Our Team

Chief Executive Officer

Daniel Payne

Commencing in the role 2019, Dan is known to many of our Down Syndrome Victoria community as he – with his wife Corina and children Holly, Abby and Tyson – has been an active member since 2010. Between 2016-19, Dan was a member of the Down Syndrome Victoria board and helped ensure that the voice of our members was consistently front of mind in all our decision-making. For the past 14 years, Dan has worked within the financial services industry in a variety of roles which provided valuable and extensive experience in leadership, program management and business performance. Dan brings a great balance of advocacy, empathy, understanding of our sector, commercial focus and positive energy. Dan is motivated by creating empowerment through opportunity and is privileged to serve members of Down Syndrome Victoria and their communities.

DSV Advisory Network Chair

Matthew O’Neil

Matt has been a dedicated DSV advocate for a number of years; representing DSV on the Down Syndrome Advisory Network (DSAN), volunteering and speaking at a variety of DSV events. Matt now also works for DSV on a casual basis, chairing our advisory group. Matt is also involved in other paid employment opportunities that present throughout the year at DSV.

About his position Matt said, “[To] work with DSV is to show what I am about, it is a part of my life of living with a disability. I want people to look up and I believe I have a voice.” 

DSV Advisory Network

Jenny Bowden

Jenny is passionate about getting people out into the community and would like to give a voice to people with Down syndrome.

DSV Advisory Network

Keziah Glenane

Kez is passionate about being able to meet up with groups of friends and provide a voice for her community.

Kez would like to help people with Down syndrome to get a paid job in the community and live independently.

DSV Advisory Network

Colby Hickey

Colby is passionate about politics, writing, news and history. His dream is to help disadvantaged people in the community. Colby believes that his experience as a neurodiverse person gives him a unique insider perspective into the world and how people of neurodiverse backgrounds fit into society. Colby wants to advocate for others.

DSV Advisory Network

Katherine Mansour

Kath is passionate about studying and is learning new skills every day.  

She loves being involved in community pursuits and fundraising events designed to raise awareness for Down syndrome.

Family Support Manager

Sonia Bonadio

Sonia is a social worker and a parent of a child with Down syndrome. She has worked with services in the disability sector, mental health and community based prenatal services. In 2016 Sonia worked as a MyTime Facilitator for DSV and thoroughly enjoyed her time facilitating the group, providing her with a great opportunity to gain understanding and knowledge in many areas relating to families who have or who are caring for children who have Down syndrome.

Adult Support Manager

Debby Fraumano (she/her)

Debby is a social worker who has been working in a range of social services in Victoria for the last thirty years. She started out in family services supporting vulnerable families before specialising in disability. Debby has experience in working in direct service with people with disabilities, case management and advocacy, information sharing and training.

Debby is a parent of an adult with a severe disability, and as such also experiences the trials of the disability world, having firsthand experience of navigating the NDIS, health, housing, education, employment and ageing. Debby is also a keen equine enthusiast and loves spending time with her herd of horses.

Program Director: Projects & Training

Janice Chan

Janice started her career in the health sector as a physiotherapist, and went on to gain a range of skills in the public sector, before moving into the disability sector where she has worked for the last 20 years, including at DSV since 2018. Being a strong advocate for her son with Down syndrome throughout his life has instilled the values and beliefs which are the foundation stones for shaping an inclusive and ‘typical’ life for her son, into his adulthood.

Janice is passionate about using her lived experience, disability sector knowledge and to benefit the DSV community.

Health Project Manager

Zoe Shearer

Zoe has worked in the not-for-profit sector for the last 16 years, delivering projects in a wide range of sectors in workforce capacity building. In particular in the last three years Zoe has worked in the health and aged care sectors to build capacity of professionals to work with people with disability and complex support needs and the NDIS to facilitate getting supports to live an ordinary life in the community.  

She is passionate about working with communities that facilitates real change founded on social justice, equality and inclusion, as well as ensuring information is targeted, practical and brings about better outcomes for people with disability and those that support them.

Regional Family Network Coordinator

Linda Jungwirth

Linda lives in country Victoria and has five children (mostly adults now). She has a 16 year old son with Down syndrome and is passionate about inclusion and opportunities for all people. She has been a member of DSV for many years and is excited to be a part of the DSV team.Linda strongly believes in working to create the world she wants to live in, and has engaged in volunteer work and many community projects over the last twenty years.

As the Regional Family Network Coordinator, she works with family networks around the state. 

Senior Manager, MyTime

Madison Robinson

Madison volunteered with Down Syndrome Victoria for 5 years, at Club21, StepUP! and Family Fun Day, and has 6 years experience supporting children with a disability. Madison now runs the Club21 Eastside group, and is our MyTime Coordinator. With a degree in Psychology and Psychophysiology she is passionate about helping people and making a positive contribution to the Down Syndrome Victoria community.

Program Manager: Club21, Training, Volunteers, Projects

Helen More

Helen has a background in science research. She has volunteered with the Club21 programme since 2013 and jumped at the chance to take on the role of Club21 Coordinator in 2018. Down Syndrome Victoria and Victorian Council of Social Service gave her the opportunity to complete a Certificate IV in Disability at RMIT. She relishes her new path working in the disability sector and is passionate about Club21 and promoting the inclusion of people with Down syndrome in the community.

Club21 Facilitator

Catalina Gonzalez

Originally from Medellin, Colombia, Catalina came to Australia in 2009 to pursue her passion for dancing and people. She is a very engaging dance teacher, entertainer, and facilitator of activities for seniors and people with disabilities. She is a Zumba instructor for seniors’ communities, Dance & Roll, a wheelchair dance group, and she has been teaching Zumba to Club21 participants since May 2020. 

