Down Syndrome NSW is pleased to announce the outcome of the 2025 Board nominations process. Nominations closed at 5pm on Wednesday 10 December 2025, and in accordance with section 36.3.e of the Down Syndrome NSW Constitution, the number of nominations received matched the number of vacancies available. As a result, each nominee is taken to be elected without the need for a ballot. We are pleased to introduce the confirmed Board for 2025, whose diverse experience, commitment and leadership will guide our organisation in the year ahead.
President
Carolyn Quinn
Carolyn brings extensive professional expertise and lived experience to her role on the Board. A member of Down Syndrome NSW for 35 years, she is the parent of two adult children with disabilities, including her son who has Down syndrome. Carolyn is deeply committed to strong governance and ensuring positive outcomes for our members.
With more than 40 years of experience across frontline service delivery, management, policy, professional development and senior consultancy, Carolyn’s areas of expertise include child safety and wellbeing, early intervention, abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, human rights-based disability supports, stakeholder engagement and inclusive policy and practice.
For three decades she served as a Company Director and Principal Consultant, providing services to public and not-for-profit organisations in leadership development, stakeholder relations, policy, professional standards, organisational review, results accountability, strategic planning, service model development, research and evaluation.
Carolyn is an experienced board member and lived-experience advocate, having contributed to:
• NSW Ministerial Reference Group on Person-Centred Approaches advising government during the NDIS transition (3 years)
• NSW Carers Advisory Council advising on issues impacting carers (4 years)
• Anglicare Care Governance Committee (2 years)
• NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care SLF Selection Committee (3 years)
• The Shepherd Centre for Deaf Children, Education and Research Committee (6 years)
• Regional Disability Services Review Committee (2 years)
• Special Olympics Regional Committee – Chair (4 years) and Committee Member (6 years)
Carolyn has served as President of Down Syndrome NSW for the past year.
Vice president
Louise Easson
With more than 20 years of experience working across NGOs and state and federal government, Louise brings strong expertise in media, communications and community engagement to the Board. She holds a Master of Media Practice from the University of Sydney and has a well-established background in working with cross-cultural communities, including people living with disability. This experience has given her valuable insight into perspectives that are often overlooked.
In her current role as Media and Communications Manager for a not-for-profit organisation, Louise works closely with clients, families and staff, balancing diverse needs with organisational objectives. She brings highly developed networking skills and complex problem-solving abilities and is committed to supporting DSNSW to engage and represent a diverse membership.
Louise is a proud mum of two children, aged seven and four. Her youngest, Theodore – affectionately known as Teddy – was born with the gift of Down syndrome. Teddy has been the driving force behind her passion for disability rights and her belief in standing with people with Down syndrome, not just for them.
Having navigated the early challenges of pregnancy, new parenthood, medical appointments, preschool transitions and the NDIS, Louise understands the importance of strong community connections. Building friendships with other parents, adults with Down syndrome and their families has been a vital support for her own family. She hopes to strengthen this community spirit by establishing more playgroups, culturally inclusive events and new initiatives that support families at every stage of life.
Louise’s professional background in media has reinforced for her the importance of communication and positive representation. She is committed to helping people with Down syndrome feel confident in sharing their perspectives, understanding content and creating their own stories. She believes that knowledge is power, and that equipping people with Down syndrome with the tools to express themselves authentically is essential to unlocking their full potential and independence.
Over the past year, Louise has served on the Board with integrity, collaboration and a focus on innovation. If elected, she will continue to champion unity, good governance and meaningful progress. She is committed to honouring DSNSW’s 44-year legacy and ensuring people with Down syndrome have a strong, respected and influential voice in shaping their future.
Treasurer
Mark Donachie
Mark brings a strong combination of professional expertise, academic achievement and lived experience to the Down Syndrome NSW Board. As a parent of an eight-year-old child with Down syndrome, he has a deep understanding of the achievements, challenges and daily realities experienced by individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This personal insight continues to shape his values, his advocacy and his commitment to meaningful inclusion.
