Meet Our Team

At Zest Project Co, our team is the heart of everything we do. Driven by creativity, care, and a genuine passion for making a difference, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way. Meet the people who bring energy, expertise, and a little extra zest to helping you reach your goals.

Leadership Team

Director / Developmental Educator

Kolinda (she/her)

With a Bachelor's degree in education and disability studies. Kolinda also serves as the Director of Zest Project Co. Additionally, Kolinda hosts our Young Adult Getaways, which occur every three months, and organises Young Adult Catch-Ups between these Getaways to promote meaningful relationships and provide opportunities for authentic connections among participants.

Operations Manager

Katey (she/her)

Katey uses her Bachelor of Health Science to provide holistic NDIS support coordination. With expertise in change of circumstances and AAT processes, Katey’s lived experiences with ASD, EDS, ADHD, and complex health conditions give her deep insight into the needs of clients, particularly children from complex backgrounds and adults with psychosocial disabilities and ABI. She is dedicated to integrating physical, emotional, and social well-being into tailored support plans

People & Culture / Counsellor

Jade (she/her)

Jade has a Bachelor in Applied Social Science (Counselling). She has been specialising in various areas, including child and adolescent therapy, adult therapy, psychosocial issues, psychotic disorders, trauma, anxiety, and stress disorders, for over five years. She can work with children, families, and adults, and help them develop healthy approaches to strengthen themselves and their relationships with others.

Support Coordination Team Leader

Caity (she/her)

Caity is dedicated to her role in support coordination, where her unwavering commitment to supporting others shines through. With a strong passion for assisting individuals in achieving their goals and navigating challenges, she is focused on making a meaningful impact on the lives of those she supports. Caity is also currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work, further enhancing her skills and knowledge to better support her clients. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring new destinations, savouring diverse cuisines, and sharing these adventures with her dog, Floyd.

Support Work Team Leader

Em (she/her)

Em is passionate about community services, delivering person-centred support and positive experiences for both participants and teams. With a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management and extensive leadership experience, Em has come to Zest from community Aged Care across roles from Support Worker to Home Services Lead. Her strengths include team mentoring, compliance, training, onboarding, group facilitation, and continuous improvement. Em is also a strong advocate for mental health and well-being, supported by lived experience, work in the field, and further study.

Assistant Allied Health Team Leader and Developmental Educator

Chloe (she/her)

Chloe brings over five years of dedicated experience in the disability sector. Her roles have spanned support worker, mentor, therapy assistant, and development educator, showcasing her versatile skill set and commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. Her background in administration further complements her hands-on experience, making her a well-rounded professional in the field.

Support Coordination Team

Support Coordination Team Lead

Caity (she/her)

Caity is dedicated to her role in support coordination, where her unwavering commitment to supporting others shines through. With a strong passion for assisting individuals in achieving their goals and navigating challenges, she is focused on making a meaningful impact on the lives of those she supports. Caity is also currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work, further enhancing her skills and knowledge to better support her clients. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring new destinations, savouring diverse cuisines, and sharing these adventures with her dog, Floyd.

Specialist Support Coordinator

Zinnia (she/her)

With over 25 years of experience, Zinnia brings a heartfelt commitment to supporting people in ways that honour their individuality and culture. Her background spans education, community, and employment services, with a strong focus on walking alongside people with psychosocial needs. Passionate about inclusivity and equal access to the right supports, Zinnia is known for her compassionate approach and deep understanding of the NDIS, Aged Care, and Disability Employment Services (DES). Outside of work, she enjoys podcasts, travel, learning, and time with her family and beloved 12-year-old Cavalier. She also values real-life experiences and exploring diverse cultural backgrounds, which enrich her perspective and practice.

Specialist Support Coordinator / Social Worker

Jasmine (Jas (she/her)

As an Autistic person with ADHD (AuDHD), Jas is dedicated to providing neuro-affirming support, currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies. With 10+ year’s experience in disability, mental health, child protection, and employment services, Jas enjoys utilising her knowledge while navigating legislation to better support participants. In her free time, Jas spends her time exploring interests in the Titanic, airports, and planes.

Support Coordinator / Registered Nurse

Kirralee (she/her)

Kirralee is Zest’s resident adventurer. An Emergency Nurse with over 7+ years' experience spanning aged and disability care. She’s trekked the remote corners of Australia and is a passionate advocate for rural and Indigenous health. Off duty, Kirralee is undefeated in badminton, a fierce UNO contender, and has a soft spot for alpacas. Often referred to as a “Jack of all trades” she turns every sports game or sunset chase into a quirky story. Whether chasing sunsets across outback Australia or adding streaks of energy to every team, Kirralee brings great zing to Zest and quirky spirit wherever she lands.

