Staff

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) maintains its National Office in Melbourne, where the Chief Executive Officer and a small team of dedicated staff are located. A number of national advisers are located outside of the Association’s Melbourne Office. Do you want to contact the Association's National Office?

Gail Mulcair

Chief Executive Officer
Gail is responsible for the implementation of the Association’s strategic direction and provides support and advice to the Board, including the reporting on financial matters and ensuring all statutory and compliance requirements are met. Gail is also responsible for the direction of policy and government relations activities and represents the Association across a range of government and key stakeholder meetings and alliances. Gail oversights the overall operations of the Association and ensures the National Office supports the needs of members and the broad functions of the Association.
Email Gail Mulcair

Robert Di Leva

General Manager / Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Rob provides high level support to executive functions of the Association under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer. Rob also oversees operational systems and undertakes specific tasks in areas of delegated responsibility, including deputising for the Chief Executive Officer, as required.
Email Robert Di Leva

Anhar Al-Shameri

Content Producer
Anhar is responsible for producing and overseeing the Association's digital media content, including video and podcasts, as well as supporting various other communication projects.
Email Anhar Al-Shameri

Simone Arnott

Senior Advisor Professional Standards
Simone is part of the Professional Standards team that ensures speech pathologists wanting to join the Association meet the required competency standards. Simone’s role includes moderation of university accreditations, training of accreditors, development of competency-based documents and processes and contributing to the overseas qualified assessment program and the re-entry program.
Email Simone Arnott

Marie Atherton

Senior Advisor Professional Standards
Marie is part of the Professional Standards business unit. The Professional Standards unit ensures speech pathologists wanting to join the Association meet and maintain the required standards and develops practice documents including clinical guidelines for speech pathologists and position statements for stakeholders, consumers and government. Marie’s role includes the coordination of the development of practice documents and supports the accreditation of universities and assessment of individuals to ensure they meet the required standards.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Email Marie Atherton

Stacey Baldac

Manager Professional Standards
Stacey manages the Professional Standards team. The Professional Standards (PS) team is responsible for ensuring the standards for certified practising membership are developed to meet the needs of the profession and community and are maintained. This is achieved by ensuring evidence based practice principles and culturally responsive practices are embedded across the Association and Professional Standards functions. The PS functions include the review and development of standards for the professions, core documents and practice guidelines, accreditation of university programs, assessment of overseas trained speech pathologists, the Re-Entry program and Professional Self-Regulation program.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Email Stacey Baldac

Thomas Beres

Graphic Design (Communications Officer)
Thomas is responsible for developing and maintaining the Association’s digital presence via a range of electronic newsletters and social media platforms. He also provides design and desktop publishing support for the Association’s communications and marketing team.
Email Thomas Beres

Nitty Brown

Manager Member Services & Operations
Nitty is responsible for managing the Association’s member service functions, including the membership database, new members, re-entry, renewals, overseas qualification processes, member benefit programs, and National Office operation matters.
Email NItty Brown

Laura Caire

Senior Advisor, Mental Health and Trauma
Laura supports the Association’s strategic response to matters arising across the areas of mental health and trauma and provides support to the development or extension of speech pathology services within these sectors. She also supports members interested or working in these fields, providing specific advice when required, leading the development of practice documents, and collaborating to ensure there are professional development opportunities to increase members' knowledge and skills on related topics.
(Monday and Friday)
Email Laura Caire

Mary Claessen

Senior Advisor Professional Standards
Mary is part of the Professional Standards team that ensures speech pathologists wanting to join the Association meet the required competency standards. Mary’s role includes coordination of the Skills Assessment and Re-entry program, moderation of university accreditations, and contributing to the development and review of practice documents.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Mary Claessen

Nathan Cornish-Raley

Professional Support Advisor / Co-Producer Speak Up Podcast
Nate develops resources and processes to facilitate professional support for members with particular focus on supports for student and early career members. He responds to member queries regarding supervision, mentoring, peer support and other professional support options and manages the Association’s mentoring program. Nate also supports the Association’s efforts related to the provision of telepractice. Additionally, Nathan also manages and produces the Speak Up podcast including concept development, planning, scheduling, support, and editing, along with Nadia Marussinszky.
(Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)
Email Nathan Cornish-Raley

