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Our People

Over the last five years Lifestyle Solutions have built a committed team of people who are able to bring a range of skills and experience to the organisation as well provide leadership and support across all our services.

Board of Directors

Warren Fischer
Chairman of the Board

Warren is an Accountant who has his own financial planning business in Taree.

David Hogg
Managing Director

David has extensive experience in the welfare and disabilities sector, as well as management and leadership experience.

Capree Gaul
Vice Chairperson.

Capree is an accomplished musician and lectures at Newcastle University.

Paul Jordan

Paul has training in psychiatric nursing and has more than 20 years experience in the disabilities and youth work sectors.

Rob Cooper

With training in education, Rob has diverse experience in youth work, employment training and public relations. He is now employed as the Communications Manager for Macquarie Generation.

Adam Heeney

Adam has made a transition from a rural industry and trade background to the disabilities sector where he has proven field experience. His current role is as a Community Liaison Officer with a Mining Company in the Hunter Valley.  

Tony Ross

Tony is currently the Manager of the Hunter Volunteer Service in Newcastle. He has a background in Employment related businesses and other welfare services.

Stewart Perry

Stewart is an Anglican Priest from St Johns church in Cooks Hill. He is an Accountant by profession and has many years experience working in the community sector.  

Rob Russell

Rob is the Aboriginal Education Consultant with the Department of Education and Training and brings many years of experience in supporting Aboriginal people and provides Lifestyle Solutions with expert and personal advice around issues of service delivery.

Steve Pollard

Steve hails from Queensland where he is a Financial Planner and manages his own company in Brisbane. His background prior to this area was in youth work and brings to the Board a broad experience in supporting youth.

Senior Management Team

David Hogg
Managing Director

David is an experienced and proven leader in the welfare and disabilities sectors having been the Northern NSW Regional Manager of Mission Australia for eleven years, before commencing Lifestyle Solutions. David was the first Northern NSW Mission Australia employee and was instrumental in establishing and developing the work of Mission Australia in the Hunter and Northern Region of NSW. David's professional background also includes work in the Juvenile Justice system and youth work in a variety of settings. He has always had an active involvement in the local community and has a heart for people on the margins of society, valuing compassion, equity, advocacy and acceptance.

Gary Christensen
General Manager Operations

Gary has been working with children and young people who have disabilities and or complex needs for the past 15 years. Prior to commencing at Lifestyle Solutions, Gary has worked in a range of settings including residential care services, the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice, the Margaret Jurd learning centres (SSP), camps and has worked on a contractual basis for the NSW Department of Community Services. Gary has a strong focus on quality service delivery and is passionate about assisting service users to reach their potential.

Rob Dawson
General Manager Business Development and Corporate Services.

Rob has worked in a range of management positions in both government and non government sector in the areas of Child protection, Out of Home Care and Disability services for over 25 years.   Rob is also an active director of several private companies

Rob has developed considerable expertise in the development, design and delivery of services for people who have complex needs.  Rob Joined the Lifestyle Solutions team in the role of Business Development and Corporate Partnerships

Gloria Antonio
General Manager Disability Services Planning and Strategy.

Gloria has a background in Health and Disability Services both in the Government and Non Government Sector, especially in the area of Quality Assurance and Service delivery. Gloria provides leadership and strategic direction to our disability services across NSW.

Richard Hardy
General Manager Finance

Richard is a qualified Accountant with many years of experience in the Community Sector. He manages our Finance Department and provides financial advice and planning across all our services.

Michelle Bates
Manager Family and Self Governed Services

Michelle has worked for many years in varied roles in support of children, young people and adults with disability and their families. Her experience includes direct support, working alongside families, planning and coordination, advocacy and management. Michelle has completed study in the areas of Sociology, Education, and Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.

Michelle is the manager of Lifestyle Solutions’ NSW state wide program for Self-Management & Family Governed Service Arrangements. Michelle applies her personal philosophy to people supported by Lifestyle Solutions, believing that a persons’ individual skills, gifts and personality warrant support by relevant, person -focussed planning to create opportunities for participation and role development whilst striving for genuine inclusive opportunities.

Kylie Francis
Manager Human Resources and Executive Services

Kylie has worked in a variety of administrative roles over the past 20 years.   Her experience ranges from general administrative positions to high level Executive Assistant roles in both the private and public sectors.  Kylie has a number of years experience working in the Disability Services sector through her current role as Executive Assistant at Lifestyle Solutions and also at Mission Australia where she was employed at the Executive Assistant/Office Manager for 6 years.   Kylie also has 3 years experience at working at TAFE Hunter Institute as a Commercial Program Coordinator.  Kylie’s role at Lifestyle Solutions has now expanded to include HR functions that will build on her HR experience and qualifications.

Naomi James
Regional Manager Northern

With over eight years of diverse experiences working within the community and welfare sector; Naomi initially entered the field supporting children with disability in childcare centres across the Hunter. Naomi continues to enhance her professionalism and experiences through education and taking on new challenges within the Lifestyle Solutions Senior Management Team.

Naomi is innovative and committed to supporting the rights and dignity of all, regardless of disability; ensuring people are given the opportunity to integrate and participate within the community. Solution focussed and outcome driven, Naomi is dedicated to ensuring Lifestyle Solutions continues to create opportunities for people with disability and their family following flexible and strength based approaches to service delivery.

Mathew Hibbert
Regional Manager Disability Services Sydney

Mathew has worked within the government human services sector for 13 years.  Mathew has held positions and led teams in the field of Financial / Administration and Monitoring / Funding.  These positions have covered the Hunter, Central Coast and Metropolitan Sydney areas.  Mathew has also performed Executive Assistant and Project Officer roles.  In November 2007 Mathew joined Lifestyle Solutions and took his first private sector position.  Mathew brings many skills and a wealth of government knowledge and is enjoying the challenges of his current position.  Mathew is personable, approachable and willing to assist those in need. 

Kerrie Orth
Regional Manager Out of Home Care Services Sydney

Kerrie has worked in OHC Services with non Government Agencies for many years and brings this experience and skills to bear in managing our Out of Home Care services in the Sydney Region.

Bill Storrie
Manager Quality Assurance and Development

Bill has many years of experience in the Community Services field having held the positions of Operations Manager and then Regional Manager in Mission Australia’s Northern region. He has also worked as a Community Services Consultant for a number of years where he developed policies and training resources and delivered training in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia. Bill’s professional background includes working with homeless people, youth and people with a disability and has a strong focus on social justice.

Kath Davey
Manager Compliance and Training

Kathy has a history of working in disability services with DADHC and DOCS for 30 years in direct care roles, management and staff training. She has worked in the non government sector the last 8 years in both disability and OOHC areas in residential services and foster care.

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