MY WAY - Key Persons
Aker holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting and Management. She previously worked as a school finance officer before joining My Way. Aker also has extensive experience in support work, working within mental health and other disability sectors.
Akoi Chol - NDIS Service Coordinator Other Languages Spoken: Dinka Akoi comes from a Carer role in both Aged Care and Disability services. With her previous experiences working within the Disability sector, Akoi has been able to learn about the NDIS and bring knowledge to the team about better support and advocating for our participants. As a new Service Coordinator, Akoi is passionate about ensuring that participants have choice and control in reaching their goals, by ensuring each participant is supported with a specialised team that can assist in achieving that goal.
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Certified Practicing Accountant
Akuol Akuein is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). Her other qualifications include Bachelor of Business and Commerce majoring in Accounting from Western Sydney University, Advance Diploma of Accounting from Australian Business Academy, Tax Agent Skillset from Reality College of Commerce. Akuol has over ten years of experience in accounting and business services. Akuol is a finance Manager in the My Way Disability Services and Aged Care Inc.
Job Titles:
- Physiotherapist
- Allied Health Manager
Allison is a Physiotherapist, experienced in the private practice, community and the aged care sectors. Graduating from Melbourne's La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy practice, she has over six years' experience in the industry.
Over the past three years, Allison has also been involved in Clinical Education, Clinical Coaching and Allied Health Management. Allison is also in the process of completing her Post Graduate Master's Degree in Women's Health Physiotherapy.
As the Allied Health Manager at My Way, Allison brings extensive knowledge and experience.
Job Titles:
- Referral and Support Coordination Team Leader
Cynthia has a wide range of knowledge and experience from working in the disability in the disability and aged care sector, for over 10years. She is passionate about community service and enjoys assisting people from culturally and linguistically diverse background to better navigate support services funded by NDIS.
As a referral Coordinator, she is normally the first contact. She collects and reviews information of participants background and referral needs on behalf of various services offered by My Way.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Principal
- Registered Clinical Supervisor and Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner / Other Languages Spoken: Mandarin
Deb is a Registered Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. She supports clients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions, where she undertakes clinical assessments and observations, develops behaviour therapy support plans, provides behavioural therapy, and provides recommendations to clients, families and their support networks within a multidisciplinary team, in support of increasing clients' quality of life. She has been working as a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and Specialist Support Coordinator, where she works with clients across the lifespan experiencing barriers in their recovery journey, impacted by past trauma, Complex-PTSD, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorders.
Deb currently works primarily with caseload of pediatric clients and collaborates with their families and the school system in providing clinical recommendations to assist with increasing the clients' quality of life and develop adaptive coping strategies to increase their sense of empowerment in their lives.
She received an Award Nomination in 2021 with the WA Department of Communities (Psychosocial Recovery Coaching - Emerging Leader Category) for her work with clients and their families.
Deb is also a Registered Clinical Supervisor and Registered Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist. Deb has had extensive experience in the mental health counselling space, in both agencies and in private practice. She has provided counselling services for complex and single-incident trauma, in drug and alcohol and life transitions, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. She has worked in the mental health disability space in the area of psychosocial recovery coaching and is involved in Clinical Assessments and Treatment Planning with clients diagnosed with mental health diagnosis, and neurodevelopmental conditions. She is an empathetic and person-centred mental health clinician who believes in empowering the individual to have their needs and goals supported. Deb possesses postgraduate qualifications in counselling including a Master of Counselling and has been trained in Complex Trauma as a Clinical Complex Trauma Specialist. She has also recently received her clinical certification training as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, to deliver Trauma-informed neurodiversity affirming therapy for clients with Autism & ADHD.
Having gained experience in various agencies in the counselling space, Deb is a principal and director of an established counselling private practice and provides counselling and psychotherapy to clients across the lifespan.
