Nominations for chair
Prunella Howell-Jay
Candidate’s statement of interests and skills
My interest stems from my strong belief in amplifying the voice of consumers in governance settings and ensuring they have a meaningful seat at the table. I am deeply committed to human rights and advocacy, drawing on over a decade of experience in lived experience leadership to drive equitable and inclusive systems. My lived experience of mental health distress fuels my passion for breaking down power dynamics and creating spaces where consumers can influence meaningful change. I bring skills in community engagement, workforce development, advocacy, and strategic planning, which I believe will support VMIAC in reaching their mission to create a world where people with mental health conditions are respected, have their rights upheld, and can live lives of their choosing.
Governance experience
I have a strong foundation in governance, supported by experience and training. Since August 2023, I have been a member of the Committee of Management, contributing to strategic decision-making and consumer-led governance. I completed the Consumers Leading in Governance training in 2022, equipping me with a deep understanding of governance principles, strategic leadership, and integrating human rights into governance. My experience includes participation in transformation committees implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations and consumer advisory committees, amplifying consumer voices in service planning. This blend of training and practical experience enables me to support consumer-driven outcomes and systemic reform effectively.
Perspectives and diversity
As a woman with lived experience of mental health challenges, I bring a unique intersectional perspective to the VMIAC Committee. Navigating both systemic barriers and societal expectations has deepened my understanding of the complexities faced by women within the mental health system. My lived experience fuels my passion for advocating for gender equity and ensuring mental health services are inclusive, trauma-informed, and responsive to diverse needs. Additionally, my role as a mother has provided further insight into balancing caregiving responsibilities while addressing mental health challenges, allowing me to contribute a holistic and empathetic.
Nominations for deputy chair
Anna Sowden
Candidate’s statement of interests and skills
I am an experienced Lived Experience worker and have previously had a 20-year career as a lawyer with a passion for human rights and social justice.
I am a mental health consumer and have been so for the last 45 years. My experience of the mental health system is extensive. I have a sound understanding of my own personal recovery journey which is ongoing and something I will always be working on.
I am passionate about the lived experience space, consumers and lived experience workers. I currently work as the Lived Experience Discipline Lead at Barwon Health (2.5 years).
As a CoM member I particularly enjoy working on the strategic planning and organisational development of VMIAC.
Governance experience
I have complete VMIAC’s Consumers Leading in Governance program including a placement on the Barwon Disability Resource Council. I spent one year as an ordinary member on the board of Mind Works Geelong (a community resource centre for people with mental distress. For the last 2 years I have been on the Committee of Management for VMIAC, holding the position of Treasurer for the last year.
I am currently studying a Master of Leadership at Deakin University and intend to do the AICD Director’s course this year.
Perspectives and diversity
As a cis-gendered heterosexual woman I am unfortunately not very diverse, but I have a keen interest in intersectionality, particularly with regards to First Nations people and those with an asylum seeker/refugee background.
Dean Kolovos
Candidate’s statement of interests and skills
I have worked in designated roles for the length of my professional career, drawing on my experiences of psychological distress and navigating the Victorian Mental Health System. I bring expertise in peer work across community and clinical settings, lived experience research, co-design, and project leadership. I am especially passionate about championing lived experience in research.
As Senior Project Officer (Lived Experience) at the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, I have developed a deep understanding of the Royal Commission reforms and the challenges the movement faces in enacting system change. I believe I am well positioned to support VMIAC’s mission as a member of the Committee of Management.
Governance experience
- Chairing and serving as secretariat for the Australian Early Psychosis Collaborative Consortium’s (AEPCC) Lived Experience Network Establishment Committee (Jan–Nov 2022).
- Placement on the Mental Health Tribunal’s (MHT) Governance Committee as part of VMIAC’s Consumers Leading in Governance Training (Oct 2024–present).
- In my role as Senior Project Officer, I have become well-acquainted with governance practices through engaging the Collaborative Centre’s Board. I have developed Board papers, presented to members, and led the establishment of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP).
