Alison Lai

When you first meet Alison, you will no doubt observe her as someone with a quiet demeanour and calm confidence. But hiding behind the soft voice, and measured comments is a fierce change-maker who is a deep thinker of thoughts and feeler of feelings – these are elements of Alison you will enjoy if you are lucky enough to get to know her more. Alison’s natural curiosity and thoughtful consideration lead to astute insights, which she communicates with great care and compassion. Alison has had a long career in the State Government and Community Sector in Tasmania, leading and learning at every level. She is a hard worker and creative problem-solver, with fairness and equality for all Tasmanians always at the front of her mind. Despite her many career and academic achievements, Alison is just about as ‘real’ as CEOs get. Fondly referring to herself as ‘sophisticated ocker’, Alison’s passion for sport, her endless collection of Christmas jumpers, and a good laugh means fun is never far away. In the future, Alison hopes to see strong and meaningful engagement with community by all levels of government as the status-quo. She also hopes to see compassion and empathy seen as equally strong and impactful leadership traits as aggression and brute force are today – and she plans to continue to lead by example in this way. Career highlights:

• CEO of ATDC and before that, CEO of Volunteering Tasmania
• Formal recognition for raising professionalism and showing leadership in the Volunteering, Sport and Recreation, and Alcohol and Other Drugs sectors
• Acceptance into the Social Impact Leadership Australia Program
• Completing her Bachelor of Commerce with Honours (Marketing and Entrepreneurship)

Dr Jackie Hallam

Jackie’s career path reveals a lifelong learner, always searching for, and interrogating, contemporary evidence-based knowledge to drive policy and research work for the ATDC. Jackie enjoys applying this skill when collaborating on strategy, thinking about systems and problem solving generally. Jackie is committed to alcohol and other drug subject matter demonstrated through a rich tapestry of experience in roles such as researcher, frontline work in needle and syringe programs, program evaluation and now in the policy role she has held since 2016. In more recent years Jackie has become well practiced at people management and loves to be part of a team – especially a team like this one at the ATDC. Working with Alison and the team is a career highlight and she feels like the team has hit a ‘sweet spot’ with the current mix of skills and talents, underpinned by strong shared values. Jackie would love to see a time when there are sophisticated conversations about alcohol and other drugs. In her words “…drugs have long been used by humans, it is time that we stop discriminating against people who use. Most people use alcohol and or drugs with minimal harm or disruption to their lives, but there exist some who experience way more harm- why is that?” Career highlight:

• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Tasmania, 2006 – ‘Rise and Stall of Harm Reduction Policy in Australia, 1980 – 2000’

Daniel Vautin

A compassionate and energetic people leader and teammate, Dan fights with quiet integrity for what is right. He does so with humour and humility, thinking deeply and widely, all the while keeping things fun with a sprinkling of dad jokes.

Dan balances serious intelligence with a light heart and an open mind. Curiosity keeps him moving forward – and he is currently studying a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Science at Swinburne University.

One of a rare breed of people who can play in both the strategic and operational spaces with ease, Dan has been responsible throughout his career for the development and execution of ideas ranging from start-up business development to AOD pilot program creation. Whether managing the operations of the worlds largest wild-caught abalone exporter or playing an integral role in the early days of the Mates4Mates veterans charity in Tasmania, people have been central to Dan’s work.

Dan would love to see a future where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection.

Career highlights:

• More than doubled the funding, delivering a sustainable future for a key ATOD primary prevention program in Tasmania
• Successfully brought the Alcohol and Other Drug Cognitive Enhancement program to pilot stage in Tasmanian community-managed ATOD treatment services.
• Learning that the heart has 40,000 neurons, effectively being a second brain in the body. Mind blown!

Liz Knox

Liz brings style and mysticism to the team. She leverages her unique way of thinking to apply her vast knowledge of marketing to ATDC communications. She loves storytelling and sharing the human experience through imagery and communications. Striving for social justice is as much a part of Liz as her love for her rescued greyhounds!

Liz’s work experience tells a story of someone who has a great passion for caring for others. She has ‘used her powers for good’ as part of the ATDC team but has also worked hard to support those affected by housing insecurity and homelessness. Liz is a proud neurodivergent woman and draws on the strengths of her lived experience of mental ill-health and disability in her work.

But Liz isn’t just creative and caring. She also has a natural curiosity for technology which comes in very handy when turning it off and back on again doesn’t do the trick.

Liz dreams of a future where everyone has a place to call home, a strong connection to community, and the freedom to be themselves.

Career highlights:

• Creative concept and execution of the photo mosaic for International Overdose Awareness Day 2020
• Coordinating the Tasmanian Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Communications Charter and Image Guide
• Successful growth in awareness and media exposure for Homelessness Week at Shelter Tas
• Bachelor of Commerce (Business Information Systems and Marketing) from the Australian National University.

