Steering Committee

The ACDC Project is committed to engaging with the community in the design and refinement of the program. We have a Steering Committee comprising industry experts and people with lived experience and carers. Our Working Group members generously support us in the development of the program and provide valuable feedback.

Anne Massey – Chairperson

Anne has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality, research, software, and social sustainability sectors as a CEO, entrepreneur, executive coach, business developer, and public speaker. She is based in Sydney but has worked in the USA and the Asia Pacific.

Anne worked in New York during the 9/11 terrorist attacks as VP Global Travel Partnerships. The experience Anne gained in managing through that period to refocus, reshape and redefine her team has given her a unique perspective on managing through economic and cultural change.

Living in Sydney currently, Anne is a qualified business coach, who uses her immense experience to help clients reach their goals.

Sarah Sutton – Carer Representative

Sarah has been a mental health carer for almost 30 years. She is SA’s carer representative on the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum, and a SANE Australia Peer Ambassador.

Sarah’s current role is with the Department for Correctional Services, and sees her assisting prisoners who have experience homelessness, drug abuse, severe head injuries and other unaddressed problems.

Sarah is a strong advocate for personal choice and control, and also for improving community supports so that consumers have much greater options available to them.

“Whilst I believe that the best approach is for people with psychosocial disability to speak for themselves, when this is not possible due to a lack of skills or confidence, or stigma and discrimination, it is imperative that families and others advocate on their behalf and are included in planning and research initiatives.”

Kerry Hawkins – Representative from the CMHA Board

Kerry has significant experience in fields relevant to mental health. She has worked as a for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the WA Mental Health Commission, and as a Carer Consultant for North Metro Adult Health Service.

Kerry holds several other board positions, including positions for Helping Minds, the Recovery College of WA, Mental Health Carers Australia, and Emerging Minds. She is also the deputy carer co-chair of the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum.

Jennifer Black – Representative from the CMHA Executive Leadership Group

Jennifer has over 30 years’ experience in government, public, private and not for profit mental health sectors. Jennifer is the CEO of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health. She is new to QLD and has previously held some key roles in Victoria previously, including Deputy Mental Health Complaints Commissioner for Victoria and the Executive Director of Mental Health and Drugs and Alcohol Services for Barwon Health.

Samantha Sharp – Representative from a Primary Health Network (PHN) Cooperative

Sam works with WVPHN and has spent the past two years redesigning and reframing the business of commissioning with a quadruple aim lens, bring human centred design into the work of the PHN.

Sam has spent over 20 years working in different services in the South West of Victoria, having worked in Aged Care, Children’s Services, Youth Work, Community Development and many more.

Sam has previously developed regional networks in youth, sexual health, and ageing and is currently the inaugural Chair of the North Metro Community Care Alliance, an alliance of Commonwealth Home Support Services.

Sam has a Bachelor of Arts Education, Bachelor of Social Work, Masters of Business Administration and an Advanced Diploma of Public Safety and is a graduate of the Leadership Victoria – Williamson Community Leadership Program.

Lisa Brophy – Representative from the Academic Research Sector

Lisa’s current position is Professor and Discipline Lead in Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University. Lisa is also an honorary principal research fellow in the Centre for Mental Health in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne, leading the Recovery and Social Justice Unit.

Lisa graduated with a Master’s in Policy and Law from La Trobe University in 1995 and a PhD from The University of Melbourne in 2009. Her PhD focused on good practice with people on Community Treatment Orders and I have been involved in local and international collaborations regarding mental health law and its implications for policy, law reform and direct practice.

“My career has included a great depth of experience in Social Work practice and leadership and many roles in Schools of Social Work including student placement liaison person, lecturer, sessional tutor and course coordinator. My background in developing and teaching law, ethics and human rights subjects at La Trobe University, The University of Melbourne, and RMIT has led to ongoing collaborations with colleagues in schools of social work in relation to guest lectures, higher degree student supervision, mentoring, and supporting research initiatives.”

Ingrid Hatfield – Representative from the National Mental Health Peak Organisation

Ingrid has significant experience in national policy and advocacy in the social services sector. She has represented national service provider networks to influence social and economic policy to support inclusion, social justice and wellbeing. Ingrid holds two degrees – a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from Australian National University and a Bachelor of Arts from Australian National University

Ingrid has worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to establish a national First Nations Staff Network across Anglicare Australia member organisations, enabling new levels of connection and influence. 

“I am passionate about the development of social policy which improves people’s lives and promotes flourishing communities. I thrive in contributing my rigorous analytical and relational skills in a team environment to achieve strategic outcomes.”