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Staff Profiles

Kerriann Dear
Director 

Kerriann commenced employment with QWWS in 1999 as a part time Industrial Officer and Counselor. She has qualifications in Social Science and an Honours Degree in Social Work. During her time at QWWS, Kerriann has overseen the implementation of the Young Workers Advisory Service (YWAS) and in the past 6 years has managed both services. She has also conducted academic research relating to women's experiences in the workplace including in the areas of sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and workplace harassment.

Much of Kerriann's recent work with the centre has been around further documenting client's experiences in policy submissions and to government. Kerriann is actively involved in the National Women's Secretariat, ‘Security 4 Women', that represents the interests of working women to the Federal Government.

 

teresa.jpgTeresa Chase
Senior Industrial Officer

 

Teresa is Queensland Working Women's Service's Senior Industrial Officer. Teresa has worked with QWWS since 2004. Teresa has previously worked with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, tutored in Industrial Relations at Griffith University and has been a research assistant for projects on parental leave (at the University of Queensland) and on young workers' industrial relations knowledge (with QUT and Griffith University).

Teresa was born in Rockhampton in Central Queensland and loves talking to women from all over the state about their lives, their work, their families and their challenges.

Teresa's areas of interest include pregnancy discrimination and pay equity.  Teresa has has authored a number of papers on pregnancy discrimination, conciliation of sexual harassment cases and unfair dismissal rights. 

Teresa holds the following degrees: BA (hons) University of Qld (1999); M (I.R.) (University of Qld) 2003.

Lee Matahaere
Industrial/Administration Officer

Lee commenced employment with the QWWS in 2004 as a casual receptionist / administration officer. In 2005 she began working as an Industrial Officer on the advisory line as well as continuing administrative duties. Lee is now a Senior Intake officer performing various Industrial and administrative duties. Working in QWWS has afforded Lee the opportunity to experience first hand the complex issues that women face in today's society, not onlywith resgards to workplace issues but basic human rights. Lee is currently undertaking further education in Holistic Counseling that will enhance her abilities to meet the needs of our clients.

 

Sue Assad
Industrial Officer

Sue commenced as a volunteer with the QWWS in 2007. In July 2008 she began working as an Industrial Officer. Prior to working at QWWS she has spent short periods working in a Union, a training college and a HR department. She also has extensive experience working as a teacher, school executive and senior education administrator in the social justice areas. Sue has a Masters in Employment Relations, Graduate Certificate in Employment Law, is an accredited Workcover Rehabilitation and Return to Work Co-ordinator and has teaching qualifications.

 

Alana Heffernan
Industrial Officer

Alana is a part-time Industrial Officer for the Queensland Working Women's Service Inc. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at Queensland University of Technology and is particularly interested in the workplace and the legal framework in which it operates. Alana is very passionate about Industrial Relations and protecting the rights of employees, which naturally led to her joining Queensland Working Women's Service Inc in February 2009.


Linda Gong
Finance/Administration

 

 

 

Nahid Shemirani
Administration/Intake officer

Nahid is an intake and administration officer with QWWS. Nahid began working with QWWS in September 2008. Nahid has a Bachelor degree in English Translation from overseas. She is currently studying for a Diploma of Accounting.

 

 

 

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