Kate Alexander

CEO, Barnardos Australia Kate Alexander is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in child protection with a distinguished career advancing safe, ethical, and culturally responsive practice. She was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Barnardos in late 2025 and brings extensive experience across senior leadership roles in government and the community sector.
Kate served for 13 years as the inaugural Senior Practitioner for the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, where she led the design and implementation of the NSW Practice Framework, established the Aboriginal Culture in Practice team, and oversaw development of the nationally recognised child death review function. Her outstanding contribution to family and community services was recognised with the NSW Public Service Medal in 2019.
Kate is a qualified Social Worker with a Masters in Couple and Family Therapy and recently completed her PHD at Melbourne University with publications in international journals.

Carolyn Cousins

Director, Tuned In Consulting Carolyn Cousins is a social worker and adult educator with extensive experience in the trauma and mental health sectors in both Australia and the UK. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work, a Master’s degree in Education (Adult), and a Master’s degree in Applied Neuroscience. As an AASW Accredited Supervisor, Carolyn has supported the AASW as a subject matter expert and facilitator. Carolyn has published articles and book chapters on supervision and offers supervision to professionals across various fields.

Kate Fluin

General Manager, Community Youth Justice, Department of Human Services With over 27 years of experience in child protection and youth justice, Kate has built an extensive career dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Beginning as a social worker with the Department for Child Protection, Kate has held a range of leadership roles, including Manager and Practice Leader, across rural, remote, and metropolitan regions. In 2024, she transitioned to the Department of Human Services, where she now serves as General Manager, Community Youth Justice. In this role, she oversees the operational management and clinical governance of youth justice services, including courts, bail, home detention, and case management programs. Holding a Bachelor and Master of Social Work, along with postgraduate studies in child development, trauma, and leadership, Kate is deeply committed to driving best practice, strengthening service partnerships, and ensuring the highest standards of care and support for young people in the justice system.

Dr Tracey Harris

CEO, Amovita International, MyBio.life TraceyHarris.global Tracey has been a leader in organisational and business design in both executive and leadership roles throughout her 30 year career. She has been a senior ministerial advisor to both state and federal ministers and members of Parliament and instrumental in developing and leading significant policy reform in both social and public policy arenas. Tracey comes from a family of business owners where her parents founded Alpha Electrics and Alpha Irrigation. In her role with Amovita International, she leads the Global Strategy and Executive Consulting Division and has a career that spans both Australia and internationally. Tracey also provided lectureship at the Australian Catholic University where she lectured in the fields of public and social policy, leadership and organisational excellence. With an interest in research on high performance leadership and neurocare, Tracey has developed a high performance model for leadership, supervision and coaching and completed her Doctorate with Griffith University in Brisbane researching leadership and supervisor capability. She is an international author on leadership excellence with Routledge.

Mary Joyce

Head of Department, Social Work
Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group Mary is currently the Social Work Head of Department for the Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group in Western Australia. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree, is a Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Management, and a Certified Health Executive. She has held clinical, strategic planning and management and director roles in the health sector. Mary has a keen interest in information technology and data collection systems.

Anthony Lekkas (he/ him)

Relationship and Couple Counsellor, Social Worker (AMHSW) Anthony Lekkas (he/ him) is a family violence consultant, trainer, relationship counsellor and accredited mental health social worker working in the LGBTIQA+ and mainstream community health services and in private practice. Anthony’s work in the criminal justice system included working with incarcerated young people, as well as leading an LGBTIQA+ family violence court support team with Magistrates Courts Victoria. His clinical work experience involves working with victim survivors and perpetrators in ‘hetero’ and queer men’s behaviour change programs. Anthony provides clinical supervision to family violence practitioners and teams. In private practice he provides relationship counselling to LGBTIQA+ and straight people in monogamous, non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships.