Job Titles:
- President of the Board
- Doctor
- Fellow in Health Systems at the Australian National University
Garang is a doctor with experience in clinical medicine, public policy, and healthcare consultancy. He was trained at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinical School, and worked in health services across Australia. He has contributed to research which impacted national policy in Australia, and has engaged in international health advocacy at the United Nations in New York.
Garang is a Fellow in Health Systems at the Australian National University and has been Policy Fellow at Australia's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In 2012, he was John Manson Visiting Scholar at St. Stephen's Hospital in New Delhi, India, and has experience evaluating and scaling health services across settings of varying resources. He has been a mentor on healthcare innovation initiatives, including for the University of Oxford based European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Health PhD translation fellows, and HCL-Microsoft Better Health Hackathon. He has guest-lectured at professional conferences, including the biennial Melbourne-Harvard Festival of Ideas and University of Oxford's Technology & Management Centre for Development. He has been interviewed for The Age, Herald Sun, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Garang is John Monash Scholar, and was Frank Knox Fellow at Harvard University, Saïd Foundation Scholar at the University of Oxford, and an officer of the renowned Oxford Union. In 2007, he was named Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar by the University of Melbourne, and was VMIAL Scholar at Ormond College, University of Melbourne. He holds Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBiomedSc) from Monash University, Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Melbourne, Master of Public Health (MPH) from Harvard University, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Oxford. He is also a Fellow of Leadership Victoria's acclaimed Williamson Leadership Program.
Job Titles:
- Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach
Erin, began her journey in the field of youth work at TAFE, where she successfully completed both a Certificate IV and a Diploma in Youth Work. Erin's passion for this field led her to further her education pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Youth Work with Psychology as an elective study. And then has plans for postgraduate studies with a focus on social work to enhance her knowledge and skills even further.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Erin is actively engaged in practical experience within the field.
Working at My Way, Erin manages a diverse case load of clients spanning various age groups and cultural backgrounds. These clients face a wide range of psychosocial disabilities and are currently on NDIS plans.
Her commitment to the job is driven by her desire to achieve positive outcomes for her clients. She recognises the importance of collaborating with them to foster independence and self-advocacy, ensuring they derive the maximum benefit from their support plans and systems.
Job Titles:
- Specialist Support Coordinator / Other Languages Spoken: French, Kiswahili, Kirundi
Ernest is a husband, father and grandfather. He is a highly-experienced humanitarian worker who has worked with asylum seekers, refugees, and disadvantaged people over twenty years. This includes people living with a disability in Africa and Australia.
Ernest enjoys working in challenging and complex situations. He thrives on the work of assisting those who are funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Ernest was a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for seven years at Disability Services Commission, which is now called the Department of Communities Disability Division in WA.
Ernest's diverse multicultural skills help him to achieve goals with the people he works with. Ernest strives to find better ways and to learn every day to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people he works with. Ernest is ready to help at all times in all situations.
Job Titles:
- NDIS Service Coordination Manager
Frances is deeply passionate about creating a society where everyone can live positively, confidently, and happily in their day-to-day life.
As a Service Coordinator, she gets to bring her passion to work and make sure participants get the best level of care. Frances is an active listener and strives to gain a deep understanding of participants' needs and goals. Together, Frances and her team develop a personalised service plan that ensures participants get the support they need, when they need it.
Previously, Frances had worked in various customer-facing service roles to provide tailored services for both internal and external stakeholders. In addition, she worked as an account assistant after attaining a Bachelor of Accounting from Curtin University.
Job Titles:
- Fellow at Harvard University
Giovanni is a seasoned Occupational Therapist with an impressive 16-year tenure, primarily dedicated to the field of residential aged care.
While he has spent most of his life in Perth, his academic journey led him to Sydney, where he pursued his studies with unwavering dedication. Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science (OT) from the University of Western Sydney, Giovanni's commitment to professional growth is evident through his completion of post-Graduate studies at Edith Cowan University, where he earned a Graduate Diploma in Dementia Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
In addition to his extensive academic accomplishments, he has also obtained a double diploma in Management and Human Resource Management at TAFE, further enhancing his skill set. Notably, Giovanni has undergone a Traineeship in Aged Care Work, illustrating his hands-on experience and dedication to his field.
