Management Committee Members
The Management Committee are individuals who have significant experience and influence in the sector. All have experience in recruiting and managing a lived experience workforce and have considerable insight into the issues impacting the workforce.
Chairperson: Brooke Starr
Brooke has worked in paid roles as mental health Life Experience worker for over 10 years. She is currently employed in a senior management roles as a Lived Experience Practice and Development Manager and oversees the ongoing development of Lived Experience (Peer) work at Communify. Brooke has worked in both front line roles and on a more strategic level on projects. She is invested in ensuring that Lived Experience (Peer) work is recognised as a credible discipline and is interested in the ongoing development and support of the workforce in Queensland to achieve this. Brooke is also interested in ensuring that the integrity of Lived Experience work is maintained in the sector.
Vice Chairperson: Lisa Gott
Lisa Gott is a dedicated Lived Experience leader with over 14 years of expertise in workforce development, systemic advocacy, and co-design within the mental health, alcohol and other drugs sector. As Vice Chairperson of the Queensland Lived Experience Workforce Network (QLEWN), Lisa brings a strategic and collaborative approach to advancing the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce across Queensland.
Her leadership is grounded in a strong commitment to human rights, inclusion, co-production, and amplifying the collective voices of those with lived-living experience. She plays a key role in shaping sector-wide policy, strengthening workforce capabilities, and ensuring lived-living experience is embedded at all levels of service planning, design, and delivery.
With a professional background spanning executive leadership, workforce development, training, and supervision, Lisa has been instrumental in shaping Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce strategy, enhancing lived-living experience engagement models, and driving meaningful systems change. She is a leader, speaker, facilitator, coach, and consultant, known for her passion for mental health advocacy, equity, recovery-oriented practices, and fostering safe and effective peer workforces.
Lisa’s work with QLEWN builds upon her extensive experience as a Lived Experience leader, where she has led the integration of lived-living experience perspectives within mental health systems. Her contributions have helped shape state and national frameworks for Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce development, ensuring peer workers receive the support, recognition, and opportunities needed to thrive.
Through her role at QLEWN, Lisa continues to champion a future where the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce is not only valued but recognised as a driving force in creating more inclusive, responsive, and recovery-oriented mental health systems across Queensland.
Secretary: Michael Mawson
Michael has held several roles within mental health Peer work. After completing his Cert IV, he began working with Queensland Health at the Caboolture Hospital before joining Mind Australia in their Youth Step Up Step Down service where he continues to work on a casual basis. He was a student mentor at TAFE East Coast as employed in the Peer Work Student Mentoring Project. In 2023, after completing further study, Michael began delivering the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank and Caboolture campuses. Michael is passionate about training and upskilling the mental health Peer workorce and is a strong advocate for Lived Experience student workforce participation.
Membership Secretary: Sarah Reed
Sarah moved to Regional Queensland 25 years ago and has been both a service user and Lived/Living Experience worker in Alcohol and Other Drugs; Mental Healthl and Suicide Prevention organisations in a variety of designated positions for over 20 years. She is involved with QuIVAA, and is on the national working party to develop the Alcohol and Other Drugs Lived/Living Workforce Framework.
