We are a community organisation established and operated by people with a lived experience of caring for a child or young person with complex mental health challenges that significantly impact their lives. Our purpose is simple - to build more inclusive, better quality health and education systems in order to enable children, young people and their parents, carers, families and kin to flourish.
Board
Phil Amos – Board Chair
Philip is a strategic and purpose-driven professional with deep expertise in mental health policy. Currently serving as the National Policy and Capacity Building Officer for the PHN Cooperative, he works closely with government bodies and major NGOs like Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute.
With over a decade of experience running his own consultancy, Philip has a proven track record of securing significant funding for person-centered programs. He is passionate about navigating policy reform to ensure better outcomes for the community, combining his high-level strategic skills with a genuine commitment to improving the lives of those accessing mental health services.
With over a decade of experience running his own consultancy, Philip has a proven track record of securing significant funding for person-centered programs. He is passionate about navigating policy reform to ensure better outcomes for the community, combining his high-level strategic skills with a genuine commitment to improving the lives of those accessing mental health services.
Nerida Leighton – Public Officer and Secretary
Nerida is a Social Worker who brings a wealth of empathy to her role, shaped by her lived experience as a carer for children facing mental health challenges. She has seen firsthand how health and education systems interact with young people in distress, and she uses this insight to guide her collaborative approach.
Throughout her career as a youth worker and disability advocate, Nerida has championed strengths-based and trauma-informed practices. She is a natural leader who enjoys working with volunteers and stakeholders to ensure that the needs of marginalised people are met with compassion and practical support.
Throughout her career as a youth worker and disability advocate, Nerida has championed strengths-based and trauma-informed practices. She is a natural leader who enjoys working with volunteers and stakeholders to ensure that the needs of marginalised people are met with compassion and practical support.
Craig Stanley-Jones – Director
A co-founder of Raising Minds, Craig has spent over 20 years working across public and private mental health settings. As a clinical psychologist and senior executive, he has led system reforms and implemented community-managed programs throughout Queensland. Craig’s professional expertise is personal; he is an active carer for young people with complex mental health needs. This dual perspective allows him to bridge the gap between clinical settings and the lived reality of families.
Craig is dedicated to fostering community leadership and ensuring that the voices of parents and carers are at the center of every conversation regarding mental health reform.
Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
Craig is dedicated to fostering community leadership and ensuring that the voices of parents and carers are at the center of every conversation regarding mental health reform.
Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
Damian Le Goullon – Director
Damian has dedicated over 30 years to designing education programs that empower disadvantaged communities. His diverse experience includes managing emergency shelters, researching community participation for adults with intellectual disabilities, and developing award-winning health promotion for homeless youth. He has served as a Community Leader of Brisbane L’Arche Inc. He works as a high school teacher working in a flexible education program.
Damian fosters mutual friendships and compassion between people with and without disabilities. He brings a deep well of knowledge and a gentle, human-centric approach to Raising Minds, ensuring that education and support are always accessible, inclusive, and deeply respectful.
Damian fosters mutual friendships and compassion between people with and without disabilities. He brings a deep well of knowledge and a gentle, human-centric approach to Raising Minds, ensuring that education and support are always accessible, inclusive, and deeply respectful.
Don Hubbard – Director
Don brings a wealth of financial and management expertise to the team, with a career in accounting that spans 30 years. From pioneering electronic banking at the Commonwealth Bank to managing finances for Mercy Family Services and Anglicare QLD, Don has a knack for providing clarity in complex environments. Now living in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Don stays active in his community as a tourism ambassador and volunteer for multicultural events.
A father and grandfather, he balances his technical proficiency with a down-to-earth nature, helping ensure the organisation remains sustainable so it can continue to support families for years to come.
A father and grandfather, he balances his technical proficiency with a down-to-earth nature, helping ensure the organisation remains sustainable so it can continue to support families for years to come.
Adlin Younger – Director
Originally from Berlin, Adlin brings a global perspective to the team. She moved to Australia in 2008 and has since navigated both the German and Australian mental health systems during her own recovery journey. With a background in fashion design and retail, Adlin has a keen eye for detail and a creative spirit.
She is deeply passionate about sharing her lived experience to help improve the lives of children and young people facing similar challenges. Adlin’s journey of recovery and resilience is a testament to the power of hope, and she is eager to contribute her unique insights to the Raising Minds community.
She is deeply passionate about sharing her lived experience to help improve the lives of children and young people facing similar challenges. Adlin’s journey of recovery and resilience is a testament to the power of hope, and she is eager to contribute her unique insights to the Raising Minds community.
Staff
Craig Stanley-Jones – Chief Executive Officer
For over 20 years, Craig has worked in various government and community roles within the mental health sector, including roles within public and private clinical settings. As a clinical psychologist, Craig worked closely with GPs in primary health care settings. Craig has led and assisted in the development and implementation of a range of community-managed mental health programs across Queensland both for the government and “profit for purpose” sectors. These programs have included projects focusing on consumer participation, system reform and community sector leadership.