His true passion lies in assisting clients in surmounting psychosocial and physical barriers, empowering them to lead lives that are both fulfilling and enriching. Giovanni's work ethic is characterised by unwavering diligence, compassion, and a genuine love for his profession, making him an invaluable asset to any team and a trusted advocate for his clients' well-being.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Nurse & Clinical Educator
Meet our Clinical Nurse and Clinical Educator, Hameed. Hameed has postgraduate qualifications in nursing practice and clinical nursing, including a Master of Healthcare Administration, Policy and Clinical Leadership from Murdoch University. Hameed has indepth experience in acute, complex, medical, surgical, mental health and emergency nursing as well as postgraduate research and teaching.
Hameed is currently working in Community, where he is responsible for providing care to people of all ages in their homes and other community settings. Hameed is passionate about providing high-quality person-centred care to his participants, and he is committed to making a difference in the lives of people in the community. He is also responsible for the education and training of support workers.
Prior to nursing, Hameed was member of Academic Board, Research Committee, Global Leaders Committee, Human Research & Ethics Committee as well as elected University Council member at Curtin University. Hameed was also the chair of Postgraduate Committee, Finance and Risk Committee and deputy chair of Guild Council at Curtin Student Guild in 2021. Hameed brings academic, research and clinical education knowledge and experience to My Way.
Job Titles:
- Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach
Isaiah holds a Bachelor of Counselling degree from the University of Notre Dame, Australia. He boasts a wealth of experience in the field of therapeutic counselling, having dedicated his career to this noble profession since 2014. Isaiah specializes in Alcohol & Drug Counselling, as well as Family Counselling. His diverse career journey has seen him excel in various roles, including Therapeutic Community Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Support, and Mental Health Recovery. Isaiah is particularly skilled in both Individual and Group Counselling, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to helping individuals and communities.
In his role as a Community Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach at My Way, Isaiah can provide invaluable support to clients struggling with Mental Health (MH) and trauma-related issues, both within the hospital environment and in their homes following discharge.
Job Titles:
- Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach
Jacquelyn is an experienced and compassionate person-centred Recovery Coach who takes delight in bringing joy to the lives of those around her. With a wealth of experience in Community Services, Advocacy, Coordination, Early Childhood education and supporting participants on their journey towards a fulfilling life.
One of her core principles is understanding and acceptance. She believes in meeting people where they are, acknowledging their unique experiences, and refraining from judgment. She understands that individual's path to recovery is personal, and she respects their choices and autonomy. She is not just a coach; she aims to be individual's best buddy on their recovery journey. She offers unwavering support, encouragement, and companionship. Together, both will navigate the challenges, celebrate the victories, and work towards the goals.
Her proficiency in Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay, and Indonesian allows her to break down language barriers and provide inclusive support to participants from various cultural backgrounds. She understands and respects the customs, traditions, and values of the communities she works with. These enable her to build trust and establish meaningful connections with participants, making them feel comfortable and understood.
Job Titles:
- NDIS Service Coordinator / Other Languages Spoken: Burmese, Hakka Chin, Hindi
John has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Political Science, and he has worked for a community settlement service. He has also worked as Inventory Coordinator and Team Leader (BGC Windows), and as an Interpreter (National Accreditation for Translators and Interpreters).
As a community settlement officer, John assisted vulnerable people from a variety of backgrounds for over ten years and he brings this valuable experience to My Way.
As an NDIS Services Coordinator, John values an approach guided by love, integrity, and fairness. He has a deep passion to build and maintain meaningful relationships and develop a strong rapport with My Way participants.
John abides by the principle of respect and maintains that participants and their families need to have a sense of choice and control over the services they receive in order to achieve the best result.
Job Titles:
- Account & Payroll Officer
Karin has a law background, Certificate 4 in Accounting and Bookkeeping, and is currently pursuing further studies in a Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance.
