Executive
Carol Bennett, Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Carol oversees all of ACCAN's work and operations. She is a highly respected leader with a strong track record of delivering positive change for consumers and communities in all her previous CEO roles. She has outstanding expertise in strategic decision-making, communications, advocacy, stakeholder management, financial performance, collaboration building, government relations and corporate governance.
Carol has held senior executive and board positions with national peak bodies in the health sector. Most recently, she was CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform from 2021 until commencing at ACCAN in mid-2024.
Gareth Downing, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Gareth oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s policy work, community engagement and membership. His career has focused on policy and regulation and he has worked on policy across a number of regulated sectors including telecommunications, energy and water. Gareth is committed to advancing consumer’s interest through his leadership of ACCAN’s policy team.
Gareth has previously sat on the ACCAN board, and prior to that worked for ACCAN in the role of Senior Policy Analyst providing advice on a wide range of policy, economic regulation and pricing matters. Gareth holds tertiary qualifications in policy, economics and law.
Tanya Karliychuk, Director of Operations
Tanya oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s federally-funded Grants Scheme, commissioned research program, and consumer education program. She provides leadership ensuring ACCAN adheres to its values and advances its strategic direction. With extensive experience in research management within the Australian university and NFP sectors, combined with a background in international development, Tanya is especially focused on maximising the outcomes achieved from community-sector collaborations.
Tanya has driven the writing, winning and delivery of large government grants in the international development sector, as well as smaller community sector grants for various volunteer projects. She is currently Co-Convenor of the NSW Chapter of the Australasian Research Management Society. Tanya holds a Master of International Affairs from ANU and a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from Macquarie University.
Yuriko Hoshi, Business Manager
Yuriko is responsible for overseeing all financial activities and the office operations. She was appointed to the position of Company Secretary in 2013. She is a member of CPA Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting from Macquarie University.
Staff
Alec Bennetts
Alec Bennetts is ACCAN's Media and Communications Officer. He oversees external ACCAN communications, including media releases, newsletters, website content, and member communications, and ensures ACCAN is well-represented in national and local media. Alec has previously worked in policy research and political communications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney.
Elise Eckland
Elise has always had a keen interest in technology and harnessing its potential, particularly for people with disabilities and seniors. Living with a physical disability herself, Elise uses that lived experience and her keen interest in technology to empower people, encouraging them to seek out positive ways for assistive technology to enhance and support their lives.
Elise’s knowledge and skills have been built up over decades of experience supporting Australians with internet access, assistive technologies, and communications devices. Her career has included supporting Australians with the switchover to digital TV, the rollout of digital radio, assisting people with different abilities to get online, and more recently in the nonprofit sector, training volunteer cancer survivors to use virtual meeting technology to share their important stories with Australian medical schools.
The Accessible Telecoms project is a great fit to share her skills and knowledge with people who may be struggling to keep up with the advancements in telecommunications and assistive technology.
Laura Fayers-Pooley
Laura is a Media and Communications Assistant, supporting the organisation’s communications strategy and implementation of media and marketing for the Accessible Telecoms project. Laura has extensive experience in community and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on community resilience, urban planning and infrastructure projects. Laura has a Bachelor of Arts (Communications and Public Relations) from Charles Sturt University, a Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy and Planning from UNSW and works part-time at ACCAN while studying a Bachelor of Midwifery at UTS.
Con Gouskos
Con Gouskos leads ACCAN’s work on telecommunications consumer protections. Con regularly engages with financial counsellors and community legal centres concerning telecommunications consumer protections. Con holds a degree in International Studies from the University of New South Wales and a Certificate IV in Government from TAFE. He is currently working towards a Master of Administrative Law and Policy at the University of Sydney.
Sam Kininmonth
Sam Kininmonth leads the ACCAN policy team’s research work and engagement with the research sector. An experienced consumer advocate, Sam previously worked as a sessional academic. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelor of Communication (Distinction) from RMIT University. Sam is completing a PhD on digital media and automation in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society at RMIT University.
Kelly Lindsay
Kelly leads the ACCAN policy team’s consumer engagement and outreach. She is responsible for building and managing relationships with a diverse range of consumer stakeholders and members. An experienced advocate at ACCAN, Kelly previously worked for the Queensland Government in areas of project coordination and stakeholder management in the built asset environment. Kelly is an Individual Member of IAP2 Australasia.
James O'Brien
As Accessible Telecoms Project Assistant, James works part time assisting in researching and updating devices, accessories and apps for the Accessible Telecoms website. He also assists customers by providing them information to improve their ability to communicate using these technologies. Prior to Accessible Telecoms James worked in the telecommunication industry for 25 years.
Rebekah Palmer
Rebekah Palmer is ACCAN's Communications and Policy Officer, leading social media and marketing efforts while supporting the organisation's communications strategy. She also contributes to the policy team, focusing on consumer protections. Rebekah holds a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) from the University of Technology Sydney.
Jennifer Parry
Jennifer is a part-time Accessible Telecoms Project Assistant, where she researches and updates information on devices, accessories, and apps for the Accessible Telecoms website. She also provides direct support to customers, helping them enhance their communication through accessible technologies. With over 22 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Jennifer has been a strong advocate for people who are blind or vision impaired, providing systemic representation on key issues. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Music Performance and proudly represented Australia as a member of the first blind and low-vision women’s cricket team.
Dr Amelia Radke
Dr Amelia Radke leads ACCAN's work on digital inclusion, with a particular focus on issues relating to the affordability and accessibility of services for First Nations Australians, regional, rural, and remote Australia, and vulnerable consumers. She has extensive experience in policy and research both in academic and non-government settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in anthropology and a PhD in legal anthropology from the University of Queensland.
Audrey Reoch
Audrey Reoch manages ACCAN’s policy team and leads work on infrastructure and economic policy. Audrey previously worked at the Department of Communications, where she represented Australia in the Universal Postal Union and International Telecommunication Union to advocate for international standards in the interests of Australian consumers. She holds an MA in Social and Political Thought from the University of Sussex and an Honours Degree in Political Economy from the University of Sydney.
David Swayn
David leads ACCAN’s policy work for people with a disability. David has substantial experience working in disability advocacy and accessibility-based roles with responsibilities including systemic advocacy, project leadership, and regional and national engagement. David holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Business and is a committee member of the Australian Web Accessibility Initiative (OzeWAI). David has lived experience of disability.
Rich Van Der Male
As ACCAN’s Digital Assets Manager, Rich takes a human-centered approach to ICT services, emphasising user-friendly solutions, empathetic support, and technology that enhances both experience and accessibility for all. Rich leads initiatives across ICT management, web development, print and digitial design, as well as video production.