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Leadership Team

Chairperson
Adrian Wong | Chairperson
Biography

Adrian Wong BCom LLB UNSW is the elected Chair of the Board. Adrian works in the Australian Public Service specialising in governance, NDIS planning and disability services within the Australian Government. He graduated with double degrees in Law from the University of New South Wales. Adrian was awarded the Fairfield City Young Citizen of the Year in 2012. He was elected as Councillor in 2016 and served as Deputy Mayor of Fairfield City.

 

www.linkedin.com/in/wongadrian

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Basim Shamaon | Secretary
Biography

Basim Shamaon is a highly respected and valued community leader in South West Sydney, whose work with migrants and refugees especially those with disability is his life, passion and identity. Fluent in Arabic, Assyrian and Chaldean languages, he has recently released his own book, From Iraq to Australia: Jewels from My Journey, which has been – and continues to be – distributed free to migrants and refugees to inspire them in their own settlement journeys (See story on launch here). He is a friend and advocate of many refugee groups including people with disability, regardless of religion or nationality. He has volunteered for countless organisations, and represented the multicultural community by hosting community events, sitting on discussion panels, speaking to the media and donating his time to individuals when needed.

Basim is currently the Chair of the NSW Refugee Support Network (RSN), a forum of over 100 members from government and non-government agencies, individuals and community groups working with refugees and humanitarian entrants in New South Wales. The RSN aims to improve service provision and support for refugees and humanitarian entrants in New South Wales through dialogue, sharing of information and identifying strategies to address key issues. Basim is also an active member Fairfield City Multicultural Advisory Committee, Fairfield Emerging Communities Action Partnership (FECAP), Fairfield Multicultural Interagency and many more.

Some of Basim’s awards and recognition includes, Fairfield Council’s Young Citizen of the Year, NSW Government Community Service Award, National Volunteer Week Award, Australia Day Community Medallion, Inspire Care Factor Award, Welcome Project Award, NSW Humanitarian Highly Commended Award, Exceptional Community Partnership Award and many more.

Basim has a Bachelor of International Studies and a Master of Arts in TESOL as well as an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management, Diploma in Community Services, Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management, and Diploma of United Nations.

In his current role, as a Stakeholder Engagement Manager with Navitas Skilled Futures he collaborates with many people by listening to their needs and responding with innovative solutions.

Jasmine
Jasmine Irwin | Vice Chairperson
Biography

Jasmine Irwin serves as the Vice Chairperson on the Governance Committee at MDAA, a role she has held since 2024. With a background in child protection services and extensive experience working with children with disabilities, Jasmine has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past 10 years. She is a highly dedicated and focused child protection worker, deeply committed to child advocacy and community service. Jasmine holds a degree in Social Psychology and Criminology, which has been integral in shaping her approach to child welfare and protection. Her passion for improving the lives of vulnerable children and families continues to drive her work within the sector.

Shirley
Shirley Robertson| Treasurer
Biography

Shirley Robertson is the Treasurer on the Governance Committee at the Association for Multicultural Disability Advocacy (AMDAA), having been elected in 2024. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advocating for individuals with disabilities, drawing from her lived experience as a person with a disability. Shirley has been an active member of the Music and Crafts Group and the Women’s Health Centre in Liverpool for over 11 years, where she has worked to support and empower individuals in the community. She has been a dedicated part of MDAA since 2014, contributing her knowledge and passion for disability advocacy, particularly in the context of multicultural communities.

Shirley is of Maltese heritage, which further enriches her understanding of the diverse needs of people from various cultural backgrounds. Her longstanding involvement in both community and disability services has fueled her passion for ensuring NDIS accessibility for all, advocating for more inclusive policies and better support for individuals with disabilities. Shirley’s advocacy continues to have a significant impact in driving change and improving outcomes for people with disabilities across multicultural communities in Australia.

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Yvonne Munce | Executive Director
Biography

Yvonne Munce is the Executive Director of the MDAA . With extensive experience in the disability sector, Yvonne has worked with individuals across all age groups, advocating for their rights and supporting their journeys. Her previous roles include serving as a Disability Royal Commission Advocate and managing the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) and NDIS Appeals teams.

As a leader, Yvonne adopts a contemporary leadership approach to empower and strengthen the MDAA workforce. Her lived experience of disability and deep understanding of systemic barriers drive her commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and meaningful change.

Yvonne’s keen interest in the Social Sciences reflects her dedication to understanding complex social dynamics and addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Her Chilean heritage enriches her perspective and reinforces her dedication to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

Through her leadership at MDAA, Yvonne continues to champion equitable opportunities and advocate for a community that values and celebrates diversity in all its forms.

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Stephanie Chen| Board Member
Biography

Stephanie Chen CPA BCom USYD is an elected Board Member. Stephanie has served as ACCA Councillor, Treasurer and Director of an approved Aged Care and registered NDIS provider serving Australians with disability. She is a Certified Practising Accountant with CPA Australia. Stephanie graduated with a Commerce degree majoring in Accounting and Finance from the University of Sydney.

 

www.linkedin.com/in/chensteph

Nishi Shekaran
Nidhi Shekaran| Board Member
Biography

Nidhi Shekaran is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. A proud nominee for the Blind Australian of the Year Awards, Nidhi’s work has had a lasting impact on both the disability and multicultural sectors. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the City of Sydney’s Inclusion (Disability) Advisory Panel and has been a dedicated volunteer with various disability organisations since 2005.

Living with mild cerebral palsy and vision impairment, Nidhi uses her personal experiences to break down barriers and challenge cultural stigmas. She is a strong proponent of bilingual advocacy and has worked with the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW on initiatives like Speak My Language (Disability), which has helped shift attitudes towards disability across Australia.

In addition to her leadership roles, Nidhi has contributed to several important projects, including Small Stone and Sexual Lives, Respectful Relationships, and the Community Voices Group at MDAA since 2005. She is also a member of the NSW Network of Women with Disabilities at MDAA. Her advocacy work has been widely recognised, earning her the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award in 2017.

Nidhi’s influence extends beyond multicultural communities, as she works to create inclusive spaces and influence policy at both the local and national levels. In 2024-2025, she will be part of the Settlement Services CALD Reference Group, further strengthening her commitment to inclusive advocacy and support. Nidhi’s extensive involvement in peer support groups and her ongoing advocacy continue to inspire change and make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities across the country.

Neil
Neil Muc | Board Member
Biography

With over 20 years of experience in the commercial sector, Neil has successfully managed large-scale, profitable businesses, demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to excellence. His extensive career has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge in business operations, financial management, and team development.

Neil is a proud Aboriginal man from the Wiradjuri people, with lived experience of mental health challenges. He  brings a deeply personal understanding of resilience, community connection, and the importance of mental health advocacy. His journey has shaped his passion for creating opportunities and supporting individuals from all walks of life.

Now, Neil is focused on giving back to the community, using his professional expertise and lived experience to make a meaningful impact.