Greg Taylor

Greg brings his artistic sensibility to his role, quietly radiating intelligence and creativity. He is witty and sharp, but has a steady and reliable nature that the team greatly appreciates.

Greg’s skills and experience in working with a broad range of people means he is insightful and sensitive, and can adapt to the various daily experiences his role presents in an authentic way. Integrity is important to him, and this shows in his honesty and kind critiques of others when necessary – leading to strong and trusting relationships.

Greg would love to see a legitimate platform for people who have lived experience to be heard, and for this to lead to positive change in our society. He also hopes for a future where uncertainty in our community leaders isn’t seen as a weakness, and curiosity is valued over immediate decision-making.

Career highlights:

• Writing the business case for the independent lived experience organisation for the alcohol and other drug sector in Tasmania for the ATDC
• Being the founding studio manager of Spinifex Hill Studio in the Pilbara region of Western Australia

Kyle Perry

His teammates describe him as a creative and inspiring visionary, but also value his playful and fun attitude. His mastery of words and delight in using them well also makes Kyle a loved member of the team.

Kyle’s experiences in both volunteer and paid work have brought a kaleidoscope of perspectives to his current role, and the addition of his academic success makes a recipe for success when working with his team and clients. When Kyle isn’t supporting the Lived Experience Advocate Service, you might find him promoting his bestselling novel The Bluffs (2020, Penguin Random House Australia.)

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Counselling (Coaching) and he hopes to see a world where some of the major causes of crime – i.e., lack of education, safety, and housing – are acknowledged as a responsibility of the whole community to work to improve, and so see crime rates truly drop.

Career highlights:

• Being recipient of the 2021 Tasmanian Minister’s ATOD Sector Emerging Leader Award
• Three months of mission work in Mozambique
• Breakout bestselling novel The Bluffs, 2020, Penguin Random House Australia

Ruzina Dahal

Others in the team describe Ruzina as a ‘future CEO’ – hardly surprising given her work ethic, ability to seek out creative solutions, and penchant for coffee.

Ruzina is a friendly and funny member of the team, leaning into positivity with the freshness of youth!

She has worked in community administration roles as well as finance roles nationally and internationally, and she brings that experience and cultural knowledge to the ATDC team.

In the future, Ruzina would love to see young people be more aware of the longer term impacts of drug use in youth.

Career highlights:

• Management of the ATDC’s International Overdose Awareness Day program of events
• Governance mentorship
• Coordination of the biennial Tasmanian ATOD Awards
• Completion of a Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounts from the Australian Catholic University and a Bachelor of Social Work from St Xavier’s College Maitighar.

Emily Ebdon

Don’t let Emily’s kindness and gentle nature fool you – beneath her calm and friendly demeanour lies a fierce and passionate advocate.

The skills Emily brings to her role at the ATDC are grounded in both academic experience, work experience, and lived experience. This shows in her sensitive and genuine approach to people and projects.

Possessing a Bachelor of Fine Arts, throughout her career Emily has made an impact on many people through her advocacy work, delivery of health services and programs, and community support.

Emily hopes to see a world where people who use drugs are treated with respect and without stigma, and are not criminalised.

Career highlights:

• Delivered the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users ‘Putting the Puzzle Together’ training
• Delivered statewide vein care clinic to Primary Needle and Syringe Program Workers
• Co-presented statewide Needle and Syringe Program certification training
• Established a Hepatitis B vaccination clinic

Shanthini Gurung

So quiet and elusive some of the team believe Shanthini to be an apparition, her impact is anything but invisible. Shanthini’s steadiness and confident execution of the ATDC finances comes from a long career of really knowing her stuff and just getting on and doing it.

A pragmatic individual with a wicked sense of humour, a huge smile, and a love of sci-fi, Shanthini is someone who flies under the radar – but whose absence would be quickly noticed if she vanished because of how integral she is to the operations of the organisation.

Career highlights:

• A strong and steady climb over the years from part time volunteer to Finance Manager of Volunteering Tasmania
• Freelance support for community organisations in Tasmania

Dr Ash Barnes

Dr Ash Barnes is a Cultural Criminology researcher exploring the emotional, pleasurable, and messy, ‘grey areas’ between deviance, crime, and disorder. A researcher in the field of Cultural Criminology for the University of Tasmania’s School of Social Sciences, they have a keen interest in the social analysis of species and eco-justice, the impact and experiences of substance use, gender identity, music subcultures, transgression, violence, and sexual assault research. Ash has joined the team for 3 months, with her work focusing on vaping and e-cigarettes, and inclusive practices between member organisations and their clients. You can contact Ash here.