Lauren began her career in the disability and mental health sector in 2007, bringing a wealth of experience across roles including telephone counsellor, support worker, project manager, support facilitator, support coordinator, and manager.

She has worked as a Support Coordinator since the introduction of the NDIS, with over seven years of experience supporting participants across Maitland and Newcastle.

Lauren’s favourite part of the role is meeting people from all walks of life and supporting them to grow, build resilience, and achieve their goals.

Outside of work: Lauren is a mum of two young children and a proud owner of a Whippet. She enjoys coffee, reading (and has been part of a book club for over five years), dance, and creative pursuits. She is also a qualified practitioner of Western Herbal Medicine and has a strong interest in holistic health and wellbeing.

Emily-Jane has over 5 years experience in the sector and brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to supporting individuals in need. Holding a Diploma in Community Services, she specializes in problem-solving and tackling a wide range of challenges with a positive and practical approach. Highly organised and detail-oriented, Emily-Jane is known for her comprehensive and client-centered approach, focusing on effective communication and strong advocacy. She has a deep understanding of both NDIS and community-based resources, and she excels at building strong, trusting relationships with the individuals she supports. With her compassionate, enthusiastic, and kind demeanour, Emily-Jane is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she works with.

After more than two years of dedicated service with Sunflower Services as a Mental Health and Disability Support Worker, Mia has transitioned into her new role as a Support Coordinator/Psychosocial Recovery Coach. With a hands-on approach, Mia takes the time to connect with Participants, gaining a deep understanding of their needs and how to best navigate their NDIS plan. Holding a Diploma in Mental Health, Mia has experience working with individuals impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. She approaches her work with compassion, always maintaining a trauma-informed perspective. Outside of her professional life, Mia enjoys reading and spending time in nature. Her extensive experience with the NDIS and working with Participants with diverse psychosocial disabilities makes her an invaluable asset to the Sunflower team. We are thrilled to welcome the incredible Mia!

With over 5 years of experience as a Support Coordinator, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, particularly in managing complex NDIS issues. He is a goals-focused professional who thrives on building positive, empathetic connections with those he supports. Tom has more than 10 years of experience volunteering and working with people with disabilities, which further enhances his compassionate approach to support. Always eager to learn, Tom is currently expanding his skills by learning Spanish and Latin dance! Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through tennis and is actively involved in his local community and club, volunteering and coaching. Tom is a creative problem-solver who loves thinking outside the box to find effective solutions.

With a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) and four years of experience as a Support Worker, Annabel brings both knowledge and compassion to her role. Her time in frontline support sparked a passion for person-centred care and the power of advocacy in helping participants achieve their goals.

Annabel is most driven by the relationships she builds — she finds real meaning in walking alongside people and supporting their progress over time. In her new role with Sunflower, she’s excited to keep strengthening community networks and empowering people to live as independently as possible.

Outside of work, she enjoys mindful activities like Pilates, painting and reading — along with the occasional TV binge. She’s travelled to 18 countries and proudly says that while she’s only 5ft tall, she’s definitely mighty.

Mia has worked in the NDIS and human services sector for five years, supporting people from all walks of life with compassion, skill and cultural sensitivity. Her focus is on creating a safe, supportive space where people feel heard, respected and empowered to work towards their NDIS goals. Mia is passionate about helping individuals build confidence, develop new skills and engage in meaningful opportunities that enhance independence and wellbeing.

With a Bachelor of Human Services and experience across child safety, psychosocial disability, complex behaviour support and trauma‑informed practice, Mia brings a well‑rounded and strengths‑based approach to every person she works with. Her recent government role in Far North Queensland strengthened her cultural safety practice and deepened her ability to work respectfully with diverse communities.

Kristen brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for mental health support to her role at Sunflower. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she made the bold move to Australia in 2017, bringing with her a strong sense of community and a lifelong love of tacos (every Friday night, without fail!).

With a background as a Mental Health Peer Worker in SIL homes and as a Team Coordinator in a day centre for people with complex mental health needs, Kristen has seen firsthand the power of connection, creativity, and community. Now, as a Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach, she’s excited to continue empowering people to take the lead in their own journeys—offering support that’s grounded in authenticity, purpose and belonging.