Support Coordinator

Britt (she/her)

Britt is a creative and organised professional with strong problem-solving skills and a compassionate, empathetic nature. She brings valuable personal experience supporting neurodivergent children, which has deepened her understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of diverse families. Britt has previously supported early childhood learning and family engagement through a home-based education program, where she built meaningful connections with both children and caregivers.

Support Coordinator

Ethan (he/him)

With six years of experience in the disability sector, Ethan is passionate about delivering clear, consistent, and person-centered support. In his role as support coordinator, he strives to help participants feel confident in navigating the NDIS and empowered to achieve their individual goals. Ethan believes in building strong, respectful relationships that put people first and ensure their voices are heard. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him enjoying music, lifting weights, gaming, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

Support Work Team

Support Work Team Leader

Em (she/her)

Em is passionate about community services, delivering person-centred support and positive experiences for both participants and teams. With a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management and extensive leadership experience, Em has come to Zest from community Aged Care across roles from Support Worker to Home Services Lead. Her strengths include team mentoring, compliance, training, onboarding, group facilitation, and continuous improvement. Em is also a strong advocate for mental health and well-being, supported by lived experience, work in the field, and further study.

SIL House Team Leader

Amber (she/her)

With 9 years of experience in health care, Amber has worked in various settings, including child protective services, disability care, and medical drug rehabilitation. Originally from the Netherlands, She moved to Australia in 2019 and spent six years in hospitality before returning to the health care sector. She is passionate about inclusivity and believe in supporting individuals by focusing on their strengths and abilities to achieve their goals. In her free time, I enjoy painting, playing the piano, yoga, and traveling. Availability Currently not taking new clients

SIL House Manager & Support Worker

Shannon (she/her)

Shannon has several years of experience in the field of Youth and Volunteering, where she has dedicated herself to empowering individuals to reach their full potential. She is enthusiastic about providing positive and effective support, driven by her strong passion for assisting others. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys exploring new activities and is an avid animal lover. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker (SIL House)

Chiran (he/him)

With over 3 years of experience as a support worker, specialising in personalised care and high-quality service. Holding Bachelor Degree in IT, Chiran leverages his technical skills to streamline services, ensuring efficient solutions that benefit clients. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker (SIL House)

Les (he/him)

Les is an outdoor enthusiast and creative woodworker, specialising in eco-friendly projects. He loves to tinker and create as well as share his knowledge. With a background in supporting family members, Les offers empathy and understanding. He's also a general handyman for odd jobs, ready to lend a hand wherever needed. Les is excited to support others in their passions and committed to fostering growth and empowerment. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Enrolled Nurse & Support Worker

Josie (she/her)

Josie is a kind and caring enrolled nurse and support worker with years of experience supporting people of all ages, including children and young people in foster care. She takes the time to listen and understands individual needs, helping people feel safe, respected, and supported. Calm, patient, and trustworthy, Josie supports health care needs, daily routines, and overall wellbeing. She enjoys animals and creative hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, and reading. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker/Mentor

Rhys (he/him)

Rhys is a talented musician, specialising in bass guitar. He's also an avid sports enthusiast and has a deep love for animals. Rhys's passion for music extends to playing in two bands, and he's dedicated to pursuing his personal interests and hobbies while also providing support and encouragement to others in their pursuits. Known for his calm and supportive nature, Rhys takes a person-centered approach in all his interactions, making him a valuable and caring presence in any community or group. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Mads (she/her)

Mads is a compassionate mental health professional with a Certificate IV in Mental Health, offering support through a holistic lens. Mads is driven by a passion for mental health, inspired by witnessing the need for accessible support. She began volunteering with Riding for the Disabled (RDA) at age 10 and have always been drawn to helping others. Mads enjoys horses, photography, outdoor adventures, and arts and crafts, enriching their empathetic approach and connection with participants. Availability Limited availability in southern suburbs

Support Worker

William (he/him)

William is a compassionate and dedicated support worker, with a background in caring for his family. He is skilled at building connections and creating a positive, engaging environment for clients of all ages. A talented guitarist, beatboxer, and parkour enthusiast, William knows how to make support both fun and active. His playful nature, combined with his commitment to providing personal care, makes him a great choice for those seeking a reliable and engaging support worker. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Pauline (she/her)

Pauline comes with extensive experience in the Health Industry, including personal care, bathing/showering, manual handling, and assisting with mobility and daily living activities. Her dedication to promoting health and well-being is deeply important to her. In her personal time, Pauline enjoys beach walks, connecting with nature, arts and crafts, and spending time with furry friends. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Liam (he/him)

