Our Team

Brett Casey | Chief Executive Officer

Brett has been the Chief Executive Officer of Deaf Connect since 2010. Prior to this appointment, Brett worked as General Manager overseeing the operational management of the organisation. Brett has been integral to the strategic and operational direction of the organisation. From 2011-2014 Brett was appointed as the Independent Chair for the Queensland Disability Advisory Council providing strategic and policy advice to the Minister of Disabilities in Queensland. In 2013, Brett travelled to Geneva as part of the NGO parallel group to represent people with disabilities from Australia at the United Nations. Brett holds a Bachelor of Laws LLB, a Bachelor of Arts and is admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a lawyer.

Craig McDonald | Chief Commercial Officer

Craig currently holds the role of Chief Commercial Officer and is responsible for all services across Deaf Connect. Joining Deaf Connect in 2013, Craig has assisted the organisation to grow and diversify income streams, whilst expanding the quality and breadth of services on offer. The role has a strong focus on the expansion and delivery of high quality services to our community as the organisation continues to expand to meet needs. Prior to his role at Deaf Services, Craig worked in Life Sciences where leading, negotiating and executing in excess of $170M of commercial transactions. Craig holds a degree in Molecular Biosciences (B. Sc., Hons I, QUT) and an MBA (University of Queensland).

Brent Phillips | Chief Services Officer

Brent is a third-generation Deaf person, married to a Deaf person and is the proud father of two bilingual children. He has BA (Criminology) and MBA degrees and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brent brings a track record of success, experience and energy to his role in driving the organisation’s Impact Agenda, focusing on creating and maximising impact in our community to ensure full access and inclusion for Deaf Australians, through stakeholder engagement, partnerships, capacity building and policy and government relations.  

Brent joined Deaf Connect in 2021, coming from the National Disability Insurance Agency where he was Branch Manager – Assistive Technology & Employment Outcomes. He was formerly Chair of the Ministerial-appointed Victorian Disability Advisory Council and Director – Language, Partnerships & Innovation at Expression Australia. Brent previously worked with Sport & Recreation Victoria, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission and Deaf Victoria, and was President of Deaf Sports Australia for eight years. 

Gemma Cooper | Chief People & Culture Officer

Gemma is the Chief People and Culture Officer and brings nearly 20 years of experience leading people and culture functions across the disability, health and community services sectors. She holds a Master of Audiology, Honours in Psychology and is a 2021 Fellow of the South Australian Governors Leadership Foundation Program.

Prior to joining Deaf Connect, Gemma was the General Manager of People Services at Lutheran Homes Group, leading human resources, workforce strategy and safety for more than 1,500 staff and volunteers across South Australia and Victoria. She has extensive experience in workforce strategy, organisational design, leadership development and supporting organisations through growth and transformation.

Gemma previously held senior leadership roles with the Lifetime Support Authority and Hearing Australia. She is hard of hearing and has worn hearing aids since early childhood. Her lived experience shapes her commitment to building inclusive workplaces, developing capable leaders and strengthening organisational culture so Deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people receive high quality services.

Kate Matairavula | General Manager, Education

Kate was appointed to the role of General Manager, Education in January 2023 after leading the Accredited training Team since 2020. Kate oversees the delivery and development of both accredited training and non-accredited classes for the organisation. As well as lived experience as a deaf person, Kate has over 18 years of experience in the deaf and disability sectors. She has +9 years of management experience encompassing advocacy, youth services, community engagement, customer service and education. She was convenor of the 2nd International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf in 2013. Kate has post graduate qualifications in rehabilitation counselling as well as not-for-profit management. She comes alive when teaching, presenting and imparting her knowledge. She is passionate about equity for deaf people and supporting people to have full choice and control in their lives. She lives by values of connection and service.

Andrew Wiltshire | General Manager, Community & Capacity

Andrew joined Deaf Services in February 2011 and managed both the Employment Services and Community Services prior to the advent of the NDIS. After a six month hiatus in 2016, he returned as a Support Coordinator before taking on the role of Manager, Support Coordination in 2019. Part of the preparations for the merger on 1 October 2020, Andrew took on the management of the Family Support Service, Hearspace and Living Well teams and is now the General Manager, Information Services. Andrew started his career in interior design in the UK, before returning to Australia and has been involved with various management committees and boards in the Deaf sector including roles in retail management, advocacy, community services, NDIS, employment, interpreting, translating, language consulting, and telecommunications. Having come from a large deaf family has brought Andrew a lifetime of experience with the deaf community and a deep understanding of its needs. Andrew is committed to ensuring that the services we provide to the community allows our clients to reach personal goals.