Craig’s has had recent and ongoing lived experience as a parent and carer of children and young people with complex mental health issues. He has worked with staff at all levels within Qld Health including Hospital and Health Services, Dept of Housing and the Mental Health NGO sector.
In addition, over the past decade, Craig has worked in senior management and executive roles, within the community managed mental health NGO sector including as State Manager, Regional Manager and Group Manager for two national mental health NFP organisations and a large state-based Queensland Charity. Craig’s lived experience together with his professional background led him to join with a group of passionate families and carers to establish and co-found Raising Minds Ltd.
Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
Craig’s has had recent and ongoing lived experience as a parent and carer of children and young people with complex mental health issues. He has worked with staff at all levels within Qld Health including Hospital and Health Services, Dept of Housing and the Mental Health NGO sector.
In addition, over the past decade, Craig has worked in senior management and executive roles, within the community managed mental health NGO sector including as State Manager, Regional Manager and Group Manager for two national mental health NFP organisations and a large state-based Queensland Charity. Craig’s lived experience together with his professional background led him to join with a group of passionate families and carers to establish and co-found Raising Minds Ltd.
Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
Karen McCann – Team Leader, (Carer) Peer Facilitator Team
Karen has walked the path of a carer for over 38 years, primarily advocating for her three children and five grandchildren. Despite 24 years of professional experience in the industry, Karen has faced the same hurdles many families do when navigating complex mental health systems.
As one of Queensland’s first peer workers, she joined the Mater CYMHS in 2002 and has since co-authored several papers from a carer’s perspective. Now the Team Leader of Peer Facilitation at Raising Minds, Karen uses her vast experience across mental health, education, and justice to ensure other families feel heard and supported. She is deeply committed to growing the lived-experience workforce and improving access for all.
As one of Queensland’s first peer workers, she joined the Mater CYMHS in 2002 and has since co-authored several papers from a carer’s perspective. Now the Team Leader of Peer Facilitation at Raising Minds, Karen uses her vast experience across mental health, education, and justice to ensure other families feel heard and supported. She is deeply committed to growing the lived-experience workforce and improving access for all.
Don Hubbard – Corporate Services Manager
Don has had a 30 year career in Accounting and Financial Management in the for profit and not for profit space. He also worked for the Commonwealth Bank in the 1980s in what was then the newly formed Electronic Banking Division at Sydney Head Office. This Division pioneered the early development of Home Banking, introduced EFTPOS and replaced the bank’s domestic Bankcard with the International MasterCard. Don worked on policy, systems development and implementation for that division.
His career in accounting started in manufacturing before moving to the Suncorp Life and Wealth Creation Business Unit in the mid 90s, ultimately managing the Accounting and Management Information section. More recently, he was the Finance & Property Manager for Mercy Family Services, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, for 12 years. In addition to managing financial and management information, he gained exposure in providing Procurement, HR and Compliance Services and managing external contracts with IT, Builders, Architects & specialist HR consultants. In the last 3 years of his career, he was employed as the Business Analyst for Child Protection and Mental Health Divisions for Anglicare QLD, providing financial information and advice to senior executive.
Don has a Bachelor of Economics, Diplomas in Education and Financial Management and is a past member of the Certified Practising Accountants.
He has 2 children, 3 grandchildren and lives in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland where he volunteers as an ambassador for Sunshine Coast Tourism and at Festuri, a multicultural events organisation.
His career in accounting started in manufacturing before moving to the Suncorp Life and Wealth Creation Business Unit in the mid 90s, ultimately managing the Accounting and Management Information section. More recently, he was the Finance & Property Manager for Mercy Family Services, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, for 12 years. In addition to managing financial and management information, he gained exposure in providing Procurement, HR and Compliance Services and managing external contracts with IT, Builders, Architects & specialist HR consultants. In the last 3 years of his career, he was employed as the Business Analyst for Child Protection and Mental Health Divisions for Anglicare QLD, providing financial information and advice to senior executive.
Don has a Bachelor of Economics, Diplomas in Education and Financial Management and is a past member of the Certified Practising Accountants.
He has 2 children, 3 grandchildren and lives in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland where he volunteers as an ambassador for Sunshine Coast Tourism and at Festuri, a multicultural events organisation.
Sonya Farrugia – Senior Carer Peer Facilitator
For the past 20 years, Sonya has been a dedicated carer for family members facing complex health challenges. Her journey has seen her navigate intricate systems and advocate fiercely for her loved ones. With a professional background as a Social Worker and experience in the NDIS rollout, Sonya possesses a rare, 360-degree view of the financial and emotional impacts of caregiving. Most recently, she served as an Advanced Carer Peer worker with CYMHS, where she expanded her expertise in alternative education pathways.
Sonya is passionate about promoting the vital role caregivers play in recovery and is committed to creating a system that truly recognises and values their contribution.