Sarah Cunningham

VIC/TAS Professional Education Coordinator
Sarah provides strategic guidance, plans and organises Victorian and Tasmanian professional education events in communication with the local Branch to reflect member needs.
Email Sarah Cunningham

Beryl Dayashanker

Events and Administration Coordinator
Beryl is responsible for coordinating events and expos nationally. Beryl also assists with key administration activities, such as managing travel and accommodation for staff and external partners, resourcing events, and managing the events and administration for Branches nationally.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Beryl Dayashanker

Dharshi Deegala

Finance Officer
Dharshi manages the Association’s accounts payable and receivable functions. This includes the processing and payments of all expenditures, and the handling and monitoring of receipts (revenues).
(Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)
Email Dharshi Deegala

Jane Delaney

Senior Advisor Early Childhood and Education
Jane is responsible for leading and managing identified projects and opportunities in the areas of early childhood and school years education of children. Jane provides information and advice to enable members to support the provision of high quality supports across these sectors. Her role includes developing and updating resources, including existing position statements, clinical guidelines and additional Association practice documents. Jane supports the progression of strategic activities, including submissions, to enhance access to speech pathology services across early childhood, primary and secondary educational settings.
(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday AM, and Friday)
Email Jane Delaney

Amy Fitzpatrick

Senior Advisor Disability
Amy is responsible for contributing to the Association’s understanding of and engagement with the disability sector, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Amy supports the progression of strategic activities, including submissions, to enhance access to speech pathology services across the disability sector and to ensure justice for people with communication and swallowing difficulties. Amy also develops resources and provides direct support to enable members to provide high quality support for people with communication and swallowing difficulties in the changing service delivery environment.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday).
Email Amy Fitzpatrick

Sarah Allen

National Conference Coordinator
Sarah is responsible for the successful operational direction, development, and delivery of the annual Speech Pathology Australia National Conference. Sarah reinforces the Association's member-centric culture through the delivery of a balanced and cohesive event structure underpinned by best practice and collaborative partnerships with external bodies.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Sarah Allen

Shirani Gomes

ACT/NSW Professional Education Coordinator
Shirani provides strategic guidance, plans and organises New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory’s professional education events in communication with the local Branch to reflect member needs.
Email Shirani Gomes

Nichola Harris

Manager Professional Practice
Nichola is responsible for all matters related to professional practice. Her role involves overseeing support provided to members, by National Office staff and external providers, and the development of resource documents and organisation of professional practice seminars. Nichola ensures that the ability for speech pathologists to provide high quality professional practice is maintained or advocated for by, representing the Association on a number of National committees and Reference Groups, liaising with Government departments and seeking consultation or responding to reviews or enquires. Nichola also supports the writing of the Association’s guides, information sheets, position statements, clinical guidelines and submissions.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Nichola Harris

Trish Johnson

Manager Ethics and Professional Issues
Trish provides advice and support to members and the general public regarding the ethical and professional conduct of speech pathologists. Trish also supports the Ethics Board in the education of members regarding the Code of Ethics and professional issues, and in the management of formal complaints. Additionally, Trish represents the Association on a number of national working parties and alliances, contributes to Association submissions and undertakes specific projects relating to professional issues.
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Trish Johnson

Alison Kellett

Senior Membership Officer
Alison is responsible for the processing of membership applications and renewals, queries, Overseas Qualifications and Re-entry applications, and liaison with eligibility assessors. Alison also provides administrative support across National Office in a range of areas.
Email Alison Kellett

Henry Kung

Learning Management System Coordinator
Henry coordinates duties related to the Association's Learning Management System (LMS), including creating, implementing and maintaining LMS content; monitoring, supporting and responding to member and non-member enquiries regarding LMS access; and designing, developing, and implementing programs on the LMS.
Email Henry Kung

