Neami National is pleased to announce the appointment of Donna Matthews as our inaugural National Lived Experience Practice Lead. This role reflects our deep commitment to contemporary, inclusive and compassionate mental health services.
Kim Holmes, Executive Director Operations – Integrated Wellbeing Network said, “With 21% of Neami’s staff now in designated Lived Experience roles, this appointment marks a significant milestone in our journey to embed and elevate Lived Experience principles, expertise and ways of working throughout the organisation. Most importantly, it is another building block to support this growing and impactful workforce.”
In her new role, Donna will work closely with Lived Experience Leads and the broader workforce to strengthen evidence-based practice, champion Lived Experience as a discipline, and ensure diverse perspectives continue to shape and evolve Neami’s transdisciplinary approach to service delivery.
Donna brings over a decade of Lived Experience leadership and expertise to Neami. Her career spans the not-for-profit and public mental health sectors, including her most recent role as National Practice Lead at EACH. Donna has led the development and implementation of organisational foundation work to enhance peer practice in the workforce and has been an active collaborator with Vic Health and VMIAC (Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council) initiatives.
The recruitment panel included global Lived Experience expert Dr. Louise Byrne, Neami Lived Experience Board Director Ryan D’Lima, and Executive Directors for Operations Kim Holmes and Helene Nielsen. The panel was impressed by the passion and expertise of all applicants.
Ryan D’Lima, Neami Lived Experience Board Director, shared: “I feel privileged to have been part of the thoughtful and collaborative process that shaped this role, with Lived Experience expertise and leadership actively considered, consulted, and embedded at every step.
“The guidance of leaders like Dr. Louise Byrne has been invaluable in ensuring new roles at Neami stay true to the principles and values of Lived Experience. Support from our Board and Executive team has also enabled a co-recruitment process built on genuine collaboration and respect for Lived Experience voices.
“Donna’s wealth of experience across diverse settings made her the standout candidate. I look forward to working with her as we continue to strengthen our Lived Experience workforce and drive meaningful organisational change at Neami.”
Donna Matthews expressed her excitement about joining Neami: “I am honoured to take on the role of National Lived Experience Practice Lead. I look forward to learning more about Neami’s progressive work, connecting with staff at all levels, and building on the strong foundations already in place.”
The National Lived Experience Practice Lead role aligns with Neami’s goals and national priorities, including the recommendations from Neami’s Peer Work Vision for Transformative Change and the National Lived Experience Workforce Development Guidelines to which we have committed.
We congratulate Donna on her appointment.