Meet our Speakers

Melbourne

HOST

Karni Liddel

A Paralympian, world record holder, and passionate advocate, Karni Liddell has spent her life breaking barriers. Born with a neuro-muscular wasting disease, she defied the odds to become a medal-winning athlete, disability rights leader, and clinical social worker. Karni played a pivotal role in bringing the NDIS to Australia, has raised over $1 million for disability charities, and is a sought-after keynote speaker and media presenter. With her powerful storytelling, she inspires audiences to challenge limitations, embrace resilience, and drive meaningful change.

Sarah Collison

Occupational Therapist & Director of Verve OT

Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and the Director of Verve OT, specialising in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments for NDIS participants. Leading a team of 45 OTs across Sydney and the Blue Mountains, she delivers in-home and community-based supports. As a trainer and presenter, Sarah has educated thousands of OTs nationwide, helping them navigate the complexities of the NDIS. She is the founder of Verve OT Learning, an education hub for high-quality, evidence-based services. Sarah also facilitates the NDIS OT Community of Practice and co-hosts the OT Unplugged podcast, offering practical insights for OTs in the NDIS space.

Helen Bourke-Taylor

Professor & Occupational Therapist

Helen Bourke-Taylor is an occupational therapist and Professor (Teaching and Research) at Monash University, Melbourne Australia. Since graduating in 1990, Helen has worked as an occupational therapist in paedatrics in Melbourne (Royal Children's Hospital) and with adults in neurorehabilitation in Chicago (Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch). Helen has worked with mothers of children with disabilities in her co-designed and co-delivered program Healthy Mothers Healthy Families since completing her PhD in 2010.  

Raelene Dundon

Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Play Therapist, and Author

Raelene Dundon is an Autistic and ADHDer Educational and Developmental Psychologist, Play Therapist, and Author, dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children and young people. As Clinical Director of Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy, she leads a multidisciplinary team delivering neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based interventions that empower children to find their voice and embrace their authentic selves.

A lecturer, mentor, and international speaker, Raelene provides professional training for psychologists, educators, and allied health professionals. She has authored five books on neurodivergence and advocates for inclusive healthcare and social policy. With over 20 years of experience, she is a leading voice in neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Karen Dimmock

CEO, ACD (VIC)

Karen Dimmock is a passionate leader and advocate dedicated to ensuring children with disabilities and their families thrive. As CEO of ACD, she brings extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, disability policy, and system navigation. A long-time foster and permanent carer, Karen’s lived experience shapes her commitment to inclusion.

Pieta Manning

Advocate and Inclusion Leader

Pieta Manning is a dedicated advocate and sector professional passionate about building inclusive communities. With expertise in stakeholder engagement, community education, and disability inclusion, and as a mother to a young adult with a disability, she works to empower families, drive change, and create a more inclusive future.

Hollie Feller

Advocate & Community Lead

Hollie Feller is a nationally and internationally recognised consumer advocate and community leader in the genetic and rare disease space. Driven by her son’s diagnosis of Usher syndrome, she co-founded UsherKids Australia, now a national organisation providing peer support, advocacy, and education. Hollie has led initiatives across Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Genetic Support Network of Victoria, and currently serves as Rare Disease Coordinator within the RDNow research group at MCRI. She also sits on multiple advisory committees and boards, ensuring lived experience remains central to genetic healthcare innovation, while continuing to volunteer across several rare disease organisations.

Robert Norman

Product Portfolio and Training Manager at Paragon Mobility

Robert Norman is a seating and mobility product specialist in Australia and is currently working as Product Portfolio and Training Manager at Paragon Mobility. Robert has over 18 years of experience in seating and mobility industry in the UK as well as Australia for the last 5 years. His past experience is as a Paediatric Product Specialist - National for Sunrise Medical Clinical HUB, Technical Trainer at JCM seating in the UK, Paediatric Product Specialist in the UK, also working with a National children’s charity. Robert has also worked for equipment suppliers in Australia as a senior AT Consultant and has presented both nationally in Australia and Internationally on various seating and mobility topics.

Vathana Sackett

Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist Klint Kids

Vathana Sackett is a paediatric physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience across London and Australia, working in both hospital and community settings. She currently works at Monash Children’s Hospital and is the director of Klint Kids, a private practice supporting children with additional needs. Vathana is passionate about tailoring therapy and equipment to each child’s unique needs, working closely with families to support long-term development and independence. Known for her forward-thinking, practical approach, she embraces creativity, values lessons learned through experience, and believes that there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to supporting children with complex needs.

Joana Santiago

Occupational Therapist and Founder of The OT Lab

Joana Santiago is an occupational therapist with 20 years of experience in Posture Care and Complex Wheelchair Seating & Positioning. After early clinical roles, she spent the last 15 years working in assistive technology across five countries, contributing to product development, delivering training, mentoring clinicians, and supporting end-users. A recognised specialist, she presents at national and international conferences and is passionate about translating evidence into everyday practice. Joana recently founded The OT Lab – an independent resource for OTs, physiotherapists and assistive technology providers - offering expert guidance, training and support to improve clinical outcomes worldwide.

Dimitra Baveas

Educator and creator of My Burrow

After nearly 20 years teaching in Queensland schools, Dimitra Baveas saw her daughter benefit from occupational therapy and recognised the need to connect therapy with everyday learning. This inspired her to create MyBurrow®—a space where education and therapy meet to support academic, social, and emotional growth. Over the past seven years, MyBurrow® has grown into a vibrant community of parents, therapists, clinicians, and young people with disabilities. Through this collaborative approach, Dimitra has seen the power of shared support in helping children and young people thrive across all areas of development.

Maya Pinn

Advocate, Entrepreneur and Changemaker

As a mum, advocate, and entrepreneur, Maya Pinn is dedicated to supporting families navigating rare genetic conditions. Founder of RareWear Australia, she uses her lived experience to drive real change in healthcare, policy, and disability inclusion.

Kristy Sellers

NDIS Navigator & Parent Advocate

Kristy is a passionate disability advocate and mum to a vibrant 13-year-old autistic son with complex needs. As an NDIS Navigator in a specialist school and ACD Community Champion, she supports families through early diagnosis and beyond. Outside of work, she finds peace in nature with her beloved dogs.

Madeleine Buchner OAM

Founder & CEO, Little Dreamers

Madeleine Buchner is a passionate advocate and social entrepreneur, dedicated to supporting Young Carers. At just nine years old, she saw a gap in support for children caring for loved ones and started raising awareness. This led to Little Dreamers, now Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, reaching over 6,500 young people nationwide. Through innovative programs and advocacy, Madeleine empowers Young Carers, ensuring they receive the recognition and support they deserve. With a vision to create a world where every Young Carer is supported, she is driving real change, breaking down barriers, and amplifying the voices of young carers globally.

Jacqueline de Mamiel

Young Carer Advocate

Jacqueline de Mamiel is the Young Carer Voice Lead at Little Dreamers Australia, the nation’s leading organisation supporting Young Carers. Having cared for her two brothers with disabilities and her mum following a cancer diagnosis, Jacqueline uses her lived experience to advocate for recognition, support, and systemic change for unpaid carers. She is passionate about raising awareness of the challenges faced by Young Carers and amplifying their voices in conversations that matter. Alongside her advocacy work, Jacqueline is studying Politics and Chinese at the University of Melbourne, balancing her education with her ongoing caring responsibilities and public impact.