
Meet The 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.

โSupport Coordinator
Leilani (She/They)
Leilani has a unique blend of legal and nursing expertise. Drawing from her personal journey with ADHD, ASD, and PDA, she offers compassionate and understanding support. Her firsthand experience with Administrative Appeals Tribunal processes, along with her knowledge of trauma-informed and LGBTQIA+ informed care, allows her to provide personalised assistance tailored to participants & families needs.

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 Coordinator 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. She enjoys exploring new destinations, savoring diverse cuisines, and sharing these adventures with her dog, Floyd.

Developmental Educator
Harry (He/Him)
Harry is a passionate and trauma-informed Developmental Educator specialising in supporting children and young adults. With a background in teaching, Harry promotes emotional and social regulation, employs de-escalation techniques, and champions neuroaffirming practices, with a particular focus on Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA).

Counsellor
Abbi (She/Her)
Abbi is a highly qualified professional, holding a Bachelor of Visual Art, an Advanced Diploma in Art Therapy, a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling. Abbi holds registrations with the Australia and New Zealand Art therapy and Australian Counselling associations. With extensive experience working with at-risk youth, neurodivergent individuals, and those experiencing trauma or bereavement. Abbi Abbi brings a wealth of knowledge and empathy to her practice. She tailors person centred, humanistic, evidence based and strength-based modalities to her clients, is a compassionate and skilled therapist who creates a safe and supportive environment for her clients.
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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.
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Support Worker
Jason (He/Him)
Jason is a friendly, engaging and personable support worker with a Certificate III in Individual Support and a strong interest in dementia care, palliative support, and mental health. Known for his easygoing nature and ability to connect through conversation, he brings warmth and empathy to his work.
Outside of care, Jason enjoys music, video games, WW2 history, and getting outdoors for hiking, mushroom foraging, or hands-on projects.

Support Worker/Cleaner
Leigh (She/Her)
Leigh has completed her Certificate III in Individual Support with five years of lived experience caring for her father.
With a committed 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.
Leighs passion for AFL football plus her love for arts and crafts bring a personal touch to her supports, allowing her to connect with participants and bring joy to their days.

Specialist Support Coordinator & Social Worker
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
Ananda (She/Her)
Ananda is a multi-skilled support worker and psychology graduate. She can help you with your resumes, courses, planning, and working toward your goals. Ananda also has a strong background in working with and providing support for children. Her selflessness and collaborative nature makes her an extraordinary and valued support worker. We are so grateful for Ananda’s outgoing nature and vibrance and contribution to our Zest community.

Developmental Educator
Demi (She/Her)
Demi is a highly qualified developmental educator with a master's degree in disability policy and practice. With over ten years of experience, she is deeply committed to promoting the rights, equity, self-identity, and inclusion of people with disabilities across various environments. Demi has extensive
expertise in establishing and implementing skill development programs, working holistically and collaboratively, and supporting individuals across their lifespan and through life transitions.

In-House Supported Independent Living (SIL) Support Worker & Manager
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.

Support Worker
Keira (She/Her)
Keira, a self-confessed "sneakerhead," is passionate about ocean life, adores cats, and jams out to rock and rap music. She loves going on long drives and travels, always bringing trustworthiness, respect, and professionalism to her work. Keira is committed to helping individuals reach their goals, gain independence, and improve their lives, making her the perfect choice for personalised support.

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.

Short Term Accommodation Coordinator
Renae (She/Her)
Renae brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a diverse set of skills to Zest having worked in Community Services for 20 years. Renae has lived experience and draws on these experiences to better understand the challenges others face, and aims to deliver trauma - informed and person - centered support. She is passionate about social justice and human rights and is a lover of travel, cats, trying new cuisines, seeing live music, crime shows, spending time in nature and creative pursuits.

Registered Nurse
Kirralee (She/Her)
Kirralee brings a wealth of experience with over 6 years working in aged and disability care, complemented by 4 years as a Registered Nurse specialising in Emergency and High Acuity care. Outside of work, Kirralee is an avid traveller and sports enthusiast who enjoys reading a good book. She also holds an undefeated record in badminton and has a unique hobby of collecting vintage fire extinguishers

Support Worker
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.

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.

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.

Quality and Safeguarding Officer
Bec (She/Her)
Drawing from her lived experience in NDIS, Employment Services, Autism, PDA, and providing support to neurodivergent families, Bec works diligently behind the scenes at Zest. Her role involves ensuring the seamless functioning and up-to-date status of all our systems.

Support Worker
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.

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.

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.

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, cleaning 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.

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.

Registered Psychologist
Lisa (She/Her)
A highly experienced and
registered psychologist with a
unique perspective shaped by her journey of receiving a late
diagnosis as neurodivergent. Lisa brings invaluable insight from her lived experience, making her particularly attuned to the needs of individuals on the autism and ADHD spectrum.

Counsellor, People and Culture Coordinator
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.โ

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.

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.

Support Worker
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.

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 lived experience. Dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and empowering individuals, Haroola is committed to tailoring each day to your desires on your journey towards fulfillment.

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.
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Support Coordinator
Zinnia (She/Her)
โWith 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.

Support Worker
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.
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Support Worker
Tom (He/Him)
Tom is a down-to-earth individual who finds strength and balance in the outdoors. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing, and credits this active lifestyle with helping him manage and grow through his own mental health journey.
A skilled musician, Tom plays guitar and several other instruments, bringing creativity and a calm presence into his personal and professional life. He's a dedicated family man and loves connecting with people from all walks of life, always approaching others with empathy, curiosity, and respect.

Support Worker
Brooke (She/Her)
With over 4 years of experience as a support worker, Brooke brings a warm, person-centred approach to the individuals she supports. Holding a Certificate IV in Community Services and a Certificate III in Aged Care, she is passionate about empowering people to live meaningful, independent lives.
Booke has lived experience with Autism and ADHD, which allows her to support participants with genuine understanding and a neuroaffirming perspective.
In her downtime, she enjoys beach walks, spending time in nature, creating arts and crafts, and being around animals. These interests often inspire the way she connects with participants, bringing creativity, calm, and a love for the natural world into
the support she provides.
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Intake & Administration Coordinator
Meakayla (She/Her)
Meakayla has over 10 years of experience in administration and retail, with a strong foundation in secondary education, literature, and visual arts. She combines creativity with organizational expertise, thriving on problem-solving—especially when it comes to perfecting complex Excel formulas. Passionate about assisting people in finding the support they need, Meakayla is dedicated to making a positive impact in her work. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, working out, creating art, and is a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, using it as her fuel for productivity and inspiration.

LGBTQIA+ Disability Inclusivity Workshop
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Neuroaffirming Workshop
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Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness Training
team members with these symbols indicate they have completed training/workshops

The Zest Fur Team
At Zest Project Co, our fur animals are some of our biggest supporters. You may sometimes find them at our office.

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
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Mango
Mango is the newest addition to Harry's family.
He loves being around people and thinks everyone is his best friend.
Loves water sensory play and can catch his tail.

Nala & Bear
Nala & Bear the sassiest & cuddliest therapy dogs! Nala with her slick look & Bear with a fur coat as fabulous as her personality, the girls are certified experts in tail-wagging therapy and treat negotiation. They believe in belly rubs and spontaneous zoomies when they’re not busy charming everyone with their irresistible charm & cuddles. The girls are "paw-sitive" and spread smiles wherever they go. Warning: may steal your heart (and your snacks)!
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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.
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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 pug is pure chaos wrapped in wrinkles — zero chill, all energy, and 100% mischief. 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.
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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.