Meet Our
Staff and Board Members
Ayden Shaw | General Manager (He/Him)
Ayden is an experienced sports administrator who is driven by a passion for social cohesion. Ayden sees sports as a vehicle for social change and is now the General Manager for our organisation.
Since graduating with a dual degree of a Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science and Human Movement and a Bachelor of Psychological Studies from Victoria University in 2016, Ayden has worked at a variety of sport organisations and NFP's including Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and Cancer Council Victoria all with a focus on inclusion.
More recently Ayden worked at Disability Sport & Recreation (DSR), managing relationships with key organisational program and sector partners increasing the opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and recreation programs.
Ayden also managed delivery of DSR’s community programs including major junior recreation camps, membership, training services and sports such as AFL Wheelchair and wheelchair rugby.
Well known for his collaborative and energetic leadership style Ayden also is a Victorian sports tragic and avid traveller having been to nearly 30 countries around the world.
Madeline Wood | Operations, People and Culture Coordinator (She/Her)
Madi is a fun and bubbly team member who is passionate about all things sport and inclusion. She has been involved with sport since she could walk.
She studied a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Health Promotion and Recreational Therapy, and through this degree saw how sport and recreation can really improve people living with disabilities lives.
Madi comes from a disability employment background, working in the disability employment field for 3 years where she saw the benefits of inclusion in the workplace for people’s mental, social, and physical well-being. Now she is excited to combine her love for sports and inclusion and help connect people with disabilities in Australia with sport and recreational activies!
Kristy Rohrer | National Manager - Abilities Unleashed Program (She/Her)
Kristy has over 5 years of sports administration experience, spending the last two years at Cricket NSW where her passion for working in the disability sector really came to the forefront. She enjoys being able to create opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport.
Personally, sport has been a large part of Kristy’s life since she can remember and she couldn’t see myself working in any other area. She has a high level football background, which has given her the opportunity to travel overseas and have some amazing experiences. Nowadays Kristy gets the chance to spend her weekends sitting back and watching her daughter play.
Max Reilly | Communication and Participation Officer (He/him)
Max is dedicated to creating positive community change through sport and health. He loves how the space can be a platform for social movement and cohesion.
Max’s involvement with charity projects connected his double sport degree of a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) to community-minded work. Placements at Exercise Research Australia and Wheelchair Rugby Victoria solidified that he wanted to enter the inclusive sport and recreation sector.
Recently, Max was the Sport and Recreation Participation Officer and Events Assistant at Disability Sport & Recreation. This was as part of the ‘Phoenix Project’ - a seven-strong team that revitalised the Victorian disability sport and recreation sector in a COVID-normal world. Here, he found a way to connect his love for storytelling to the organisation’s media channels. This was affirmed in his ‘Motorhome Moments’ blog series as the Event Coordinator for Sean Bell’s Run for Wishes.
Outside of the workplace, you’ll find Max either hiking, dancing or in nature. He loves meeting new people, so make sure you say hi to him at the next event.
Rae Anderson | Abilities Unleashed Program Support Officer (She/Her)
Rae Anderson is a Dual Summer and Winter Australian Paralympian and Para Matilda. She represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Summer Paralympics in athletics and at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics in alpine skiing, becoming the seventh Australian Paralympic athlete and only second female to represent Australia at a Summer and Winter Paralympics. A month after Beijing, Rae followed this achievement by being selected in the Australian Para Matildas squad placing Runners Up at the Inaugural Female Football World Cup Salau 2022.
At age one she was diagnosed with Left Hemiplegic Dystonic and Spastic Cerebral Palsy, not being expected to walk unassisted. This was followed by ongoing physiotherapy, several multilevel surgeries and rehabilitation. In 2018 she took a year-long break from elite sport to focus on her studies. She moved to Indonesia for six months to pursue a degree in cultural studies in Bahasa Indonesia at the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.
She has worked as Co-Director at University Bridge Project, a cultural exchanges initiative between Australian and Indonesian university students. In January 2021, she began working part-time as Project Coordinator at Disability Sports Australia before moving into a new role with Disability Sports Australia in 2022.
Rae also works for Cerebral Palsy Sporting and Recreation Association in a similar role since May 2017 and speaks across Australia and Indonesia as a motivational speaker in schools and for corporate companies.
