Our board of management is comprised of individuals who have a connection to people living with disabilities or providing assistance to people living with disabilities. Our board members have held jobs in the public and private sectors, as well as having actively worked in the disability support sector.
Shelly brings more than a decade of experience across the disability, aged care and community sectors. As CEO, she supports the team to deliver high-quality services, maintain strong governance and compliance, and keep LAAS financially sustainable.
She led LAAS through its recertification audit against the NDIS Practice Standards, with auditors recognising elements of best practice.
Shelly is passionate about equal opportunity and making sure people of all abilities and backgrounds have the chance to develop and shine. Her leadership is collaborative, and she is committed to giving every team member the skills and opportunities to grow their careers.
Bronwyn has been with LAAS for around five years, her first role in the disability sector. She looks after employee relations, staff training, and HR and administrative records.
She has focused on building a supportive workplace culture through open communication, peer support and recognising individual contributions. Guided by integrity, empathy and collaboration, she supports others with clear guidance, ongoing development and genuine appreciation for their work.
Kelli supports LAAS teams to deliver high-quality care by keeping communication clear between staff, clients and families, making sure documentation is accurate, and helping daily operations run smoothly. With several years of experience in the disability sector, she values being part of a team that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
She has streamlined incident reporting and behaviour support follow-ups, developed thorough, individualised support plans for clients, and made sure staff have the tools and information they need to do their jobs well.
“I’m passionate about supporting staff so they feel confident and valued in their roles. When our teams feel supported, our clients receive the best care possible.”
Sammy leads the LAAS Day Options program, bringing energy, structure and compassion to the role. She supports both staff and participants, and has helped lift the quality and consistency of supports delivered through Day Options.
Karen Brown joined the LAAS Board in 2021 as a Board-appointed member, bringing skills in administration and finance and many years of governance experience.
After enjoying the experience, Karen was nominated for the Board and elected by members at the 2022 AGM.
Her background includes chairing a community kindergarten in Adelaide, volunteering as treasurer for a small art gallery, and 10 years as a board member and community member of the Renmark Hospital Health Advisory Committee. She has worked as Administration Manager for a small Indigenous organisation in Berri, and for more than 20 years for a not-for-profit environmental organisation based in Renmark. Her experience covers administration, finance, bookkeeping and event management.
Karen has liaised with local councillors, state and federal government ministers and their staff, local non-government agencies and local businesses.
She enjoys her work in the community, supporting the people LAAS serves.
Cindy McDonald is a full member under the LAAS constitution, as the sibling of a long-term client who has been with LAAS since its beginning. Her parents, Harry and Irene, were among the founding families of LAAS.
Cindy joined the Board in 2021. As a Board, members have attended training in governance and the NDIS, and each year brings new changes and challenges. Alongside her lived experience of supporting a family member with disability, Cindy has worked as a Senior Laboratory Technician at Angove Family Winemakers for 20 years, and has been a union representative for her workplace since 2012.
She considers it a privilege to serve the community and represent the family members of LAAS.
Dirk Beelen is a senior executive and non-executive director with more than 25 years of experience across regulated healthcare, government and private organisations. He has served on the LAAS Board since March 2026 and is Managing Director of Black Tree Enterprises, which specialises in executive and change management.
His career includes Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer roles with MedTEC Pharma, Director of Health and Medical Industries for the South Australian Government, and senior international leadership positions in medical devices, industrial sterilisation and contract manufacturing. He also serves on the Industry Doctoral Training Centre Leadership Group involving Flinders University, Adelaide University and the State Government.
Dirk brings experience in strategic planning, business development, financial management, compliance and organisational change. He has held full profit and loss and balance sheet accountability, and has led multidisciplinary teams in highly regulated environments. He focuses on consulting stakeholders, mentoring others and making decisions that reflect an organisation’s values.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences and postgraduate training in clinical perfusion, with further training in international business, lean and change management, crisis communication and strategic marketing. His experience in financial oversight and governance supports LAAS’s strategic direction and its services for people with disability.
Sandra Mitchell has lived in the Riverland most of her life.