Liam is a dedicated support worker with a Certificate III in Individual Support and experience in aged care. His background includes a Bachelor of Art and valuable staffing experience in Parliament House. A personal family journey with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) inspires his passion for support work, where he applies his skills with empathy and professionalism. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker/Cleaner

Leigh (she/her)

Leigh has completed her Certificate III in Individual Support and brings five years of family caring experience from supporting her father. With a strong commitment to helping others live fulfilling lives, Leigh is dedicated to making a positive difference in the community, helping people reach their goals and feel valued every day. Leigh’s passion for AFL football, along with her love for arts and crafts, brings a personal touch to her supports, allowing her to connect with participants and brighten their days. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Leejay (she/her)

Leejay comes with over 4 years of experience in disability support, with a focus on psychosocial disabilities including supporting individuals with ADHD, CPTSD, BPD, Anxiety, and Depression. Leejay’s lived experience adds a unique perspective to her supports. Leejay is also an off-grid camping enthusiast, spending her spare time camping off the grid, embracing the simplicity of nature Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Jess (she/her)

Jess has a strong background in the Health Care Industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. Interest includes: decluttering, organising and cooking. In her free time, she enjoys knitting and engaging in various craft projects. Cooking is a passion that allows Jess to get creative and share her favourite sweets, especially cakes and pastries! Jess prides herself in providing quality care and making a positive impact on the well-being of others. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Lisa (she/her)

Lisa is a warm, respectful, and easy-going support worker who connects easily with people from all walks of life. With a Certificate III in Community Services, she brings a caring, patient, and people-focused approach to her work. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys photography, walking, cooking, spending time with loved ones, and relaxing with a good cup of tea or coffee. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Julie (she/her)

Julie is a versatile and compassionate Disability Support Worker with a rich background in nursing, customer service, and administration. With experience spanning mental health, acute care, and aged care nursing, Julie combines their healthcare expertise with a passion for supporting participants in achieving their goals. Outside of work, Julie is an avid horse enthusiast, excelling in riding, breeding, training, and driving. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Haroola (she/her)

Haroola is a compassionate support worker with a passion for travel, beach walks, and self-care rituals. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Psychology, she has seven years of industry experience as well as valuable personal insight. Dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and empowering individuals, Haroola is committed to tailoring each day to your desires on your journey towards fulfilment. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Angela (she/her)

Angela brings a rich background in retail management, office administration, hospitality and cafe ownership to her role. With two children and love for adventure, including 4x4ing, camping and kayaking. Angela thrived on learning and new challenges. She enjoys music, reading, baking and aims to master the guitar/songwriting. Angela's diverse experiences and commitment to growth make her a valuable support to our participants teams. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Clare (she/her)

Clare brings over 20 years of experience in health and wellbeing, with a background in massage therapy and pharmacy support. She is known for her calm, compassionate approach and strong communication skills, particularly when working with older individuals and those managing health challenges. Clare is passionate about person-centred care, helping people feel safe, heard, and supported. In her spare time, she enjoys the beach, walking, live music, and gardening, which, keep her grounded and balanced in her work Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Claudio (he/him)

Claudio is passionate about collaborating with others to uplift and guide them to live their best lives possible. As a fantastic mentor, he especially enjoys working with youth. Claudio finds joy in staying active through beach swims, nature hikes, and engaging in ball sports. Originally from Brisbane, he is a proud Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons supporter. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Gideon (he/him)

With over three years of experience in the support industry, Gideon brings professional expertise and genuine compassion to his role. Holding a Certificate III in Individual Support, he takes a respectful, person-centred approach and is committed to empowering individuals to live with independence and purpose. Outside of work, Gideon enjoys volunteering, reading, and spending time in nature, and is always seeking to grow and strengthen his ability to support others. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Support Worker

Diandra (she/her)

Diandra is a second-year Bachelor of Social Work student with a strong passion for supporting others and making a positive difference. She is caring, dedicated, and focused on developing her skills both personally and professionally. In her free time, Diandra enjoys beach walks, reading, baking, spending time with animals, and watching good TV shows. She values genuine conversations and is committed to becoming a compassionate social worker. Availability Currently not taking new clients

Allied Health Team

Director/Developmental Educator

Kolinda (she/her)

With a Bachelor's degree in education and disability studies. Kolinda also serves as the Director of Zest Project Co. Additionally, Kolinda hosts our Young Adult Getaways, which occur every three months, and organises Young Adult Catch-Ups between these Getaways to promote meaningful relationships and provide opportunities for authentic connections among participants. Availability: Not currently taking new clients

People & Culture / Counsellor

Jade (she/her)

Jade has a Bachelor in Applied Social Science (Counselling). She has been specialising in various areas, including child and adolescent therapy, adult therapy, psychosocial issues, psychotic disorders, trauma, anxiety, and stress disorders, for over five years. She can work with children, families, and adults, and help them develop healthy approaches to strengthen themselves and their relationships with others.