Rebecca O’Brien | General Manager, Interpreting

Rebecca currently holds the role of General Manager, Interpreting Services and is responsible for the end to end service delivery of all Interpreting Services, nationally. As a NAATI Certified Interpreter for over 15 years, Rebecca uses her experience within the profession to drive her decision making, to ensure customers receive high quality access throughout their lives. She has a particular passion for interpreter mentoring and a strong focus on the continued skill development of the interpreting team. Joining the Management Team in 2017, Rebecca has been leading the growth of service delivery, overseen the implementation of a new booking system and the establishment of NSW and ACT Media Interpreting Teams for both state and federal press conferences. Rebecca holds a Diploma of Interpreting and a Bachelor of Arts (Languages and Linguistics).

Katrina Lancaster | General Manager, Support Services

Katrina joined Deaf Connect in 2022 following the transfer of services with Deaf Can:Do where she was employed from 2015.  At Deaf Can:Do, she was responsible for the oversight and leadership of service delivery, including Community Services, Auslan at Home, Commonwealth Home Support Programme services and Walk-In services. With her transition to Deaf Connect, where Katrina joined the 1:1 Support team as Team Leader, progressing to Manager of 1:1 Support and now to General Manager.  Katrina has over 16 years of experience working in the community services sector within the deaf community, working in case management, crisis management, advocacy and in youth development. She also holds experience in Auslan training and development.  Katrina completed her Masters of Disability Policy & Practice and Bachelor of Community Welfare (International Social Development). As General Manager, 1:1 Support, Katrina is responsible for the strategic direction with a focus on developing and enhancing service quality and ensuring compliance.  She is passionate about building the capacity of participants and ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions. Katrina firmly believes that by accessing services earlier, individuals receive the necessary tools and support to lead independent and empowered lives. 

Emina Suljic | General Manager, Therapy & Family Services

Emina Suljic joins Deaf Connect with over 14 years of leadership experience and a strong operational background across Disability, Aged Care, and Community Services. She has successfully led large multi-site teams and portfolios through periods of transformation – strengthening governance, fostering values-driven cultures, and delivering strategic outcomes. Emina has held senior leadership roles with respected non-profit organisations including Allinto, Multicap, and Momentum Collective. With formal qualifications in Social Work and Community Services, she is deeply passionate about advocating for vulnerable groups, empowering individuals, and building stronger, more inclusive communities.

With a multilingual and culturally diverse background, Emina values the role of language and identity in fostering connection and belonging. She is committed to continuous personal and professional growth, and believes strong leadership means both listening and leading, creating space for others to thrive while maintaining a clear strategic vision. In her new role as General Manager, Therapy & Family Services, Emina is excited to bring her passion for inclusive leadership and community empowerment to drive sustainable growth and deliver meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve.

Outside of work, Emina embraces curiosity and challenge whether learning a new skill, exploring fresh perspectives, or simply striving to end each day wiser than she began. She also enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two daughters, and can often be found with a Taro Milk Tea or a good coffee in hand.

Kristen Mason  | Head of Quality, Safety & Compliance

Kristen, the Head of Quality, Safety & Compliance at Deaf Connect, is a dedicated advocate for the Deaf community. Since joining in 2014, Kristen has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initially managing Lifestyle Support Services and ensuring a smooth transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Recognised for her contributions, she was promoted in mid-2021 to General Manager, 1:1 Support, overseeing strategic direction and expanding support work services across multiple areas, and then transitioned to the General Manager of Therapy & Family Services to ensure deaf children have equal access to care and education.  In her current role, Kristen ensures Deaf Connect maintains high standards in safety and compliance. Proficient in American Sign Language (ASL), Auslan, and spoken language and a cochlear implant user, her experiences in community services, higher education, and finance enrich her leadership. Outside work, she remains dedicated to personal growth, continual learning, and global exploration. These values shape both her professional pursuits and personal life, inspiring others within and beyond the Deaf community. Kristen’s unwavering commitment exemplifies transformative leadership, fostering inclusivity and enriching lives. 

