Team

Meet our awesome team

Support Squad is made up of NDIS experts with a broad range of qualifications and skills, and the majority of us have lived experience of disability.

We actually care, and you'll not find a better bunch working in the NDIS space.

Lahra

Chief Operations Officer

Lahra

Chief Operations Officer

0466620753

lahraclifford@supportsquad.org

Lahra's friendly disposition, knowledge of the NDIS and "nothing is too hard" attitude has made her very popular with our clients from the outset. She thoroughly enjoys the role and satisfaction that comes with it from assisting clients to work towards their life long dreams. She is situated primarily in the North, and works from the Gawler region, to Prospect and everywhere in between. Her specialty is working with psycho-social and intellectual disability clients with varying and complex needs. Lahra has recently been promoted to the position of Chief Operations Manager where she will be primarily managing the team.

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: Chief Operations Officer / Support Coordinator

1. In another life, I'm pretty sure I was a plant because I am obsessed with them, you can never have too many!

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d start a cattery.

3. The best piece of advice I've ever been given is think before you speak.

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? Do it! This is the most enjoyable and rewarding work environment.

5. If I weren't so damn good at my job, I would be a Real Estate agent, I love looking at houses.

6. I have a lot of cats as pets.

7. What's the most inspiring part of your job? To know that I am helping to influence positive life changes.

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be teleporting because I could travel everywhere!

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be stylist when I grew up, because I had a strong interest in fashion – who doesn’t love a cow hide skirt!

Emma

NDIS Specialist Support Coordinator

Emma

NDIS Specialist Support Coordinator

0447681332

emma@supportsquad.org

Emma has recently finalised her Social Work Degree, and has joined the Support Squad team as a Specialist Support Coordinator. She is highly efficient, has exceptional communication skills and an approachable, outgoing nature. She is fiercely passionate about assisting clients to maximise their NDIS funding outcomes and achieve personal goals. She is situated in the outer suburbs of the city and has capacity to take on new clients being that she has only recently started with Support Squad.

Superstar Position: Specialist Support Coordinator

1. In another life I’m pretty sure I was a bird.

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d start a coffee company. And, you know, keep working here.

3. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is: you only get out of life what you put in.

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? Learn to roll with the unexpected and be persistent!

5. If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be a teacher.

6. I have a Labradoodle named Jasper as a pet.

7. What is the most inspiring part of your job? Seeing clients making the most of their NDIS plans.

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be to fly.

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be a fashion designer when I grew up because I had a drawing pad that I used to create different looks.

Marie

NDIS Support Cordinator

Marie

NDIS Support Cordinator

Marie has extensive experience working as both a Case Manager and Health and Well Being Coordinator. She is motivated and passionate about supporting people with disabilities and to help their families to be as independent as possible. Marie is currently on maternity leave and will be returning in January 2022. We wish her all the best with her new little bundle of joy!

Sarah

NDIS Support Coordinator

Sarah

NDIS Support Coordinator

0456785266

sarahgroch@supportsquad.org

Sarah personifies the voice of Support Squad in her own passionate style and prides herself (quite rightly) on her research skills and fact-finding ability. Mother of two sets of twins, (yes, you read right, TWO) and with one son on the spectrum, Sarah's lived experience of disability shines through in her work and she is a highly skilled and organised coordinator. She began her NDIS career in the plan management world and has a more than impressive understanding of the price guide, and as a result, has quickly become an indispensable part of the team.

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: Support Coordinator

1. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd start a disability education centre. And, you know, keep working here.

2. The best pieces of advice I've ever been given is always trust your gut, never back down from what is right and stand strong even when you stand alone.

3. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? This is not a job, it is a commitment to assist and support people that need you. Be prepared to be a staunch advocate and have a doctorate in deciphering NDIS lingo, strong ethics, and multitasking,

4. If I weren't so damn good at my job, I'd probably be bored, unfulfilled and living in a treehouse.

5. I have a Miniature Bull Terrier, dwarf rabbit, turtle, angel fish, and three parrots as pets.

6. What's the most inspiring part of your job? Meeting and supporting my clients. Understanding their view of the world, learning about their lives, and watching them achieve their goals.

7. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a criminal profiler when I grew up, because I wanted to study serial killers.

Nikki Eckermann

NDIS Support Coordinator

Nikki Eckermann

NDIS Support Coordinator

0473 367 070

nikki@supportsquad.org

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: NDIS Support Coordinator

1. In another life, I’m pretty sure I was – a polar bear, I love the snow!

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow - I’d start a natural health and wellness hub

3. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is – trust your gut instinct!

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? – Its such a supportive and fun work environment, you’ll love it!

5. If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be – living in Hawaii surfing in the sun and eating fresh fruit all day long

6. What’s the most inspiring part of your job – meeting with my clients and helping them get the most out of their NDIS plan.

7. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be – teleporting so I could travel the world.

8. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be – some sort of teacher because I couldn’t help myself but boss people around (how embarrassing haha)

Josh

NDIS Support Coordinator/Holiday Experiences Coordinator

Josh

NDIS Support Coordinator/Holiday Experiences Coordinator

0447681991

josh@supportsquad.org

Josh is the first male to join the Support Squad team to keep all the ladies in check! (good luck Josh) All jokes aside, Josh's friendly and good nature, keen eye for detail and high level of efficiency makes him very popular with our clients and well known for getting the job done with ease. Josh grew up with a family member who has a disability, who to this day he absolutely treasures and loves spending time with. He is grateful for their close relationship, and, he is the reason why he feels so passionately about supporting people with a disability.

