Our Management Team in 2013 is:
Bruce Milligan
Chief Executive Officer
Bruce joined the Association in 2011 after 20 years of involvement in the human services sector in positions across health, aged care, disability and community services, both within the Queensland Government and not-for-profit sector. Bruce has held senior executive positions in Queensland Health, Blue Care, was CEO of the Cerebral Palsy League, and Deputy Director-General of Disability Services Queensland. He is currently a member of the National Disability Services Queensland Committee.
Frances Porter
Member & Client Services
General Manager
After beginning her nursing career in a Brisbane hospital’s spinal unit, Frances decided to move into a community-based job, which is how she began work with the Spinal Injuries Association in 1988. She oversees four services within the Association: Spinal Advisory Service, Employment Options, Peer Support and the Information Service. Frances describes the client relationships and the positive and supportive culture of the organisation as the best things about her job.
John Mayo
Community Development
General Manager
An experienced marketing and media practitioner for 30 years, John joined the Spinal Injuries Association in 1994, advocating for services for people with a spinal cord injury and their families by seeking to work cooperatively with government, business and the community. He leads the Association’s Inclusive Communities program aimed at maximising the social and economic performance of venues and regions. John is also involved in project consultancy and training about equity and access issues, and is a Queensland Government nominee and recipient of the UN International Year of the Built Environment Award 2004.
Paul Mansell
Technology & Infrastructure
General Manager
Paul started his working life as a submarine electrician in the Royal Australian Navy. He has enjoyed a varied career in both public and private sectors working in defence, education, electrical engineering & technology and has held senior management positions in IT, marketing and project management. Before joining the Association he was project manager for a major defence project in South East Asia. Paul leads the Association’s Technology & Infrastructure team whose role is to align a technology vision with the business strategy by integrating the Association’s processes with appropriate technologies.
Paula Holden
People, Learning & Culture
General Manager
As an experienced HR Professional, Paula has developed her career in a variety of industries in both the public and private sector. Before joining the Spinal Injuries Association, Paula has worked in many facets of HR, across a diverse range of sectors including mining, not-for-profit, consulting and manufacturing. Concurrently with her role as General Manager, she also holds Office as State Council Member on the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). In her General Manager role, Paula leads the team that oversees the areas of HR, Recruitment, Safety, and Learning and Development at the Association.
Paula remains dedicated to best practice and sound leadership of people which contributes to optimal performance of the greater business.
Kathryn Farrell
Fundraising, Communications & Injury Prevention
General Manager
Kathy has a strong background in all aspects of fundraising and relationship management. She has significant experience working for the not-for-profit sector across diverse areas including marketing, communications and events management. Before joining the Association Kathy worked in the public health sector in Victoria for more than five years and as a consultant working with a number of New Zealand’s top fundraising consulting companies in the education and aged care sectors. She is a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia.
Pauline Davis
Personal Support & Home Care Services
General Manager
Pauline has extensive experience in human service delivery agencies including child safety, youth justice and most recently disability services. Most recently, Pauline has managed her own consulting business and undertaken work for government and non-government agencies. Pauline has had significant experience in implementing major change agendas and in guiding and managing staff through difficult organisational change processes. Pauline has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland.
Jo McLaren
Finance & Quality
General Manager
Jo joined the Association in 2005 as an experienced Accountant from the not-for-profit sector. Having worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, she prefers to apply her skills in an altruistic environment. Jo was subsequently appointed to the position of Finance Manager before being appointed General Manager Finance and Quality. Jo is committed to quality principles and the pursuit of business excellence across the Association. She has a Bachelor of Business (Major in Professional Accounting) and is a Member of the Institute of Public Accountants.