This week we shine the spotlight on Penny Evans, Regional Manager at Breakthru.  Penny began her career in Employment Services in 2003 as an Employment Consultant, bringing more than 23 years of experience, knowledge, and passion to the sector. Her journey from frontline service delivery into leadership has been shaped by a strong belief in empowering people, building inclusive workplaces, and creating meaningful employment outcomes. Her leadership approach, commitment to

This week we shine the spotlight on Rick Kane, Strategic Advisor at Rick Kane Consultancy. Rick began his career in Employment Services in 1995 as an Employment Consultant, steadily working his way through frontline, leadership, and executive roles. Over the next three decades, he became one of the most recognised and influential voices in the sector, ultimately serving as CEO of Disability Employment Australia (DEA), where he helped shape national policy, strengthen provid

Last week I submitted my response to the Australian Government's Shaping the Future of Employment Services discussion paper. I'm not going to lie, it was nerve-racking. Not because I wasn't confident in the recommendations, but because I genuinely care about this sector and the people who work in it. When you put your ideas forward on something that matters to you, there's always a degree of vulnerability. Also, I chose to submit it under my own name because I wanted

This week we shine the spotlight on Keryl Neville, CEO of LEAD. Recognised as an inductee into the DEA Hall of Fame in June 2026, Keryl has been honoured for her long‑term and outstanding contribution to the disability employment sector, an acknowledgement reserved for leaders whose dedication has helped shape the sector and elevate its impact nationally. This achievement reflects the very foundations of her career. With a career shaped by a lifelong connection to the disa

This week we shine the spotlight on Sakshi Sahni, General Manager – Business Services at SYC Limited. Sakshi’s journey into Employment Services wasn’t something she carefully planned, but it quickly became a career she grew deeply passionate about.