Our Team

Meet the Living My Way Management Team

Mark Turley

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Elkin

Support Services Manager

Frankie Poon

CPA – Financial Controller

John Fawcett

Chief Operating Officer

Joanna Spencer

Marketing and Communications Manager

Meet the Living My Way Board

Milena Morrow

Board Chair

Milena is one of the founding members of Living My Way and has been the Chair since 2014. Originally from Sydney, and now residing in northern NSW, Milena was one of the first people in Australia to receive a self-managed attendant care package in the 1980s as part of a Commonwealth Government pilot study, and has never looked back. Milena has had over 16 years’ experience in financial management and training. Her experience in the disability sector includes over 20 years of employment, and 11 years in governance. She was also a business owner for several years offering computerised accounting solutions and consultancy services to small businesses. A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Milena is an accomplished public speaker, writer and editor with a Diploma in Professional Editing through the Australian College of Journalism. Other positions currently held are: Vice-chair of the Tweed Shire Council Equal Access Advisory Committee (Chair across 3 different terms of Council); Chair of Lifebridge Australia Ltd, and Member of the North West Alliance Ability Links Leadership Group. As a person with a lifelong disability, Milena is a strong advocate for all members of the community to live a purposeful, fulfilling and inclusive life, and is committed to raising awareness around disability to dispel misconceptions and break down invisible barriers.

Peter Strohkorb

Vice Chair

Peter has spent over 20 years in the corporate sector, working for multinational organisations such as Sony, 3M, Canon and CSC, as well as with several SMEs and membership-based organisations.

Peter has spent over 20 years in the corporate sector, working for multinational organisations such as Sony, 3M, Canon and CSC, as well as with 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 because he witnessed the benefits of self-managed in-home care in the later stages of his mum's fight with Parkinson's disease, which she unfortunately lost at the age of 80.

Frank Burke

Director

Frank has over 20 years experience in the finance and accounting field, specialising in operational and commercial support in fast growth environments.

Frank has over 20 years’ experience in the finance and accounting field, specialising in operational and commercial support in fast growth environments. During his time in finance leadership positions, he has worked extensively with medium to large sized businesses from a range of industries including fashion retail, telecoms, hospitality and medical devices. Frank has led key finance initiatives to support the strategic goals of organisations, working closely with the management team, providing insight and analysis for informed decision making ensuring effective financial control and risk management within dynamic organisational environments.

Ken Ferris

Director

Ken is one of the founding Members of Living My Way. He acquired a Spinal Cord Injury in 1982 and was one of the first people in Australia to receive a self-managed attendant care package in the 1980's as part of a Commonwealth Government pilot study. He attributes his achievements in life, to the freedoms of 35 plus years which self-directed living has provided. Ken was an active disability advocate for many years and sat on Management Boards for a variety of disability organisations. He has also worked in the IT industry for a number of years. Currently he is the manager of a mobility equipment company – Wheelchairs & Stuff and also a speciality car rental company – Disability Hire Vehicles.

Sanjeev Gupta

Director

With over 25 years of Industry experience, Sanjeev has led many large and diverse teams and delivered many complex transformation programs.

With over 25 years of Industry experience, Sanjeev has led many large and diverse teams and delivered many complex transformation programs. He is passionate about using Digital to drive new revenue opportunities and use Analytics, Big Data, Social and Cloud to create value. He is currently working as Chief Information Officer at Greenstone Financial Services and previously worked as the Chief Information Officer for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, HCF Australia and for Cover-More Group supporting all geographies and lines of business.

Peter Whyntie

Director

Peter is a governance, risk management and compliance specialist whose experience in the spans over 35 years across the corporate, government and not-for profit sectors. Following his retirement as a partner of a major consulting firm he now provides independent risk and compliance consulting services. In recent years Peter has assisted a number of NFP organisations engaged in medical research support, aged care support and mental health services to enhance their risk management frameworks and governance. Peter is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA), where he is a member of the Risk and Technology Committee. He is also Course Director of the Advanced Risk Management subject of the Institute’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Risk Management and Corporate Governance. Peter holds a Bachelor of Economics; Diploma in Corporate Management (GIA); Internationally Certified Compliance Professional, Fellow (GRC Institute) and was a Graduate of the Company Directors Course (AICD).

Huw Thomas

Director

Huw is an expert consultant, coach, facilitator, leadership developer and strategist. Since starting his career in global top-tier consulting firm, Accenture, he has led teams in banking and held leadership positions in several boutique consultancies. Broad exposure to diverse business models, organisational cultures, value streams and technologies allows him to bring innovative, market-leading advice and value to his clients. He has consulted at the CEO and Board level with clients from an array of industries including Telstra, Westpac, Foxtel, ABC, CBA, BHP Billiton, News Corp as well as the Commonwealth and NSW Public Service. In addition to delivering client value, Huw has driven growth and organisational maturity in consulting firms through sales, marketing, account management, product development, people leadership and thought leadership.