Sonya is passionate about promoting the vital role caregivers play in recovery and is committed to creating a system that truly recognises and values their contribution.
Ros Dalton – Peer Facilitator
Ros believes that kindness is the heart of effective support. With a background in Human Services and experience across disability, dementia, and mental health care, Ros brings a trauma-informed and respectful approach to peer facilitation. As a mother of three and a carer herself, she understands the nuances of the journey and is particularly motivated to support families in rural and regional areas.
Ros focuses on strengths-based support, helping individuals develop practical strategies and resilience. She finds joy in building meaningful connections with stakeholders and treasures the ever-changing journey of raising her three young adult children.
Ros focuses on strengths-based support, helping individuals develop practical strategies and resilience. She finds joy in building meaningful connections with stakeholders and treasures the ever-changing journey of raising her three young adult children.
Anna Gilbert – Marketing and Communications
Anna is an experienced Marketing Communications Director who specialises in brand and creative content strategy. With a career spanning diverse sectors - from healthcare to tourism - she excels at crafting campaigns that resonate and create lasting impact. Anna has led brand development and multi-channel campaign activations that lead with heart and purpose for major Not For Profit projects across Queensland and nationally.
Her professional expertise is complemented by her personal lived experience with neurodivergence and her journey as a mum raising a "neuro-spicy" child. Anna’s work is driven by a desire to empower brands with strategic solutions that are both inclusive and highly effective.
Her professional expertise is complemented by her personal lived experience with neurodivergence and her journey as a mum raising a "neuro-spicy" child. Anna’s work is driven by a desire to empower brands with strategic solutions that are both inclusive and highly effective.
Ric Nilson – Communications and Engagement Advisor
Ric graduated from QUT in 1999 with Post Graduate Diploma Business major in Marketing, including additional macroeconomic subjects and specialized training in Client and Community Engagement with US based Kelly Outsourcing Group, while employed full time over ten months.
Ric has 40yrs experience while working initially for twenty-eight years in the advertising industry then followed by eight years in recruitment, and finally another four years working in retirement living, aged care and community care.
Ric’s most recent role was as the Relationship Manager with Churches of Christ Queensland, in support of what was titled as the ‘Big Four’ new aged care developments in Stanthorpe, Warwick, Boonah and Caloundra. My brief was to identify and establish relationships with key stakeholders within the local communities, and Primary/ Allied Health practitioners within the Southeast Queensland health system. I was able to establish a position of trust as the provider of the latest best practice data regarding the management of aged care via dozens of fruitful workshops, and information seminars. At the conclusion of the four-year project, Ric was able to say that he had met all expectations and key performance indices while maintaining a network of several hundred people.
Ric has 40yrs experience while working initially for twenty-eight years in the advertising industry then followed by eight years in recruitment, and finally another four years working in retirement living, aged care and community care.
Ric’s most recent role was as the Relationship Manager with Churches of Christ Queensland, in support of what was titled as the ‘Big Four’ new aged care developments in Stanthorpe, Warwick, Boonah and Caloundra. My brief was to identify and establish relationships with key stakeholders within the local communities, and Primary/ Allied Health practitioners within the Southeast Queensland health system. I was able to establish a position of trust as the provider of the latest best practice data regarding the management of aged care via dozens of fruitful workshops, and information seminars. At the conclusion of the four-year project, Ric was able to say that he had met all expectations and key performance indices while maintaining a network of several hundred people.
Yan Chou – Administration Officer
Yan provides essential administration and project support, drawing on her experience across the university and not-for-profit sectors. She has a natural gift for bringing structure to busy environments, always ensuring that the work remains focused on creating a meaningful community impact. Yan’s approach is deeply influenced by her lived experience as a family member supporting someone with mental health challenges, which fuels her empathy and understanding.
When she isn’t organising projects, Yan is a yoga teacher who focuses on creating inclusive, balanced spaces. At Raising Minds, she is dedicated to building a safe, caring community where no one has to feel alone on their journey.
When she isn’t organising projects, Yan is a yoga teacher who focuses on creating inclusive, balanced spaces. At Raising Minds, she is dedicated to building a safe, caring community where no one has to feel alone on their journey.
Judy New – Administration Officer
Judy’s transition from the corporate world to the not-for-profit sector was sparked by a deeply personal experience caring for a child with a life-threatening illness. After 20 years at the Commonwealth Bank, she spent a decade volunteering with Camp Quality before leading their South Queensland team as Area Manager. For the last 15 years, Judy has supported frontline workers in child protection and aged care through vital administrative roles.
Outside of her professional life, Judy is a pillar of her local community, often found on the netball court, in a dragon boat, or practicing yoga and pickleball. She brings a warm, organised, and community-minded spirit to everything she does.
Outside of her professional life, Judy is a pillar of her local community, often found on the netball court, in a dragon boat, or practicing yoga and pickleball. She brings a warm, organised, and community-minded spirit to everything she does.
Partners
Read about our upcoming projects.