Liz Little

AASW National President Elizabeth “Liz” Little is a distinguished Tasmanian social work leader whose career has been defined by advocacy, reform and compassion. With more than four decades of experience spanning government, community, education and international collaboration, Liz has consistently worked to advance equality, human rights and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.
After earning a Bachelor of Social Studies from the University of Sydney and a Master of Social Science (Administration) from the University of Tasmania, Liz began her career in community development and youth work before moving into leadership roles in social policy and justice reform. In 1990, she became the inaugural Director of Tasmania’s Office of the Status of Women, where she played a central role in shaping government policy for women’s equality. Five years later, she was appointed Tasmania’s first Sex Discrimination Commissioner, implementing the new Sex Discrimination Act and strengthening protections for women’s rights. During this time, she was recognised with a United Nations Day Certificate of Recognition for furthering the rights of women.
From 2001 to 2009, Liz served as Principal Consultant for Strategic Policy and Projects with the Department of Justice, where she was instrumental in developing Tasmania’s landmark Safe at Home initiative, an integrated, whole-of-government response to family violence. Her expertise and leadership also saw her invited by the Chinese Government to deliver domestic violence training to senior officials and by Cambridge University to speak on gender equality at the House of Lords.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Sexual Assault Support Service (2010–2015), Liz championed trauma-informed practice, improved support for survivors of sexual assault, and contributed advice to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. She later served as CEO of Rural Alive & Well (2016–2019), supporting rural communities through mental health, crisis and suicide prevention services.
Liz has also served in multiple national and advisory capacities, including as Chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (2012–2015), AASW National Case Reviewer, Official Visitor to the Tasmanian Prison Service, and Ethics Committee Member for the University of Tasmania. In recognition of her enduring contribution to gender equality, justice and community wellbeing, Liz was inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2023. In November 2025, she was elected National President of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). As National President Liz will continue to champion professional integrity, ethical practice, and the transformative power of social work to engage individuals, communities and systems in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate society.

Ben McGregor

Quality and Practice Partner at Anglicare Tasmania Ben is the Quality and Practice Partner at Anglicare Tasmania – with nearly two decades of experience in mental health and community services, Ben brings a blend of leadership and strategic insight, overseeing service delivery and guiding key initiatives. His expertise in practice oversight, supervision, and corporate governance, along with a personal commitment to mental health, drives his passion for enhancing performance, optimising resources, and building strong stakeholder relationships to achieve impactful outcomes.

Professor Kieran O’Donoghue, PhD

Head of School of Social Work, Massey University NZ Kieran O’Donoghue is Professor of Social Work at Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand. He is a registered social worker, clinical supervisor, supervision educator, researcher and author. He coordinates the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision at Massey University and has widely published on social work supervision. He is the lead Editor of the Routledge International Handbook of Social Work Supervision. Kieran has contributed to the education and training of social work supervisors in Aotearoa New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji.
In 2015, he was awarded the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Quality and Innovation Trophy for Excellence in Research and Certificate for Research Excellence for his contribution to social work supervision research in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sarah Wendt

Director – Social Workers Registration Board, Professor of Social Work Sarah is the inaugural Director for the South Australian Social Workers Registration Board. Sarah is also currently Professor of Social Work at Melbourne University and Chief Investigator for the Centre for Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). Prior to academia Sarah practiced in the field of domestic violence. She has taught in social work for over a decade and supervised many PhDs. She has published on violence against women and social work practice. Her research projects explore the impact of domestic violence on women’s citizenship, service provision in the field of domestic violence, and engaging men to address domestic violence. More recently Sarah has published on social work registration and the future of the social work workforce.

Jane Wexler

Founding Director, Wex Group Pty Ltd Jane is widely regarded for her wealth of experience, expertise and engaging style, delivering leadership development, supervision, coaching, mediation & education to emerging and experienced leaders in Australia, China, Singapore and Asia Pacific. She is Founding Director of Wex Group Pty Ltd. As an academic, Jane taught social work at Deakin, RMIT & Monash universities, and business studies at Holmes Change le College, Shanghai. Concurrently, she co-published and co-owned a successful Australian entertainment magazine, blending her love of the arts with leadership acumen. Jane combines her unique skills across sectors with an interest in Eastern philosophy. She is committed to self-mastery, authentic relationships and creatively using frameworks to foster positive supervision and organisational cultures.