Mark has more than 20 years of experience working in services for people with disability, including 17 years with his current community-focused disability organisation. Throughout his career he has contributed to initiatives that empower individuals with disability and promote inclusive practice. His work has strengthened his ability to identify and implement strategic directives, understand organisational dynamics, advocate for systemic change and build strong community partnerships.
His academic qualifications reflect a long-standing commitment to the disability sector. Mark holds a Bachelor of Education (Habilitation) from ACU, a Master of Disability Studies from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Cross University. Together, these qualifications provide him with a strong foundation in disability support, advocacy and organisational leadership.
Mark’s blend of professional experience and lived experience ensures his approach is always person-centred, informed and inclusive. He is passionate about fostering communities where individuals with Down syndrome can thrive and about strengthening supports for families across all stages of life. He is committed to contributing strategic insight and constructive leadership to help drive impactful, long-term change.
Mark has served as Secretary of the Down Syndrome NSW Board for the past year.
Secretary
Nicole Fiatarone
Nicole has served on the Down Syndrome NSW Board for the past year and brings a strong combination of professional expertise and lived experience to her role. With a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), she has built her career in the community services sector, working across mental health, youth health and family support. Much of her career has been dedicated to managing and leading state and federal government funded programs that support vulnerable communities.
Nicole also holds an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management through the Mental Health Coordinating Council and has completed a Support Coordination Skill Set through TAFE NSW. She has extensive knowledge of the disability and community sectors and is skilled in supporting individuals to navigate and access appropriate, coordinated services.
In her current role, Nicole is responsible for a wide range of community-based projects, including offsite parenting programs, support groups, workshops, seminars and brokered initiatives. She plays a key role in planning, implementing, measuring, evaluating and reporting on programs funded through both government grants and philanthropic contributions. She also chairs an interagency network focused on improving collaboration between services supporting young parents in her region.
Nicole is the mother of three children, including her six-year-old son, Lucas, who has Down syndrome. Her younger sister, now 35, also has Down syndrome. The Down syndrome community has been a constant presence throughout her life and has shaped her values, her advocacy and her career. Growing up in Griffith and now living on the Central Coast, Nicole has witnessed firsthand the challenges created by limited access to disability supports and medical services in regional areas, and the isolation this can create for people with disability and their families.
With many years of experience working in non-government community organisations, Nicole has led teams, delivered community programs and driven improvements in service delivery. She is a strong communicator, a committed advocate and is passionate about designing services that are guided by the needs and voices of the people they support. Her strong sense of social justice informs both her professional work and personal advocacy, and she is confident in addressing inequities and working collaboratively toward meaningful change.
During her first year on the Board, Nicole has focused on advancing the interests of people with Down syndrome and their families, including advocating for authentic educational choices, increasing awareness and understanding of Down Syndrome Regression Disorder, and strengthening community connections. If re-elected, she hopes to continue contributing her experience, insight and commitment to the ongoing work of Down Syndrome NSW.
Ordinary Board Members
Margot Elliffe
Margot brings more than 20 years of governance experience to the Down Syndrome NSW community, having served in various roles on the DSANSW Board, as well as on the Down Syndrome Australia Board. As the parent of a 38 year old daughter with Down syndrome, she has accessed a wide range of services and educational opportunities over her daughter’s lifetime and has lived the many joys and challenges experienced by families.
When services and supports were not available, Margot collaborated with other local families to ensure no one felt alone. She organised coffee mornings, parent gatherings and, more recently, Wisdom Lunches for parents and carers in Sydney and the Illawarra.
Margot has attended many World Down Syndrome Congresses, gaining both a national and international network of families, professionals and advocates. These experiences have strengthened her knowledge in both a professional and parental capacity.
With more than 25 years of experience as a health professional, presenting at conferences and supporting families in health and education, Margot has a deep understanding of the specific needs of people with Down syndrome. She has a strong passion for networking and sharing information with families and carers of ageing adults with Down syndrome. Through the Wisdom group she has supported parents and carers as they navigate the challenges of ageing, declining health and the increasing need for sibling supports and long term planning.
