Our people

Bev’s career in the community sector has stretched across her entire lifespan, starting as a youth worker in the 1980s, working in child protection and family support, women’s health, and most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of Advocare. Bev has consistently dedicated her career to systemic advocacy for people experiencing difficulty. Bev has completed a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact from UWA and a BA in Youth Studies.

Prior to joining Advocare, Bev was Chief Executive Officer at Consumer Credit Legal Service WA and has also held leadership positions at the Department of Communities, Lotterywest, Financial Counsellors’ Association of WA, and South Coastal Women’s Health Service. Bev also brings considerable Board experience and is currently a Director on the Financial Counselling Industry Fund, and sits on the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority, Nursing and Midwifery Board as a community member.

Bev is passionate about social justice and human rights and has a particular interest in stopping the scourge of family violence and elder abuse.

Harry is a results-focused business professional with a distinguished track record in financial management and strategic leadership. He is passionate about fostering collaborative environments where team members feel supported and motivated — values that strongly align with Advocare’s mission. 

Holding a Bachelor of Business degree and a CPA qualification, Harry has built a diverse career, spanning roles in both Australia and Southeast Asia. He excels in both top-down and hands-on financial management. His tenure includes five years as CFO for a Perth-based AI technology startup, where he played a pivotal role in raising seed capital during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Harry is no stranger to Advocare, having successfully completed a six-month stint in 2023, where he led the implementation of a new accounting system and year-end audit process. Now, as Corporate Services Manager Advocare benefits from his financial acumen and team management skills. 

Hazel joined Advocare in 2018 and has worked across various programs supporting the rights of older people in Western Australia. She brings in-depth knowledge and grassroots experience working as a Senior Case Coordinator in community home care.

In 2023, Hazel graduated from the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program, from which she hopes to give back to the community through participation on boards and supporting the leadership team at Advocare.

In her most recent role as Senior Project Officer, she worked closely with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) in the design and delivery of the Home Care Check-in Service Pilot. Through this, she’s gained a greater understanding of the barriers older people experience, how ageism impacts quality of life and wellbeing, and the importance of a trauma-informed approach to care and service provision.

Hazel currently oversees various programs at Advocare that provide specialist support to a vulnerable cohort of older people. Taking her experience from the Home Care Check-in Service, she will continue to assist Advocare to maintain a trauma-informed approach and person-led service, ensuring older people are always at the centre of the service. These learnings will also assist Advocare’s leadership team to meet its strategic objectives and shine a spotlight on the outstanding service it provides to older people in Western Australia.

Erin has more than 20 years of experience working with peak bodies, professional services and small to large-sized, private organisations. She has extensive experience in community and regional development, stakeholder engagement, project management, leadership and marketing and communications. 

Erin joined Advocare in 2021, drawn to the values of Social Justice, Empowerment, Integrity and Equity, and is committed to shining a light on the issues and challenges older Western Australians face. 

Erin leads our community development, volunteer, projects, people & safety and marketing & communications teams. She is passionate about driving Work Health and Safety initiatives to support and increase the health and wellbeing of the Advocare team.  She enjoys growing our brand and strengthening our community and stakeholder relationships to increase our support for older Western Australians. 

With more than 30 years of experience in managing and coordinating aged care, Aboriginal health, and community and allied health services, Shawnee brings deep expertise and leadership to the aged care sector. Her extensive knowledge spans key issues and reforms within aged care with a particular focus on elder abuse prevention and aged care advocacy.

Shawnee currently oversees the operation of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) and the WA Elder Abuse Helpline. She also represents Advocare on the national Older Persons Advocacy Network’s Advocacy, Operations and Practice Advisory Group, and contributes her expertise as a member of the Compass Content Committee for Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA).

Shawnee has served on numerous advisory bodies while at Advocare, including as an independent customer representative on the Juniper Quality Advisory Care Body and as a member of the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre Advisory Group, which is focused on supporting older people at risk of harm. She has also participated in key consultations such as the Review of Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Offending and WA’s First Sexual Violence Prevention Response Strategy.

As an education specialist, Shawnee is dedicated to building community awareness around human rights, aged care rights, and elder abuse. She played a pivotal role in the development and delivery of the #ReadyToListen Project, equipping residential aged care providers in WA with the knowledge and tools to better respond to and prevent the sexual assault of older people in their care.

Driven by a passion for justice and equity, Shawnee works to champion the rights of older people. Her mission is to ensure every vulnerable, marginalised, or silenced person is seen, heard, respected and supported.

Bianca is the new WA Seniors Peak Manager, which provides a collective voice and elevates the perspectives of older Western Australians to ensure they are supported, connected, and heard across a range of issues impacting our ageing population. She has extensive experience in community and stakeholder engagement, education and awareness raising initiatives. Bianca has a particular interest in preventative and responsive measures against the abuse and mistreatment of older people, as well as shifting our shared narratives around ageing.