Our Board
Jasmine Sesso - Board Chair
Jasmine has worked across a range of industries in her professional career, including Cyber Security, Insurance, Banking and Telecommunications. Currently working for a global SaaS company supporting clients from a range of industries, providing professional consulting on governance and strategy for large scale digital transformation programs supported by digital adoption technology.
Jasmine joined the BDS Board in 2021, and has held the position of Deputy Chari since December 2022. Prior to this, Jasmine served on the Board at Coburg Children’s Centre for five and a half years, holding the position of Chair for over four years.
Claire Young - Deputy Chair
As an insurance and risk executive with over 20 years industry experience, Claire leads teams to devise and deliver well governed programs of work. Her approach is to take a holistic risk 'system' perspective to strengthen business decision making and uplift risk and business maturity.
Claire has served on a number of key advisory boards with ANZIIF (Australia & New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance), and is currently Chair of the Risk Management Faculty Advisory Board. More broadly, her key motivation is to add value to the business, support and develop talent and drive a positive, values-based inclusive culture.
Claire joined the BDS board in 2019 and is passionate about determining how BDS can continue to grow through the key role BDS plays within the community – to ensure everyone can ‘Belong-Develop-Succeed’.
Ginger (Lan) Jiang - Treasurer
Ginger is a CPA-qualified financial expert with a Master's Degree in Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Tax Law. She is also a registered Tax Agent, bringing a wealth of qualifications and expertise to our board.
As an accomplished financial and accounting professional with extensive experience in leading high-performing finance teams Ginger has a proven track record in delivering accurate financial insights to drive strategic decision-making while implementing cost-effective and quality-enhancing initiatives. Ginger has over two decades of experience spanning Finance, Business Development and Business Management in diverse setting, she has been worked as a General Manager, Financial Controller and is currently working at an ASX listed company as Divisional Head of Finance for Manufacturing.
Ginger also serves as a committee member of the Multicultural Committee of Banyule City Council. She’s wholeheartedly committed to supporting the council's initiatives aimed at making the community a better and more inclusive place for all.
Natasha Shirvill - Board Secretary
Natasha is a public servant who manages a small team and has more than 15 years' experience in regulatory decisions, compliance work and policy analysis.
Natasha has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. More recently, Natasha completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons.)
Natasha joined the BDS board in 2022 and is passionate about contributing to BDS' strategic direction to ensure that it is sustainable and can continue to provide support to people of all abilities long into the future.
Rebecca Ellis
Sanket Nagar
Sanket has a background in research and disability services. As a senior Behaviour Support Practitioner, he oversaw provision of positive behaviour support services across Victoria for a large not-for-profit. He is currently on secondment as a subject matter expert, leading the development of the organisation's multicultural safety framework.
Sanket holds a Bachelor in Psychology (with Honours) and a Master in Public Health. His lived experience of ADHD and autism spectrum, along with his work in the disability sector inform his contributions to the board. Sanket is particularly interested in equitable access and outcomes for people with disability from ethinic minority backgrounds and is motivated to ensure human rights are central to all discussions within the sector.
Sanket believes that not-for-profit and community-based organisations like BDS are vital to the safe and responsive support of people with disability and hopes he can contribute to the ongoing success of BDS as a board member.
Jessica Wisniewski
With a distinguished career in digital transformation and strategic program management, Jessica Wisniewski brings a wealth of experience to the BDS board. Her background includes significant roles in both corporate and the not-for-profit sectors – where she has consistently driven impactful change and organisational growth. Jessica’s journey began in healthcare as a nurse specialising in Oncology and Pallative care, which instilled in her a strong foundation of empathy, precision, and commitment to improving well-being.
Jessica has previously served on advisory boards with ANZIIF (Australia & New Zealand Institute and Finance), recently the Chair of the Generational I Council and prior as an advisory member.
Jessica’s credentials include a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Services and numerous certifications in leadership, innovation, and project management. Her accolades, including the 2019 Deloitte Corporate Entrepreneur Award and the 2017 IAG Excellence Awards, highlight her ability to deliver high-impact results.
Joining the BDS board in May 2024, Jessica is passionate about leveraging her diverse expertise to support the BDS’s mission. Her goal is to ensure that everyone can 'Belong-Develop-Succeed' by contributing to the strategic direction and growth of BDS, while fostering a positive, values-based inclusive culture.
Chris Hancock
Chris has 15 years of experience supporting Environment & Sustainability Outcomes for large organisations, driving change and achieving strategic outcomes. He is dedicated to supporting organisations in adopting holistic, renewable solutions that can be delivered separately or as integrated packages in line with organisational objectives and regulatory requirements.
A devoted father of two children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Chris' personal experiences have deepened his commitment to making a positive impact through advocating for more in this community. This passion led me to join the Board of BDS Support Services, with the ambition to support the BDS team in driving impactful growth in this organisation and the community we serve. I loof forward to contribute through impactful strategy support to BDS’s mission of providing quality support services to individuals and families in need.
Combining my professional skills with my personal dedication to supporting our unique and valuable members contribute to our society, Committed to fostering sustainable, positive change in both social business and community activities in a considered impactful way.
Rob Seddon
Philip Brookes, CEO
Philip comes to BDS with substantial experience gained leading other disability support organisations and serving on the South Australia State Committee of NDS (National Disability Services), the peak body for disability support providers in Australia. He has a great passion for people and supporting everyone to realise their full potential, and is thrilled to join the team at BDS, and learn about the aspirations of our clients and their families.
In addition to sector-specific knowledge, Philip brings a broad array of business experience encompassing Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology, and more. Philip spent many years consulting to non-profit organisations and is deeply committed to fostering strong and inclusive communities.
Although born in Victoria, Philip grew up in Nepal and India, has worked in Cambodia and Philippines, and has a multi-cultural family. In Brisbane he enjoyed greatly being able to support refugees and newly-arrived migrants through a number of his organisation’s initiatives, including a community farm, multicultural arts program, and other support services. He is looking forward to continue the work BDS is doing to provide culturally-aware and inclusive services that meet the needs of our diverse community.
Philip is a champion of collaboration, innovation, kindness, and values-driven teams, and is excited to work with the BDS team to ensure we provide the best possible opportunities for all our current and future participants. Although the disability support sector is facing considerable change and uncertainty, Philip believes that a positive, innovative mindset that anticipates and leads the way in creating the future we hope to see is the surest path to success. While it certainly isn’t easy, and he will continue to advocate and fight for legislative and procedural improvements to the NDIS, we should look forward to BDS making an ever-increasing contribution to people with disabilities in the City of Hume and beyond.