Our people

Katharine is an academic at Flinders University and a registered Developmental Educator with over 20 years serving on local and national not-for-profit boards across the disability and arts sectors. A founding member of ASAN AUNZ, she has spent more than 15 years in autism advocacy at grassroots and policy levels, including roles on the NDIA's ministerially-appointed Autism Advisory Group.

As an autistic person with multiple autistic family members, she brings deep professional experience supporting autistic people with complex needs and is passionate about co-design in research and policy.

Malcolm is the founder and Managing Director of Autism STAR and a mentor and content writer for the Academy's Future Leaders and Governance programs. His background spans civil engineering research and construction contract administration on major projects.

Malcolm's view of the world changed when he self-diagnosed his Asperger's Syndrome at the age of 37 and had that diagnosis confirmed a few years later; Autism STAR grew out of that process of self-discovery. Malcolm's goal is to shine a light on the autism spectrum to show the world that autism is a strength to be cherished and nurtured into success for all.

Cheryl brings more than 25 years of experience leading initiatives that drive inclusion and social change. Her career spans research management, policy and digital innovation across the not-for-profit sector. Since joining the team in 2015, she has held a range of senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Chief Innovation Officer leading our research translation and commercialisation strategy.

Cheryl holds a Master of Policy and Applied Social Research and a Bachelor of Social Science. She is currently completing an Executive MBA at Queensland University of Technology, supported by a UN Women in Leadership Excellence Scholarship awarded in 2025.

Liv is an experienced research manager, academic, therapist and educator who works across the research office and the Academy, which delivers nationwide programs for autistic adults. Since joining the team in 2015, Liv has contributed to and provided strategic oversight of national research, policy, and translation initiatives, including evidence-based frameworks, guidelines, consultation activities, and capacity-building programs designed to improve outcomes, services, and supports for autistic people and their families/carers.

With degrees in psychology, human services and education, she has spent more than 20 years working with autistic people through research, training and teaching, and earned her PhD from the University of Queensland's School of Psychology.

Hayley is a passionate disability advocate who has worked with local councils and organisations including Women with Disabilities Australia and ASAN AUNZ and has served on autism research advisory boards at UQ, UTS and Macquarie University. Joining the team in 2022, she also co-led several national initiatives related to co-design and community engagement to inform the National Autism Strategy and the Autism Health Roadmap.

Hayley has a Bachelor of Psychology from Edith Cowan University and is a graduate of the Academy's Future Leaders, Research, and Governance Programs.

Jason maintains the website, implements the communication strategy across a range of mediums, and creates physical and digital assets and collateral. He has a passion for design thinking and collaboration, balancing creative energy with technical precision.

Before joining the team in 2019, he worked as a graphic designer in the gift industry, moving from package design into digital design and marketing, and has designed and developed tabletop games since 2013.

Kiah coordinates administrative and operational activities across the Sylvia Rodger Institute, supporting the delivery of programs, projects and events that promote learning, leadership and community engagement. Drawing on experience in administration and disability support, they work closely with teams and stakeholders to ensure efficient operations and positive participant experiences. They have a particular interest in improving systems and processes that strengthen organisational performance and support meaningful community impact.

Kiah is committed to fostering inclusive and collaborative environments where people can share their knowledge, skills and lived experience. They are a graduate of The Academy's Research Program and Governance Program.

Brendan is a product manager with over a decade of experience building software and digital platforms across government, education, and the social impact sector. His experience spans product strategy and roadmap development across complex portfolios, co-design and human-centred design with non-traditional user groups, stakeholder alignment in regulated, multi-partner environments, and agile delivery, product analytics and benefits realisation.

Brendan's work is grounded in inclusive human-centred design, with a current focus on the role of generative AI in community services.

Nicole is passionate about ensuring equitable outcomes in education and committed to championing inclusive education and inclusive teaching practice. She joined us in November 2021 with the Knowledge Translation team, working to develop a community of practice for inclusionED and offer teachers a space to learn and grow in their inclusive practice.

With qualifications in education, training and assessment, and international and community development, Nicole has over 7 years' experience as a teacher and experience in several not-for-profit and charitable organisations.

Raymond is a certified therapy dog who joined the team in 2022. Working with his handler, Dr Liv Gatfield, as a human-canine team, he is a regular attendee at the Sylvia Rodger Institute's headquarters, functions and events.

As an advocate for being patted, Raymond strongly believes in creating welcoming environments and fostering connection. His areas of expertise include ensuring no lunch is left uninspected, encouraging walking meetings, providing support during busy workdays and quality assurance of office snacks.