Our People
Board
Lorraine Carroll
Chair
Lorraine is an experienced Speech Pathologist and Allied Health manager within the disability, NDIS and education sectors. A part of ARC's Board since 2015, she completed her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2011 and graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2021.
Lorraine is a strong advocate for the rights of people with disability and their families and works to maintain ARC’s quality corporate governance structures.
Liz Brown
Board Member
Liz has a background as a registered nurse and has worked in health, disability and aged care services as a clinician, educator, manager and senior executive and as the previous CEO at Access Community Housing. She holds undergraduate and post graduate qualifications in nursing, a Post Graduate Diploma of Organisational Development and Training, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and recently completed the Executive Leader Program at the Said School of Business, Oxford University.
Graham Caldwell
Board Member
Graham has experience as a director of both Not for Profit and Profit entities from start-ups to established enterprises.
A Partner at PVW Partners Accountants and Advisors, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in strategic planning and financial expertise.
His aim is to produce positive outcomes that provide real value and generate the maximum result for all clients so that they can achieve their goals.
Lino Bruno
Board Member
Lino brings over 28 years of experience in supply chain and logistics and a background in risk management and strong compliance management.
Lino joined the ARC Board in late 2023, and recently graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Megan Edwards
Board Member
Megan brings a wealth of experience across many sectors including not-for-profit, health, local, Federal and State Government and education.
Previously Chair of the Board at Home Support Association, Megan also holds a Master of Business Administration. Megan joined the ARC Board in late 2023.
Aidan Lang
Board Member
Aidan brings a strong background in finance and accounting across a range of different industries, and has a particular interest in the not-for-profit space and for achieving positive outcomes in the community.
Aidan is the current CEO of Access Community Housing, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), and has completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Robin Giason
Board Member
Rob brings nearly 49 years of business and leadership experience, including CEO tourism Tropical North Queensland, CEO Tourism Tasmania, director of marketing for Destination New South Wales. Rob has a passion for regional communities and their positive development.
He has served as a director on multiple not-for-profit and GOC boards servicing indigenous health, charity, and regional development sectors and is co-founder / chair of the Reef Restoration Foundation.
Leadership Team
Benjamin Keast
Chief Executive Officer
With over 20 years of experience in the industry and spanning many roles within ARC, Ben has been the ARC's CEO since April 2016. Ben has a Masters of Business Administration and was a member of the Far North Queensland's Regional Disability Advisory Committee and Premiers Regional Forums. With a history of being on a number of boards in not for profit advocacy, arts and community housing sectors, Ben currently is the Chair of the Far North Queensland Disability Provider Network, Chair of the Disability Support Industry Reference Committee and a member of the Human Services Skills Organisation Board.
Natasha Rivett
Deputy CEO
Starting her journey in the disability sector over 28 years ago, Natasha worked for a number of large providers as a direct support worker and team leader, before joining ARC as the Coordinator of the ARC Respite House in 2002. Natasha has worked in a variety of roles as ARC expanded including setting up ARC’s first Supported Living House, running the older parent carer initiative, managing the ARC Family Support Program and expanding the services as the Manager of Respite Services. Now as ARC's CSO, Natasha leads the Direct Services teams including Supported Independent Living services.
Seranie Eecen
Chief Finance Officer
Seranie joined ARC in 1989 as the Centre Coordinator.
Now in her role as Chief Financial Officer, Seranie has been primarily involved in the financial management of ARC as we continue to grow.
Sheridan Lawton
Chief Health & Quality Officer
In her role as Programs Manager and Health Facilitator, Sheridan has a passion for inclusive programs collaborating with local businesses and groups to create exciting opportunities and possibilities for people living with a disability in the Cairns Region. These opportunities have included award winning programs, inclusive theatre productions and newsworthy art exhibitions and much more. Sheridan chairs the Cairns Disability Network which works to share information, transitions and outcomes of people living with a disability in Cairns.
Richard Nelson
Strategy & Innovation Officer
Richard has more than 20 years of experience in senior management roles, most recently with peak industry bodies representing service delivery organisations in the disability, mental health, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sectors. With the introduction of the NDIS he has held senior management roles across Queensland’s disability sector in both organisational leadership and business development. Since 2023 Richard has brought his significant experience and knowledge of the NDIS and of the disability sector to ARC, working alongside the leadership team contributing to the organisation’s strategic approach to change and innovative practice.