
MIFWA has a special meaning and place for Ann
Ann has a long association with MIFWA, having been employed with the Schizophrenia Fellowship of WA (now renamed to MIFWA) as the Executive Officer in the mid-nineties. Ann became a member and Board Member of MIFWA in 2011, and commenced as President in 2014, having also previously served as Treasurer.
Through this association, MIFWA has a special meaning and place for Ann. She has a passionate belief in the values and commitment of MIFWA, and the aspiration that it can be the organisation that provides hope, the time and regard to listen, and a deep sense of care for the members and clients who use our services.
Ann has worked extensively within the community services sector in a variety of management positions and has served across a range of Boards, including the Health Consumers Council, Medical Board of WA, WAAMH, Fremantle Multicultural Centre, and as MIFWA's representative with the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia. As such, Ann brings significant organisational and influencing skills to the role as President, along with persistence, willingness to listen, courage speak up when required, financial literacy and a strong understanding of board governance.
Areas of expertise
Mental Health Sector Board Governance
Carolyn has worked in New Zealand and WA for the last 40yrs in disability and mental health field having trained as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand. For the last 20yrs she has worked in mental health sector as a clinician, in policy, planning and senior management positions in the Western Australian Country Health Service whilst living in the South West. Whilst living in the country she co-ordinated and lectured in the Cert IV Mental Health Program for 6 yrs at the South West Regional College of TAFE.
She has a strong commitment in mental health wellbeing and recovery having lived experience with close friends and relatives who have faced mental health challenges for many years. Carolyn brings to MIFWA sound clinical and health systems knowledge as well as a passion for person centred care in mental health services.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager Leading Our NDIS
Dawn Walton has over 30 years of dedicated service in the field of mental health and disability. As Business Development Manager she heads up MIFWA's NDIS Individualised Services.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Dawn's journey in the mental health and disability sector has been marked by a real commitment to empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Throughout her career, Dawn has demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health. Her role as a Business Development Manager involves shaping and enhancing NDIS Individualised Services to cater to the unique needs of each individual, reflecting her unwavering belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life.
Dawn's passion extends beyond her professional life, as she maintains a keen interest in UK politics, staying informed about the dynamics that shape societal well-being. As a grandmother, she brings an empathetic perspective to her work, understanding the importance of fostering a supportive environment for individuals and families.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Dawn finds joy in the simple things of life. She loves cooking, and delights in preparing meals that bring people together. She loves reading and finds solace and inspiration in the pages of a good book. Additionally, Dawn enjoys knitting and crocheting, which helps her unwind from the demands of her busy professional life but her spare time these days is mostly taken up spending time with her granddaughter.
In essence, Dawn Walton brings experiences, both professionally and personally, and is a compassionate advocate for mental health and a champion for the well-being of others.
Areas of expertise
Individualised Services Design Mental Health Leadership Local Area Coordination NDIS
Erin enjoys collaborating with others to bring ideas to life
Erin is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), communications and marketing professional experienced in building sustainable and meaningful stakeholder engagement programs creating genuine and lasting outcomes for corporates and community.
With a career over 25 years highlight includes roles at, Chevron Australia; Alcoa of Australia and Alcoa Foundation and The Australian. Erin has also consulted in CSR, communications and marketing to Community, Media, Utility, Services and Resource sectors.
Erin's work in managing CSR programs has won national and state awards - including the Prime Minister's Business Partnership award. Erin is experienced in bringing CSR programs to life. She has strong branding, marketing and communications experience across many industries and was responsible for a substantial rebrand campaign for The Australian. Early in her career Erin managed the European event tour for international identity Anthony Robbins.
Erin enjoys collaborating with others to bring ideas to life and is passionate about learning and trying new things. She is married with a son.
Areas of expertise
Communications Marketing
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Marketing), Curtin University of Technology, WA Masters of Business Administration (MBA), University of Western Australia
Gianni was born in Perth WA, from Italian parents who migrated here in the 1950's. He has a lived experience of mental health challenges, getting unwell early in life.
In the last 20 years Gianni has gone back to studying, which is his proudest achievement, and completed his mature age Tertiary Entrance Exam in 2001-2002, then completed two degrees - a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Italian, receiving a Mentoring award for mentoring other students at UWA, and secondly, a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts degree at Edith Cowan University, majoring in Photomedia.
Gianni's main areas of interest are photography, computers, reading, movies and going for walks. He is a West Coast Eagles member as well as a member of the Vincent Men's Shed and the WA Camera Club and attends the Lorikeet Centre on a regular basis.
Areas of expertise
Lived Experience
Qualifications
Bachelor of Contemporary Arts Bachelor of Arts
Jeff brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in the natural resources and investment sectors, helping build numerous companies both domestically and internationally. Most recently, he was the CEO of a Singapore-based private equity firm concentrating on upstream commodities linked to the energy and battery metals industries. Since returning to Perth, Jeff has taken on various non-executive roles and provides consulting advice, particularly to start-ups.