Andre Adins  | Head of Finance

Andre joined Deaf Connect in 2024 as the Head of Finance.  Andre is responsible for effective leadership, management, delivery and innovation of financial & accounting services nationwide for Deaf Connect.  Andre brings a broad range of experience from his roles in mining, IT, childcare and horticulture and has exposure to both the for profit and not for profit sectors. He has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a member of CPA Australia. 

Paul Stockwell | Head of Fundraising and Operations

As Head of Fundraising and Operations Paul leads the teams responsible for delivering the organisation’s marketing, sales and charity lottery functions. His focus is on creating authentic, impactful and valuable connections with the community and our stakeholders. Paul joined Deaf Connect in 2019 as an operations consultant to lead transformations in the organisation’s systems and processes, with a particular focus on the Deaf Lottery. He previously worked in the science industry managing commercial research contracts and in a range of innovation policy roles with the Australian Government. Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and an MBA (Queensland University of Technology).

Ian Harvey Ross | Head of Marketing and Sales

Ian has worked with Deaf Connect since 2015 in a range of senior marketing roles. As Head of Marketing and Sales he is responsible for the leadership, management and delivery of these functions across the business, including the Deaf Lottery. Prior to his time with Deaf Connect, Ian held political advocacy roles with the Property Council of Australia as well as freelance and in house, brand development, digital marketing and content creation positions. Ian holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing Production / Journalism), as well as post graduate qualifications in Business (PR / Economics).

Renae Sayers | Head of Human Resources

Renae was recently appointed as the Head of Human Resources at Deaf Connect, where she has been a key member of the People and Culture team since 2021. With nearly 20 years of extensive HR experience, her background spans in the health, aged care, and disability services sector. In her role, Renae leads the development and execution of people strategies, overseeing recruitment, employee relations and talent development. Passionate about fostering employee well-being and organisational success, she is dedicated to building trust and aligning HR initiatives to create high performing, inclusive environments. 

Jim Gordon | Manager, IT

Jim currently holds the role as Manager, IT at Deaf Connect since 2005. Prior to this he worked in various managerial roles at Deaf Connect including the former employment service, Sign On Employment, and Community Services. He is a long term employee at Deaf Connect and one amongst a few IT Managers in Australia who is also fluent in Auslan. Prior to joining the Deaf Sector Jim has worked in both Government, and the private sector. Jim has academic qualifications in the area of Humanities that includes graduate and post graduate qualifications in Psychology, and the Social Sciences. A career shift some years ago necessitated university qualifications in Information Technology and has participated in numerous industry IT courses and certification as a Project Manager.

Pauline Tanzer | Manager, Interpreting Services

Pauline has worked for the organisation for 25 years in a variety of roles. As Manager, Interpreting Services she coordinates the daily operation of the service by leading the Customer Bookings Team and mentoring new interpreters. Pauline is a CODA and a NAATI Certified Interpreter who has been interpreting for 30 years and has strong connections in the Deaf community. Her experience allows her to deliver services that directly contribute to the empowerment of the Deaf community. Pauline’s approach to growing the interpreting workforce means she is well-poised to continue to assist in the development of mentoring services for new interpreters and believes that fostering this growth is a crucial driver in ensuring that fair access is given to all Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Rachel Lai | Manager, Growth and Impact

Rachel has worked for Deaf Connect since 2012 in several management positions including overseeing Language Services and the commUNITY team (now known as Interpreting Services & Information Services); as well as holding the position of Manager, Service Design and Growth. During this time, Rachel led the establishment of Australia’s first on-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) service and the first on-demand emergency VRI service which was implemented across several public hospital emergency departments. The work Rachel has undertaken in service design and growth has been pivotal in the success of Deaf Connect being awarded several notable State & Federal Government contracts. In addition to this, Rachel led the transition of the CommUNITY team through the advent of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and expanded the organisation’s service offering and its geographical reach into regional, rural, and remote locations across the country. Rachel has an extensive background working on largescale strategic ICT and business transformation programs having worked in Senior Management and Director roles locally and abroad. Rachel holds a Masters in Project Management (CSU), a Diploma in Interpreting (Auslan/English), is a NAATI certified interpreter, a member of the Australian Sign Language Interpreters’ Association (ASLIA) and a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults).