In previous years Karin, has provided support work and service coordination. She currently works as a Plan Manager, Account and Payroll Officer and brings to this role over two years' experience in payroll and accounts.
Karin is people person with tremendous passion, motivation and self-drive in everything she does. Karin loves her job at My Way.
Job Titles:
- Support Coordinator & Recovery Coach
Kobi is a dedicated and professional Support Coordinator and Recovery Coach at My Way. Kobi resides at our Mandurah branch, where she delivers instrumental support and navigation to our NDIS participants in the South-West. Before joining My Way she worked in NDIS service coordination and has a rich history working with people through helping others to navigate challenges and reach their own individual goals. Kobi has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Criminology and Justice, where she was selected to work on individualised projects involving wrongful conviction.
Warm and engaging, Kobi believes in bringing a tailored and individualised approach to all of her participants, and is dedicated to helping others reach their potential.
Manprit is an occupational therapist with over 4 years' experience in the industry. Her areas of practice span from acute inpatient settings to outpatient private services, particularly with adults with neurological conditions and aged care. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) from Glasgow Caledonian University. She has also been involved in clinical education and clinical resource creation.
As an occupational therapist, Manprit believes in providing best practice and evidence-based care. She is passionate about facilitating clients to live independently and safely in the community despite their disability. She looks forward to journeying alongside you to achieve your goals.
Job Titles:
- People and Culture Manager
Mark is an all-rounder with a wide range of skills. He has two Master degrees from the University of Western Australia, and a Diploma of Christian Counselling from the Australian Institute of Family Counselling. As a lifelong learner, he is also on track to complete a Diploma of Human Resources.
Mark takes pride in being My Way People and Culture leader and is committed to seeing My Way grow and surpass the needs of both participants and staff. Apart from his primary People and Culture duties, Mark is also keen on helping in other areas, such as strategic planning, operations and administration, marketing and sales, and IT.
Mark's motto is to give his best and maintain military-standard discipline in the organisation while demonstrating integrity and adhering to social justice principles.
Mastan earned his degree in Physiotherapy from Curtin University and holds an international Physiotherapy qualification. With extensive experience spanning various healthcare settings locally and internationally, Mastan has honed his skills in private practice, disability support, aged care, and NDIS services. His rich background has allowed him to connect with and provide care to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Mastan is particularly passionate about empowering clients dealing with chronic conditions, helping them enhance their quality of life, regain their ability to work, pursue hobbies, and engage in sports activities. He possesses expertise in addressing a wide range of physiotherapy-related conditions.
Mastan's dedication to improving the lives of individuals with these conditions makes him an asset to our team.
Job Titles:
- People and Culture Officer
Messi has nine years' experience in community services work. She has Degree in International and Development from Murdoch University, and a Diploma of Community Services from TAFE.
Messi has a passion for social change. She is especially interested in assisting disadvantaged communities to become empowered. Specifically, she is keen to work with people living with a disability, their families, and carers. In her spare time, Messi is involved in community voluntary work in WA. She is a great asset to My Way.
Job Titles:
- Administrations and Office Operations Manager
Nicole comes from a corporate customer service and administration background, which has helped create a more inclusive Administration and Customer Service Department. She is the main contact for both participants, their families, carers, and service providers.
Nicole is a warm, sociable, and intelligent person to work with. She brings substantial customer service skills and business acumen to the administration and operations team.
She is passionate about leading her team to work in line with the My Way values to the benefit participants and their families.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
Peter Mapior is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of My Way Disability Services and Aged Care.
Peter has ten years' experience, business acumen, and wealth of knowledge in community services delivery/coordination, practice leadership, contemporary management, professional coaching, and mentoring expertise.
He has held roles such as an Operations Manager, Disability, Psychosocial and Aged Care Services; Program Manager for Disability and Mental Health Services, where he provided intensive coordination and leadership for individuals with disability and families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities; and as a support coordinator for Partners in Recovery (PIR); and worked in the Individualised Community Living Strategy (ICLS) program as Recovery Coordinator.