Jeff's passion for mental health advocacy commenced over a decade ago when he participated in his first Hawaiian Ride for Youth cycling event, raising funds for a local NFP organisation. He has since completed 10 rides, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to the cause. Jeff firmly believes that everyone has a right to happiness and should have the opportunity to live full and meaningful lives, making him a strong advocate of MIFWA's mission.
Areas of expertise
Strategy Commercial Risk Finance Investment Governance
Qualifications
BE, University of Western Australia Master of Business Administration, University of Western Australia Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Job Titles:
- Peer Program & Practice Lead
Kerri Callaghan is our Peer Program & Practice Lead providing leadership and guidance to the Team Leaders of MIFWA's Peer Programs, with a focus on collaborations, co-design, and mentoring individuals with lived mental health experience. She also builds partnerships for MIFWA within the health and mental health sectors, developing new peer program initiatives and strengthening MIFWA's peer framework for staff and participants.
Kerri has been with MIFWA for more than eight years, beginning her journey in our Parent Peer Program. She says it is a privilege to have the opportunity to use her lived experience to support others and contribute to the development of meaningful peer-led initiatives.
As Peer Program & Practice Lead, she promotes peer work principles, gathers stakeholder feedback, drives innovation, and adapts practices to meet emerging needs and best practices. These efforts ensure MIFWA's peer programs remain impactful and relevant, fostering recovery and wellness across our community.
Outside of work, Kerri volunteers with the No One Dies Alone Companion (NODAC) program, offering compassionate support to individuals in their final moments. She also cherishes spending time with her amazing daughters, who inspire her every day.
Areas of expertise
Peer Leadership and Program Development Lived Experience Mentoring Stakeholder Engagement
Qualifications
IPS-trained in Intentional Peer Support Diploma in Community Services Certificate IV in Mental Health Dare to Leadâ„¢ Trained
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- CEO of Australian Inclusion Group
For more than 30 years, Leanne has been involved in the lives of people with disability and their families, and people who have been marginalised by society.
Leanne is the CEO of Australian Inclusion Group, and previously served as the CEO of WA's Individualised Services for more than 11 years. She a strong leader and skilled mediator with extensive experience providing strategic, governance, operational and practical advice. She also mentors and supports individuals and families to build their capacity, and supports organisations particularly around self-directed, individualised services.
Marija is an experienced executive with a passion for healthcare and community organisations. She has over 20 years of experience in providing human resources, operational and strategic advice across a variety of industries in WA.
With strong business acumen, Marija brings expertise in organisational development, stakeholder management, and mergers and acquisitions. Currently with Southern Cross Care WA, Marija provides support and direction on all things people and business.
Monique Williamson is CEO of MIFWA, a member organisation of the national organisation Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA).
Monique has a Masters in Social Change and Development and has worked in community services since 1990, in both the NGO and public sectors in WA. She spent the past decade in senior sector development roles including with the peak body National Disability Services and as an executive director of the Disability Service Commission.
As MIFWA's CEO, Monique works alongside people and their families, staff, volunteers and the Board of Management to develop and implement support and services for people experiencing mental health challenges. Monique has a long standing interest in working alongside individuals and families to co-design effective support and services.
Qualifications
Masters in Social Change and Development
Paul is an experienced values based professional and leader with over 25 years' broad technology consulting, strategy, engineering and project management experience within the oil & gas, mining, rail, transport, ports, telecommunications, utilities, aged care, and local government sectors.
Paul joined the board of MIFWA in December 2023 having recently worked in the aged care sector with the board of SwanCare.
Paul is passionate about contributing to create innovative strategic solutions to achieve competitive advantage and ensuring MIFWA meets the emerging needs of the community and deliver on its vision to realise the potential of all Western Australians to recover from mental health challenges, to maintain good mental health, and to live a meaningful life in their community.
Areas of expertise
Strategy and innovation Leadership Governance and compliance Financial management Risk management Stakeholder management Business development Technology Cyber and electronic security Project management Commercial Engineering
Qualifications
Fellow Australian Institute of Management (FAIM) Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) Master of Business Administration (MBA), UWA Diploma of Project Management Diploma of Technology (Electronic Engineering)
Pauline is a finance professional with over 30 years' experience in finance, treasury and tax. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she works closely with Boards and has been on various working groups and sub-committees.
After starting her career in tax and business advisory services, she moved into commerce. After roles with Watershed Premium Wines and NearMap, she spent over 14 years as Head of Finance for Capricorn Society, a member based organisation providing financial services to the automotive aftermarket. Pauline has recently been appointed Financial Controller of Edge Visionary Living, providing luxury apartment construction and development in Perth WA.
Job Titles:
- Program Leader, Carers, Families and Supporters
Sam first joined MIFWA in 2009 after seeking supports in her caring role for family members with mental health challenges. Since 2010 Sam has developed training, processes and built in connection to sustain the MIFWA carer peer workforce. Sam aims to represent the voices of family carers and seeks to encourage collaborative practices for families in the mental health sector.
Job Titles:
- East Area Manager - East Individualised Services