Our board & executive

Danielle Hornsby

Chair

B. Speech Therapy, MBA (Marketing and Info Systems), AICD

Danielle is a seasoned health service executive who has a passion for driving innovation to improve health services in regional centres.

She currently leads the practice of some 700 allied health clinicians across the broader Townsville region, with a reputation and achievement record which has influenced rural health policy and practice nationally for over two decades.

She is a speech pathologist by background, holds a Master in Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Tulha Aga

FRANZCP, RCPsych, MBBS

Dr Tulha Aga is a Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years’ experience in healthcare across the UK and Australia. His interest is in community and rehabilitation psychiatry and he has worked extensively with CALD communities.

Tulha works clinically for the Townsville Disaster Recovery Team and is employed by Townsville University Hospital as Clinical Director responsible for Rural and Remote Psychiatry as well as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Assessment and Engagement Service.

He is a Senior Lecturer with JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry and has held tutor positions in Healthcare Leadership and in Communication skills.

Sonia Bennetto

GAICD, BBus(Marketing), GradDipEd (Middle Years), CertIV Training & Assessment

Sonia Bennetto is a serving Councillor of the Charters Towers Regional Council, and held the position of Deputy Mayor for six years. With degrees in Education and Marketing, Sonia has over 15 years of experience in business development, vocational training, strategic marketing, product development, copywriting and digital design.  She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has developed considerable expertise in corporate governance, and strategic planning.

As a practicing relief teacher in a regional community, Sonia recognises the emerging pressures and adversities that young people face when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing.  She also serves as a Director of the North Queensland Sports Foundation and recognises the significance of keeping regional community members connected to sports and active recreation, for both their mental and physical wellbeing.

A strong advocate for innovation and creativity in the workplace, Sonia is passionate about identifying opportunities to develop regional community connections, capacity, and resilience through positive mental health and wellbeing.

Robert (Bob) James

CPA, BSocSc (Hons); MIndigSt (Hons) (Director since 2017)

Bob is a retired university lecturer, historian and accountant. He has a longterm concern for those with mental health issues and their families and carers. This interest was brought about by family exposure to mental ill health and suicide over the last two decades.

He joined the board of one of selectability’s founding organisations Mental Illness Fellowship NQ (MIFNQ) in 2004 and was President and Chair for many years

Dr Clive Skarott AM

HonDUniv DipFinSvcs, FAICD, FAMI, JP (Qual.) (Director since 2019)

Clive is the Chair of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Chair of JCU Dental and President of the Cairns Historical Society and Museum. He was Chair of Ergon Energy and a director of Energy Queensland Ltd as well as being Chair of the Cairns Port Authority. He has also served in a number of other positions including as a director of Advance Cairns; Treasurer of the Regional Development Australia Committee (Far North Queensland and Torres Strait); and director and Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Credit Union.

Neil Willmett

BAppHSc (UQ)

Neil is a leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, housing, economic development and administration, leading the development of complex and sensitive economic, social and housing and health policy, projects and initiatives as well as structural, capability and cultural change reforms.

He is currently the CEO of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland and is the former CEO of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council.

With a track record in outcomes, he also has a public health degree from the University of Queensland.

Karen Lenihan

MBA, BSocSc, GradCertMentalHealthPrac, RN.

Karen Lenihan is the Principal Official Visitor for New South Wales under the NSW Mental Health Act 2007. She has held this position since February 2016.

With a background working as a clinician, educator, manager and executive, Ms Lenihan has broad working experience in health service delivery and policy.

Ms Lenihan’s career is characterised by her work with fringe populations who experience high levels of social stigma and disadvantage. She is committed to quality service provision, is a strong advocate for social justice and believes in equity of access to the resources available in contemporary society.

Louise Prychidczuk

LLB Hons, B Com.

Louise Prychidczuk is a highly experienced lawyer and board director with over 20 years of experience in the legal industry. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from Griffith University and has been admitted to practice law in multiple jurisdictions.

Throughout her career, Louise has worked with a diverse range of clients, from individuals and small businesses to large corporations and government entities.

She has also had extensive experience working for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander legal services in criminal law. Louise started the first Homeless Persons Legal Clinic in Cairns.