Testimonials

Living My Way is my go-to because they always know the answer and if they don't know the answer, then they go and find out for me.

Andrew, Living My Way Member

Every piece of equipment that I rely on throughout my day Living My Way has played a hand in it. It doesn’t just make life easier, it makes it possible. Without them, I honestly don’t know how I’d be able to function.

Living My Way Member

Having Living My Way is like having someone that’s willing to run the extra mile just to get the right answer. The human side of it is special and that’s what makes Living My Way better than most.

Living My Way Member

The Plan Management team have always been very helpful when I’ve had questions about my sons funding and how it can be used and they’ve provided ample warning when funds were about to run out.

Living My Way Member

I do my own recruitment, rosters and day to day management, liaise with my staff and rostering them. I really enjoy doing this. At the end of the day, I am the person they answer to. It’s very important to me to have control and choice... My work day can change but I can control and negotiate changes as I manage my staff. I learned a lot of skill negotiating and dealing with people.

Living My Way Member

If there are any problems or anything I'm concerned about, I know I can pick up the phone and talk to someone in the office at Living My Way. They're all very helpful and have far more knowledge about the NDIS than I do.

Pauline, Living My Way Member

I know Living My Way take all their Members really seriously. You're not just a number or someone on a piece of paper, you're a person with their own needs and interests.

Frances, Living My Way Member

It's so simple. I just email and the invoices are paid – there is no fuss and I receive all the information I need to manage things from my end.

Ben, Living My Way Member

I know that Living My Way take all their Members really seriously. You’re not just a number or someone on a piece of paper, you’re a person with their own needs and interests.

Living My Way Member

I don’t think I will ever understand the NDIS without the help of Living My Way and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Living My Way to anyone looking to have their NDIS plan, Plan Managed.

Living My Way Member

I know that Living My Way take all their Members really seriously. You’re not just a number or someone on a piece of paper, you’re a person with their own needs and interests.

Living My Way Member

My Support Coordinator, has been wonderful. She is enthusiastic and passionate about helping me. When I have asked for help, she has acted quickly and diligently.

Living My Way Member

We find the staff very helpful and are very happy with the service we receive.

Living My Way Member

I am very happy with the communication from Living My Way. During Corona Virus restrictions, the OT has been checking up on me almost weekly and that means a lot. Living My Way take a lot of the stress off my husband and I by organising payments, etc. We are very thankful.

Living My Way Member

I have found this to be a very valuable service. My Occupational Therapist is a pleasure to work with and she is very helpful.

Living My Way Member

Very friendly staff and best service

Living My Way Member

Always recommend Living My Way

Living My Way Member

Staff are very courteous and helpful

Living My Way Member

Only just joined but happy so far. My Support Coordinator is lovely.

Living My Way Member

Very helpful and friendly staff

Living My Way Member

I have always found staff to be responsive and courteous at all times.

Living My Way Member

You do a fantastic job

Living My Way Member

Great support during COVID-19 The webinars were good Love the regular newsletter by email

Living My Way Member

Can’t fault Living My Way 🙂

Living My Way Member

I am very happy with the support Living My Way gives me

Living My Way Member

Staff are always friendly and helpful. Thankyou!

Living My Way Member

I’m really thankful to everyone at Living My Way. It’s got me the life I want to live.

Living My Way Member

I just wanted to say a HUGE well done to the team. You are all stars! 24 hours to process payment of our Invoices is an outstanding effort. I am currently dealing with 10 different Plan Managers and Living My Way surpasses them all in terms of payment time. Thanks so much for the great effort.

Living My Way Member

The Plan Management team have always been very helpful when I’ve had questions about my sons funding and how it can be used and they’ve provided ample warning when funds were about to run out

Living My Way Member

What I like best about Living My Way is they have taken stress from my life in managing my plan and invoices, and helping with anything I am concerned about or information I need about my plan and NDIS.

Living My Way Member

They got me the best wheelchair against all odds and the best NDIS again against all odds. I feel truly cared for.

Living My Way Member

I have achieved a full and wonderful life in every way and my disability hasn't once held me back. This would have been very different if I hadn't had the support of Self-Directed Living. It is my passion to enable others with disabilities to access the services that Living My Way offer.

Living My Way Member

I do my own recruitment, rosters and day to day management, liaise with my staff and rostering them. I really enjoy doing this. At the end of the day, I am the person they answer to. It's very important to me to have control and choice... My work day can change but I can control and negotiate changes as I manage my staff. I learned a lot of skill negotiating and dealing with people.

Living My Way Member

A truly wonderful Service Provider!!!

Living My Way Member

Thank you for your assistance during our NDIS journey past, present, future.

Living My Way Member

All staff are very polite, friendly and helpful. A good team!

Living My Way Member

Love the LMW team! Especially Gail who has always been there when I’ve needed something.

Dee, Living My Way Member

It’s the little things in my life that make the difference, the things other people might take for granted because they are able-bodied. Living My Way has given me the freedom and flexibility to enjoy those little things every day, with those I care about.

John, Living My Way Member