Tara Lewis

Senior Advisor, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy and Practice
Tara is responsible for supporting and embedding an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective into the Association’s functions and activities. She provides advice to the Board and management alongside and in collaboration with the Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander Advisory Committee, and provides leadership and support for the development of culturally responsive and culturally safe practice within the profession.
(Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)
Email Tara Lewis

Chris Lyons

Advisor Professional Standards
Chris is a member of the Professional Standards team with a focus on professional recognition and regulation. Chris conducts eligibility assessments of overseas trained speech pathologists applying to practice in Australia and supports speech pathologists trained in Australia wishing to return to practice. Chris responds to queries regarding certification requirements including requirements for transition from Provisional to Full CPSP. Chris also conducts certification audits.
(Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Chris Lyons

Supriya Macherla

Finance Officer
Supriya manages the Association’s accounts payable and receivable functions. This includes the processing and payments of all expenditures, and the handling and monitoring of receipts (revenues).
Email Supriya Macherla

Nadia Marussinszky

Ethics Advisor / Co-Producer Speak Up Podcast
Nadia is responsible for supporting members with queries relating to common ethical issues, including appropriate content and strategies for members to advertise and market their speech pathology services informed consent, confidentiality, conflict of interest and other topics. Additionally Nadia also manages and produces the Speak Up podcast including concept development, planning, scheduling, support, and editing, along with Nathan Cornish-Raley.
(Monday and Friday)
Email Nadia Marussinszky

Erin Masson

National Professional Education Coordinator
Erin provides strategic guidance and coordinates the Association's National Professional Education program. Erin also supports the Branch Coordinators to plan and organise LIVE Online and face-to-face events..
Email Erin Masson

Nicole McGill

Senior Advisor Evidence Based Practice and Research
Nicole is part of the Professional Standards unit and works with and across the Association's operational business to enhance and promote the position on Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and research to staff and members. Nicole contributes to the development of resources and training to enhance staff and members’ knowledge of and skills in applying EBP principles. Nicole supports National Office staff and speech pathologists across Australia to be confident and equipped with skills to undertake EBP and research activities.
(Monday, Tuesday, and alternate Wednesday)
Email Nicole McGill

Fiona McKenny

Professional Practice Advisor
Fiona is responsible for responding to professional practice related enquiries, including issues around the NDIS. She also provides support to members through the development of website resources including guides, information sheets, FAQ documents and templates. Fiona supports the representation of the Association at meetings, the writing of submissions, and fact sheets as required.
(Monday. Thursday and Friday)
Email Fiona McKenny

Emma McLaughlin

Professional Practice Advisor
Emma is responsible for responding to professional practice related enquiries, including issues around the NDIS. She also provides support to members through the development of website resources including guides, information sheets, FAQ documents and templates. Emma supports the representation of the Association at meetings, the writing of submissions, and fact sheets as required.
(Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Email Emma McLaughlin

Leila Medina

Finance Manager – Senior
Leila manages the Association’s financial activities, including management reports, payroll, audit, controls and procedures. Leila, in liaison with the Chief Executive Officer, oversees the development of the Association’s annual budget and ongoing budgetary processes.
(Tuesday and Thursday)
Email Leila Medina

Rosie Miller

Advisor Professional Standards
Rosie is a member of the Professional Standards team with a focus on professional recognition and regulation. Rosie conducts eligibility assessments of overseas trained speech pathologists applying to practice in Australia and supports speech pathologists trained in Australia wishing to return to practice. Rosie responds to queries regarding certification requirements including requirements for transition from Provisional to Full CPSP. Rosie also conducts certification audits.
(Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Rosie Miller

Jennifer Nicol

Manager Professional Education
Jen provides strategic leadership and coordination of valued and innovative professional development offerings for the speech pathology profession, including responsibility for the design and delivery of professional education and training programs across a range of formats and learning platforms.
Email Jennifer Nicol

Ange Ortega

Administrative Officer
Ange is responsible for providing high-level administrative and reception services associated with the functioning of the National Office.
Email Ange Ortega