When she’s not championing others, you’ll find her cooking up a Mexican feast or admiring cockatoos. Kristen is thrilled to be deepening her knowledge of local services and the NDIS, and most of all, she’s looking forward to the many people she’ll meet along the way.

Jean is a passionate Support Coordinator who enjoys supporting participants and their families to navigate their NDIS journey with confidence. She strongly values choice and control, and works closely with individuals to ensure their goals, needs, and aspirations are genuinely heard and supported.

She brings over 10 years of experience working with the Department of Education, supporting children, young people, and their families. This background led her to transition into the disability sector, where she now supports individuals across all stages of life. Jean has a strong interest in mental health and enjoys working with both young people and adults to support the psychological and emotional aspects of their disabilities.

Jean is excited to be part of the Sunflower team and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with both colleagues and participants, contributing to a supportive and collaborative environment.

Background: Born in Scotland, Jean has lived in Adelaide for over 20 years.

Outside of work: She enjoys going to the gym, reading, spending time with family, and good coffee. A fun fact is that she cannot swim.

Madison is currently completing a Diploma in Community Services and brings eight years of experience in the disability sector. She is passionate about supporting individuals with empathy and respect, always striving to create a safe and empowering environment. Outside of work, Madison enjoys sunshine, coffee, and spending time in nature.

Meet Hannah Ennis, one of our Support Coordinators/Psychosocial Recovery Coaches in Adelaide! Hannah has a Certificate IV in Community Services, and has worked previously as a Disability Support Worker, Customer Liaison and Support Coordinator. Hannah prides herself on providing compassionate, holistic and authentic support to her Participants. Hannah is passionate about linking Participants with services that align with their support needs and goals. Hannah has a key focus on rapport building and ensuring her Participants feel comfortable and heard. Hannah’s interests outside of work include catching up with friends, hiking in new locations and reading! Welcome Hannah, we are so happy you are here.

Katya studied a Bachelor of Psychology with a major in Counselling and has built her career around supporting others through difficult times. With a background in disability support and experience in crisis intervention, she brings empathy, calm, and trauma-informed care to all the work that she does. Outside of her work life, Katya loves to cook, loves spending time at the beach and hanging out with loved ones.

Sanisha is a dedicated Support Coordinator with strong experience across NDIS, mental health, crisis response and trauma informed practice. She supports participants with complex needs to stabilise, access the right services and feel confident navigating daily life. Her background includes domestic and family violence response, youth and family support, psychosocial disability and aged care.

With a Bachelor of Community Services specialising in child protection, case management, mental health and trauma aware practice, she brings a knowledgeable and empathetic approach to every participant she works with. Sanisha values clear communication, cultural sensitivity and person centred care, and is committed to creating safe, meaningful and sustainable outcomes for the people she supports.

Alissa Hodges, a dedicated Specialist Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach, brings a wealth of expertise to her role. With a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and extensive experience at Sunflower Services, she’s adept at navigating the intricacies of complex mental health challenges. Alissa’s compassionate nature shines through in her work, offering kindness and empathy to those she supports. Her intelligence and skills make her a valuable asset in guiding individuals towards their journey of recovery and empowerment.

Ahmed brings over thirteen years of experience in the disability sector, with a strong foundation in specialist support coordination, recovery coaching, and advocacy. He’s worked across diverse settings—from remote Aboriginal communities in the NPY (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) lands to metropolitan Adelaide—supporting participants with complex psychosocial and cross-cultural needs.

A passionate advocate for trauma-informed practice and creative therapies, Ahmed sees participants as the experts in their own lives. He’s driven by the opportunity to walk beside them, helping make their journey smoother while learning from their resilience and strength.

Outside of his professional work, Ahmed is an artist and writer whose creative projects often explore place, memory, and community. He’s fluent in Arabic, is currently learning Pitjantjatjara, and once studied cinematography in India—still viewing the world with a filmmaker’s eye. He enjoys travel, connecting across cultures, and spending time with his children. Joining Sunflower Services is an exciting new chapter where Ahmed looks forward to collaborating with a values-led team and contributing to meaningful change.