The ACTCOSS Staff Team
Susan Helyar
Director
Susan joined ACTCOSS in February 2013. Susan is committed to working with leaders across Canberra to building a more just and inclusive community, where everyone lives with dignity. Her career has focused on making a difference - as a social worker, in policy roles in ACT and Commonwealth governments and most recently as the leader of services development advocacy work for UnitingCare Australia. Susan's direct practice included working in community health, mental health and disability employment. Her social policy work included service development and policy reform across the lifespan. She supports development of the social work profession as a field educator with the Australian Catholic University.
Susan joined ACTCOSS in February 2013. Susan is committed to working with leaders across Canberra to building a more just and inclusive community, where everyone lives with dignity. Her career has focused on making a difference - as a social worker, in policy roles in ACT and Commonwealth governments and most recently as the leader of services development advocacy work for UnitingCare Australia. Susan's direct practice included working in community health, mental health and disability employment. Her social policy work included service development and policy reform across the lifespan. She supports development of the social work profession as a field educator with the Australian Catholic University.
Wendy Prowse
Strategic Project Manager
Bio and photo coming soon!
Bio and photo coming soon!
Nadia Osman
Policy and Development Officer
Nadia joined ACTCOSS in August 2011 after time spent working in both the not-for-profit sector and public service in a variety of roles. Having grown up in Canberra Nadia is looking forward to working for an organisation that supports the ACT community.
Nadia has a Bachelor of International Relations majoring in political science from the ANU and a Masters of Teaching which she completed at Macquarie University in 2008.
Nadia likes cooking, reading and belly dancing; dreams about travelling the world; and volunteers with the Red Cross.
Nadia joined ACTCOSS in August 2011 after time spent working in both the not-for-profit sector and public service in a variety of roles. Having grown up in Canberra Nadia is looking forward to working for an organisation that supports the ACT community.
Nadia has a Bachelor of International Relations majoring in political science from the ANU and a Masters of Teaching which she completed at Macquarie University in 2008.
Nadia likes cooking, reading and belly dancing; dreams about travelling the world; and volunteers with the Red Cross.
Adele Williams
Policy and Development Officer
Adele joined the ACTCOSS team in February 2012. Originally from North Carolina, Adele migrated to Canberra in 2010 after finishing her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Appalachian State University. Adele completed a Masters in Social Research from the Australian National University in 2011.
Throughout her graduate degree, Adele worked part time in the ACT women's sector and is now looking forward to diving head-first into her work at ACTCOSS. She feels that Canberra's community sector is an integral part of the ACT and looks forward to building upon the amazing advocacy work of its members.
In her free time, Adele enjoys watching romantic comedies, hiking and going to the zoo.
Adele joined the ACTCOSS team in February 2012. Originally from North Carolina, Adele migrated to Canberra in 2010 after finishing her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Appalachian State University. Adele completed a Masters in Social Research from the Australian National University in 2011.
Throughout her graduate degree, Adele worked part time in the ACT women's sector and is now looking forward to diving head-first into her work at ACTCOSS. She feels that Canberra's community sector is an integral part of the ACT and looks forward to building upon the amazing advocacy work of its members.
In her free time, Adele enjoys watching romantic comedies, hiking and going to the zoo.
Julie Butler
Sector Development Officer - Gulanga Program
Julie has worked part-time with ACTCOSS since February 2007. Julie moved to Canberra over 20 years ago to increase her employment opportunities and to see new places. She has worked in education, youth, domestic violence, housing, health, aged care and local and federal government. Julie likes to visit the South Coast for its beauty and relaxed lifestyle. Her family are from North Queensland (Bandjin) and North Western Queensland (Kalkadoon).
Julie has worked part-time with ACTCOSS since February 2007. Julie moved to Canberra over 20 years ago to increase her employment opportunities and to see new places. She has worked in education, youth, domestic violence, housing, health, aged care and local and federal government. Julie likes to visit the South Coast for its beauty and relaxed lifestyle. Her family are from North Queensland (Bandjin) and North Western Queensland (Kalkadoon).Keith Brandy
Sector Development Officer - Gulanga Program
Keith is a proud Wiradjuri man from Condobolin in central NSW. He moved to the ACT in the late 1970's to work in the then Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and was mentored by the likes of Dr Charles Perkins, Captain Regional Saunders and Pat Turner.
Keith has worked extensively in both non-Indigenous and Indigenous community organisations, as well as in numerous government agencies as an Indigenous policy and project officer.
Keith travelled to the United States and Canada in 2005 and showcased Aboriginal culture by visiting Native American Aged Care facilities, Native American men's groups and presented at primary schools - an experience he recalls being amazing.
Keith's passion is social justice, men's health, youth, history and sport and recreation.
Keith is a proud Wiradjuri man from Condobolin in central NSW. He moved to the ACT in the late 1970's to work in the then Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and was mentored by the likes of Dr Charles Perkins, Captain Regional Saunders and Pat Turner.Keith has worked extensively in both non-Indigenous and Indigenous community organisations, as well as in numerous government agencies as an Indigenous policy and project officer.
Keith travelled to the United States and Canada in 2005 and showcased Aboriginal culture by visiting Native American Aged Care facilities, Native American men's groups and presented at primary schools - an experience he recalls being amazing.
Keith's passion is social justice, men's health, youth, history and sport and recreation.
Suzanne Richardson
Communications and Membership Officer
Suzanne Richardson joined ACTCOSS in January 2008 as the Communications and Membership Officer. This is her first foray into the world of community services, and she enjoys using her skills to help people. She has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Graphic Design and New Media, as well as a Certificate II in IT.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys playing video games and doing other equally nerdy activities.
Suzanne Richardson joined ACTCOSS in January 2008 as the Communications and Membership Officer. This is her first foray into the world of community services, and she enjoys using her skills to help people. She has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, majoring in Graphic Design and New Media, as well as a Certificate II in IT.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys playing video games and doing other equally nerdy activities.
Lisa Wells
Office Co-ordinator
Lisa started work with ACTCOSS in April 2006 as Office Coordinator.
Lisa started work with ACTCOSS in April 2006 as Office Coordinator.
