Mandy Dexter
Mandy is the co-founder of Independent Support Management, bringing over 20 years of experience as a psychologist to her leadership role. Her values-driven approach and deep understanding of people guide the development of a strong, responsive workforce and a service culture grounded in respect and community impact.
Mandy is passionate about creating innovative, forward-thinking solutions that respond to real-world needs. Her focus on meaningful outcomes drives ISM’s commitment to quality service delivery, continuous improvement, and authentic connection with participants and the wider community. Through her leadership, ISM remains a trusted, values-led provider—centred on empowering individuals and supporting the people who walk alongside them.
Zachary Dexter
Zach, a dynamic entrepreneur with a diverse professional background, leverages his comprehensive experience in business, finance, and culture management to excel in customer service. His extensive knowledge informs operational efficiency and his pursuit of innovation, utilising cutting-edge technology and market-leading strategies. With a bachelor’s degree in applied Entrepreneurship, Zach engages in various sectors, actively exploring social entrepreneurial opportunities.
Alanna Blackman
With over 15 years in leadership roles across diverse industries, Alanna combines business insight with a results-driven mindset. Her dedication to outstanding customer service and operational excellence supports her broader vision for sustainable growth and innovation in business development and marketing.
Angela Nicholson-Cox
Angela is a seasoned Manager with over a decade in retail operations and team leadership. Excelling in recruitment and employee development, she ensures top-notch team performance. Angela’s commitment to excellent customer service, efficient schedule management, and business operations has consistently enhanced customer satisfaction and operational outcomes. Her business acumen is backed by a Certificate IV in Business.
Chamil Hettigamage
Chamil is a dedicated mental health practitioner with a Master’s in Counselling and a diverse range of therapy qualifications, including Clinical Hypnotherapy, Aromatherapy, Health and Nutrition Coaching, Weight Loss Consulting, Meditation, and Neurofeedback. He has also completed his ADHD Clinical Practitioner Certificate, enhancing his expertise in supporting neurodiverse clients.
Chamil excels in assessing clients, creating tailored treatment plans, and monitoring progress to ensure meaningful outcomes. His empathetic, non-judgmental approach has contributed to significant improvements in clients’ mental health and wellbeing. He is also an active member of professional bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association.
Katie Emmert
Katie is a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist with a strong passion for empowering adults to live more independently and confidently in their daily lives. She brings a comprehensive skill set and evidence-based approach to her work, tailoring therapeutic strategies to enhance clients’ motor, cognitive, and psychosocial daily functioning.
Katie is also certified in Home Modifications and has extensive experience completing Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs), supporting individuals with recommendations to access the right supports under the NDIS. Her warm, collaborative style fosters trust and engagement, making therapy not just effective, but also a positive and empowering experience. For Katie, occupational therapy is more than a profession—it’s a meaningful partnership in helping others reach their full potential.
Dr. José van den Akker
Dr José is a distinguished researcher, educator, and art therapist focused on cross-cultural dynamics and well-being. With a PhD and an Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy, she advocates for holistic learning and inclusive community services. She has served as the Program Coordinator at Welcoming Intercultural. Dr José is passionate about empowering disadvantaged individuals and fostering resilient communities.
Steven Bauer
Steven is a results-driven Senior Physiotherapist with extensive experience supporting people with complex needs to achieve real-world outcomes. He delivers best-practice, evidence-based physiotherapy, creating personalised care plans that improve mobility, safety, and independence at home and in the community.
With a background across hospitals, aged care, NDIS, and private practice, Steven brings a deep understanding of the systems his clients navigate. He ensures therapy is practical, achievable, and aligned with each person’s broader support needs and goals.
Steven is highly skilled in writing NDIS reports, including functional assessments, manual handling plans, and complex care justifications. His precise clinical reasoning supports clear and effective communication with funding bodies.
Providing services in both home and clinic settings, Steven collaborates closely with families, support coordinators, and allied health teams. His clinical expertise includes neurological rehab, musculoskeletal and orthopaedic care, falls prevention, and long-term disability support.
Known for his approachable style and focus on empowerment, Steven supports people to understand their body, build confidence, and stay actively engaged in their care and wellbeing.