- Membership on Orygen’s Research Leadership Team (Jan–Nov 2022)
- Membership on Headspace Bentleigh’s Youth Advisory Group (2019–2020)
Perspectives and diversity
I am a culturally and linguistically diverse man, a perspective that is poorly represented and seldom accounted for in the lived experience movement or broader mental health and wellbeing system. I am passionate about engaging the voices of men in my work, especially those from CALD and marginalised backgrounds, and seek to challenge systemic patriarchy in my professional practice.
Nominations for treasurer
Sue Belmore
Nominations for secretary
Mel Sherrin
Candidate’s interests and skills
I have been Secretary of VMIAC for the past 11 months. In that time, I have driven enhanced governance practices, including constitutional reform, new policies and processes. I am dedicated to the mission and values of VMIAC and believe that the COM functions best when there are experienced people in roles such as the Secretary role. I see a positive future for VMIAC and want to be part of the exciting next chapter.
Governance experience
I am a governance professional and am employed as a Company Secretary in my “day” job. I am also the CoChair of the Lived and Living Experience Advisory group for ERMHA365. I hold a law degree, am a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and have completed the AICD Company Directors Course.
Perspectives and diversity
I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Nominations for ordinary members
Rebecca Langman
Candidate’s interests and skills
I am an experienced Board member having held Member and Deputy Chair positions at LELAN, the peak body for lived experience in South Australia.
I have worked in public mental health services in SA and Vic for 8 years and I am very passionate about quality and safety of public mental health services.
I have skills in peer workforce management, organisational strategy, strategic direction, managing complex budgets, consumer and community engagement.
Governance experience
Previously a Member and Deputy Chair at LELAN (SA peak body) for 4 years. Current Youth Advisor to the Orygen People & Renumeration Subcommittee.
I have been involved in many governance and leadership committees with Department of Health, CMHL, Mind Australia, Consumers Health Forum. Mostly recently I was involved in the development of the consumer discipline framework in Victoria.
Perspectives and diversity
I am a queer woman who lives with complex health challenges such as Narcolepsy which has made me passionate about health system advocacy and diagnostic overshadowing.
I grew up in a working class family with a parent with complex mental health challenges
Kate Badgery-Parker
Candidate’s interests and skills
I’m interested in joining the COM to support VMIAC in improving the lives of people living with mental ill-health and to learn more about LLE advocacy. I am committed to social justice principles and concerned about the rise of inequality.
I have lived experience with mental illness, both personally and through support of family/friends.
I have worked for 25+ years as a senior marketing manager, working in large consumer services (insurance, superannuation). My key skills include:
- Marketing strategy, campaign planning and execution;
- Digital tools and automation;
- Financial and business management skills; and
- Compliance and risk management.
Governance experience
I have been a volunteer board member for Onemda for 7 years and chair their risk and compliance committee for 3 years. Onemda is a mid-sized for-purpose disability services organisation and provides group services to more than 200 adults with intellectual disabilities.
Between 2016 and 2024, I was a committee member of Marketing Women Victoria and was their Treasurer and Vicechair between 2019 and 2024. MWI is a volunteer run organisation which organises mentoring programs and events.
I have completed the Governance Institute’s Risk Management Essentials and Governance Essentials, and am currently enrolled in the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Perspectives and diversity
I am a cisgendered white women. However, I have a strong understanding of the disability sector and NDIS through have been a volunteer board member of Onemda for 7 years (see above). This does not make up for lived experience.
Kealey Nutt
Candidate’s interests and skills
I am an experienced leader with 20 years of experience across corporate, community, and not-for-profit organisations. My background in governance, strategy, and stakeholder engagement equips me to provide strong leadership and deliver impactful outcomes.
I bring expertise in operational development, co-design, and advocacy, with a focus on fostering collaboration and building strategic partnerships.
With a human-centred approach and a proven ability to optimise processes, I am committed to contributing to sustainable, long-term impact for communities. My experience and strategic mindset position me to provide valuable insights and guidance as part of a governance team.
Governance experience
I have extensive experience in governance environments, including serving as a member of executive leadership teams, where I contributed to strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and operational oversight. As part of the Peninsula Health Consumer Advisory Committee, I provide insights to improve healthcare access and equity.
My recent campaign for local government deepened my understanding of community needs and governance structures, while my role on the governance committee of a local neighbourhood house highlights my commitment to fostering inclusive, community-led initiatives. These experiences have honed my ability to provide strategic guidance, collaborate effectively, and uphold strong governance principles.
