Executive team
Dean Graham
CEO
“I believe that everybody should have the support to be employed, have food, have shelter and have a future for themselves and their families.”
Dean Graham
Dean has varied and interesting experience spanning many sectors, including banking, counselling, vocational rehabilitation, business operations, and even spent 2 years teaching English in South Korea. He started in the disability employment area in 2003 as EPIC’s Vocational Rehabilitation Service program manager, before progressing to General Manager of Australasian Services in 2013 and his current role as CEO in 2020.
Dean’s early career experiences in human and community services shaped him greatly, and he has remained passionate about providing a boost for those who need it. He is proud of his work in building a future where disability doesn’t stand in the way of finding a great job.
Prem Nair
Chief Financial Officer
“I am passionate about leading and mentoring staff to be the best they can be in their service to all internal and external stakeholders.”
Prem Nair
Prem has over 30 years’ experience as a senior financial executive across industries including construction, resources and the not-for-profit sector. For the past 20+ years, Prem has been Honorary Treasurer of a local St Vincent de Paul Conference, and has volunteered his time settling and supporting refugees as they adjust to life in Australia. 4 years ago, Prem was appointed to the Board Audit Committee of Southern Cross Care where he serves in an honorary capacity.
Prem started with EPIC in 2014 and now leads the team responsible for finance, information communication technologies, human resources, workplace health and safety, property and fleet. He has found the role to be a great fit which combines his passions of commercial sustainability, leadership and contributing to an organisation with a strong social conscience.
In 2020, Prem was awarded a scholarship to undertake an Executive Leadership Program at the McKinsey Academy.
Rick Staveley
Chief Operating Officer
“I believe in the importance of creating opportunities for people with disability to obtain and maintain full inclusion in their community.”
Rick Staveley
After 24 years in the automotive industry where he held various leadership roles, Rick embarked upon a new career in Disability Services.
Following his passion for helping people with disability obtain and maintain full inclusion in their community, Rick successfully launched and managed EPIC’s first international operation in New Zealand, and was instrumental in establishing EPIC’s European presence.
Rick is responsible for EPIC’s Marketing and Communications team, fleet, property portfolio, customer experience and volunteer program. An accomplished presenter at local, national and international levels, Rick enjoys sharing EPIC’s messages while continuing to advocate for people with disability.
Leadership team
Robert Bailey
Disability Employment Manager
Robert Bailey
Robert joined EPIC as an Employment Advisor with the Vocational Rehabilitation program at Noosa in 2009. Over the course of the next 12 years held the positions of Regional Coordinator, DES Employment Services Manager, Assistant Disability Services Manager and National Performance Manager before being appointed in his current role of Disability Employment Manager.
Ryan Vogler
Disability Employment Manager
“It’s not our disabilities, but our abilities that count.”
Ryan Vogler
Ryan has been with EPIC for over seven years and has worked in various roles across Inner and Outer North Brisbane. Ryan is proud to be leading such an amazing team, who strive each day to make a positive change for people with disability.
Heinrich Labuschagne
Continuous Improvement Manager
“I am passionate about strengthening the organisation and subsequently contributing towards EPIC providing the best possible services to our valued participants.”
Heinrich Labuschagne
Heinrich joined EPIC in 2013. Prior to this, he worked in several industries in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, including not-for-profit, government, health, and manufacturing. As the Continuous Improvement Manager and a part of the Senior Leadership Team, he is responsible for: continuous improvement, quality certification, claims compliance, facilitating and contributing to the identification, implementation, and monitoring of Strategic initiatives, risk and opportunity management, and project management. Some key achievements Heinrich was responsible for over this period include: developing and embedding EPIC’s risk, strategic, quality, and project management frameworks, establishing a continuous improvment culture, implementing EPIC’s ISO27001 and RFFR information security framework, establishing and leading the internal training unit, selecting and implementing SupportAbility, establishing and leading the Centralised Claims Unit, and implementing SharePoint. The Continuous Improvement and Development Team is an integral part of the organisation now and into the future.
Isaac Nicol
Head of ICT
“With a little support, we all have the power to achieve the impossible.”
Isaac Nicol
Isaac’s main objective is to ensure organisations work effectively and efficiently to deliver the best outcomes for stakeholders by using technology as the enabler.
With over seventeen years of experience working as an ICT professional across several industries, Isaac’s true passion is working for Not-for-Profit organisations that support people with a disability. This passion is further demonstrated in his personal life, as he mentor’s young people from diverse backgrounds and donate time and technology to third world countries.
Isaac joined EPIC in 2021 and is responsible for implementing and leading EPIC’s Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Cloud Services and Information Security Management System (ISMS) at strategic, tactical and operational levels.
In a constantly changing technology environment, Isaac stands among leaders who drive the progress of continuous improvement by utilising superior analytical and effective organisational leadership skills to effect positive change.