Luke Wilson

Cultural Educator, Kuma Kaaru Cultural Services Luke Wilson is a Cultural Educator with Kuma Kaaru Cultural Services that has spent many years showcasing and sharing his culture, locally, nationally and internationally. He is a Kaurna Narungga, Ngarrindjeri, Arrente and Ngadjuri man

Sarah Macdonald

Associate Professor Director of Social Work, Central Adelaide Local Health Network Sarah lives and works on Kaurna land.  She is currently the Director of Social Work at Central Adelaide Local Health Network and a Clinical Associate Professor with Adelaide University.
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the South Australian Institute of Technology and was active in student politics at the time HECS was introduced in Australia.  Her post graduate qualifications are in public policy and management, and she is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner.
For the last two decades her macro social work practice has been in public sector leadership in the areas of clinical service design and implementation, large scale change management, clinical governance, and fostering culturally responsive organisational culture in complex service delivery systems.
She is passionate about supporting and developing the next generation of public sector social work leaders and is highly regarded for her mentoring of emerging clinical leaders.

Toni Gwynn-Jones 

President, Australian Clinical Supervision Association  Toni Gwynn-Jones is a highly experienced clinician, educator and clinical supervisor with over 40 years of practice across nursing, midwifery and health leadership. She holds a Master of Nursing, Graduate Diplomas in Midwifery and Professional Development Education, and formal qualifications in training, assessment and project management. Throughout her career Toni has worked in senior roles in clinical governance, quality and safety, workforce development and professional education within ACT Health and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.
Toni is deeply committed to reflective practice and the role of clinical supervision in supporting ethical, effective and sustainable professional practice. Since 2023 she has provided mentoring, coaching and clinical supervision through private practice to health and human service professionals. She is currently President of the Australia Clinical Supervision Association and brings a practical, cross-disciplinary perspective on strengthening supervision practice across the helping professions.

Dr Anita Morris

Partner – Solutions Together Dr Anita Morris is a partner in Solutions Together, a bespoke consultancy specialising in health and human services. She also works in state government in a practice leadership role guiding family violence and child wellbeing reform implementation. Dr Morris draws on her background as a PhD-qualified social worker with extensive experience and expertise across health and human service research, policy and practice. As an Accredited AASW social worker, she is recognised for her skills and leadership in professional supervision, training and development having designed, developed and delivered key AASW professional development programs including the award-winning Introduction to Best Practice for Supervision.

Hailey Fuchs

Co-Founder, Suubi Consulting Hailey Fuchs is an experienced social worker and cultural practice leader with over 15 years working across complex child protection, multicultural, refugee and migrant services. With eight years in statutory child protection in South Australia and senior leadership roles in the settlement sector, Hailey has supervised multidisciplinary and CALD-identifying teams across high‑risk, crisis, and settlement contexts.
Her practice is grounded in cultural humility, identity‑affirming supervision, and strengthening organisational capability to work safely and effectively with diverse communities. Hailey specialises in culturally responsive and trauma‑informed supervision, supporting practitioners to navigate risk, uncertainty and cross‑cultural complexity while maintaining ethical, reflective and accountable practice.
As Co‑Founder of Suubi Consulting, she partners with organisations to build cultural capability, embed inclusive supervision frameworks, and drive systemic change that honours the lived experience and cultural identity of both workers and the communities they serve.