Nicole Pantalleresco

Board and Executive Assistant
Nicole is responsible for providing executive administrative and project support to the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors and other subcommittees of the Association. Nicole is also responsible for maintaining the Association’s Policy and Procedures manual and liaising with the Board regarding required changes. In addition, Nicole coordinates communication with university programs, including Heads of Speech Pathology Programs and providing support to the COMPASS® Online licensing process.
(Monday, Tuesday and Friday)
Email Nicole Pantalleresco

Samantha Price

Professional Services Officer
Samantha is part of the member services and operations team, providing administrative support for strategic projects and other duties across National Office.
Email Samantha Price

Lori Rainford

WA Professional Education Coordinator
Lori provides strategic guidance, plans and organises Western Australia’s professional education events in communication with the WA Branch to reflect member needs.
Email Lori Rainford

Anita Rodricks

Professional Education Officer
Anita is responsible for supporting the Professional Education Coordinators in the execution of events, from initial event brief to successful execution. Anita also provides support to the Manager of Professional Education.
(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)
Email Anita Rodricks

Fiona Ross

Advisor Professional Standards
Fiona is part of the Professional Standards team that ensures speech pathologists wanting to join Speech Pathology Australia meet the required standards. Fiona’s role includes Professional Recognition/Eligibility Assessment of overseas qualified Speech Pathologists and provision of support and guidance to speech pathologists wanting to re-enter the profession via the Re-entry Program. Fiona contributes to the development and review of practice documents and processes in the Professional Standards area.
(Monday)
Email Fiona Ross

Anne Sandler

People and Culture Manager
Anne works collaboratively with the Association's staff to manage, support, co-ordinate, and administer a full range of human resources services.
(Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Email Anne Sandler

Airlie Smith

SA/NT Professional Education Coordinator
Airlie provides strategic guidance, plans and organises South Australia and Northern Territory’s professional education events in communication with the local Branch to reflect member needs.
Email Airlie Smith

Ryan Thomas

Project Coordinator – Digital Adaptation
Ryan’s key objective is to engage stakeholders, scope business requirements and identify and successfully implement digital solutions at Speech Pathology Australia, Monitoring and evaluate implementation for continuous improvement across a number of digital adaptation projects.
Email Ryan Thomas

Linda Toohey

Membership and Administration Officer
LInda is responsible for the processing of membership applications and renewals, queries, Overseas Qualifications and Re-entry applications, and liaison with eligibility assessors. Linda also provides administrative support across National Office in a range of areas.
Email Linda Toohey

Kym Torresi

Senior Advisor Aged Care
Kym participates in the development and implementation of a strategic response by the Association to the Aged Care sector reforms, and the development and promotion of speech pathology services for older people. Kym also supports members providing speech pathology services in the aged care sector.
(Monday and Wednesday)
Email Kym Torresi

Erin West

Professional Practice Advisor
Erin is responsible for providing advice for members and the community regarding issues around the NDIS. She also responds to professional practice related enquiries and provides support to members through development of website resources including guides, information sheets, and templates. Erin supports the representation of the Association at meetings, the writing of submissions, and fact sheets as required.
(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)
Email Erin West

Cori Williams

Convenor, Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Cori convenes the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, which oversees the development and implementation of the Association’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
Email Cori Williams

Kelly Williams

Ethics Advisor
Kelly is responsible for supporting members with queries relating to common ethical issues, including appropriate content and strategies for members to advertise and market their speech pathology services informed consent, confidentiality, conflict of interest and other topics.
(Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)
Email Kelly Williams

Mary Woodward

Senior Advisor, Justice
Mary is responsible for progressing strategic activities and advocacy in the area of justice. She also supports members interested or working in these fields, providing specific advice when required, leading the development of practice documents, and collaborating to ensure there are professional development opportunities to increase members' knowledge and skills on related topics.
(Monday and Thursday)
Email Mary Woodward

Pei-Yi Wu

Publications Coordinator
Pei-Yi is responsible for the design and production coordination of the Association's publications, including Speak Out, the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology and the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.
Email Pei-Yi Wu

Emma Zeng

QLD Professional Education Coordinator
Emma provides strategic guidance, plans and organises Queensland’s professional education events in communication with the Queensland Branch to reflect member needs.
Email Emma Zeng