Our Leadership Team
As CEO, Louise is driven to lead changes that see improvements for the rights of older people in Western Australia, and to ensure Advocare offers its staff and volunteers a positive space to also make their contributions to this vital work.
Louise studied Anthropology in the United Kingdom, and attained vocational qualifications in adult education in Australia. In the last decade, she’s completed her Master of Business Administration and governance qualifications, which she uses for governance roles as well as her professional management and leadership roles.
Social justice is a core value for Louise. Anywhere she can contribute to work in this area is where both her head and heart can meet. Her goal is to leave this earth with a legacy of having made a positive impact on people and the community she lives within.
As Corporate Services Manager, David’s role is to ensure the ‘back-office’ functions such as Finance, Human Resources are working well and that special projects undertaken are implemented effectively to support all areas of the organisation. He’s committed to supporting and empowering Advocare’s front-line team day-to-day so they can continue to improve the lives of older Western Australians.
David has a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University. He started his working life in public practice accounting prior to entering commerce and working in various fields including financial services, technology and mining before joining the aged care sector. Over his career, David has also contributed to the smooth running of a number of fellow not-for-profit entities as a board member.
The importance of Advocare’s work to David is assisting people to navigate the complex path through life events and decisions, at a time when sometimes things don’t get any clearer or easier as we age. Our organisation’s strength to him is its ability to listen, support and assist older people as their issues arise.
As Development Manager, Erin leads our community development, volunteer and marketing teams. She looks forward to growing our brand, and strengthening our community and stakeholder relationships to grow our support to older Western Australians.
Erin has more than 20 years of experience working within peak bodies, professional services and small to large-sized, private organisations. She has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, project management, leadership and, marketing and communications.
Her Māori heritage has instilled a deep respect for Kaumātua (Elders) as well as a strong sense of social justice and equity. Erin’s wish is to live in a world where everyone’s human rights are upheld. She believes strongly that older people deserve to be held in the highest esteem – they are the connection between our past and our future, and the keepers of wisdom and experience.
Shawnee has 30 years of experience in the management and coordination of aged care, Aboriginal health, and community and allied health services. She has an extensive, in-depth knowledge of the aged care sector, current aged care issues and reforms, and elder abuse.
She is currently a member of the Juniper Quality Advisory Care Body as its independent customer representative; the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre Advisory Group - Guide to Interviewing Older People at risk of or experiencing harm; and is Advocare’s representative to the national Older Persons Advocacy Network’s Advocacy, Operation and Practice Advisory Group.
Shawnee’s passion is to ensure older Australians are seen, heard, valued, and supported; and that every opportunity is taken to raise the issue of elder abuse in our community.