IncludeAbility Ambassadors
Representing us with lived experiences of disability
Meet our ambassadors.
Representing IncludeAbility with a diverse range of experience and insights.
We are proud to have these incredible advocates offer their leadership and career advice to people with disability, as well as speaking to the benefits of employing people with disability and the need to develop effective policies around employment and disability.
Click on each of our ambassadors to learn about their lives, current projects and thoughts on employment for people with disability.
Meet... Audrey O'Connor
Audrey is an actor, film maker, screen writer and author, which she says has given her countless opportunities to contribute by storytelling and making films that are inclusive.
Meet... Dinesh Palipana
Dinesh is an Emergency Doctor at Gold Coast University Hospital, a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Griffith University, the Gold Coast Titans Disability Rugby League Team doctor, and Senior Advisor to the Disability Royal Commission.
Meet... Heidi La Paglia
Heidi is an experienced researcher and consultant specialising in intersectional disability and neuro-inclusion. A proud disability and women's rights advocate, Heidi’s passionate about making the world a better place for women people with disability.
Meet... Jake Fing
Jake is a solicitor and says his employment has allowed for a better free flow of information sharing and his ability to create a smile in people, building a strong rapport, helps foster a stronger team environment.
Meet... Jane Spring
Jane is the Chair of the Disability Council in New South Wales. Jane is pursuing a non-executive director career and loves travelling, seeing the world and enjoying recreational activities with her friends.
Meet... Lisa Stafford
Lisa is a Planning expert in Inclusive Communities and Cities, and is currently a Senior Research ARC DECRA Fellow at the School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania.
Meet... Nas Campanella
Nas has been a journalist, newsreader, producer and radio presenter with the ABC for a decade. As the National Disability Affairs Reporter, she helps elevate the voices of people with disability through stories across radio, TV and online.
Meet... Nathan Basha
Nathan believes meaningful employment provides independence, financial security, and a sense of purpose. He says it also means he’s valued and respected as a member of his work team, and that his employment has helped change other people’s mindsets.
Meet... Paul Harpur
Paul is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland Law School, athlete, and the 2022 Blind Australian of the Year.
Meet... Sam Drummond
Sam Drummond is a Discrimination Lawyer in Naarm (Melbourne). He explains how making reasonable adjustments for accessibility provides someone with the dignity of fulfilling work but also benefits organisations who are then seen as exemplary employers.
Meet... Sam Jackson
As a lawyer, Sam says employment has provided intellectual and social stimulation, built networks of friends and colleagues, and allowed him to start giving back to his community through volunteer roles with community legal organisations.
Meet... Simon Darcy
Apart from financial independence, Simon believes employment meant establishing networks inside and outside of work, which led to doing a whole lot of new things with a widened social circle that had initially started to shrink after his injury.
Meet... Simon Katterl
Simon is a mental health advocate, and a consultant at Simon Katterl Consulting. Simon has worked on important reforms in the sector, including at the Royal Commission, for the Victorian Government, in peer and mentoring work, and in human rights.
Meet... Simon McKeon
Simon was the 2011 Australian of the Year and has made significant contributions to Australia in the areas of business, philanthropy, social responsibility and sustainability.
Meet... Tim Ferguson
Tim is a widely acclaimed comedian, screen writer, author, actor, comedy coach, advocate, and patron of MS Australia.
Meet... Tracey Corbin-Matchett
Tracey, who has bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as well as Spina Bifida Occulta and scoliosis, is the CEO of Bus Stop Films, a film school and production company which uses filmmaking to raise the profile of people with disabilities and other groups.
Meet... Trudi Fischer
Trudi is a Physiotherapist and Arrowsmith Program teacher. Trudi worked as a physiotherapist in rural WA prior to her injury and has since worked in the tertiary sector and small business.