Governance
VALID is registered as a not-for-profit incorporated association in Victoria (No. A0027636H) and as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
Under its Constitution adopted in 2022, VALID is governed by a Board of up to 9 members. Over half of these must be people with a disability or family members or unpaid carers of people with an intellectual disability.
VALID’s Board is responsible for planning the direction of the organisation and for overseeing its operations and programs. Day to day responsibility for VALID’s operations is delegated to the CEO.
VALID’s Constitution also establishes a Self Advocacy Forum, which is open to any Associate Member of VALID with an intellectual disability. The Forum discusses and consults on issues of interest to people with an intellectual disability and briefs VALID’s Board on those discussions.
The members of VALID’s Board are:
Board Members
Chair Arthur Rogers
Arthur has experience in public administration and human services and has held leadership roles in the Victoria public service in disability, social housing and service design. A strong advocate for the inclusion of people with a disability, Arthur led the development of Victoria’s first 10 year State Disability Plan, the Disability Act 2006 and the introduction of client controlled and individualised planning and funding in Victoria. He was the Director of Housing and Deputy Secretary, Service Design and Implementation with DHHS. Arthur also worked in the Department of Premier and Cabinet on Victoria’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Deputy Chair Stephanie Gunn
Stephanie was formerly the CEO of Gateways Support Services, a leading disability services provider committed to evidence based and quality care especially for those with complex needs. Stephanie has lived experience of family members with intellectual disability and was a proud founding staff member of the National Disability Insurance Agency in 2012. Before her role with Gateways, Stephanie worked for many years in the public service with a focus on improving outcomes and building opportunities for communities and individuals. She is a Director of peak body Inclusion Australia and currently has a part-time role with the review of the NDIS.
Member Georgina Frost
Georgina has two children, Evie and Dougal. Evie has auditory processing and learning difficulties. Consequently, the family have navigated alternative paths to meet Evie’s education, developmental and social needs. With this extra support Evie has an active life with increasing levels of independence. Georgina is an experienced advocate, working for 15 years as a commercial lawyer and now as a case manager in dispute resolution. She brings to VALID’s Board lived experience as a parent of a person with intellectual disability, over 20 years governance experience and an understanding of the Victorian disability sector through long-standing involvement with disability organisations.
Member Graeme Russell FCA, FAICD, FAIST
Graeme was CEO of Media Super and First Super and a trustee director of three other super funds. He currently chairs skills organisation IBSA and Bendigo Bank’s Clifton Hill branch. He is the father of Ben, who has Down Syndrome. Graeme served as Chief of Staff to a Victorian Minister and held senior roles with universities, TUTA, STA Travel and The Melbourne Times. Graeme also practised as a strategy consultant and Chartered Accountant. His community service includes Trustee of the Sustainable Melbourne Fund and Councillor and Mayor of Collingwood. Graeme chairs the Board’s Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee.
Member Nicole Spehar
Nicole is the outgoing Chair of VALID’s Having a Say conference, which brought her on to the Board. Nicole has a passion for helping people, especially people with disabilities, as she has cerebral palsy and knows about the challenges faced by people with disabilities. She works as a remedial massage therapist, loves athletics and is a member of Geelong Guild Athletics Club. Nicole represented Australia at two World Cerebral Palsy Games and at a multiple disability FESPIC Games. She is also involved with Kardinia Rotary Club. Nicole is a member of the Board’s Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee.
Member: William Ward-Boas
William is a young person with disability that started working in the disability sector 5 years ago. William started his journey of the disability sector by meeting VALID through his Disability Service Provider at the time, participated in paid workshops, then had his information passed onto the Disability Services Commissioner, worked with them as a community researcher for the “Safe and Respectful Cultures in the Workplace” Project for a full year. After working for a few more disability organisations, William is looking forward to being in his first governance position in his career and looks forward to being involved in this new position with his personal and professional experiences.
Member: Judy Kelly