Our Board and Management team

Demetrio has a variety of experience in government, private enterprise and in the not-for-profit sector, and brings his knowledge in governance, leadership, strategy and business management to the Board. Demetrio is the director and founder of Law Squared, a commercial law firm in Melbourne with offices in Sydney and Brisbane. Demetrio is a member of the Strategy, Planning and Performance Committee and the Nominations and Remuneration Committee.

Gavin is a National Director at an International Quantity Surveying practice with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Gavin has experience in governance, business management, and is an active member of the Deaf community in both advocacy and sport. Gavin is a member of the Strategy, Planning and Performance Committee, the Chair of the Property Project Group and a director of the Royal Tasmanian Society for the Blind and Deaf.

Praveen has broad experience in the public and private sectors in the areas of governance, business case preparation, information technology, human resources, budgetary and financial literacy and public policy development. Praveen is Manager Client Relations for Periscope Corporation and has held senior executive roles in the National Transport Commission and VicRoads. Praveen is a member of the Strategy Planning and Performance Committee.

Melissa is the coordinator of Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) which resources and builds the capacity of the disability advocacy sector in Victoria. Melissa has a passion for disability advocacy and to see bridges built where barriers once were. Melissa is a member of the Strategy, Planning and Performance Committee.

Jamie commenced in October 2020 and has held a range of senior roles in the Global Asset Management industry working with organisations based in the US and Europe before commencing his current role as the Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne headquartered Talaria Asset Management. Jamie has extensive experience in investment, strategy and operations and as part of his role as CEO of Talaria helps manage money for various charities, endowments and community organisations. Jamie is a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

As a deaf woman with a profound hearing loss, Irena is passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in society without barriers. Currently, Irena is the National Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator with Tennis Australia who has overseen a range of inclusion initiatives through tennis.

With a Diploma in Management, Irena enjoys thinking outside the box, problem solving and collaborating with team members bringing projects to life. Irena has also been involved within the deaf and hard of hearing community having worked at Deaf Sports Australia and also as a volunteer with Deaf Sports Recreation Victoria, Deaf Basketball Victoria and Deaf Basketball Australia. Her involvement with the Australian Deaf Women’s Basketball Team also saw her represent Australia at the 1997 and 2005 Deaflympic Games.

• Strategic and Operational Direction
• Organisational Leadership
• Sustainability and Performance

• Organisation strategy and policy lead on diversity and inclusion
• Cultural and identity Awareness Training & accreditation for all staff

• Driving the Organisational Strategy by Advancing our Services
• Management oversight of the following Departments:
  • Support Work
  • Audiology
  • Expression Interpreting
  • Expression Video Productions
  • Accommodation Services

• Finance, ICT, Business Strategy & Development, Quality
• Contracts and Legal
• Property
• Company Secretary

• Align organisational goals to people strategies
• Grow and develop our deaf community
• Build a bi-cultural, values driven and engaged workforce

• Marketing strategy
• Digital
• Communications
• Engagement