Huw Thomas
Chair
Huw joined the Living My Way board in 2018 and has contributed to shaping the organisation’s vision, values, strategy culture and digital transformation.
He has more than 15 years’ experience as a strategy and transformation consultant and executive coach. Huw regularly consults at the CEO and board level with clients in an array of industries including Westpac, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Santos, RSL LifeCare, Foxtel, the ABC, BHP Billiton and numerous public service agencies. Huw currently leads a multi-million-dollar consulting portfolio in a boutique firm and has driven growth and organisational maturity through sales, marketing, account management, product & IP development.
“We need to defend the values upon which Living My Way and NDIS are bounded, which is about empowering people to take control, and to not take that control away.”
Peter Whyntie
Vice ChairHe has assisted several NFP organisations including disability, aged care, medical research and mental health support services to enhance their risk management frameworks and governance. Peter is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Fellow (Life Member) of the GRC Institute (GRCI). Peter holds a Bachelor of Economics, Diploma in Corporate Management (GIA), Internationally Certified Compliance Professional, and was a graduate of the Company Directors Course (AICD).
“Our Board of professionals brings a mix of lived experiences with the expertise to guide and govern the organisation into the future.”
Ken Ferris
DirectorKen is one of the founding members of Living My Way. Ken has been living with a spinal cord injury since 1982 and was one of the first Australians to receive a Self-Managed Home Care Package…
Ken has been living with a spinal cord injury since 1982 and was one of the first Australians to receive a Self-Managed Home Care Package as part of a Commonwealth Government pilot program. He attributes his independent life achievements to living a self-directed life. Ken is an active advocate for the disability community and has sat on Boards for various disability organisations in NSW. Ken has also worked in the IT industry for several years. Currently, he is the manager of a mobility equipment company, Wheelchairs & Stuff, and a speciality car rental company for the disability, Disability Hire Vehicles.
“I’ve never been accused of being polished. I say it like it is.”
Sarah Lukies
DirectorSarah is currently Senior Legal & Governance Counsel at Xero Limited and a Non-Executive Director of West Gippsland Healthcare Group. Sarah was previously a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Kalparrin Incredible Kids. Sarah is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course and holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Business, and a Master of Business Administration.
“A deep-rooted tree can survive a storm.”
Peter Strohkorb
Vice Chair
He has spent over 20 years in the corporate sector, working for multinational organisations such as Sony, 3M, Canon and Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC), and several SMEs and membership-based organisations. Peter holds qualifications in Marketing and Management from the prestigious Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) in Sydney, Australia. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Peter was inspired to support Living My Way when he witnessed the benefits of Self Managed Home Care Program in the later stages of his mother’s battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“What truly fuels my commitment to Living My Way is a deeply personal connection. I was inspired to support our mission after seeing the positive impact of self-managed in-home care during my mother’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. This heightened my sensitivity and awareness of the importance of having quality care for the people who need it.”
Suzanne Colbert AM
DirectorShe commenced her consultancy business in 2021 after stepping down as the founding CEO of the Australian Network on Disability and assists private, public, and not-for-profit businesses to be inclusive of customers and employees with disability. Suzanne has contributed to many Federal and State Governments advisory committees. Suzanne was awarded an AM for her work on inclusion of people with disability in business. In 2013, she was inducted into Disability Employment Australia’s Hall of Fame and was included in the AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence.
“We’re all in this together.”
Peter Kearney
Director
Peter has a long history of commitment to the disability and mental health sectors, having dedicated over 11 years as a Board member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (QLD)…
With over 40 years of experience in leadership, governance, and management, Peter has worked across both the for-purpose and private sectors. His expertise includes meaningful and timely financial statements, financial management, budgeting, and cash flow, with a background as a Chartered Accountant.
Currently, Peter serves as Chair of Safe Places for Children and Chair of their Audit Committee, and as a Director at Stride Mental Health. Peter’s passion for the sector is deeply personal, having had a lived experience with mental ill-health. He knows firsthand the positive difference that this work can make in people’s lives and continues to be driven by his commitment to supporting those with disabilities and mental health challenges.
“I have a passion to help people in need, especially those with disabilities. The 11 years at Muscular Dystrophy Association Q’ld, with the help of others, ensured it survived, grew stronger, and was able to deliver better services for its clients. A rewarding experience.”
Eliza McEwin
Director
Eliza recently joined the Living My Way board driven by her passion for creating meaningful change in disability support. With years of experience in governance, she was honoured in 2023…
With years of experience in governance, she was honoured in 2023 as a National Disability Leadership Program Scholar through a program jointly conducted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Network on Disability. She’s known for her practical approach to governance and financial management.
Eliza is involved in projects that promote inclusion and accessibility, including her work with the University of Sydney’s Digital Accessibility Reference Group and Deafblind International’s Usher Network Committee. A pharmacist by background, Eliza holds postgraduate qualifications in pharmacy, public health and bioethics. She is working on her PhD in pharmaceutical policy.
Living with significant visual and hearing impairments, she believes in the power of teamwork, guided by Helen Keller’s words: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