Sam Cunningham - General Manager of Disability Sports Northern Territory (DSNT)
Bringing a robust background in sports and recreation and in the Northern Territory, Cunningham comes equipped with a wealth of experience crucial for this role.
For the past decade, Sam has worked in Australia’s sporting industry. He has been involved in multiple disability and NT programs in his last six years with the AFL. These include Alice Spring’s Footy for Life program, umpiring, and employment opportunities.
As General Manager, Cunningham plays a pivotal role in facilitating increased physical activity among Territorians with disabilities. He will be spearheading key business unit activities working towards creating more inclusive sporting opportunities for people with disabilities.
Kerri Griffiths | Co-Chair
Kerri is a highly accomplished strategy and corporate affairs adviser. She was in the team that managed CBA’s defence on the banking Royal Commission and has led events including financial results, AGM, and parliamentary hearings.
Kerri worked for federal and state cabinet Ministers dealing with nationally significant and sensitive issues, advising during major events including IMF & G20 meetings, and attending bilateral meetings with world leaders. Prior to this, she was a journalist covering breaking issues, elections, and APEC.
Kerri has a keen interest in sport and reached national level. She is delighted to be a Director with Disability Sports Australia and is also currently a Director with Boccia Australia and Vice President of the Australian Swimmers' Association.
Kerri holds the following qualifications: Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Graduate Diploma of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Business Administration.
Dr Renae Domaschenz PLY | Co-Chair
Renae has had a long and successful career in sport. She is a Tokyo 2020 Paralympian and a world champion high-performance coach in the sport of Rowing. A strong role model for women leaders in sport - she was awarded a place on the 2023 Association of Paralympic Sports Organisation Female Leadership Master’s program, the 2022 AIS Women Athlete Accelerate Program and 2020 AIS Women in Sport Leadership Talent Program funded by The Australian Government's Office for Women.
Renae is a highly regarded consultant currently providing leadership, facilitation and specialist advice, in global sports advisory and Commonwealth governance, policy and business transformation. Renae is an experienced Non-Executive Director with current and comprehensive appointments on sports boards, including recently being nominated by the Athlete Council as the new athlete member of WADA’s Compliance Review Committee from January 2024 for a three-year term.
Leeanne Grantham | Director
Leeanne is a very experienced senior sports and major events administrator with over 30 years’ experience. This led to engaging with many National Sports in Australia and Overseas, State and Federal Governments, various marketing and media organisations, commercial partners and international sports federations. Leeanne utilised her experience and networks to join a global sports recruitment firm as a Consultant focusing on CEO, Senior Executive and Directorship roles.
She has extensive experience as a Board Director including with Basketball Australia, Radio 3UZ, Cycling Australia, Netball SA, UCI (Cycling) Women's Commission, Australian Masters Games and others. She is currently a Non-Executive Director with Table Tennis Australia, FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and is the Vice President of Commonwealth Games Australia.
Leeanne is proud to be a Director with Disability Sports Australia.
Garry Goodman | Director
Garry is a Managing Director with a solid reputation of achieving solid corporate growth objectives by providing strategic direction, diverse perspectives and positive leadership. I improve company efficiencies as a dynamic results-oriented leader with a strong track record of performance in a high paced company.
Utilize keen analysis and insights and team approach to drive company improvements and implementation of best practices. Superior interpersonal skills, capable of resolving multiple and complex (sales, human resources, legal, financial, operational) issues and motivating staff to peak performance. With a large workforce of professionals in what is ultimately a ‘people business’, providing care and support to people is critical – and something that I am committed to delivering.
Dr Nathalie Mann | Director
Nathalie Mann is an impact strategist and public health specialist with over 18 years’ experience working across industries. She has a deep understanding of the Australian, Thai, Vietnamese and French healthcare systems.
Nathalie has experience in the areas of policy, strategy and innovation with extensive experience in business operations and development. Nathalie sits on boards across industries with a particular interest in disability and paediatrics.
