Emma joins DANA with an outstanding record of leadership and advocacy. She brings over 17 years of executive experience dedicated to disability advocacy, having served as CEO of both Arts Access Australia and Blind Citizens Australia.

Most recently, as Chief Advisor, Equity and Lived Experience at Life Without Barriers, Emma was instrumental in co-designing foundational diversity, inclusion, and lived experience strategies, championing disability leadership at the highest levels.

Emma’s deep sector knowledge is further demonstrated through her former role as Chair of Every Australian Counts. Combined with her formal qualifications (an MBA and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors) Emma’s appointment marks the beginning of a promising new chapter for DANA.

We’d like to thank David Petherick for his leadership as our Interim CEO these past months.

With Emma’s arrival, David will resume his role on DANA’s Board and will also return to his role at the Rights Information Advocacy Centre

We also extend our thanks to DANA’s Director of Operations, Elicia Ford, for also recently stepping into the Acting CEO role in David’s absence.

We invite you to watch Emma’s personal welcome message on DANA’s social media channels and to please connect with her on LinkedIn.

Please join us in welcoming Emma to DANA.