Peter brings emotional intelligence skills with a flair for planning, designing, creating, innovative and practical knowledge in psychosocial recovery coaching, person-centred practices and choice and control. He has great understanding of the struggles people with disability, their families, and carers face.
Job Titles:
- Support Coordinator & Recovery Coach
With 6 years of experience in the disability field, Rebeka is passionate about empowering her participants to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives. She holds a bachelor's degree in Community Services. Rebeka's expertise lies in developing personalised support/recovery plans tailored to each participant's needs and preferences, coordinating services, liaising with stakeholders, guiding them through their recovery journey, and advocating for their rights and well-being.
Rebeka is dedicated to promoting inclusivity, dignity, and respect for individuals with disabilities, and strives to create a safe and nurturing environment. She is a compassionate and empathetic professional who is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of participants she supports.
Regina is an experienced NDIS Service Coordinator at My Way. She has a wide range of knowledge and holds a Bachelor of Criminology majoring in Criminal Behaviour and Legal Studies. She is also working towards a Post Graduate Certificate in Mental Health so that she can provide the best care to participants and their families.
Having begun working in the disability sector as a support worker, she is passionate about ensuring supports provided are of the utmost quality.
Regina is also passionate about community service and enjoys assisting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to better navigate support services and embrace Australian society while maintaining their connection to their culture and identity.
Sahana is passionate about helping people to live a meaningful life despite the challenges that confront them. She currently works as a psychosocial clinician at Canteen in a counselling role, providing support for young people with cancer experience. Previous to this role, Sahana was working as a NDIS Specialist Support Coordinator at My Way Disability Services and Aged Care, supporting and coordinating the needs and recovery goals of people with disability and their families.
Sahana graduated from Edith Cowan University with a Master in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She also has a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where she lived for four years prior to moving to Australia in 2019 to study.
Sahana is enthusiastic and passionate about her work and its potential to have a lasting impact on lives. Above all, she works from a standpoint of care, genuineness, and empathy and strives to bring all these qualities into the work that she does as a Board member.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant and Allied Health Administration Officer
Job Titles:
- Accounts and Service Support Officer
Thinley - NDIS Service Coordinator Other Languages Spoken: Nepali, Hindi and Dzongkha (Bhutan) As a dedicated Service Coordinator specialising in providing essential support for NDIS participants, Thinley brings a wealth of expertise in education, community development, and financial management to the table. His academic background, including a Master of Educational Leadership and Management (Bhutan), has equipped him with a strong understanding of educational policies and effective leadership strategies, allowing him to effectively coordinate support services. With a Master of Community Development (WA), Thinley possesses the skills to engage with diverse communities, understand their unique needs, and develop impactful initiatives, which are crucial for tailoring support solutions for NDIS participants. Additionally, Thinley's Master of Professional Accounting from Sydney, Australia, enhances his financial acumen, ensuring precise budgeting and resource allocation-valuable skills in his role as a Service Coordinator within the NDIS. His Certificates III and IV in Individual Support in Disability further demonstrate his hands-on experience in caregiving, reflecting his commitment to maintaining a high standard of service within the disability support realm. Thinley's bachelor's in education (Secondary Teaching) solidifies his pedagogical foundation, enabling effective communication and coordination, which are essential for collaborating with support workers, participants, and their families. These diverse qualifications, coupled with Thinley's extensive professional experience, make him a strong candidate for the role of Service Coordinator. In this capacity, Thinley is well-positioned to enhance service delivery, streamline processes, and contribute to positive outcomes for individuals and communities within the NDIS framework.
Veronica is an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist with a passion for the paediatric and mental health realm. After many years of living in New Zealand, she is excited to return to her hometown of Perth to work alongside individuals in the community and assist them in reaching their greatest potential in their meaningful roles!
Her experience as an OT spans across the aged care industry, rural and remote paediatrics and in-patient mental health services. She prides herself on thinking a little out of the box to ensure that no goal, big or small, is left unturned.