Cate Hudson

Associate Professor Cate Hudson Dean of School
School of Social Work and Social Care
Adelaide University
Cate is Dean of School in the School of Social Work and Social Care at the new Adelaide University. Previously she served as the Dean of Programs with UniSA Justice & Society and prior to that, was the Regional Programs Coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Sciences Programs offered through the Whyalla and Mt Gambier campuses of UniSA. Cate has coordinated and taught courses at the Bachelor and Master level for students located at Magill, Mt Gambier, Whyalla or anywhere around Australia. She has a strong interest in fitness to practice and professional development, both of which are essential to ensuring the quality-of-service provision to clients and the community. Cate’s research interests encompass professional development for rural, regional, and remote staff and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Cate has used that knowledge and experience to assist professionals in regional areas of South Australia to access professional development opportunities.

Tina Brodie

Pro Vice Chancellor: Indigenous Education, Adelaide University Professor Tina Brodie (BSW (Hons) GradCertCouns, PhD) is an Aboriginal woman with connections to Yawarrawarrka and Yandruwandha (South Australia).
Tina is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor: Indigenous Education at Adelaide University, and has over 18 years of experience in Aboriginal health and wellbeing in research, education, clinical, project and leadership roles.

Elyse Leonard

Business & Practice Advisor, Amovita International Elyse’s career spans Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and Adelaide and she holds degrees in both psychology and social work. Elyse has worked in both clinical and professional roles across the non-government, government, and corporate sectors, specialising in complex and vicarious trauma, clinical mental health and organisational excellence. She uses a range of clinical and professional approaches including neuro-social science, trauma-informed and transactional analysis approaches to support clients to enhance wellness and high performance in the workplace.
Elyse develops and facilitates training in neuro-wellness, trauma, professional and organisational excellence. She has worked across the aged care, mental health and disability sectors.
She presents at local and national conferences on mental health and her research interest is in professional excellence and wellness in the workplace. Elyse also volunteers to support people experiencing homeless in Brisbane.

Sasha Houthuysen (she/her)

Director, Mulga Hill Projects Sasha Houthuysen/Hill is a Yamatji woman living on Kaurna Yerta and the Director of Mulga Hill Projects. She is a qualified Social Worker, Arts Therapist, Facilitator, multidisciplinary Artist and Mother who focuses on aligning cultural and clinical practices to ensure safe and supported connections.
Sasha has worked across both Government and the Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors, within metro and remote settings, bringing experiences of front-line work and through executive leadership positions. Her work practices focus on improving systems and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and the community through embedding wise cultural and clinical practices through inviting Aboriginal ways of knowing, doing and being.

Karrina Betschart

Director of Professional Practice and Intake, Northern Territory Department of Education and Training Karrina Betschart is an award-winning social work executive with over 25 years of experience spanning child protection, youth justice, education, and community services. Currently Director of Professional Practice and Intake for the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training, she leads strategic wellbeing and inclusion initiatives across Northern Territory Government schools. Known for her ethical leadership and trauma-informed practice, Karrina has shaped policy, built high-performing teams, and driven reforms in remote and urban settings. She is a recognised thought leader, NT Social Worker of the Year (2014), and an accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Lauren Hawkins

Acting National Manager, Social Work Services, Services Australia Lauren Hawkins is the Acting National Manager of Social Work Services at Services Australia. Lauren provides leadership, strategic advice and professional expertise to support high-quality social work services and improve outcomes for people experiencing vulnerability.
Since joining Services Australia in 2004, Lauren has worked across frontline social work practice, program management, project delivery and leadership roles. She is committed to strengthening service quality and capability, supporting the social work workforce, and working across government to deliver practical, person-centred outcomes for individuals and communities across Australia.

Wendy Joyce

Social Work Manager, Services Australia Wendy is a Social Work Manager in Services Australia responsible for a Social work team across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. Wendy provides leadership and professional expertise to social workers providing high quality services to customers experiencing vulnerability.
Wendy joined Services Australia in 2011 and has worked developing and supporting operational teams in the delivery of social work services across the Northern Territory, Remote Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Prior to this she worked across Commonwealth and various State governments in service delivery areas including Child Protection, Infant and maternal health, and in Policy development. She is committed to the delivery of high quality Social work services to vulnerable Australians.