Support Squad Superstar Position: Holiday Experience Coordinator / Support Coordinator

1. In another life, I’m pretty sure I was a giraffe – I’ve kept some of the height!

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’dopen a Bunnings Franchise. And, you know, keep working here.

3. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is perception is the key to happiness – think positive!

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? The awesome people you meet and the things you will learn will amaze you! It’s a fantastic career!

5. If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably work at Bunnings – I could spend hours there! Who doesn’tlove Bunnings!

6. I have a dog named labradoodle and a cat as pets.

7. What is the most inspiring part of your job? Seeing the joy on participants faces when we assist them to pair with the right supports and watch them build their capacity!

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be invisibility.

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be a singer, when I grew up because I liked singing but sounded terrible, unfortunately.

Tanya

Finance Administrator

Tanya

Finance Administrator

0468928025

tanya@supportsquad.org

With a career spanning a range of different industries including the motor vehicle industry and customer service, Tanya comes to us as an administration, customer service and Finance Administrator all-rounder with a passion for helping those with disabilities achieve meaningful lives. When she’s not being an invoicing guru and working hard to keep the finances in check, she is supporting her three young children and their hectic school / kindy / play date schedules. Tanya is an indispensable part of our team and does an amazing job at maintaining a healthy work/life balance!

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: Finance Administrator

1. In another life, I’m pretty sure I was a tiger, hear me roar (actually hear me snore) lol

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d start an event company.

3. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is “make every day count”.

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? Be open and honest and ready for a challenge

5. If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be travelling the world

6. I have no pets, but I do have three beautiful children.

7. What is the most inspiring part of your job? Satisfaction of helping people with disabilities achieve greater things in life.

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be to be able to read minds.

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be a hairdresser when I grew up, because I cut all of my barbie’s hair off and thought they looked great

Elise Heysed

Inclusion Support Worker

Elise Heysed

Inclusion Support Worker

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: Inclusion Support Worker

1. In another life, I'm pretty sure I was a cat…..I like to sleep all day!

2. The best piece of advice I've ever been given is always try your best.

3. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? It’s the best job in the world! I love coming to work every day it’s so much fun.

4. I have two cats, Calvin and Oscar as pets. I also take care of the two pet rabbits at Support Squad, Pepper and Spice.

5. What's the most inspiring part of your job? I get to help people learn new things and make them happy.

6. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be being able to fly, because I don’t like walking!

7. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be working at a vet or the zoo, because I love animals.

Trysten Burrows

NDIS Support Coordinator

Trysten Burrows

NDIS Support Coordinator

0447 681 064

trysten@supportsquad.org

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: NDIS Support Coordinator

1. In another life I’m pretty sure I’d be a Butterfly because I value independence and freedom

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow - I’d start a holiday resort for cancer patients and their families, and keep working here of course!

3. The best of advice I’ve ever been given is from a 106 year who said keep moving in life, keep going!

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? - That this is such a fun and positive team that will fill your day with giggles! (and chocolate)

5. If I weren’t so damn good at my job, I’d probably be working for David Attenborough 😊

6. I have a plant as a pet!

7. The most inspiring part of my job is being able to support participants and seeing them smile.

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be - Healing, Health & Happiness

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be a Nurse when I grew up because I enjoy helping others

Danni

NDIS Support Coordinator

Danni

NDIS Support Coordinator

0474 564 654

danni@supportsquad.org

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: NDIS Support Coordinator

1. In another life, I'm pretty sure I was …A millionaire, because I spend money quicker than I make it

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow - I'd start a 5-star resort company. And, you know, keep working here.

3. The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …Small steps in the right direction can turn out to be the biggest steps of your life

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? Bring your Pizzazz and extra sparkly energy and join the Support Squad party

5. If I weren't so damn good at my job, I'd probably be …A flight attendant

6. I have a dog, cat and bunny as a pet

The most inspiring part of my job is supporting people to get the most of their NDIS plans and therefore living a life with more fullfillment

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be …a mind reader

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a Vet when I grew up, because I loved animals

Connor

NDIS Support Coordinator

Connor

NDIS Support Coordinator

0476 486 402

connor@supportsquad.org

1. In another life, I'm pretty sure I was a tortoise

2. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd start a pizza franchise. And, you know, keep working here.

3. The best piece of advice I've ever been given is “treat others the way you would like to be treated”

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? Be prepared for Lahra’s mediocre jokes!

5. If I weren't so damn good at my job, I'd probably be working in education

6. What's the most inspiring part of your job? Seeing clients get the most out of their NDIS plans and achieve their goals!

7. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be teleportation

8. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a police officer when I grew up, because I wanted to help people.

Garry

Programs Coordinator

Garry

Programs Coordinator

0481 143 808

admin@supportsquad.org

SUPPORT SQUAD SUPERSTAR POSITION: Programs Coordinator

1. In another life, I'm pretty sure I was from another planet.

2 . If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd start a Hotel... And, you know, keep working here.

3. The best piece of advice I've ever been given is … Never forget who you are!

4. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? IT’S A TRAP … You’ll be blinded by generosity, kindness and the will to help those around you... All of which will become a part of who you are, there is no way out, once this happens you’re a part of the family.

5. If I weren't so damn good at my job, I'd probably be a retired one hit wonder pop star with a failed modeling career appearing in the casual infomercial here and there.

6. I have a Dog as a pet.

7. What's the most inspiring part of your job? The most inspiring part of my job is seeing those around me overcome obstacles on a daily basis and opening their minds to being able to achieve their dreams.

8. If I were a superhero, my superpower would be Telekinesis!

9. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a famous artist when I grew up, because I loved painting.

Nikki Eckermann

NDIS Support Coordinator