Debra Burden

Chief Executive Officer

BBus FIML FAICD

Debra commenced as CEO of selectability in February 2017 and has previously held CEO and executive management positions with Queensland Country Credit Union and Health Fund, 1300Smiles and Canegrowers Burdekin.

Her business management expertise has been recognised with the Qld Business Review Women in Business Award and the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Award.

Debra has held board positions in numerous companies and is currently a Director of Townsville Hospital and Health Service, and until recently was a Director of North Queensland Primary Health Network and Deputy Chair of North and West Remote Health.

Aaron Farrell

Chief Operating Officer

Aaron has been working in the disability sector for over 15 years. He specialises in Operational Management within private and not-for-profit sectors with a strong focus on community-based transport.

He has worked in Federal (Centrelink and NDIA) and State Government (Department of Community Services, Child Safety and Disability Services) roles.

Aaron played a key role in standing up the NDIA within Queensland and helped transition over 1,000 providers from State funding programs including transitioning the first Qld participant into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Emma Hennell

Chief Financial Officer

B.Com FCCA GAICD JP (Qual) CertDA

Emma joined selectability as Quality Compliance and Risk Manager in February 2020. Successfully leading the organisation through the NDIS accreditation process, Emma worked tirelessly to ensure that our policies and  procedures are clear and support the provision of best practice services to our consumers together with ensuring that we operate in a way that is compliant with both industry standards and relevant legislations.

Emma was promoted to CFO in January 2022 - she comes from an extremely strong financial and governance background, previously working for selectability’s external auditors Jessups.

Matt Kinnane

General Manager Service Development

BBus

Matt Kinnane is a seasoned professional who has lived, worked and served North Queensland for more than 20 years. He has over a decade of experience in the finance sector and a deep understanding of financial management and analysis. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a strong financial acumen and a strategic mindset.

In addition to his extensive finance background, Matt has also dedicated seven years of his professional life to the social services sector, where he has made a significant impact in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. 

Matt Kinnane continues to be a driving force in championing the well-being and empowerment of individuals in regional Queensland.

Sandra Moore

General Manager Suicide Prevention

BSc, GradDipMgt, MBA, GAICD, FIML, GCertHumNutr

Sandra Moore has joined selectability in the newly created role of General Manager, Suicide Prevention.

The introduction of this new leadership role was prompted by the urgent need for more suicide prevention support across regional Queensland.

Sandra – an Ingham local –brings 20 years’ experience in executive and senior leadership roles in government, non-government and the private sector.

She has strong, well-established networks across regional Queensland and will be working closely with key stakeholders to identify and respond to gaps in knowledge, policy and practice in suicide prevention.

Gwion Cain

General Manager Cairns

Ryan Wiggins

General Manager Regional Development

MBA B.A. (Human Services) DipIndigS

Ryan has dedicated almost two decades to the Australian social sector, working in homelessness, mental health, disability, aged care, with asylum seekers and refugees and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.

Ryan brings knowledge, experience, a collaborative leadership approach and a passion to improve the mental wellbeing of regional Queenslanders.

Sally Bawden

General Manager Townsville

selectability’s team leader support coordination has been promoted to the role of General Manager - Townsville.

Sally has been with selectability for fours years. Starting as an LSW, she has filled the role of acting team leader on several occasions before becoming a support coordinator.

Sally quickly progressed to the role of team leader, support coordination, where she been instrumental in building a professional, well-respected (and constantly growing) team of 28 across selectability’s footprint.
She has strong community networks, exceptional knowledge of the NDIS and the passion and drive to successfully make the transition to her new role of General Manager Townsville.

Marissa Sherry

General Manager Regional Development - Western

BSocSci (Soc Wel), DipMgt&Lead, DipComSvc, JP (Qual)

Marissa joined the selectability executive team in May 2023. 

Marissa’s work experience in regional communities spans over a period of 15 years in North West Queensland. Working in the social and community service sector for her entire career, Marissa has experience in community and direct service delivery and management.

Working for and with consumers and community is a priority for Marissa.  She also has a strong interest and passion in the area of Suicide prevention, mental health and well-being services in regional and remote communities.

Marissa has spent a large amount of her career in Child Protection services and is committed to making communities safe for all.

Marissa holds tertiary qualifications in Social Science & Social Welfare, with postgraduate qualifications in Management and Leadership.