Nicole Byerley | Manager, Finance

Nicole joined Deaf Connect in 2013 and took the role of Manager, Finance in 2014. Nicole is responsible for all aspects of financial management of the organisation including the Deaf Lottery. She has been involved in some key growth activities during her time with Deaf Connect such as the mergers with HICTI and the Deaf Society of NSW, service expansion into aged care and establishment of an RTO. Prior to joining Deaf Connect, Nicole held various roles within the accounting and finance field. She has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance).

Vanessa Alford | Community Engagement Manager

Vanessa joined Deaf Connect in 2021 as Community and Sector Impact Manager and is responsible for developing and leading the key national initiatives including Deaf Youth, Deaf Leadership, Deaf Ecosystem and Deaf History and Cultural Recognition Program. Vanessa works collaboratively across the organisation, sector, and community to ensure stronger community capacity building and engagement within our community and sector. Prior to joining Deaf Connect, Vanessa held various roles at National Disability Insurance Agency, Deaf Australia, National Relay Service. As well as lived experience as a Deaf person, third generation in the family and mother of three Deaf children, Vanessa is also a NAATI provisional certified Deaf interpreter and has extensive experience as an Auslan Translator and Language + Cultural Consultant [English-Auslan].

Linda Thornton | Support Coordination Manager

Linda joined Deaf Connect in 2022 following the transfer of services with Deaf Can:Do where she started in 2021. During her time with Deaf Can:Do, Linda Was actively engaged in direct service delivery across Community Services, the Commonwealth Home Support Program, and Walk-In Services. At Deaf Connect, Linda worked in dual roles as a Community Services Officer as well as Participant Service Coordinator in the 1:1 Support Team. She now holds the position of Manager of Community Access, where she continues to demonstrate her commitment to enhancing services and support. Linda brings extensive experience to her role, having held various positions ranging from direct service delivery to management within the National Disability Insurance Agency, Specialist Disability Employment Services (Deaf), and other Disability Service Providers. Linda is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) and has strong connections within the Deaf Community.

John Read | Manager, Support Work

John Read joined Deaf Connect in 2024 as Manager of 1:1 Support, overseeing the day-to-day delivery of services across the organisation. He is focused on service quality, team development, and ensuring participants receive support tailored to their needs. John has previously worked with Deaf Connect in the Ageing Well team and the Seniors Outreach project, with the overarching goal of improving access to services for Deaf Seniors. His broader experience includes roles at Brisbane Youth Service, where he supported young people and families to strengthen relationships and reduce the risk of homelessness.  Holding a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons), John brings expertise in trauma-informed practice, program design, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy. Passionate about social justice, John is committed to empowering communities and ensuring equitable access to services, striving to create meaningful and sustainable outcomes for those he works alongside.

Merina Ashdown | Manager, Ageing Well

Merina is the Manager of Ageing Well, providing leadership in the management and coordination of Support at Home and broader aged care programs across Australia. She has extensive experience overseeing both self-managed and traditionally coordinated service models, with a strong focus on consumer-directed care, service quality, and positive client outcomes.

Her experience spans key programs including the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) through the Brotherhood of St Laurence, where she supported the coordination of in-home and community-based aged care services. She has also worked with Micare Ltd, contributing to the delivery and management of culturally responsive Support at Home services for diverse communities. In addition, her work with My Home Care Group has involved the coordination of self-managed Home Care Packages, supporting clients to exercise choice and control over their care arrangements.

Merina brings strong capability in program management, including operational coordination, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement across ageing support services nationwide. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education, strengthening her leadership approach and commitment to workforce development and client empowerment through education.

She is committed to ensuring older Australians receive well-coordinated, flexible, and person-centred supports that promote independence, dignity, and wellbeing.

Alison Heraud | Manager, Registered Training Organisation

Prior to working for Deaf Connect, Alison held a number of compliance positions in Registered Training Organisations across a broad range of industries. While her experience is in Quality and Compliance, she thoroughly enjoys working with systems and is passionate about using them to find efficiencies and automations to further improve work processes. Alison holds a Bachelor of Business and Marketing that she completed in France in 2011. She joined Deaf Connect in August 2020 and led the Compliance and Administration team of the Education service in Queensland. Alison was appointed to the Manager, RTO role in February 2023, when she became responsible for overseeing the operations of Deaf Connect’s Registered Training Organisation for the delivery of our Auslan, Interpreting and Foundation Skills qualifications and courses.