Margot is also the mother of four adult children. Her youngest, Tara, has Down syndrome. With a background in nursing, specialising in midwifery, child and family health and lactation consultation, Margot has supported DSANSW programs and community initiatives that focus on disability and family wellbeing. She recognises the importance of supporting people with Down syndrome across their entire lifespan, from birth through to ageing.
Margot supported Tara to be successfully mainstreamed through her schooling and later watched her gain open employment and engage in volunteer work. She believes strongly that people with Down syndrome belong in the community and can live full and active lives when given the right opportunities and appropriate support.
Sabrina Forte
Sabrina has been a member of the Down Syndrome NSW Board for the past 12 months and brings extensive experience in advocacy, disability services and supported decision making. Her expertise in co-design, Easy Read development and working alongside people with intellectual disability continues to strengthen her contribution to the organisation.
Sabrina lives in the Parramatta area and is the parent of two sons, Marcus who is 17, and Sebastian who is 20. Sebastian has Down syndrome, and their family has been connected to Down Syndrome NSW since his birth. The support they received during the early years was critical to their wellbeing and shaped Sabrina’s commitment to giving back to the community.
Sabrina has worked in the community sector for more than 25 years and holds a degree in Welfare Studies. She entered the disability sector 15 years ago and has held roles across both government and non-government organisations. Her work has focused strongly on advocacy, including individual, self and systemic advocacy. For the past five years she has worked with the Council for Intellectual Disability, first managing a supported decision making and behaviour support project in partnership with Flinders University, and now as Advocacy and Policy Coordinator.
Sabrina brings significant expertise in partnering with people with intellectual disability. She has co-designed resources, developed Easy Read materials and facilitated workshops that support accessible communication and decision making. Through her work at CID she has developed a strong understanding of good governance and what makes an organisation responsive, accountable and person centred.
Sabrina is often described as practical, sensible and solutions focused. She is also someone who enjoys life, especially live music and dancing.
Sabrina would welcome the opportunity to continue serving on the Down Syndrome NSW Board in 2026, contributing her advocacy skills, sector knowledge and lived experience to support members and strengthen the organisation.
Geoff Johnston
Geoff brings extensive lived experience and deep professional knowledge to the Down Syndrome NSW Board. He is the parent of two children with Down syndrome – his daughter, now 22, and his son, 15. His family’s journey has shaped not only his personal values but also his professional career in early intervention, disability support and community-based leadership.
Geoff and his wife, Jenni, welcomed their daughter in 2003 while living in the Blue Mountains. Like many families, they experienced uncertainty and a lack of clear guidance in the early days. Their connection with Down Syndrome NSW, particularly through Judy Davidson, provided the support, warmth and direction they needed. In 2004 the family moved to the Far South Coast, remaining engaged with Down Syndrome NSW through events, newsletters and community connections. In 2011, after seeing an expression of interest in the DSNSW magazine, Geoff and Jenni adopted their son, bringing him home to his sister and expanding the family’s ties to the Down syndrome community.
Geoff’s advocacy for his children inspired a significant career shift. In 2012 he entered the early intervention sector, working as a teacher and team leader before becoming CEO of PlayAbility Inc, a not-for-profit early intervention organisation, a role he held for six years. Over 13 years he supported families navigating assessments, diagnoses, funding pathways and access to quality therapy, social groups and early childhood supports. He previously served as an Early Intervention teacher for six years and held committee roles with PlayAbility Inc and Sapphire Neighbourhood Service.
In 2025 Geoff stepped down from his CEO role to ensure his son could access the schooling support he needed in the ACT. He now works as a Special Education Teacher – a role he finds both meaningful and energising – and continues to balance professional commitment with the individual needs of his family, even when it requires long-distance coordination during the week.
