Management Committee
Carmen Acosta – Chairperson
Carmen Acosta has 30 years of senior leadership and management experience across both the private and not for profit sectors. During this time Carmen has worked across several different areas including disabilities, homelessness, youth, alcohol/drugs, family/children’s, mental health, domestic violence, employment/training and community legal across WA including both rural and remote. Carmen has been responsible for the establishment, delivery and continuous quality improvement of many new and innovative services and multidisciplinary teams. She has a particular skill set in strategic, operational, financial and contract realignment; quality frameworks; the research, evaluation and assessment of community services. Carmen is also a seasoned board member having previously sat on the board of two WA peak bodies WAAMH and WANADA.
Matthew Ryan – Vice Chairperson
Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in Behavioural Science. He is a Sector Policy and Project Officer with the Western Australian Network for Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (WANADA). Previously, Matt worked at the Solid Steps modified therapeutic community (TC) at Casuarina Prison and worked in various roles at a residential TC. Matt brings his passion about social justice, human rights and the deconstruction of stigma associated with Alcohol and Other Drug use to his role as Vice Chairperson of the AODCCC. His lived experience with Alcohol and Other Drugs, position him as an advocate for the voice of Alcohol and Other Drug consumers and the community that surrounds them, to be included in all decision-making processes that affect their choice, life and wellbeing.
Suzanne Caren– Secretary
Suzanne is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Management holding a Graduate Certificate in Business and is currently completing her Masters. She is a past Board Member of the Youth Affairs Council of WA and Perth Inner City Youth Service and a member of Youth Work WA.
Suzanne has a varied community service background with experience in youth and adult Alcohol and Other Drug, homelessness, domestic violence, employment, project management and tendering. Suzanne has a passion for advocating for the rights of consumers within the Alcohol and Other Drug sector to ensure they have every opportunity to lead their own treatment, goals and outcomes. Currently Suzanne is the General Manager Youth Wellbeing and Accommodation at Mercycare leading teams across mental health tenancy.
Jahan Hossain – Treasurer
Jahan is a Chartered Accountant with 17 years professional practice experience in various organisations. He has been successfully operating a consulting practice specialising in Self-Managed Superannuation Fund. He is a registered Tax Agent and ASIC registered Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor. He is conscientious and a self-motivated finance professional with extensive experience in various client-centred environments. Jahan is passionate about helping others and is committed to the AODCCC meeting the needs of consumers and the community at large, with good governance and strong financial acumen.
Kirsty McGeachy – Board Member
Kirsty McGeachy is the Coordinator of Accommodation and Tenancy Support at Mercy Care. Kirsty has a Bachelor of Social Science and Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma and is in her final year of Social Work. She has 13 years’ experience working in drug and alcohol, justice and homelessness. Kirsty is passionate about early intervention, accessibility and policy change for those effected by drugs and alcohol, mental health and trauma.
Tania Worthington – Ordinary Member
Tania Worthington has a passionate drive to advocate for and to help those battling addiction and other issues arising from living with alcohol and other drug use. Having a personal lived experience herself, Tania hopes to offer a voice for those who are too often not heard. Tania enjoys furthering her education in many disciplines and has a keen interest in mental health and well-being, neuroscience and the alcohol and other drug sector. She strongly believes that helping to put an end to the stigma associated with alcohol and other drugs will go a long way to helping consumers and their loved ones gain the support they need to make positive changes for a better tomorrow. Tania completed her Advanced Diploma of Film and Television in 2009 and has worked on many local film and TV projects, including advertisements and a number of feature films. She is also a local artist who enjoys working with many different mediums in order to create pieces that bring joy and add beauty to people’s lives and homes.
Staff
Alex Arpino– Development Coordinator
Alex Arpino commenced his part time role with the AODCCC on July 27th 2020, and comes with 23 years of frontline Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service delivery experience. His AOD sector experience is very broad having held positions from AOD Residential Rehabilitation Worker through to Case Management and Counselling, into Management and Senior Leadership positions. Alex was one of the founding members of the Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS), specifically in the area of Withdrawal and Respite and Residential Rehabilitation. Alex is a qualified Community Services Worker, Youth Worker and Trainer and Assessor (TAE40116), an experienced Group Facilitator and has worked in the area of Capacity Building, specifically delivering Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Prevention Training. Alex’s passion is drawn from a personal lived history and he seeks to empower the voices of AOD consumers, families, significant others and the community at large, with the task to address stigma, and draw out the vast experience and wisdom in the community.
Systemic Advocacy Officer
We are currently recruiting for this position.
Brooke Reeves – Administration Assistant
Brooke joins the AODCCC with a professional background in hospitality, management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion. She has volunteer experience with WA Country Health Services in the delivery and management of Alcohol and Other Drug research and support services, around the Leavers WA celebrations in the South West each year. Brooke is passionate about a holistic approach to health and empowering people to improve their overall wellbeing. Her passion is driven by her lived experience combined with an interest in the Alcohol and Other Drug sector from her academic and volunteer background. She aspires to gain experience in the Alcohol and Other Drug sector in any way she can, to help make a positive difference to people’s lives.
