Meet Our Program Committee
We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Conference Program Committee for all their work on putting the program and conference together.
Stefanie Pearce Co - Convenor
Stefanie has been a practicing occupational therapist for 20 years, after obtaining a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland in 2004 and later completing postgraduate studies in mental health and health sciences. Stefanie has worked in mental health for most of her occupational therapy career, within both acute and community settings and also with individuals with younger onset dementia.
Stefanie has considerable experience as a clinical educator and supervisor in hospital settings, as a research assistant and is now a lecturer in occupational therapy at the University of Canberra, teaching into the mental health, older adults, occupation in context, practice education and readiness for practice units.
Elisa Yule Co - Convenor
Elisa Yule is a mental health occupational therapy academic. She is dedicated to preparing the next generation of occupational therapists to thrive in contemporary mental health settings through transformative, recovery-oriented education. Elisa’s work is grounded in meaningful collaboration with consumers, co-producing curricula and research that values lived experience and seeks to shape more inclusive, responsive mental health services.
Arabella Hely Lived Experience Representative
Arabella is a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) student. Her interest in occupational therapy has been shaped by her lived experiences and interactions with the healthcare system, having experienced first hand the difference mental health occupational therapy can make.
Jessica Levick
Dr Jessica Levick is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy and the Program Coordinator of the Associate Degree of Allied Health at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). With 12 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Jessica specialises in mental health and is passionate about enhancing consumer engagement in leisure activities within acute mental health settings.
Joshua Clark
Joshua Clark is an Occupational Therapist based in Canberra. He currently works across the adult and older persons’ acute mental health wards at North Canberra Hospital and has previous experience in paediatrics, with a particular interest in neurodiversity-affirming practice. Josh presented at the previous OTA Mental Health Forum on his work within youth justice and is looking forward to contributing to this year’s event by sharing insights from his ongoing practice in mental health.
John Chacksfield
John has been a mental health occupational therapist for most of his career. He trained in Wales, UK over 30 years ago and has worked in almost every field of adult mental health as a practitioner and manager. In the past John was the Chair of the mental health interest group in the UK and is currently a convener of the OTA mental health SIG. He has always believed that occupational therapists have a huge role to play in the mental health field. John now leads a team of allied health professionals, including OTs, in a secure rehabilitation unit in Queensland and breaking the mould with innovate practices.
Kylie has worked as an Occupational Therapist with Hunter New England Mental Health Services for over 20 years. She works as an Allied Health Educator with the Suicide Prevention and System Improvement team. Her interest in education and research has evolved into PhD studies exploring learner safety and engagement in suicide risk assessment education.
Danielle Ashley
Dani Ashley is an occupational therapist with over 20 years' of clinical and leadership experience in the forensic mental health field, including working in prison-based mental health, youth forensic, and disability forensic services. Dani works as an occupational therapy clinical educator at Forensicare with a focus on supporting new graduates commencing their career in forensic mental health. She also works part time as a lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology. Dani has a Master of Advanced Occupational Therapy and Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education.