Geoff lives in the Bega Valley and understands the unique challenges faced by families in rural and regional communities, including limited access to disability supports and isolation from specialised services.
This year Geoff joined the Down Syndrome NSW Board and has been deeply impressed by the organisation’s leadership and the commitment of fellow board members as they navigate complex legacy issues and guide the association into the future. He is passionate about strengthening supports for families across NSW, championing inclusive education and ensuring that DSNSW remains a trusted, responsive and forward-looking organisation for people with Down syndrome and their families.
Lynette Legge
Lyn joined the Down Syndrome NSW Board three years ago with a clear purpose: to give a strong voice to regional families. As the parent of two daughters with Down syndrome, she brings lived experience that reflects the unique challenges faced by families living outside metropolitan areas. Her advocacy has been shaped by years of navigating limited access to medical care, education supports and inclusive community opportunities in regional settings.
Lyn has been an active advocate within her local area, working to improve inclusive access to medical, educational and sporting services for people with Down syndrome and their families. She co-hosts a local Facebook group that helps families stay connected, informed and supported with updates on events, services and community information. She has also played a hands-on role in organising gatherings, welcoming newborns and visiting families in hospital during times of need.
Lyn brings extensive professional and governance experience to the Board, including:
• Lived experience raising two people with Down syndrome in a regional community
• An Advanced Diploma in Accounting, with career progression to Office Manager at a Ford Dealership
• Employment experience with the RTA, Toyota Dealership and ANZ Bank, where she worked for 16 years and became a Loans Officer
• Rostering experience with Australian Home Care
• Self-employment as a bookkeeper
• More than 23 years on the Board of Early Connections Coffs Harbour, where she currently serves as Public Officer
Lyn is passionate about ensuring that regional families are heard, represented and supported. Her long-standing commitment to community advocacy, combined with her governance experience and deep personal insight, continues to strengthen the work of Down Syndrome NSW across the state. She has been a Board member for the past year.
Isabel Ramirez
Isabel brings a strong blend of professional expertise and lived experience to the Down Syndrome NSW Board. She is the proud parent of two young children, Benji who has neuro-sensorial unilateral hearing loss, and Daniel who has Down syndrome. Their journeys have shaped her deep commitment to advocacy, inclusion and strengthening systems of support for families navigating disability.
With a Bachelor of Economics and certifications in Project Management and Scrum, Isabel has built a successful career as a Program Manager in the IT industry. She currently works at MongoDB, an organisation whose values of embracing difference and building together strongly align with her own. Her leadership has been recognised through an End of Year Award that acknowledges her ability to unite teams, mentor colleagues, support Employee Resource Group initiatives, and lead community-focused activities including International Women’s Day events and global offsites.
Isabel’s lived experience navigating the NDIS for her children gives her valuable insight into the challenges faced by families and the need for equitable, accessible and inclusive systems. Her professional skills reinforce this understanding, equipping her to foster collaboration, manage complex initiatives, engage diverse stakeholders and create frameworks that strengthen operations and governance.
She brings to the Board:
• Leadership and Program Management Expertise: Proven ability to deliver complex initiatives, align stakeholders and drive strategic outcomes.
• Advocacy and Collaboration Skills: Experience in inclusive practice, mentoring teams and improving operations across diverse environments.
• Change Management and Governance Knowledge: Ability to create processes that enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.
• Commitment to Empowering Families: A strong understanding of the barriers faced by families navigating disability supports and a dedication to improving equity, access and inclusion.
Over the past year, Isabel has been honoured to serve on the DSNSW Board, working alongside dedicated colleagues to strengthen the association’s stability, safety and responsiveness. The Board has focused on ensuring DSNSW is a trusted, welcoming and community-driven organisation where members can access information, support and meaningful opportunities to participate.
Isabel is eager to continue contributing her lived experience, professional capability and passion for community-building to help guide DSNSW toward a strong and inclusive future. It would be her privilege to serve another term and continue amplifying the voices of people with Down syndrome and their families.
