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First Step Leadership Team

First Step’s Leadership Team provides collaborative, cross departmental advice and insights into operating a unique organisation with a complex clientele.

  • Patrick Lawrence, CEO
  • Gayle Wood, Operations Manager
  • Dr Peter Wright, GP
  • Joe Fishburn RPN, Manager Mental Health Services
  • Kym Coupe, Team Leader Mental Health Services
  • Chloe Bradford, Manager ResetLife
  • Nelly Katsnelson, Fundraising and Engagement Manager
  • Tania Wolff, Director of Legal Services

First Step Clinical Director

Dr Nico Clark has worked in the field of addiction medicine for over 25 years, including 10 years with the World Health Organisation in the Substance Use Team and as Medical Director of the North Richmond Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR). He is currently also Head of Addiction Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

First Step Board

First Step is governed by a Board of Directors – a diverse group of leaders who bring a variety of talents, experiences and expertise to the governance of First Step.

The Board works closely with our Leadership Team to guide their decision-making on strategic issues and hold them to account for their leadership of the organisation.

 

Catherine Easton, Chair

GAICD, MSF, BBus, DipTeach(Prim) Catherine has worked in both the commercial and for-purpose sectors in service delivery, transformation and shared service roles and has over 15 years board experience. She is a...
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Paul Katz

Paul is a Psychiatrist with more than 25 years’ experience in governance and clinical leadership across Victoria’s public mental health sector. Most recently, he served as Executive Clinical Director at Eastern Health,...
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Melanie Eagle

Melanie has qualifications in Law, Social Work, International Development, Arts and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.She was Mayor and a Councillor of the St Kilda Councillor in...
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Marius Smith, Deputy Chair

Marius is currently CEO of VACRO and prior to that grew the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University from a small research organisation into a globally respected human rights...
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Joe Corera, Treasurer

Joe Corera has worked within banking, insurance, logistics and most recently within the for-purpose sector in a financial and shared services capacity. He brings both finance and governance experience and is a...
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Patrick Lawrence, CEO

After an early career as a classical pianist and vocal coach, Patrick transitioned to the world of social justice through volunteering in the humanitarian sector. He joined First Step as a volunteer...
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