Sandra has two children: a son, who now lives in America, and a daughter with Down syndrome, who lives between her parents. Her daughter takes part in, and enjoys, the LAAS Day Options program.
Sandra has worked in the disability sector for more than 28 years, since her daughter started school, supporting clients from young children through to older adults in roles ranging from personal care to independent living. She also worked for a disability employment agency, where she gained her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and ran Job Club, a program that helped clients understand what to expect at work and get ready to join the workforce. When they were ready, the team found them jobs in the community. Through this work, Sandra became interested in other ways to support her community, and gained diplomas in Community Services and Counselling.
She currently works at Riverland Special School as a Student Support Officer (SSO), where she has been for seven years and really enjoys her work.
Sandra has been on the LAAS Board as a family representative for the past seven years. In that time, she has expanded her knowledge and skills through training, collaboration and support from her fellow Board members. She believes it is important for clients to have a voice, and that family members can speak for those who can’t have a say for themselves. The Board works together to keep up to date with changes in the community and the disability sector, particularly the NDIS.
Sonya Weiser BSc MBA FAICD is an experienced non-executive director and entrepreneur, with more than 35 years in the information technology industry and over 15 years in board and committee roles. She has served on the LAAS Board since May 2026.
As founder and Managing Director of Weiser Technology Advice, Sonya built a consultancy serving government, not-for-profit, healthcare and manufacturing organisations. Her work has included advising Boards and committees on technology strategy, procurement, risk management, digital transformation and cybersecurity governance.
Sonya is Deputy Chair of Carers SA and a member of its Governance Committee. She also contributes to its Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee when technology strategies or risks are under discussion. Her previous governance experience includes roles with Goodwood Community Bank, North Eastern Community Hospital and the Ministerial Advisory Group on Volunteering.
Sonya brings strategic leadership, financial management experience and a disciplined approach to problem-solving. She encourages everyone around the Board table to contribute, and has experience supporting organisational change and growth.
She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Adelaide, and became a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2026.
Kerry Whitehead brings more than 15 years of executive leadership and governance experience across the not-for-profit, health and community sectors. She currently leads revenue-generating and community programs across South Australia, overseeing more than 700 staff and volunteers. Her experience spans strategy, workforce and culture, service delivery, risk and compliance. Kerry has served on the LAAS Board since August 2026.
Her professional background in community services, her personal experience as a carer, and her partner’s lived experience as an NDIS participant shape her understanding of the disability sector and her commitment to dignity, choice and inclusion.
Kerry joined the Board to support people with disability across the Riverland. She understands the uncertainty created by NDIS reforms and the regional challenges of workforce shortages, distance and limited specialist supports, and values local services that help people live independently and stay connected to their communities.
She contributes strategic leadership, governance judgement and commercial acumen, with a focus on risk management, accountability and long-term financial sustainability. Her experience managing diverse services, developing revenue streams and securing partnerships helps the Board balance person-centred outcomes with workforce capability and compliance.
Guided by LAAS’s values of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, flexibility and opportunity, she supports compassionate, responsive services that help people with disability and their families take part in community life.
Chi Chung (Andrew) Woo joined the LAAS Board in August 2026 to fill a casual vacancy, and supports people with disability across the Riverland and Murray Mallee. He has contributed to reviews of financial performance, Board reporting and governance processes.
Andrew is an Investment Manager at Australian Retirement Trust, with experience in investment management, financial analysis, risk oversight and strategic decision-making. His governance roles span disability services, health, education, aged care, youth and sport.
He chairs finance, audit and risk committees at Girl Guides Queensland and the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, and serves on audit and risk committees at James Cook University and the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.
Andrew holds CFA, CAIA, FRM, CESGA and GAICD qualifications, and bachelor’s degrees in Law (Honours) and Actuarial Studies. He is admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales.
He brings independent judgement, constructive challenge and careful oversight of finance, risk, compliance and strategy, while keeping participant rights, choice, safety and service quality at the centre of Board decisions. He values respectful collaboration and listening to participants, families, staff and the Riverland community.