Sara Willyan-Payne | Manager, Auslan & Interpreting

Sara joined Deaf Connect (then The Deaf Society of NSW) in 2008 working to establish the South Coast office as an Outreach Support Worker until 2016. She formed a strong connection with the South Coast community supporting individuals through various programs over the years. In those years she studied Auslan from the Beginner courses through to the Diploma of Interpreting and became an interpreter. Although she continued working as an interpreter with Deaf Connect, she left the South Coast Outreach role in 2017 for 2 years, working as an LAC Team Leader with another organisation, supporting the roll out of the NDIS, leading a large team of LAC’s with secondment roles in Manager positions. Prior to these roles, Sara had fifteen years of experience in the Disability sector with roles in Support for adults with disabilities. In 2019 she returned to Deaf Connect in a full-time capacity in the Education Team, and is currently the Manager, Auslan & Interpreting where she oversees and supports the Education Team’s Delivery of our Qualifications in Auslan and Interpreting with a first-hand understanding of the student journey.

Debbie Kennewell | Manager, Translations Services

Debbie joined Deaf Connect in 2021 in the Northern Territory where she worked closely with the local community and established a branch of services to fill in service gaps, including securing funds to bring an Auslan Interpreter to Darwin.  Since then, Debbie has taken on other roles and is currently the Translations Service Manager. She spearheads Deaf Connect’s video production services and has some exciting projects in the pipeline.

Debbie holds a Bachelor of Education (LOTE) and a Diploma in Interpreting (Deaf Interpreting) and often volunteers to serve on community boards, the most recent of which is the board of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO).

As a Deaf person having grown up in the Deaf community, Debbie is passionate about development work and creating impactful changes that are meaningful for the Australian Deaf community.

Andrew Young | Manager, Contact Centre

Andrew has been part of Deaf Connect since 2016. He brings extensive experience in fundraising and sales to his role as Contact Centre Manager for the Deaf Lottery. He is passionate about developing high-performing teams and creating supporter experiences that contribute to Deaf Connect’s impact in the community.
Andrew’s background as a hypnotherapist, working with clients to excel personally and professionally, drives his focus on people, team development and supporter engagement. His people-centred approach is complemented by a strong commitment to operational effectiveness, creating systems and processes that drive efficiency and support Deaf Connect’s mission.

Rachel Debrenni | Manager, Services Marketing

Rachel is a purpose-driven marketing and communications leader with experience across the not-for-profit, health, emergency services and advocacy sectors. At Deaf Connect, she leads services marketing strategy, focusing on strengthening brand alignment, improving engagement, and delivering campaigns that support community impact.
Rachel brings a strong background in integrated marketing, brand development, and communication strategy. She has led initiatives that build brand consistency, support organisational change, and enhance how services are understood and accessed. Her experience spans media relations, digital marketing, internal communications, and data-informed performance reporting.
She is passionate about using clear, accessible communication to connect people with the services and support they need. Rachel is particularly driven by working with organisations that create positive social impact and champion inclusion. Rachel holds degrees in Business (Marketing) and Arts from Flinders University, combining creative thinking with a strong understanding of governance and strategic delivery.

Nick Harris | Manager, Lottery Marketing

Nick joined Deaf Connect in 2022 and leads the Lottery Marketing team, overseeing customer acquisition, retention, and lifecycle marketing for the Deaf Lottery. He is responsible for campaign strategy and execution across digital and traditional marketing channels, analytics, and marketing operations. 
Nick brings a broad background spanning agency and in-house marketing roles, with deep expertise in data-driven campaign management, creative production, subscriber growth, and loyalty. His experience across the full marketing mix allows him to lead both at a strategic level and in the detail of day-to-day execution. 
Passionate about the mission of Deaf Connect, Nick is committed to growing the reach and impact of the Deaf Lottery – ensuring it continues to deliver meaningful financial support to the Australian Deaf community. Nick holds degrees in Business (Marketing) and Fine Arts, Film, TV & New Media from the Queensland University of Technology – combining commercial marketing skills with creative production and storytelling expertise.