Pratikkumar (Pratik) Shah
Pratik is a seasoned Accountant and Financial Operations Manager with over 15 years of experience in prestigious international accounting firms. An Australian-qualified CPA, Pratik holds a master’s degree in commerce from Deakin University. With his expertise in accounting and bookkeeping, Pratik cultivates strong relationships while managing financial operations with proficiency.
Maddy Noonan
As a treasured member of our Plan Manager Support Team, Maddy excels in client support and Assistive Technology assistance. Her genuine enthusiasm for top-tier service delivery shines through in every interaction, making her an integral part of our team. She is consistently committed to ensuring that each client receives the utmost care and attention.
Katie Clover
Katie is the embodiment of professionalism. Balancing acute organisational acumen with a passion for service, she transforms every interaction into a seamless experience. Katie’s precise attention to detail underscores our operations, solidifying her as a key pillar of our team.
Zoe Roberts
Zoe is our dynamic Allied Health Assistant. She operates on a casual basis, but her impact is nothing short of profound. Blending professionalism with empathetic care, Zoe assists our health professionals in delivering top-tier therapeutic services. Her commitment and adaptability make her a valued asset to our team.
Chris Muuo
Chris is our expert Virtual Assistant. Skilled in administration and data entry, he ensures our operations are streamlined and effective. His role might be behind the scenes, but his dynamic approach to work strongly influences our operations. His ability to nimbly handle digital workspaces underscores his indispensability to our team.
Isabel Woo
Issy is a passionate Pediatric Occupational Therapist specialising in children’s development and crafting tailored treatment plans focusing on motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living tasks. With a collaborative approach, Issy works closely with families to extend support beyond our therapy centre. Issy creates nurturing spaces where children feel encouraged to explore, grow, and achieve milestones, committed to making a lasting impact on each child’s journey to independence.
Maike Pascher-Kneissl
Maike is a dedicated psychologist who works with teens and adults, and is deeply committed to supporting clients on their mental health journeys. With a strong focus on delivering personalised therapeutic approaches, she excels at recognising and responding to individual needs. Maike fosters a supportive and validating atmosphere, where her clients feel heard, understood, and empowered through her empathetic demeanour and extensive professional knowledge. In addition to therapy, Maike also provides psychological assessments, including autism assessments and cognitive assessments. Her comprehensive and compassionate approach ensures that clients receive thorough evaluations that can inform meaningful next steps in care and support.
Jané Mckenzie
Jané is a dedicated Paediatric Occupational Therapist who thrives on helping children grow, learn, and flourish. With a strong foundation in child development and creative therapeutic approaches, she designs engaging, individualised plans that support each child’s sensory, motor, and emotional needs. Jané’s warm, playful nature helps children feel safe and motivated, making each session both productive and fun. For Jané, therapy is not just a service—it’s a partnership with families to build confidence and independence from the very start.
Gabby Santos
As a valued member of our Plan Manager Support Team, Gabby brings a wealth of insight from her previous experience as a support worker in the NDIS sector. Her deep understanding of participant needs and commitment to compassionate service make her a trusted point of contact for our clients. Gabby’s empathetic nature and proactive support style ensure every client feels heard, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.
Lauren Mahoney
As a dedicated member of our Plan Manager Support Team, Lauren draws on her strong background in leadership and customer satisfaction to deliver exceptional service. Her calm, solutions-focused approach and genuine care for each client’s experience make her a standout in our team. Lauren’s commitment to creating positive, seamless interactions ensures that every client feels supported, respected, and valued.
Amiee Leane
Amiee is a dedicated speech pathologist passionate about helping children and adolescents build strong foundations in speech, language, literacy, and social interaction to support them in becoming confident communicators. She creates personalised therapy plans that support each individual’s unique needs, interests and strengths and fosters connection and engagement through play-based learning to create an environment where each child feels safe to grow and express themselves.With a warm, collaborative approach, Amiee partners with families and support teams to ensure progress continues beyond the therapy room and therapy supports engagement in meaningful environments and activities. She is committed to empowering every child to find their voice and thrive in all areas of life.
