Alzheimer's WA Leadership Team
Warren Harding - Chairman and Head of Research, Grants, and Innovation
Warren Harding (AM) was appointed to the Board in 2018/19. Warren has over 30 years of strategic management consulting and other NFP board experience. He was the former Ministerial adviser to a state Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and held various senior government roles including Treasury.
Warren has a very broad international experience with PwC, Deloitte and Accenture at Managing Partner level in Asia Pacific serving some of the world’s largest companies in energy, mining, telecommunications; life-sciences, health and public sector. He has been an External Adviser to McKinsey & Company. He has led major organisational transformations involving complex OPEX/CAPEX budgets; major technology change and has a track record of building culture and developing talent.
He was a co-founder of the Future of Work Institute in WA and has been a regular speaker on future work skills, and the human factors of digitisation; AI and Automation and digital health accutive technology and wearables.
He was the Minister for Health’s Nominee on the Sustainable Health Review (2017-2019) and has strong views around financial sustainability, addressing inequity of regional access and delivery, the opportunity for digital health and assistive technology to support care in the home, and importance of workforce training. He has real-lived experience with dementia as a carer. He was appointed by the State Government to the Board, Disability Services Commission in 2020.
Warren holds a Bachelor of Science (First Class Hons) from the University of Western Australia, a Graduate Diploma in Media (AFTRS); was a British Council Scholar at London School of Economics; and holds an Adjunct Professorship to the Curtin Faculty of Health Sciences.
Ella Dachs - Chief Executive Officer
Ella Dachs has over twenty years of consulting experience in change management and is an experienced People and Organisation Culture Change professional. Her career began in Tax, then Human Resources and continued on to Change Management and Talent Development. She has held operational and leadership roles and has developed a comprehensive understanding of different industry sectors across multiple geographies.
Ella is the CEO and leads a dedicated team of talented professionals who have extensive experience in Care and Support Services, People and Culture, Education, Consulting, Finance, Marketing, Brand and Digital Strategy. The team is committed to providing high quality, person-centred services that can improve the lives of those living with dementia.
Ella holds a B.Bus. Organisational Psychology and Human Resources Management (UCT) and a Post Grad. Dip. Marketing (IMM). She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion to ensure Alzheimer’s WA delivers on our purpose, to be the dementia care experts and ensure AWA is an employer of choice.
“At Alzheimer’s WA, we look forward to developing trusted relationships with our ageing community and working with you, your family, friends and loved ones to enable and empower our ageing to live independently in their own homes for longer and to age in place with dignity in order to become truly inclusive dementia-friendly communities.”
Nigel Holmes – Head of Finance and Operational Performance
The Aged Care sector is going through significant change and Nigel’s role is focused on creating financial value for the organisation and its members. To achieve this, we need to ensure we have robust systems and processes in place. Being able to introduce improvements and efficiencies to realise value provides job satisfaction.
Nigel has significant finance and commercial experience from working across various industries in senior finance roles. Working for Alzheimer’s WA has allowed him to be part of a values-based organisation that addresses the needs of those living with dementia.
Nigel is a Member of CPA Australia and enjoys mentoring finance staff to help them achieve CPA membership.
Lillian Ng – Senior Manager, People & Culture
As Senior People and Culture Manager, Lillian brings more than 20 years of diverse experience in Human Resources, predominantly within the Oil and Gas sectors across Europe,
Southeast Asia, and Australia. This extensive background has equipped her with a profound understanding of cultural dynamics across the Global, European, and Asian spaces. Lillian adopts a strategic approach and possesses a genuine
enthusiasm for tackling complex HR challenges. She is adept at developing HR initiatives and projects that enhance performance and professional development.
Lillian possesses comprehensive knowledge of Australian Human Resources, Industrial Relations, and Employee Relations. She excels at fostering collaborative work environments that align with Alzheimer’s WA’s values. Her capacity to deliver impactful HR solutions and drive strategic people initiatives provides a fresh perspective that ensures quality and consistency in our aged care services, thereby
significantly contributing to our success in delivering exemplary service in the Business We Serve.
Lillian holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Portsmouth, major in Human Resource Management. She has successfully completed Mergers and Acquisitions for leading industries and has gained valuable experience in change management through her collaboration with Bain Consultancy. These experiences enable her to contribute effectively to AWA Continuous Organisational Development and Transformation initiatives.
