Board of Directors

David R Bamford, OAM

Non-Executive Director

David joined the Board in 2006 and has a wealth of community and corporate experience. Before retiring, David was a senior manager with NRMA, working with the company for 31 years. A Rotary member for 41 years, David is a former president of the Rotary Club of Blacktown City, currently Club Secretary, and has been recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow.

David is Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Blacktown Traffic Offenders Program and a member of numerous local community and safety committees. In 2009, David received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to Rotary International and the community of Blacktown.

Mark Twomey

Non-Executive Director

Master of Dispute Resolution – MDR
Master of Professional Accounting – MPA
Master of Applied Finance – MAppFin
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand – CAANZ
Fellow Financial Services Institute of Australasia – FFIA.

Mark joined the Ability Options Board in 2018. Mark brings to the Ability Options Board a wide range of business experience in business management, accounting, manufacturing and financial institutions covering a wide variety of roles ranging from business owner, general management, human resources and group strategic planning to corporate and commercial finance.

Mark has worked in senior roles within the ANZ Bank and has run his own business. He is currently the Director Corporate Services for Youth Off The Streets and in this role is responsible for the future development and growth of the organisation in collaboration with the CEO and Executive Team within the parameters of the vision and the constitution of the organisation. Mark has significant experience in leading and managing Finance, Fundraising, Human Resources, Information Technology, Operations and Development strategies. He also has extensive experience in statutory compliance and corporate governance

Jon Isaacs, BA [Hons], FAICD

Chair

Jon brings to Ability Options significant experience in strategic planning and governance across private, public and not-for-profit organisations, including a successful career in the NSW Public Service and nine years as the CEO of the Royal Blind Society.  Since its inception in 2003 he has chaired the $1.2 billion NSW Government/private sector joint venture development at Rouse Hill in north west Sydney and currently chairs five NSW Government Audit Committees.

He has coached and mentored CEOs and senior executives from a wide range of organisations in sectors such as finance, legal, FMCG, construction/development, education, retail, regulation, human services and health.

Jon was elected Chair at the Annual General Meeting held in October 2014.

Heather Scheibenstock

Non-Executive Director

Heather joined the Ability Options Board in 2017 following an extensive and successful career spanning 20 years as a Senior Executive in the Hospitality industry. Heather became involved in community and fundraising in the not for profit sector in 2013 and as a strong believer in learning and development has continued her post graduate studies in business, leadership and corporate governance. An experienced non-executive director across a range of industries, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge in leadership, strategy implementation and development, community and stakeholder engagement as well as a passion for driving positive outcomes in changing environments.

Michael Maxwell, GradDipAdEd (VET); MSocSci; GAICD

Non-Executive Director

Michael joined the Board in 2014. He has combined an extensive career in the social and community services sector with post-graduate qualifications in Adult Education and Social Science to work with disadvantaged communities in developing training and employment projects that have opened doorways of opportunity for those to whom they are so often closed. At the core of Michael's work has been a passion and ability to create programs that promote social and financial inclusion and by which individuals who face complex and compound factors of social disadvantage are supported to live to their full potential in a safe, secure and appropriate environments.

Michael has worked with a range of social service organisations and is currently Principal at Social Traction and lectures at several tertiary institutions.

Nola Buck

Non-Executive Director

Nola has been a Board member since September 2002.  Nola’s commitment to the independence, worth and dignity of the service users of Ability Options was ignited when she supported them at their monthly client meetings. Nola has been an advocate for people with disability for over twenty years and is a life member of both the Polio NSW Inc. and People with Disability Australia Incorporated. Having contracted poliomyelitis as an infant, Nola has a life-long experience of disability. Nola is married with four adult children and lives in Western Sydney.

Patricia Biszewski

Non-Executive Director

Patricia joined the Board in early 2017. She has had an extensive executive career in the maritime and logistics industry, driving and enabling business growth and organisational transformation through strategy, finance, information technology and human resources practices. She has worked in Africa, Denmark, USA, Singapore, Thailand and Australia. Patricia has a passion to use her experience to support those who are less advantaged. In this capacity, she has held non-executive directorships in organisations developing programs to empower socially marginalised women, children and communities in developing countries to become sustainably independent and organisations providing services to people living with transport barriers to enjoy enriched and independent lives.

Patricia holds an MSc from Imperial College London, and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Richard Mossie, BCom; FCPA

Non-Executive Director and Treasurer

Richard joined the Ability Options’ Board in December 2000. He has extensive experience working in senior management and finance for a number of high profiles organisations, including as Chief Internal Auditor with Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd before he retired in 1999. Richard has also served as Treasurer for the Oatlands Golf Club, a role he retired from in 2008 after many years of service. As a Director and Treasurer of Ability Options, Richard is committed to using his knowledge and expertise to enhance services for people with disability.

Sue Healy

Non-Executive Director

Sue’s extensive business experience, includes 17 years as the founder and Managing Director of a National Recruitment and Managed Solutions Business where the business won a number of awards, and was featured in the BRW fastest growing companies for five consecutive years. She has also held senior Executive Roles with Australia’s two largest ASX listed Human Capital companies and lead Australia’s largest outsourced contract in talent acquisition management for the Australian Defence Force.

She acts as a Non Executive Director and business advisor to organizations such as CML Group, Ccentric, Witt Kieffer/Ccentric (International). She has held board positions with industry bodies, state economic development boards and women & leadership boards. She is a Fellow and Life Member of the RCSA—(Recruitment and Consulting Services Association).

Sue joined the Board of Ability Options in February 2017