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.

Dr. Robert Lang Ph.D., B.E.(Hons), B.Sc., FAICD, FIE (Aust)

Director and Chair-Elect

Dr. Robert Lang has spent 35 years in the public service, in a combination of state and local government. This includes change management, community engagement, strategic urban planning, urban development, transport infrastructure, place management, arts, tourism, and energy business roles.

He has been the CEO of Parramatta City Council, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, and Pacific Power.
Dr. Lang has significant experience as a Board Director, serving on 18 Boards over the past 22 years, including
not-for-profits, private companies, and government statutory authorities.

He has a longstanding interest in liveable cities, affordable housing, social inclusion, and the arts. He has postgraduate qualifications in Engineering, Information Technology, and Business Management. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia

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.

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.

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