These are the staff who take take care of the day-to-day running of the Alliance and the various projects that the Alliance is working on.
Nicky Bath
She/her
Nicky Bath joined the Alliance in August 2018 as Executive Director and brings with her experience she gained from roles such as the Associate Director, LGBTI Health Programming and Development at ACON, Manager of the Harm Reduction and Viral Hepatitis Branch at the NSW Ministry of Health as well as several senior positions in State and National drug user organisations including CEO of the NSW Users and AIDS Association.
Prior to moving to Australia in 2000, Nicky worked as the Manager of an innovative harm reduction service which was part of the National Health Service in London. During this time she was also involved in international work including projects commissioned by the World Health Organisation.
Nicky is committed to advancing the health and human rights of marginalised communities through co-design and working in partnership.
Lucy Abbott
QLife National Project Manager
Lucy joined the National LGBTI Health Alliance in January 2018 as National Project Manager for QLife: a national LGBTI-specialist telephone and web counselling service.
Lucy has worked for 15 years in the Aboriginal mental health and drug and alcohol sectors, in both government and non-government agencies, with a recent focus on workforce support. She has a passion for, and commitment to, social justice, sustainability and wellbeing, and is excited to be working for her own community in this role. Lucy has a BA (Hons) in Third World Studies and Womens Studies.
Originally from the UK, Lucy has lived in Sydney for 23 years, except for one year spent in Alice Springs.
Daniel Comensoli
Policy & Research Coordinator
Daniel joined the Alliance in January 2018 as a Policy Officer. Prior to this, Daniel was actively involved in party politics, campaigning at the national and state level and working in the electorate office of a federal MP. He has also been responsible for some of marriage equality's community outreach at the local level and has taken a keen interest in LGBTI policy reform. This led Daniel to volunteer for Australian Marriage Equality and the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby's Policy Working Group, as well as joining the Equality Campaign team. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from the University of Wollongong, a Master of Politics and Public Policy and a Master of Research from Macquarie University. During his university studies, Daniel conducted extensive research into a range of LGBTI policy issues within a legislative and human rights framework. Through policy and advocacy, Daniel is passionate about working towards a society where LGBTI people and communities are free from stigma and discrimination in an effort to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Leon Fernandes
Ageing & Aged Care Training Officer
Leon Fernandes has been working in the training and workforce development sector for over 20 years. Most recently, he was a TAFE teacher in community services. His main professional areas of expertise are alcohol, other drugs and mental health, as well as blood-borne viruses. He is also a visual artist and a father. He comes to the LGBTI Health Alliance with passion for social justice, creativity, collaboration and solidarity.
Leon holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Science from RMIT and is currently undertaking a Masters in Health Communication at the University of Sydney.
Riccardo Ingle
QLife Practice Standards Coordinator
Riccardo Ingle works with partner sites to produce our key QLife program, coordinating staff, volunteers & community to build a robust and resilient service – one which continues to enrich and strengthen our diverse population – through every interaction.
Riccardo has five years of experience as a QLife Peer Supporter and a thorough understanding of the nature of QLife, as Australia's oldest national counselling line. Riccardo has a strong passion for community activism and the healing potential of this community.
Tarnia "Tarn" Lee
Qlife Capacity Building Manager
Tarnia joined the Alliance in July 2013 as the QLife capacity building manager.
Tarnia has worked in the alcohol and other drugs field for approximately 8 years. In her previous role Tarnia developed and managed an innovative consumer participation project involving both clients and staff in pharmacotherapy clinics across Australia.
Prior to this project Tarnia worked in ACON's drug and alcohol project. In this role Tarnia recognised the need for improved and easily accessible mental health initiatives to support and improve the health of the LGBTI communities.
Heath Reed
National Coordinator, Stakeholder Engagement
He/They
Heath has a strong background in community development, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive practice training. Heath has worked across sectors such as youth, disability, mental health, public health promotion and now ageing and aged care with Silver Rainbow. Heath loves to work collaboratively, share ideas and foster a professional community of meaningful work and support. Being a positive thinker, Heath always sees a possibility/ opportunity/ learning/ growth & development in every situation.
In addition to his work, Heath has participated on not-for-profit boards, worked with advocacy groups and volunteered in many community programs. He is passionate about increasing opportunities for LGBTI people to achieve good health, well-being and building resilience within communities.
Zed Tintor
Programs Coordinator, Capacity Building Manager
Zed Tintor joined the Alliance in September 2019 as Programs Coordinator, Capacity Building Manager.
Zed has worked for twenty-five years in the not-for-profit community service sector, specialising in homelessness, housing and mental health. She is an experienced practitioner in strategic, operational and human resource management. Zed has a BA in Sociology, Social Policy and Gender Studies, and an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management.
Zed is committed to trauma informed care principles and developing sustainable partnerships to deliver integrated service responses.
Peter Wei
Data & Reporting Analyst
My background is in health informatics and population health, where I have been involved in the development of detailed clinical models for electronic medical records (EHRs), mHealth (mobile health) apps, and have also been involved in various research pertaining to non-communicable diseases. My key area of interest are the application of health informatics in improving equitable health outcomes and experiences for people accessing services.
Charlie Willbridge
MindOUT National Projects Officer
They/them
Charlie Willbridge joined the Alliance in 2015 as a project officer with the National Mindout project. They came to the role with extensive experience within the LGBTI sector as a specialist counsellor and youth worker with the NSW based service Twenty10 incorporating GLCS. Charlie's combined 20 years of experience in counselling, community work, health promotion and retail business and team management gives them a holistic approach to their work and a diverse understanding of issues affecting the social services, health and welfare sectors in Australia.
Charlie has studied at the Australian College of Applied Psychology and is currently undertaking post graduate studies in Public Health/Health Promotion.