Alison Lai

Alison Lai commenced as the CEO of the ATDC in July 2018 following a 25 year career spanning the Tasmanian private, public and not-for-profit sectors. With a successful track record in leading a peak representative body and extensive experience in government relations and grant administration, Alison is a passionate advocate for developing strong and meaningful relationships between government and the communities they seek to assist. A long-term community volunteer, since 2017 Alison has been the expert judge for the Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards (Community Group of the Year), and a judge for the Telstra Best of Business Awards since 2021.

Since commencing at the ATDC, Alison’s focus has been on progressing a number of key strategic priorities including increasing opportunities for Tasmanians with a lived experience of alcohol and other drugs to contribute to the design and delivery of services and programs, including advocacy for the establishment of an independent organisation to represent them. Alison is also focused on advocating for increased funding for alcohol and other drug services and programs, improving access to data and information and addressing the unacceptable stigma, misinformation and myths associated with drug use in our community. In particular raising awareness, and encouraging conversations across the community about drug use.

Alison’s work has led to her being named a State finalist in the 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Award (for purpose sector) and a finalist in the 2020 TasCOSS Inspiration Leader Award. Under Alison’s leadership, the ATDC was also awarded the 2021 Organisational Excellence Award for the Tasmanian alcohol, tobacco and other drug sector.

Alison can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at ceo@atdc.org.au

Dr Jackie Hallam

Jackie has worked in a variety of roles within the Tasmanian alcohol, tobacco and other drugs sector since 2001. These have involved policy analysis, conducting research interviews with people who use drugs, implementing workforce development initiatives, conducting evaluations and frontline work in needle and syringe programs. Jackie graduated with a PhD in public policy from the University of Tasmania,  in 2006. Her thesis, ‘The Rise and Stall of Harm Reduction policy in Australia’, examined change in  illicit drug policy in Australia from 1980 to 2000. Jackie is currently the Policy Manager at the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council.

Jackie can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at policy@atdc.org.au

Dan Vautin

Dan has over 15 years of leadership experience across a broad range of industries including banking, fast-moving-consumer-goods, and most recently, not-for-profits. As State Manager at Mates4Mates, Dan grew the family recovery centre and built an outreach model servicing veterans across the state. More recently, as State Manager for the Alcohol & Drug Foundation, Dan built a strong reputation as an action oriented leader and strategic thinker. Dan is now focused on supporting the ATDC in its mission to build the most resilient and effective ATOD sector and in helping deliver on the ATDC’s promise of “No Harm, No Discrimination”. Dan can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at dan@atdc.org.au

Liz Knox

Liz may be our communications specialist, however she much prefers to be behind the story rather than the centre of it. Liz's experience covers a variety of sectors including IT consulting, tourism, retail, FMCG, however found her calling in the Tasmanian community sector. Most recently Liz held communication and workforce development roles at Shelter Tasmania, peak body for housing and homelessness and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing, Business Information Systems) from the Australian National University.

Liz is honoured to be working with the ATDC team to raise the profile of the ATOD sector's important work, and reduce the devastating stigma faced by people who use drugs. Liz is a proud neurodivergent woman and draws on the strengths of her lived experience of mental health and disability in her work. When she's not behind a keyboard or screen, you'll find Liz behind a camera or wrangling her rescued greyhounds.

Liz can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at lizk@atdc.org.au

Greg Taylor

Greg is highly experienced in the visual arts and community development sectors. He helped establish the Spinifex Hill Studio in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and has worked around the country as a freelance producer. He has a Master of Arts from the University of Melbourne. After successfully delivering the Lived Experience Participation Project in his first role with the ATDC, Greg is currently in the role of Reform Project Officer, keeping track of the delivery of the AOD Reform Agenda across the sector and supporting the establishment of the independent lived experience organisation. Greg can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at greg@atdc.org.au

Kyle Perry

Kyle brings a front-line perspective to his role at the ATDC, having worked in AOD services, high schools, youth shelters, and most recently Velocity Transformations (Pathways Tasmania). Kyle holds a Bachelor of Counselling and Coaching from the Australian College of Applied Psychology, and is also an accomplished author with his first novel 'The Bluffs' being shortlisted for Dymocks Book Of The Year 2020. Kyle can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at kyle@atdc.org.au

Ruzina Dahal

Ruzina's experience ranges from working in alcohol and drug rehabilitation in Nepal to finance and administration roles in Sydney, Australia. Now in Tasmania as part of the ATDC team, Ruzina has found a role that is an ideal fit for her experience and is looking forward to learning all she can from our members and the sector. Ruzina holds a Bachelor of Arts & Social Work from St Xaviers College in Nepal and Bachelor of Business Administration/Accounting from Australian Catholic University in Sydney. Ruzina has volunteer experience working with sheltered animals at the Sydney Dogs & Cats home in Sydney, and in her spare time enjoys creating art and travelling. Ruzina can be contacted on 03 6231 5002 or by email at admin@atdc.org.au