Leading our wonderful organisation with more than 30 years of history is something Kellie considers both a privilege and a responsibility. She sees her role as stewarding CPSN’s values, protecting its culture and ensuring the organisation remains responsive, human rights and future-focused. Kellie is proud to lead CPSN at a time of growth and change and remains focused on building a sustainable organisation that supports its people with passion and dedication.
What motivates Kellie as a leader to succeed in her role?
With more than six years at CPSN, including roles as Deputy CEO and General Manager of Client Outcomes and Operations, Kellie brings broad, hands-on expertise across leadership, service delivery and organisational strategy. Her career has been shaped by a strong client focus and a commitment to ensuring CPSN delivers high-quality, person-led experiences while building trusted, long-term relationships with families, staff and sector partners.
Kellie often describes the organisation as representing connection, purpose and human rights, principles that guide her leadership every day. This was evident at CPSN’s refreshed website launch, where she delivered a heartfelt opening address reflecting the organisation’s journey, values and the community it exists to support.
“It’s a reflection of who CPSN is today…a trusted, Community-led provider, deeply rooted in Lived experience, and unwavering in our commitment to people living with Cerebral Palsy and their families."
For Kellie, being welcomed into the lives of the people CPSN supports is very special and an incredible privilege.
“CPSN is built on human rights, collaboration, and a hands-on, solutions focused approach. We support each other, get the job done, and are deeply driven by our passion for delivering the best possible experience for all.”
What makes CPSN stand out among other sector Service Providers in their approach to supporting clients and Staff?
Kellie says CPSN is unique within the sector because of our genuine individualised approaches to the support we provide.
“Many organisations claim to be client-centered, but often, this means clients must fit within their way of doing things. For us, being truly client-centered means placing the client at the core of all supports. While we adhere to a structured framework to maintain NDIS compliance, we work alongside each client, ensuring they have genuine choice and control over how their supports are delivered in a way that best suits their needs.”
A common misconception she has observed through her experiences is that we all have pre-conceived tendencies to underestimate what people with disabilities, can’t do or, conversely, we assume what they want to do just because they can.
How has your perspective on disability inclusion evolved over time?
I think earlier on I believed inclusion was something you could design, implement and then tick off.
"Over time, I’ve learned it’s much more than that. Real inclusion happens in relationships,in everyday choices, and in being willing to listen…especially when the answer isn’t easy. These days, I’m much more comfortable with complexity and with the idea that inclusion is something we continue to work at, not something we ever fully 'finish'."
What have people with Lived experience taught you that you couldn’t have learned elsewhere?
They’ve taught me that no one size fits all and lived experience is so individual. You only really understand what safety, dignity and choice mean when you hear directly from the people living those experiences every day.
I’ve also learned the importance of slowing down, asking better questions and being okay with not having all the answers straight away.
"Lived experience brings truth and authenticity and that is a powerful voice."
What do you think the sector still gets wrong - or overlooks when it comes to supporting people with disabilities?
"I think we sometimes underestimate how exhausting it is for people and families to constantly navigate systems that don’t quite fit. There’s still a lot of focus on processes and compliance, which are important, but they can overshadow relationships and trust. We don’t alway sslow down enough to ask, “Is this actually making life better for the person?” and then pause to “hear” the response as that is what REALLY matters."
What keeps you motivated in this work?
The people and our values Every (sic) time. The individuals, families and staff who keep showing up with authenticity and resilience, even when its challenging…and it’s challenging a lot of the time.
I’m motivated by the awesome responsibility and wonderful privilege that comes with this work. To lead thoughtfully and with heart and knowing that services can feel more human and more respectful when we take the time to do things properly.
Is there a moment or story that’s stayed with you during your time at CPSN?
There isn’t just one moment…it’s often the smaller, quieter ones. Conversations where someone says they finally feel listened to, or families who talk about feeling safer or more at home. CPSN was built from lived experience, and you can feel that every day… in how we show up, how decisions are made, and how deeply our values sit at the heart of what we do.
"Those moments really ground me. They remind me that our values aren’t just words on a page, they guide how I work with people, how I support our staff, and how I hold responsibility as an organisation. The voice of lived experience continues to shape not just what we do, but how we do it and that really matters!"
From your time at CPSN, what are your top three tips you can share with everyone about your role?
1. Listen first: People will often tell you exactly what they need if you truly listen.
2. Be Adaptable: The best solutions come from flexibility, creativity, and occasionally just rolling with the chaos.
3. Never lose sight of Purpose: Stay connected to why you do what you do - because passion is what keeps you going, especially on those days when coffee just isn’t strong enough.
And because I want to, I’ll add a fourth tip:
4. Have Fun and enjoy what you do: Some days are tough, but if you love what you do, the “hard” feels a little less...well, hard (or at least more worth it).
Away from work, what do you enjoy doing ? What are your hobbies and interests?
You'll find me out on a trail, running along the beach, or renovating - “on the tools” as they say.
When I’m not doing that, I am spending time with my beautiful family and friends or am covered in dirt from the garden - where I like to pretend I have control over what actually grows .😊
At CPSN, people are our purpose and passion, guided by leaders like Kellie, who champion care, inclusion and connection. We continue to lead as a trusted Support Service for those with CP and similar conditions in the community. We’re here to help. Contact us: cpsn@cpsn.org.au. (03) 9478 1001 or 1300 277 600
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