Our team

With a passion for bettering people’s lives, Drikus brings 23 years of project, financial and general management experience across five countries to Stride to continue this passion.

Focusing on human centric design to ultimately improve the efficiency of businesses, he has worked in the finance, IT and education sectors helping companies change and grow to achieve their goals.

An experienced people leader who thrives on bringing out the best in people, Jacqui has over two decades leading HR teams across Australia and Asia Pacific, driving cultural change, employee engagement and building performance within culturally diverse organisations. She has worked in a cross section of sectors including telecommunications, aviation, logistics and retail, and has experienced the people challenges associated with start-ups, growth, down-sizing and transformation.

Jacqui operated her own consulting firm before joining Stride in November 2018 and is passionate about applying the learnings from her corporate days to our sector.

Rocky is a seasoned senior executive with extensive experience in International Aid and Development, Community NFPs and State Government organisations leading corporate services functions including finance, ICT, fleet, procurement as well as fundraising, statutory compliance, shared services, human resources, enterprise risk management and reporting. He is very knowledgeable in information technology, procurement, risk management, contractual management, financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for not-for-profit organisations, understanding fiscal responsibility and managing diverse funding sources.

Rocky is committed to service excellence whilst enhancing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality. All great things that are important at Stride.

Terri has over 15 years’ experience working within the mental health sector, across government, private, and community settings.  She started her journey with Stride In 2015 as a contracted Psychologist at headspace. Terri then moved into a management position taking on the Clinical Leader role at headspace, before moving into the residential space as a Service Manager with Stride’s first Child Safety residential.

For several years, Terri was the Regional Manager for SE Queensland residentials and built the residential portfolio in QLD with the establishment of many residential services including NDIS, SILS and Child Safety residentials. Terri continues to lead outstanding consumer outcomes across diverse portfolios and her pragmatic, calm and engaging style are a strength within Stride.

Jenny is a purpose-driven leader passionate about social justice, empowering individuals to live fulfilling lives within the community, and driving change within the complex mental health and disability sector.

Jenny has over 15 years’ experience in leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector and a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services and fostering partnerships across community networks. Jenny is experienced in leading strategic and operational change, driving business growth, process improvement and operational efficiency. Jenny started her career as a mental health youth worker and values the significant impact of frontline workers on improving people’s lives.

Jenny’s own experiences of adversity was the primary motivation to pursue qualifications in Social Work, Leadership and Public Health; her diverse sector experiences ranging from frontline to senior management roles fuels her passion and commitment to the human services sector.

Peter has over forty-five years’ experience managing businesses as a lawyer, investment banker, general manager, CEO, company director and consultant.

Peter is chairman of TransitCare Limited and three Managed Investment Compliance Committees. He’s also a senior facilitator for education programs at the Australian Institute of Company Directors – including the Company Directors and not-for-profit courses.

Martin is a Certified Practicing Accountant, a Chartered Company Secretary and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a practicing Company Secretary, Non-executive Director and Chairs Finance, Audit and Risk Committees in the not-for-profit sector.

Peter is a senior executive and business consultant with over forty years’ experience in various charities, schools, strategic leadership, governance and management in both for purpose and private sectors. He has deep experience in financial management, financial statements, budgets and cash flow having spent 40 years in the Chartered Accountancy industry. Peter is Chair of Safe Places for Children, and Chair of their Audit Committee. He is a Director of Jabiru Community Services and Chair of their Finance, Investment and Technology Committee. He is passionate about our sector, having had a lived experience of mental ill-health, knowing first-hand what a positive effect the work we do can have in people’s lives.

Sarah is an experienced board director with private, government and not-for-profit experience. Her executive career incorporates legal, corporate governance, ASX company secretary and commercial experience. She is a current board director of West Gippsland Healthcare Group and previously Chair of Kalparrin (NDIS funded early childhood intervention service). Sarah has a growing understanding of governance across health, government and disability and thrives in navigating complex regulatory environments, especially when developing or adopting new and emerging technologies.

Lorna has 40 years’ experience as a nurse, 38 of which have been in mental health. She is currently the Professor of Mental Health Nursing at the University of Wollongong. Lorna is a prolific author with over 100 publications and has extensive research, clinical and governance expertise where she brings a person centered, trauma informed approach.

Luke is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience in mental health, healthcare, AOD services, community services, and education. As CEO of Lifeline Direct, he leads a trusted crisis support and suicide prevention organisation, driving innovation and system reform.

Luke has held executive and governance roles in various organisations, including Lifeline Australia, North Coast PHN, and the NSW Government’s Responsible Gambling Trust. With a background as a credentialed mental health nurse, he has held leadership positions in both public and private sectors and has been an academic lecturer and facilitator. Luke is a GAICD graduate and holds advanced degrees in mental health and clinical psychiatry, shaping Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention landscape.

Liz has a passionate interest in working with vulnerable people and communities to help them realise their potential. Her professional career has concentrated in this arena, and she has worked both at a global level (United Nations and World Bank) and a range of countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, the US, India, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and NZ.

Liz’s training as a Social Worker has enabled her to develop valuable skills which she applies in all aspects of her work. She has held senior leadership positions in government, in professional services and human services support.

Liz has a strong commercial focus and extensive Board experience, as a former Deputy Chair of KPMG Australia and as a current Board member of Bridge Housing and Relationships Australia (NSW). Liz is also Chair of Amicis a newly registered community based aged care provider.

Shyaam is a strategic leader in complex environments, specialising in providing advice across strategy, governance and risk management. Shyaam has a deep passion for improving health outcomes for all Australians. He is currently a management consultant for EY working with clients across Health and the Public Sector to transform the way they operate.

David worked in private practice as a rural general practitioner and has 12 years in private psychiatry practice. David is a Professor, Mental Health Research within the School of Applied Psychology (Griffith University) and Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology. He has held leadership roles in QLD Health and NSW Health. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for development of community based mental health services for veterans, development of community post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety and substance abuse treatment.

Pete has more than 30 years of experience in senior roles in politics and public policy, the corporate sector, journalism, the NGO sector, and consulting.  He is a Member of the NSW Mental Health Tribunal and former CEO of Lifeline Australia. Pete aims to bring Lived Experience perspectives to Board discussions.