MDSA Staff List

Executive Staff

Chief Executive Officer

Phil Martin

Qualifications: B.A. Social Work, Graduate Diploma Public Sector Management, ACID fellow

Career: Phil has over 30 years experience in disability service provision and management having worked in Government and non Government organisations aiming to enhance the lives of people living with a disability. This range of experience has provided him with the capacity to plan, develop and implement client responsive services.

Why MDSA: After volunteering to assist with operational plans and system improvements , an opportunity arose to provide leadership from within the organisation to make a long term difference in the supports available to people with a neuromuscular condition. The opportunity to support staff and develop their skills to achieve greater client outcomes and the obvious passion staff bring to MDSA is exciting.

p: (08) 8234 5266

e: pmartin@mdasa.org.au

Client Services Manager

Debbie Smith

Qualifications: B.App.Sci (SpeechPathology), M.Spec.Ed, Cert IV (Training and Assessment)

Career: Debbie has more than 30 years experience in the disability sector. She has worked in health, education and training positions in a variety of roles, for a variety of Government and non Government organisations. She has also worked in private practice as a speech pathologist and as a disability and educational consultant.

Why MDSA: An Adelaide girl, Debbie has returned home to settle after 20 years of adventures elsewhere in Australia and South East Asia. Passionate about working in the disability secotr, Debbie sees working with MDSA as a chance to work within an organisation that shares her commitment to providing individuals with opportunities and support to enable them to reach their full potential.

p: (08) 8234 5266

e: dsmith@mdasa.org.au
Marketing and Fundraising Manager

Stephanie Columbus

Qualifications: Dipolma in Marketing (AIM)

Career: Stephanie commenced fundraising for Spastic Centres of SA in 1983. During this time she had the opportunity to complete a Diploma in Marketing at the Australian Institute of Management (AIM). Having realised her passion within the Not for profit organisations she applied for and received a scholarship to attend the United States University of San Francisco to further her studies in the prestigious School of Fundraising at that campus. After completing this Stephanie then spent time in Los Angeles working with Spastic Centres on a telethon named Weekend With The Stars. Stephanie then spent time in New York and London scoping other fundraising initiatives. Upon returning Stephanie was appointed Director of Fundraising and also became a member of the Executive on the National Committee of the Miss Australia Quest. After 10 years working at SCOSA Stephanie consulted for other NFP organisations in South Australia and Northen Territory. Following a break from fundraising Stephanie returned in 2007 and was appointed as Marketing and Fundraising Manager for MDSA.

Why MDSA:

p: (08) 8234 5266

e: scolumbus@mdasa.org.au

p: 8234 5266

Finance Administrator

Kate McLean

Qualifications: B. Commerce, B. Management (Marketing), CPA

Career: Kate started her accounting career 10 years ago in the motor vehicle industry and worked her way up as a financial accountant whilst studing at university and doing professional studies as a CPA. She has been a CPA since 2006

Why MDSA: Having an immediate family member with Muscular Dystrophy, an opportunity came up with MDSA as a Finance Manager. Kate saw it as a great chance to take up the challenge to grow and improve an organisation close to her hear whilst helping those with a disability.

p: (08) 8234 5266

e: katemclean@mdasa.org.au

Fundraising Team

Event Coordinator

Jess Klar

p: (08) 8234 5266

e: jklar@mdasa.org.au

Lotteries and Fundraising Coordinator

Christine Mikalainis

p: (08) 8234 5266

e: cmikalainis@mdasa.org.au

Event Coordinator