Assistant Allied Health Team Leader and Developmental Educator

Chloe (she/her)

Chloe brings over five years of dedicated experience in the disability sector. Her roles have spanned support worker, mentor, therapy assistant, and development educator, showcasing her versatile skill set and commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. Her background in administration further complements her hands-on experience, making her a well-rounded professional in the field. Availability: Capacity for South-Based clients ONLY

Administration & Support Team

Accounts

Alison (she/her)

Alison keeps our numbers in check and our accounts running smoothly. With extensive experience in the NDIS industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a sharp eye for detail to everything she does. Based in NSW, Alison supports our team remotely, ensuring everything behind the scenes runs seamlessly. Outside of work, she’s a proud mum to three amazing kids and a fur-mum to two lively Labradors and a cat who rules the roost.

Intake & Client Engagement Officer

Phoebe (she/her)

Fuelled by coffee, compassion, and a deep love for equity (and snacks), Phoebe is someone who has lived experience with disability and is passionate about empowering people, advocating for mental health, and bringing good vibes into every space she enters. With her background in mental health administration, rostering and case management, Phoebe truly values community, creativity, and purpose. She is in her element when helping people and shaking things up for the better.

Administration & Compliance Coordinator

Meakayla (she/her)

Meakayla is our creative all-rounder, supporting the team across a range of office and administrative tasks. With a background in secondary education in English and Visual Arts, she brings creativity, strong communication, and excellent organisational skills to her work. Her experience in retail and marketing has also given her a strong understanding of people, presentation, and storytelling. An artist and avid reader, Meakayla approaches every task with curiosity and imagination. As a neurodivergent person with lived experience of autism and ADHD, she values different ways of thinking and learning. Meakayla approaches her work through a neuroaffirming perspective, helping to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for both colleagues and clients.

Team members with these symbols indicate they have completed training/workshops

LGBTQIA+ Disability Inclusivity Workshop

Neuroaffirming Workshop

Mental Health First Aid Training

Zesty Fur-Team

Meet the Zest Fur-Team! Our most loyal supporters, morale boosters, and occasional keyboard warmers. Whether offering stress relief, tail wags, or judgmental stares during meetings, they’ve always brought extra joy and personality to Zest Project Co.

Pixie

Pixie, the intuitive companion to Kolinda. With a knack for sensing stress and anxiety, Pixie offers comfort and support whenever needed. She adores belly rubs and is an essential part of Zest Project Co, joining Kolinda on errands and adventures, along with spreading love and joy on fun getaways with clients.

Floyd

Floyd is a rescued, almost 9 year old, Irish Wolfhound mix. He loves running long distances, snuggling, naps and hanging out in the Zest office. Being so tall he is cheeky, and sometimes steals food off the bench tops, or even off the stove when you're cooking and he see's an opportunity! He's the absolute love Caitys my life

Toddles & Allie

Toddles, also known as Todd, Toddie Woddie and Stinky 'Tinky' Monkey. He loves to find the highest place to make sure he conducts an efficient paw-rimeter check - and find more snacks. Toddles loves food, food and food.

Allie also known as Allie Wallie, Stinky 'Tinky' Girl and Goodest Girl. She purrs loudly and is very serious about her collection of toys lined up on the stairs. Allie loves sliced ham and screaming before bed time.

Robbie

Robbie thinks he is the only-child to Liam, so he thinks he's a person, but as a person he's very polite and thoughtful of others' needs.

Mochi

Mochi the "no off button" pug is pure chaos wrapped in wrinkles. A little bandit stealing socks and runs the house like it’s his personal jungle gym. But don’t let that fool you, he’s also a good boy and a little gentleman rocking a bow tie. Proudly loved (and often spoiled) by his mum, Meakayla.

Delilah and Oliver

These two cuddle monsters are your shadow by day and personal hot water bottles by night. They fancy themselves fierce guard dogs, but their only weapons are kisses, cuddles, and nonstop tail wags! Delilah’s the queen of party tricks and barking at the TV, while Oliver’s all about sneaky licks and getting underfoot. At the park, they’re social butterflies with epic zoomies, and at home, it’s all couch snuggles and lap wars with their mum Em. Total vibe.