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Board members 2011

	David Hounsome (Chair) David Hounsome is a former teacher with extensive Senior Executive Service in the WA Public Service. He has worked for the Disability Services Commission, the Department for the Arts and the Department of Health and served recently on the Boards of the WA Association for Mental Health, ASSeTTS, and Ruah Community Services as well as a range of other organisations. He has a B.Ed with majors in Special Education and Educational Psychology and has managed a medium sized Community Sector Organisation. David appreciates some of the difficulties experienced by many with an acquired brain injury- a disability not easily understood and not consistent in its impact. A disability that doesn't always fit the models of service offered by either the DSC or the Mental Health Services of the Department of Health.
	Jill Bowman (Vice-Chair) Jill Bowman has a strong background in the disability sector including, providing recreation, sport, social and community support services for people with a disability and their families over many years. She has been and still is, involved in community activities with a strong inclusion focus. Jill has worked in the Not for Profit area, Local Government and State Government. Jill is currently working for the Department of Sport and Recreation as the State Coordinator for Sports CONNECT, an Australian Sports Commission program – a national framework that works to build pathways for people with disabilities to become involved in the sport of their choice. Jill is passionate that everyone should have the opportunity to contribute and be fully included in their local community
	Shirley van Schagen (secretary) Shirley van Schagen is a management consultant with considerable experience in working with leaders and teams to improve the performance of both individuals and the organisation, helping them to achieve a common vision and to develop supporting strategies to achieve their vision. Shirley is passionate about developing people and leaving organisations with the skills, knowledge and mindset to successfully accomplish significant personal and organisational change. She is keen to apply her experience as a consultant to contribute to Headwest as it increases its voice and influence for people with ABI. Her interest in working in the Community Sector has grown through working with a variety of small and large not-for-profit organisations over the last eight years. I was attracted to Headwest because of the direction it is going in, the complex needs of ABI and the opportunities that exist to address gaps in services or legislation that impact on people with ABI. This is a really exciting time to be involved”.
	Leslie Chalmers (Treasurer) Leslie is an experienced management consultant and director with governance and accountancy skills. She is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Leslie is the sole director of her own Management Consulting Company, the Productive Edge. She has been appointed as a Councillor and member of the Quality Audit and Risk Committee and the Governance Committee of Edith Cowan University and as a director of the WA Potato Marketing Corporation and of the Animal Research Centre, and is the Alternate Director for the Managing Director of Advanced Personnel Management. She has a Bachelor of Business, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting, and qualifications from the Advanced Financial Management College, Stanford University, California, USA, and the Carver Policy Governance Academy. Her empathy, for the difficulties experienced by people with acquired brain injures and their families, is coupled with respect for people who try to make a difference. Leslie hopes that her participation on the Board will strengthen the organisation, so that Headwest is better able to strongly advocate for people with acquired brain injuries.
	Adriana Geertruida Vermeij Adriana acquired a brain injury in a pedestrian versus car accident in 1979 and was one of the first involved with the then Head Injured Society in 1980. Adriana has been a Board Member for three years. Adriana is very aware from her own experience of what it is like to live with an ABI. Adriana is also concerned that when people from other countries first go to hospital they are quite often in need of interpreters which are not always available to them Before her accident she worked in many different jobs from Farm hand, car detailer and working in a Bakery. Adriana has completed a number of Tafe courses, she is presently taking a break from her studies and is working as a mentor for school children. She is committed to Headwest’s vision, to ensure that people with Acquired Brain Injury can have a good quality of life.
	Michael Hansen Michael Hansen survived horrific injuries from a motorbike crash in 2001. Ten years on, he attributes his good recovery progress to his optimistic and determined nature. He has maintained hope that improvements are possible and 'worked hard' to get where he is. Michael knows that he can bring to the Board a sound perspective from a person who has experienced the full spectrum of what it is like to live with an acquired brain injury.
	Heather Hill Heather has an ABI from a motor vehicle crash and has recently moved home to Perth after living in NSW for some years and travelling overseas. In that time she has succeeded in accomplishing three university degrees: a BA, MA and a PHD in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine. This has all been achieved after her accident. Heather is passionate about making people aware of difficulties that arise when one is different to the usual.
	Ardis Hood Ardis Hood has worked as a legal secretary in the private sector as well as Hamersley Iron, Woodside Offshore Petroleum and an Executive secretary for the Managing Director of a Merchant Bank. She acquired a brain injury in a car accident a number of years ago, and became a member of Headwest in 1990. Mrs Hood has been a member of the Headwest Board of Management for three years. She is committed to Headwest’s vision, to ensure that people with acquired brain injury have a good quality of life. Mrs Hood is also aware, from her own experience that too many people come out of hospital with nowhere to go, and with no hope for the future. She is looking forward to a future where people with acquired brain injury are supported, where they have a meaningful role, a connection to others and where they can tap into the right services, when they need them.
	Barry Mori Barry Mori has 25 years experience as a relfexologist. He has been a carer of a young man with an acquired brain injury since 2002. "It has been my pleasure to have helped the young man to a better quality of life" said Barry. Barry and his wife Patricia have been members of Headwest for eight years. They assist with the Nutcrackers Group on a voluntary basis. "My interest in ABI is firstly with my client", said Barry, and secondly, with members of the Nutcracker Group. We don't have a family member with an acquired brain injury. We are volunteers on our third term on the Board of Management.
	Patricia Mori Patricia Mori has worked as a nurse in aged care for four years. She works with people with disabilities on a voluntary basis. Her interest in acquired brain injury grew from her husband’s role as a carer. Mrs Mori is the Chair of the Round Dance Club. She is a qualified and Official Round Dance Leader. She supports the Headwest vision, so that people living with acquired brain injury in Western Australia can have opportunities for good relationships, and easier and more satisfying lives in the community