Our Team

Cassandra Hughes – Chief Executive Officer

Cassandra commenced with DSWA in October 2021. She has a diverse work history, across a range of industries from all tiers of Government to Mining and WA Ambulance service. She was a small business owner, owning a confectionery manufacturing business for 8 years, and has worked in organisations of varying sizes, in a diverse a variety roles. Most recently Cassandra worked Operations Manager with the Country Ambulance Directorate of St John WA, working alongside both staff and volunteers in the Great Southern and in the state office in Belmont. Cassandra also worked for a small country local government in Cranbrook as the Manager of Economic and Community Development. She describes both of these roles as a place where she was able to make a contribution to her community which is important to her.

Cassandra brings a strong skill set to DSWA including Governance, Policy and Procedure, Employee Relations, Staff Development and Leadership. Cassandra holds a Bachelor of Business (Management and Industrial Relations), Diploma Occupational Safety and Health, Diploma in Project Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She also loves her garden, bushwalking, the beach, cooking and dancing. Since COVID began, she also taught herself to paint, and wrote the lyrics for a music CD which was released in 2022.

Contact Cassandra – ceo@downsyndromewa.org.au or 0432 407 527.

Nikki Schwagermann – Senior Coordinator

Nikki has worked at Down syndrome WA since 2011 and been an active member of the association since her youngest of three sons, Wil, was born in 2009.  

Nikki started at DSWA as Family support, welcoming family’s and running the Playgroup. She is currently the Senior Coordinator.  

Nikki brings to the team her years of knowledge and experience and has a strong passion for improving the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families through support, education, advocacy and forming networks within the community.

Rachel Slevec – Information Technology and Communications Coordinator

Rachel started volunteering at DSWA in 2020. Rachel’s previous experience is working in Information Technology (IT) for the government, including Heath and Education. In January 2021, Rachel changed from being a volunteer to a staff member. Her current role involves helping DSWA staff with IT questions and issues, managing our member database and updating our website. Rachel ensures that members’ contact information is up to date and sends out important emails to our growing community.

Stephanie Bryant – Employment and Pathways Coordinator

Stephanie commenced working with DSWA on 23 May 2023 in the role of Administration Coordinator. Her role is to provide administrative support for our Employment and Pathways Project Coordinators. She comes to us with a background in Public Relations and Marketing, working in various industries in her more than 30-year career including banking, health (including not for profit) and mining.

As well as successfully running her own Public Relations business, more recently for the past 8 years, Stephanie has worked on her own Health and Wellness business.

Her passion is educating people to make healthier choices when it comes to personal care and nutrition. Helping people understand the importance of reading labels, which enables them to make educated decisions on the products they choose to use on a daily basis, in an effort to help minimise the negative impact on their health.

Stephanie is the Mum of a gorgeous teenage son. She is excited about working with Down Syndrome WA, and is hoping to add value and make a positive difference.

Alyssa Francis – Senior Coordinator, Adult Project

Alyssa Francis joined DSWA in February 2025 and has a background in Psychology and Human Resource Development. With five years of experience in People Consulting, Employment Services, and the Maritime industry, she has had the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds and support them in different stages of their journeys.

In her current role, Alyssa is grateful for the chance to support adults with Down syndrome in working towards greater independence. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals feel empowered to reach their personal goals. Alyssa finds joy in connecting with people and believes that even small moments of kindness and encouragement can make a big difference.

Outside of work, she enjoys learning from others, playing badminton, and heading to the beach for a cold swim!

Zali Stipanicev – Employment Coordinator and Family Support Administrator

After returning from traveling in Canada at the end of 2023, Zali started work in a support role. She has stepped up to various jobs at DSWA.

Zali currently works across two areas as an Employment Coordinator and Family Support Administrator. She enjoys providing support to the team to help ensure successful delivery of events and services, and is always ready to take on new challenges and opportunities to grow.

Siobhan Painter – KiDS Club Coordinator

Siobhian is an Occupational Therapy student going into her third year at Curtin University, and also works part time as a support worker. She is an active fun-loving individual who enjoy sports and the outdoors. Siobhian spent nine years in little athletics and eight years of scouts, and currently participates in netball and volleyball. She loves getting to know others and assisting whenever possible. Siobhian enjoys seeing people trying new things and achieve their goals, live the life they want, and values the role she has in facilitating this.

Karina Best – Coordinator North Metro Playgroup

Karina Best is a mother of three, who’s youngest Andre has Down Syndrome; having worked for over 20 years in varying roles of nursing and allied health she has recently started study in early childhood special education and is loving her role as Playgroup Coordinator.

Karina is passionate about incorporating Key Word Sign (Auslan), music and sensory play into playgroup sessions and is a fierce disability advocate.

Anita Saxby – Playgroup Assistant North

Anita is a mother to three beautiful girls and the youngest has Down Syndrome. She enjoys connecting with young families through playgroups and ‘mainly music’ and in 2025 she joined the DSWA Team as Playgroup North Assistant.

Anita has worked as a music teacher in schools for many years. She plays the flute, dabbles at the piano but enjoys singing the most. You can hear her sing with the St George’s Cathedral Consort and at Playgroup North too! Anita is enjoying the opportunity to bring her skills and love of music to the DSWA Community.

Renee Whiskin – Coordinator South Metro Playgroup

Renee has 5 children and 2 grandchildren. Her youngest daughter, Alissa, is 3.5 yrs old and her super power is Down syndrome. Renee has a Certificate 3 in Aged Care and a Diploma in Community Services.

Renee enjoy all things creative and coming up with new projects and ideas for our families and children to enjoy whilst attending playgroup. Renee includes sensory, motor skills and messy play in the playgroup activities which the children love. She says playgroup is important as it’s a safe place for parents to network and talk. Renee enjoys watching the bonds created at playgroup and loves watching the relief on new parents faces when they realise, they are not alone.

Nicole Campher – Playgroup Assistant South

Nicole is a mother of 5 and is so proud of her 5 year old son Lyriq who has Down syndrome. Nicole says they are so lucky to have been a part of the DSWA community since he was born.

Nicole has a Certificate 3 in Childrens Services, Allied Health Assistance and Sterilisation Services. She has worked with children in daycare. And with children with special needs providing speech, physiotherapy and occupational therapy assistance. Nicole also has experience working in aged care and sterilisation services in hospitals.

Nicole says she is honoured to be a part of the DSWA playgroup staff as she received so much support as a mother in those early years. Nicole loves being able to return the favour by giving new mum and bubs in the community the same support.