In this presentation, Disability Employment Australia Chair, Therese Campbell, will introduce DEAs refreshed strategy, and CEO, Peter Bacon, will step you through this new approach, which includes a broader emphasis on the structures and systems in Australia today – including the ‘demand side’.
Presenters
Thérèse is the Chair of Disability Employment Australia, and has 30 years’ experience in delivering services to optimise health and employment opportunities for people with disability, injury, illness or disadvantage. She commenced on the frontline assisting people to return to work or find new work post injury, then moved to executive roles in strategy and stakeholder relations in the employment, occupational rehabilitation, and health services sectors.
Thérèse is an Occupational Therapist with post graduate qualifications in Management from the Australian Graduate School of Management and has completed the Company Directors course at the Institute of Company Directors. She has 22 years’ experience in board director roles, including several in the role of Chairman.
Thérèse joined WorkFocus (now part of the MedHealth Group) as a Partner 24 years ago, establishing their presence on the eastern seaboard. Today, the brands within the Group deliver a broad range of services to positively impact health and employment outcomes for people across multiple jurisdictions in Australia.
As the Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations at the MedHealth Group, Thérèse is part of a leadership team that delivers innovative health and employment services. She has worked with stakeholders internationally and domestically to share and seek innovative solutions for employment of people with disability. Thérèse is passionate about the positive impact that meaningful employment has on an individual’s health and wellbeing and her professional life has been dedicated to this.
When not at work, Therese is a dedicated mother of three, an avid traveller and supporter of the West Coast Eagles!
Peter started as Chief Executive Officer at DEA in March 2023, having spent over 15 years in the disability employment sector. He started on the frontline as an Employment Advisor to claimants of health-related benefits in East London, before moving into a range of business development and strategy roles – primarily at Ingeus. He has always been passionate about the transformational impact that decent work can have on people’s lives. Peter moved to Australia in 2016 to take up a role at Campbell Page, where he was integral in efforts to diversify the business including the launch of environmentally-focussed social enterprise ‘EcoCrews’. Peter is a Fellow both of the Social Impact Hub – exemplifying his commitment to driving measurable impact – and the Institute of Employability Professionals, reflecting a long-held commitment to recognise and uphold continuing professional development in the sector. Peter is delighted at the opportunity to lead DEA and engage with members about how can best capitalise on the opportunity to help more people living with disability to achieve their employment potential. Outside of work, he is a devoted father to his two young daughters and a keen fan of Fulham football club.
In his presentation at the Conference, Peter will be stepping us through DEA’s new approach and strategy, which includes a broader emphasis on the structures and systems in Australia today – including the ‘demand side’. If you’ve not met him yet, please come and say hello!