Jonelle Kapsalos - Marketing Manager
Jonelle Kapsalos is a purpose-driven marketing and fundraising leader with over 25 years of experience spanning the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. As Marketing Manager at Alzheimer’s WA, Jonelle brings a deep commitment to community impact. Her expertise lies in developing integrated marketing, communications, and fundraising strategies that elevate brand presence and drive meaningful engagement. Jonelle’s approach is grounded in empathy, creativity, and strategic insight—qualities that align closely with Alzheimer’s WA’s mission to support people living with dementia, their families, and carers.
A graduate of Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science, Jonelle is also an alumna of the Marketing Week Mini MBA with Professor Mark Ritson. She holds multiple certifications in digital marketing, content strategy, and leadership, and is a proud member of the Fundraising Institute Australia and the Australian Marketing Institute.
Sana Tariq – Executive Officer
Sana brings a wealth of expertise and a distinguished track record of excellence to our team, derived from over eight years of close collaboration with top executives, CEOs, and board members. She has adeptly navigated diverse work cultures and dynamics across multiple industries, including retail, real estate, and environmental services. As a seasoned professional, her core strengths encompass providing strategic support to senior leadership, ensuring seamless operations, and facilitating informed decision-making processes.
Renowned for her unwavering commitment to excellence and meticulous approach, Sana consistently strives to optimize organizational performance and foster a collaborative work environment. Her proactive and positive demeanor is instrumental in driving success and ensuring long-term growth.
Skye Forsyth - House Manager, Walker House, Woodvale
Skye found her passion in the Aged Care sector 7 years ago, whilst working in Lifestyle for Cognitive Support. Skye joined Alzheimer’s WA in 2022, commencing as a Support Worker, then moving into an Assistant Co-ordinator role, to now, House Manager to Walker House. Skye has consistently gone above and beyond with a calm, caring, and respectful approach to every task and interaction. Skye’s genuine commitment to the well-being of our Members, Staff and overall Community has made a lasting impression. Skyes journey in Community Services has equipped her with extensive hands-on experience and knowledge in Dementia/Cognitive Support with an unwavering dedication to person centred care, maintaining independence & identity, and overall change in public perception and understanding of Dementia related illnesses.
Outside of her profession, Skye is a mother of 2, enjoys creative writing, Australian History and loves travelling around Western Australia.
Errolette Kemp - House Manager - Ella's House, Mandurah
Originally from New Zealand, Errolette discovered her passion for the community sector while working in mental health. This early experience led her through various roles, including frontline worker, administration, and coordination, ultimately advancing into managerial positions.
With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she has dedicated her career to mental health, disability, aged care, and community services.
Her journey has equipped her with a deep understanding of various funding schemes and a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of care and support within the community.
“I am passionate about making a positive impact and fostering inclusive environments that empower individual.’’
Kate Jones - House Manager - Hawthorn House, Albany
Kate worked in the critical care setting in the UK before emigrating to AU and transferring into the age care sector and NDIS. Kate is a registered nurse with over 20-years’ experience in critical and aged care. Kate is an experienced manager with 14 years’ experience managing residential aged care and residential Disability care and is looking to develop her existing skills into community-based care.
The opportunity to work with a leading organisation specialising in dementia focussed care has been a dream opportunity and working with Hawthorn House in Albany which holds such a strong reputation in the community is a real pleasure.
Kate Swift-Drummond - House Manager - Mary Chester House, Shenton Park
Kate is a highly experienced Registered Nurse with over 20 years in the profession, including more than a decade at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. She graduated from Edith Cowan University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has since built a diverse career spanning clinical care, management, and education.
Kate brings strong clinical knowledge, well-developed communication skills, and a compassionate approach to every interaction. Her passion for aged care was inspired by the close relationships she shared with her grandparents, and she values spending time with older Australians, the people who shaped our world.
With a keen interest in dementia specialist care, Kate is dedicated to delivering high-quality support and advocating for clients and their families. She believes in maintaining dignity and respect for every individual while providing guidance and reassurance to loved ones. Her commitment to education reflects her desire to share knowledge that benefits all.