Perspectives and diversity
I believe wholeheartedly in inclusion and enabling greater participation with intersectional and diverse backgrounds, identities and experiences.
Kathy Wilson
Candidate’s interests and skills
I have been an active member of VMIAC for five years and recently returned to the CoM as a co-opted member. I am keen to stay involved in supporting VMIAC as it comes through a challenging time in a challenging world.
I am keen to see VMIAC focus on building and maintaining connections to members and consumers across the state and on advocacy.
I am particularly interested in ensuring the voices and experiences of rural and regional members are heard and in supporting a transition to the next generation of consumer leaders.
Governance experience
I have completed tertiary-level studies in corporate governance, advised on the design of VMIACs leading in governance training am an experienced board member and have been on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups.
Having said that, I think it is really important to create opportunities for more and different consumers to understand and become skilled in governance roles, bringing our particular relational ways of working to the table.
Perspectives and diversity
LGBTQI+ and older people’s perspectives
Dean Kolovos
Candidate’s statement of interests and skills
I have worked in designated roles for the length of my professional career, drawing on my experiences of psychological distress and navigating the Victorian Mental Health System. I bring expertise in peer work across community and clinical settings, lived experience research, co-design, and project leadership. I am especially passionate about championing lived experience in research.
As Senior Project Officer (Lived Experience) at the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, I have developed a deep understanding of the Royal Commission reforms and the challenges the movement faces in enacting system change. I believe I am well positioned to support VMIAC’s mission as a member of the Committee of Management.
Governance experience
- Chairing and serving as secretariat for the Australian Early Psychosis Collaborative Consortium’s (AEPCC) Lived Experience Network Establishment Committee (Jan–Nov 2022).
- Placement on the Mental Health Tribunal’s (MHT) Governance Committee as part of VMIAC’s Consumers Leading in Governance Training (Oct 2024–present).
- In my role as Senior Project Officer, I have become well-acquainted with governance practices through engaging the Collaborative Centre’s Board. I have developed Board papers, presented to members, and led the establishment of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP).
- Membership on Orygen’s Research Leadership Team (Jan–Nov 2022)
- Membership on Headspace Bentleigh’s Youth Advisory Group (2019–2020)
Perspectives and diversity
I am a culturally and linguistically diverse man, a perspective that is poorly represented and seldom accounted for in the lived experience movement or broader mental health and wellbeing system. I am passionate about engaging the voices of men in my work, especially those from CALD and marginalised backgrounds, and seek to challenge systemic patriarchy in my professional practice.
Anu Dhingra
Candidate’s interests and skills
As a person with a lived experience of childhood trauma, suicidality and OCD I am eager to continue championing the voices of our members and community.
Governance experience
I have been a board member of Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria for over eight years and was elected President as their last AGM.
I have also been on the CoM of VMIAC.
Perspectives and diversity
I am a gay man, immigrant and identify as culturally and linguistically diverse.
Anna Sowden
I am an experienced Lived Experience worker and have previously had a 20-year career as a lawyer with a passion for human rights and social justice.
I am a mental health consumer and have been so for the last 45 years. My experience of the mental health system is extensive. I have a sound understanding of my own personal recovery journey which is ongoing and something I will always be working on.
I am passionate about the lived experience space, consumers and lived experience workers. I currently work as the Lived Experience Discipline Lead at Barwon Health (2.5 years).
As a CoM member I particularly enjoy working on the strategic planning and organisational development of VMIAC.
Governance experience
I have complete VMIAC’s Consumers Leading in Governance program including a placement on the Barwon Disability Resource Council. I spent one year as an ordinary member on the board of Mind Works Geelong (a community resource centre for people with mental distress. For the last 2 years I have been on the Committee of Management for VMIAC, holding the position of Treasurer for the last year.
I am currently studying a Master of Leadership at Deakin University and intend to do the AICD Director’s course this year.
Perspectives and diversity
As a cis-gendered heterosexual woman I am unfortunately not very diverse, but I have a keen interest in intersectionality, particularly with regards to First Nations people and those with an asylum seeker/refugee background.