Executive Team

Tom joined are-able​ as CEO in April 2019 after 3 years as National Director of Commercial Operations and 2 years as General Manager for the Australian Red Cross. Prior to this Tom worked for Centacare for 10 years and is well versed in all areas of business, developing skills and experience while managing his own businesses for 14 years before transitioning to the not-for-profit sector.

Tom’s decision to move into humanitarian services was driven by his desire to help others and give back to the community.  He brings a wealth of experience in jobactive and Disability Employment Services, NDIS, social enterprises, new apprenticeships and registered training organisations.

His background in commercial business balance with 18 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, holds him in good stead to lead are-able as the CEO.  Tom completed his MBA through Griffith University in 2017 and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jason has a long association with are-able spanning over 16 years, serving initially as Finance Manager followed by Director of Finance before taking the opportunity to further his professional development within the education sector.

Jason returned to the are-able family after 3 years in 2019  to take on the role of Chief Financial Officer and lends his skills in financial management and performance, along with investment strategy development to the organisation to support its robust financial compliance requirements.

Andrew’s association with are-able spans over 13 years beginning in 2001 working within Employment Services, before taking the opportunity to broaden his experience in the Human Resources sector with Warrnambool’s largest employer, South West Healthcare.

Andrew’s passion to make a difference in the community is evident by his service to the then WDEA Works Committee of Management as a member throughout 2008 & 2009.

Andrew returned home to are-able in 2014 in his current position as Director of People, Culture and Training. Andrew’s portfolio consists of People and Culture, Occupational Health and Safety and are-able Education and Training, allowing him to offer training and development opportunities to both employees and the wider community.

Andrea has over 20 years working in Sales and Marketing, most recently for a Pharmacy Group based in Adelaide joining are-able 2 years ago after moving from Adelaide to Warrnambool.

Andrea has provided are-able with the increased breadth and depth of  leadership in strategic marketing, social and digital media, communications, graphic design, marketing, promotions and community engagement

Andrea has found a new passion in the not-for-profit sector “working for an organisation with strong values, and believes everyone deserves to feel valued. Providing people with opportunities that promote self-belief and confidence is a critical component to building a stronger community.”  “What our organisation does every day is incredible. Working with people experiencing disability and disadvantage, helping them to find jobs. And when those people find jobs, their lives and communities change for the better.”

​A 17-year veteran of Employment Services, Brett continues to be a staunch advocate for people with disadvantage and disability to access employment opportunities and be given an avenue to improve their circumstances and participate in the communities in which they live. The scope of Brett’s work has expanded over the years to include disability and mainstream employment programs.

He is a respected voice for the industry, participating in forums and offering advice to help shape the future of employment programs at a national level. Brett is a very busy family man, father of three young children with Nicole, and meets the challenge of a busy work/life balance as well as volunteering in the communities in which he is involved.

Mark joined are-able in February 2017, bringing with him over 19 years of management experience in a range of sectors, across regional Victoria.  Honing his business acumen in industries including retail, sport, professional services, and for the past 12 years in the not-for-profit sector, where he admits he found his passion.

It is this passion for the not-for-profit sector that drew Mark to are-able. A country boy at heart, growing up on a farm near Horsham, Mark knows the value of community, initially working in the farming industry and within rural community services (family services, foster care and family counselling).

Are-able enables Mark to continue working within the community, with the purpose of making a difference in the lives of people living with a disability or disadvantage.

Paul has spent most of his career working for some of Australia’s largest and most iconic retail brands. With 35 years of experience managing large teams, Paul is passionate about leading teams to achieve great results.

Paul joined the are-able team in 2019, bringing with him lived experience as a father of a son with a disability, and has made a significant impact to Social Enterprises through the development of the Big Rs Shed in his role as Business Development Manager for the Social Enterprise division during the last two years.

Paul has been an active community member of the Warrnambool district through the local CFA, school councils, and Warrnambool Business groups.

Vicki commenced with are-able in 2007 and has over ten years of leadership and management experience across various employment services roles.  Vicki joined the HR department of are-able in 2018, providing consultancy and advisory services to management and staff on a range of HR practices, issues, and legislation.

Vicki’s current role as General Manager People and Culture merges 20 years of Employment Services experience with Human Resources Management for our organisation.  With a passion for enabling people to understand and develop their skills, Vicki recently undertook completion of a Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practices in 2021.

Tammie Hawke, a dedicated and results-driven professional whose passion for overcoming challenges and delivering exceptional outcomes sets her apart. With a wealth of experience as a Site Manager at are-able, Tammie has consistently demonstrated her outstanding leadership and organisational skills in driving and managing the performance of multiple sites. Tammie is committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct, service guarantees, and service excellence, making her a valuable asset to the are-able team.

Tammie’s experience in the Employment Services Industry is a testament to her ability to successfully deliver programs and build and nurture effective workplace relationships. She excels in implementing disciplinary and grievance procedures, resolving conflicts, and addressing workplace issues. Tammie’s dedication to continuous improvement is evident through her coaching and mentoring of site staff, empowering them to achieve personal and professional growth. As the newly appointed General Manager Group Services – Employment (2023), Tammie is ready to lead and inspire our teams and drive are-able’s business objectives forward.