Estelle Fyffe
President and Chair
Estelle has worked in the public and non for profit sector in a number of roles, most recently as CEO of Annecto and a Director of Active Community Housing.
She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Australian Psychological Society and has Postgraduate qualifications in Psychology (University of Melbourne) and Management (RMIT).
Estelle is committed to developing healthy organisational cultures and systems that promote social and economic inclusion.
Jonathan Epstein
Treasurer
Jonathan is a director at Flinders Lane Capital, specialising in private market lending and venture finance, and at PolStrat Pty Ltd, a political and economic advisory firm.
He co-founded ECG Advisory Solutions and ECG Financial, advising top ASX companies on corporate strategy, M&A, and regulatory issues.
With prior experience in the Commonwealth Treasury and Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, Jonathan also contributes to the not-for-profit sector, having served on the board of Crohn’s and Colitis Australia.
Alex Reimers
General Member
Alex Reimers is a dry witted, bubbly, intuitive and out-going woman living with Cerebral Palsy.
Alex has served on the Disability Inclusion Reference Committee for Bendigo, and is a member of the statewide Lived Experience Advisory Committee for Rights Information Advocacy Centre, in which she was involved initiatives such as promoting Bendigo’s accessible tourism and providing lived experience of the NDIS at a joint standing committee hearing.
Alex is also a member of Women with Disabilities Victoria, and recently completed the Observership Program.
She is a published poet, model, qualified psychic medium and Reiki Master, with the aim of breaking down societal norms through her creativity, intuition and compassion.
Alex is an enthusiastic advocate for the disabled and rainbow communities; and recently, she has launched a program in schools to offer education around disability inclusion.
Alex hopes to teach the next generation awareness around disability and inclusion, as she believes that the world is a better place when we share our light.
Prof. Leanne Robinson
Vice President
Professor Leanne Robinson (BSc Adv (Hons) PhD MPHTM) is an Epidemiologist and global health Researcher and Director of Health Security at Burnet Institute.
Leanne is a recognised expert in Epidemiology and implementation research for the control and elimination of Malaria and neglected tropical diseases. She holds a number of International positions including WHO and Global Health Advisory Committees and Editorial Boards.
Leanne is a parent of a child with Cerebral Palsy and understands the importance of high-quality support to individuals and families and the positive impact it can have on their daily lives.
She believes that equity is not only a fundamental human right, but essential for human development.
Tara Eaton
Secretary
Tara is a lawyer by background, with almost 20 years’ experience guiding clients through Australia’s complex regulatory environment.
Tara is currently the Head of Legal & Policy at the Australian Red Cross.
Tara has over ten years’ experience working withinorganisations as Head of Legal and Executive team member, with a focus oninnovative, intellectual property and brand-based businesses.
Tara has held other roles within the organisations she hasworked for, including Privacy Officer, Head of Compliance and CompanySecretary.
Tara has an LLB and Asian Studies degree from ANU, a Mastersof Laws from USYD and a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute.
She is admitted to practice in Victoria, NSW, and the Federal system.
She is married and has two daughters who she hopes grow upin a world where everyone can access the same opportunities.
Dr Monica Cooper
General Member
Dr Monica Cooper is a General Pediatrician working in the Department of Neurodevelopment and Disability at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
Monica specialises in caring for infants, children and young people with cerebral palsy and with medical complexity. Monica leads the inter-disciplinary saliva clinic, manages intrathecal Baclofen therapy and works in the Cerebral Palsy clinic.
Monica has an interest in Bioethics and is a member of the Clinical Ethics Response Group. Monica is passionate about education and runs a weekly teaching clinic for Paediatric trainees, she provides lectures and tutorials for medical students and supervises PhD students.
Monica was the lead the author for the evidence-based care pathway for respiratory health in Cerebral Palsy, published by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.
Monica also serves as a medical advisor for the Australian Disorders of the Corpus Callosum and is on the Scientific Committee for the Australian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, and the International Sialorrhoea Steering Group.
Monica is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care. She takes a personalised approach, focusing on understanding the goals and preferences of the individual and their family.
By optimising Health, Monica aims to enhance quality of life to support meaningful participation and best possible future outcomes.
Peter Halcomb
General Member
Peter is an experienced executive, HR practitioner and Board Advisor with many years of experience with the Federal Government, not for profit and commercial organisations large and small
He has consulted for Federal Government Agencies, not-for-profit and privately owned organisations. Peter’s current emphasis is organisational design and development, Board health reviews, executive coaching, and mentoring future generations.
Peter is an active MBA Alumni with Monash University, a professional member of the Australian Human Resource Institute and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Peter’s professional and personal passions are helping client organisations improve their performance and helping people realise their potential for themselves, so they can make their best contribution to society.
Elizabeth Ellis
General Member
Liz has worked as a Family Liaison Officer with Villa Maria Catholic Homes, assisting families to navigate the disability service system and prepare for the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Liz transitioned to Customer Experience where she chaired the Customer Experience Committee.
Previously Liz has held the position as a Lived Experienced Facilitator at the Housing Hub within the Summer Foundation. In her advocacy roles Liz has served as the Chair of the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) and as a Board member of the Association for Children with a Disability.
Liz is privileged to have contributed to three Disability Advisory Committees,most recently Darebin Disability Advisory Committee and the EACH Consumer Carer and Community Advisory Committee.
Currently Liz is also the Chair of the State Government’s Accessible Transport Advisory Committee.
In the past two years Liz has engaged with CPSN as a member of Tribal Wisdom and an active member of Brains Trust.
Board observership program
All CPSN Support workers are employed (not contracted) and are verified, paid transparently, covered by comprehensive insurance and has access to training and support from CPSN. Behind our support workers is the service delivery team and CP experts ready to support you and your workers anytime.
CPSN has participated in the Board Observership program for two years. As part of our commitment to supporting individuals to gain governance experience and skills. The successful candidate is paired with CPSN for 12 months and attend all board and/or committee meetings as a non-voting member and learn about fundamental principles and functions of not-for-profit boards; what is the role of a board member; as well as fiscal processes and other governance functions.
Expressions of interest in October for the following intake year.
