Leading Workplaces
Where Culture, Care, and Performance Meet
Helping community sector organisations create psychosocially safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces in Queensland and Nth NSW
Services for Community- based Organisations
In today’s not-for-profit landscape, expectations for creating and maintaining high-performing, psychologically safe workplaces have never been higher. With shifts in legislation and community standards, boards, leaders and managers are expected to go beyond good intentions to identify, prevent and respond to psychosocial risks, while still meeting organisational objectives.
I’ve worked in the community sector for 20+ years, with a strong focus on regional and inclusive service delivery. Many of the organisations I support are trauma-facing, with teams operating in environments that demand sensitivity, resilience and care. Being trauma-informed and drawing on existing strengths is central to my work - helping organisations support their people while continuing to deliver high-quality services to the community.
My experience spans leading advocacy organisations, supporting individual employees and small groups, and influencing government policy and organisational direction. Across all of this, I design interventions that recognise complexity, align with purpose and deliver lasting impact. That lens shapes my approach to workplace reviews, leadership development, board support and organisational systems- so that strategies strengthen the whole organisation, not just isolated parts.
What I do:
Workplace culture and psychosocial safety reviews
Leadership development for emerging leaders
WHS-aligned approaches to identifying and managing psychosocial hazards including bullying and sexual harassment and domestic and family violence at work.
Interventions to prevent vicarious trauma and strain in the workforce
Grievance handling and complaint resolution frameworks
Supporting teams to strengthen communication, trust, and agreed ways of working
Trauma-informed team development and leadership support
Integration of collective care and wellbeing strategies into organisational practice
My qualities and qualifications:
I hold degrees in Environmental Science and Social Work (First Class Honours), with advanced training in Family and Systems Therapy, mediation, and a range of evidence-based approaches including brief therapy, systems intervention, strengths-based practice, and gender-informed work. I have also served in high-level and community governance roles, bringing a practical understanding of organisational leadership and accountability.
I’m a warm, engaging, and thoughtful professional who has been committed to the community sector for over two decades. After starting my career in hospitality, I found my calling in industrial and organisational social work, leading the Queensland Working Women’s Service for 16 years. Alongside this, I built a private social work practice as a mental health accredited social worker -combining my passion for helping individuals achieve better outcomes with my drive to support organisations in meeting their mission and goals.
I work with organisations on an hourly, daily, or fixed-cost basis, with sector-friendly rates and the ability to provide references from past projects. My approach is flexible, collaborative, and tailored to the needs of your organisation.
Respect at Work - Policy, Training and Culture Change
I was involved in the initial Respect at Work Enquiry by the Human Rights Commission and remain committed to fostering healthy and respectful workplaces by assisting organisations to meet their legal and ethical obligations in preventing sexual harassment and workplace bullying by working at both the policy and practice levels. This includes reviewing and developing clear, compliant policies; delivering engaging, evidence-based training that empowers leaders and staff to recognise, prevent, and respond to unacceptable behaviour; and supporting fair, trauma-informed processes for addressing complaints or concerns. My approach takes a cultural and systems lens to assist organisations not only respond to individual incidents but also strengthen the underlying culture, leadership practices, and structures that create safe, respectful, and high-performing workplaces.
My Services Include:
Workplace Culture and Psychosocial Safety Reviews
Creating a safe and rewarding workplace culture starts with understanding what’s working well and where risks lie, especially in trauma-facing services where the pressures and emotional demands on staff are high. I take a whole-organisation approach, looking at the connections between people, processes, and purpose. This allows me to identify not only isolated issues, but also patterns and interdependencies that may contribute to risks or strengths. My reviews highlight opportunities to strengthen psychological safety, team wellbeing, and performance, while meeting WHS and workplace relations obligations. With experience leading high-performance teams in the community sector, I focus on practical changes that reflect organisational values, strengthen inclusivity, and align with the expectations of modern workplaces.
Understanding and Preventing Vicarious Trauma
I help trauma- exposed organisations recognise and reduce the impacts of vicarious trauma on staff. Workers in social and community services are often exposed to difficult stories and experiences that can take a toll over time. I provide training, policy support, and practical strategies, such as reflective practice, peer support, and thoughtful job design to protect staff wellbeing. These approaches strengthen systems and culture, meet psychosocial safety obligations, and sustain healthy, effective workplaces.
Leadership Development for Emerging Leaders
Developing confident, ethical, and capable leaders is essential for organisational success - particularly in services where leaders must balance care for their teams with the demands of high-need client work. I work with current and emerging leaders to build skills in trauma-informed practice, effective team leadership, and decision-making in values-driven environments. Support can include one-to-one coaching, targeted skills development, and practical tools for leading safe, motivated, and high-performing teams.
High-Performance Teams and Communication
Teams work best when trust, respect, and clarity guide their interactions, and when they understand how their work connects to the organisation’s mission. In trauma-facing contexts, these foundations are essential for sustaining morale and avoiding burnout. My approach helps teams strengthen communication, build cohesion, and create agreed ways of working that enable them to perform at their best. This can involve observing team dynamics, facilitating open conversations, and supporting teams to maintain respect and resilience -even in high-pressure or emotionally demanding situations.