David Thompson | Director
Following a 30-year career in the rag trade, including 25 years with Bonds, David decided to chase a career in sport. David’s first role in sport was with Cricket NSW, a sport he played with distinction and loved. David held the position of General Manager State Cricket Department taking charge of the High-Performance department. Coaches, Support and Sports Medicine Staff reported to him, including contracted elite cricketers, male and female for the Blues and Breakers as well as the two Big Bash teams in years two and three.
In 2015, David chose to move to Hockey NSW - a sport his family fell in love with. David chased his dream of becoming a CEO of a state sporting organisation. It came true when in July 2016. During this time, David was awarded the Administrator of the Year Award in 2017 at the Sports NSW Annual Awards. David held this position until October 2021.
In November 2021, David joined Hockey Australia in a Strategic role working with CEO colleagues across hockey in Australia looking for strategic projects that created efficiencies for Australian Hockey. David has recently overseen the creation of the first Australian Hockey Strategic Vision to 2032 and Strategic Plan 2023-24.
David has now worked in the sport of Hockey for the past nearly 9 years and in Sport for 14 years. His core capabilities of key stakeholder management, the development and implementation of commercial strategies combined with his team leadership skills have provided positive results to his career in sport.
Brett Bennett | Director
Brett Bennett is a passionate and experienced leader in the disability sector with a personal connection to DSA’s vision and mission. He has a diverse background in sports science, clinical therapy services, business transformation, operational leadership, growth, sustainable cost management, government relations, and NDIS experience.
Brett started his career at the University of Sydney’s Cumberland Health & Research Centre, where he led the Disability Rehabilitation Unit and ran fitness and rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities. He has also consulted for disability services businesses, contributed significantly to the National Disability Insurance Agency, and served on the Advisory Board of Supported Travel Experiences.
With extensive financial management expertise, including full P&L ownership up to $400 million and cost base management up to $1.3 billion, he has a proven track record of managing risk and advising board members in both small private companies and large publicly listed entities.
Brett has demonstrated significant HR leadership experience, driving business performance improvements with a core focus on people and capability. He has strong government and public sector relations, including advisory roles with WorkCover Authorities and State and Federal Government engagements.
Simone Pearce | Director
Simone has been working at the University of Sunshine Coast since 2014. Prior to 2014, Simone practised law for nearly 22 years and was a partner of a prominent Sunshine Coast Law firm in the final 15 years of that period. Simone’s practice included all areas of General Practice, with a specific interest and focus on Family Law and Litigation, Crime, Succession Law and Sports Law.
Simone’s PhD ‘Towards Guidelines for the Inclusion of Children with Disability in Sport’, argued for changes to the way sport is structured to promote ‘true inclusion’.
Simone has an interest in discrimination issues and the equitable treatment of minorities or the underrepresented and excluded. Simone also has considerable history and experience in directorships and acting as company secretary for several sporting organisations at varying levels. Simone has a track record of effective advocacy and stakeholder engagement, especially with State and Local Government, Netball Australia, and Little Athletics Australia.
Simone has been a Director with State and National Sporting bodies and advised on various committees to State and National bodies, particularly in relation to inclusion. She has been involved in leading the development of policies and a culture of integrity and transparency.
Simone is currently Chair of Sunshine Coast Sports and a Director of Sunshine Coast 2032.
Erin Hoare | Director
Erin Hoare has extensive leadership experience as an academic in the University sector, in sports administration in her current role at the Australian Football League, and as an athlete across two codes (Netball, AFL Women’s). She is a Senior Research Fellow with expertise in the relationship between physical activity and mental health and wellbeing.
Alongside her sporting and academic pursuits, Erin is a psychologist with expertise in neurodiversity, and has worked as a psychologist in the NDIS. She is deeply passionate about enabling inclusive sporting environments in which all people can thrive.
After 10 years in the Academic sector at Deakin University, where she spent time on a visiting research fellowship to the University of Cambridge, she commenced in sports administration in a research role at the Australian Football League. Erin holds a PhD in public health and has a strong research track record including lead authored publications in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, and JAMA Psychiatry.
Erin is Chairperson of the AFL Research Board and brings to Disability Sports Australia expertise in data governance and national ethical standards, subject matter expertise in relation to sport and recreation for health and wellbeing, lived experience as an athlete, and knowledge in relation to strategy and community engagement.