Catalina came on board as Club21 Facilitator in 2021. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and making a positive impact doing what she loves in her unique way.

Employment Project Officer

Loan Findlay

Loan joined DSV in May 2021 and is currently working as a My Time Facilitator.  She is also part of the Employment connections teams, assisting Down Syndrome Victoria members find meaningful employment in the workforce.  Loan worked as an Early Childhood Teacher for 17 years with management and leadership roles.  Loan has a passion to empower people with disability to find their value and place in the community.

Education Manager

Paula Kilgallon

Paula is an experienced teacher who has worked in primary schools in both Australia and overseas. She also has experience teaching socially disadvantaged children with Berry Street. Paula has post graduate qualifications in Psychology, having completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Professional Psychology with Monash University. Paula joined the Education Support Team in January 2019, and is committed to helping students achieve their goals.

Education Manager

Ro O’Dwyer

Ro is an experienced primary teacher who has worked in a variety of mainstream schools across all levels. She has also worked as a Reading Recovery teacher and in the co-ordination and delivery of other literacy support programs. Ro enjoys assisting and supporting students and teachers in the metropolitan area.

Education Consultant

Carolyn Warren

Carolyn is an experienced primary teacher who has worked across all levels F-6. She was Deputy Principal for four years and then took on the role of Welfare Coordinator. Carolyn joined the Educational Support Team in January 2019 and is dedicated to assisting and supporting students and teachers across Northern Victoria.

Education Consultant

Amy Fitzgerald

Amy has worked in a variety of education settings including early intervention, primary schools and specialist education schools. Amy has a Post Graduate Diploma of Education and a Masters Degree in Special Education. Amy has been working at DSV as an Education Consultant in the western districts since 2020 and is passionate about supporting students and teachers to achieve their education goals in regional Victoria.

Education Consultant & MyTime Facilitator

Dianne Hickey

Dianne is an experienced special education teacher who has spent many years in the classroom as well as in the role of Equity and Inclusion Leader in schools in the Barwon region, Victoria. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Ed), Graduate Diploma (Sp Ed) and Graduate Diploma in Mental Health for the Teaching Profession. Dianne joined the Education Support team in October 2020 and is committed to advocating for access to education, and inclusion of all learners, in our schools.

Education Consultant

Megan Bramble

Megan is an experienced special education teacher with a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma of Special Education. She is committed to promoting inclusion, empowering individuals and maximising learning outcomes. As a member of the Education Support Team since September 2021, Megan is dedicated to supporting students and teachers in the Gippsland Region.

Communications Manager

Lucinda Bain

Lucy has worked in the disability and community development sectors for over 20 years. Growing up with a sister who has Down syndrome developed her strong belief systems and passion to work towards a society that values true inclusion, equity and opportunities for all individuals. She previously worked at Down Syndrome Victoria as Adult Support Coordinator in 2006 and 2007. After working at organisations such as YMCA Victoria, the Epilepsy Foundation, EACH, and Deakin University, she has once again found her niche at Down Syndrome Victoria. Lucy has a degree in Disability Studies along with qualifications in Professional and Creative Writing.

Communications Officer

Pammy Meyers

A former broadcast journalist and communications professional for more than 10 years, Pammy is passionate about building meaningful connections, sharing people’s stories and driving change.

With a personal connection to Down Syndrome, she is dedicated to making a positive contribution to the Down Syndrome Victoria community and helping promote inclusion, understanding and equality.

Events Coordinator

Vanessa Ientile

Vanessa has spent the last seven years working in the not-for-profit sector supporting some of the most disadvantaged individuals, families and communities. She has extensive experience in events and fundraising and is passionate about using this to raise awareness, advocate for inclusion and opportunities and give a voice to those who may not be heard. Her commitment to impacting lives in a positive way has seen her be involved in community organisations, volunteering and assisting with children with disabilities. Vanessa also brings with her a degree in Media and Communications and keen interest in relationship building, stakeholder engagement and helping people reach their potential.

Finance and Administration Manager

Mara Wookey

Mara joined DSV in January 2019 after having worked in the disability sector for 12 years at the Association for Children with a Disability in administration, finance and payroll.

Mara’s son Matthew is 20 years old and has an intellectual disability. She has experienced firsthand the ongoing need for support, services and funding required by families and understands the importance of helping individuals feel empowered by the decisions they can make to achieve personal goals.   

Down Syndrome Victoria’s focus of empowering individuals with Down Syndrome, allows Mara to be part of a dedicated team that helps individuals achieve independence through our education and training programs.

Administration Officer

Anna Cook

Anna has worked in various administrative positions in the education and childcare industries before coming to Down Syndrome Victoria in June 2017. She has done volunteer work in Poland and helped with the refugee crisis in Greece. She enjoys working at Down Syndrome Victoria because she loves being part of an organisation that is working towards positive change.

Personal Assistant to Chief Executive Officer, Reception & Voice

Stephanie Papaleo

Stephanie joined DSV in 1998 and is our longest serving member of staff. She really likes working at DSV in her current roles.

She has completed her Certificate 3 in Business Administration and uses these skills every day in her work. She also volunteered at Brotherhood of St. Laurence.

Compliance Manager

Leonie White

Leonie has a background in education and has worked within the disability sector for over 17 years, initially in parent support followed by coordinating the MyTime program for Playgroup Victoria. Leonie began working at DSV in 2012 and over the journey has been heavily involved in the process of DSV’s NDIS registration and seeking grant funding.  She has a daughter with Down syndrome and passionately advocates for people with disability and their families.