Our Team

About Ainsley

Our Director, Ainsley Ackerman, has worked in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) space for 5+ years as a Support Coordinator and more recently as a Team Leader in support coordination. Prior to this, Ainsley worked in Disability Employment Services as an Employment Consultant and comes from a strong customer-centered background.

Ainsley has both worked and lived experience in the disability sector, and understands the ‘what, when, why and how’ of finding and linking in the right supports and services to help NDIS participants achieve their goals and live a full and happy life.

She is passionate about helping others, making a positive impact, and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity and support. To Ainsley, it is all about connecting with people, understanding their needs and problem-solving in order to make a difference in people’s lives.

Ainsley was born on the Sunshine Coast, relocating to the Bundaberg region at the age of 12 to live the farm life. Returning to the Sunshine Coast in 2014, Ainsley has continued to enjoy the coastal lifestyle since.

In her free time, Ainsley is a self-care queen. She loves reading, visiting the beach and a quiet day at home. Ainsley also enjoys spending time with family and friends, and attending regular Reformer Pilates classes.

Ainsley provides level 2 support coordination, psychosocial recovery coaching, and capacity / skill building and disability support services. Ainsley works Monday to Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm; and Friday 9:00am-12:00pm.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Certificate IV in Youth Work
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Lived experience
  • Disability Employment Specialist 2020-2021
  • Team Leader - Support Coordination 2023-2024
  • Support Coordinator 2021-Present

About Jade

Our Director, Jade Clarke, brings with her 7 years combined experience in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) space as a child representative, Local Area Coordinator and Support Coordinator.

Jade has worked and lived experience in the disability sector collaborating closely with both children and adult NDIS participants with a variety of impairments including:

  • Intellectual;
  • Cognitive;
  • Neurological;
  • Sensory;
  • Physical; and
  • Psychosocial.

Jade is a motivated and high performing professional with experience in accounts payable and receivable, bookkeeping and payroll as well as coordination, operational, project management and administration roles in government, private and not for profit sectors.

Jade has supported numerous family members with illness and disability, and has had to personally navigate a plethora of government systems such as Medicare, Centrelink, QLD Health, QCAT, Aged Care and NDIS from a consumer perspective. This experience has brought invaluable knowledge and skills to her role and her clients continue to appreciate the advice and wisdom she can bring to the table.

Jade has lived on the Sunshine Coast since the early 90s. She is a wife, a mother, a carer and has managed a small family business whilst continuing to be employed in the local community for the last 13 years.

She has a passion for home and interior design, a flare for writing, a love of animals, enjoys baking, and is in her element when entertaining and spending time with family and friends. Jade is also our resident website and social media content creator.

You know what they say! If you want something done, ask a busy person!

Jade provides level 2 support coordination, psychosocial recovery coaching, and capacity / skill building support services. Jades works Monday to Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm; and Friday 9:00am-12:00pm.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Small business owner since 2013
  • Certificate III in Business Administration
  • Certificate I and II Information Technology
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Lived experience
  • NDIS Child Representative 2019-Present
  • Local Area Coordinator 2020-2022
  • Support Coordinator 2022-Present

About Carly

Carly joins Chrysalis Collective with over 13 years of experience in the mental health and disability sector, having worked across a diverse range of roles including peer support, youth work, youth and adult mental health, disability employment, and most recently coordinating a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Employability Program.

With a warm, caring and person-centred approach, Carly is passionate about empowering people to live their lives to the fullest. She believes in meeting people where they are, listening without judgement and supporting each person with compassion, kindness and respect.

Carly celebrates every achievement, big or small, and is committed to walking alongside participants as they work towards achieving their individual goals.

Carly has both worked and lived experience supporting people with a broad range of disabilities and support needs, including but not limited to:

  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI);

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD);

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD);

  • Down Syndrome; and

  • A range of both physical and psychosocial disabilities.

Carly has a particular passion for helping others build confidence, develop independence and achieve meaningful employment outcomes. Whether she's providing disability support, mentoring or employment assistance, her focus is always on helping clients recognise their strengths and reach their full potential.

Outside of work hours, Carly is an enthusiastic netball player and coaches a year 1-2 girls netball team. She loves seeing young people grow in confidence, develop new skills and enjoy being part of a team. In her spare time, you'll often find her at the beach, reading a good book, camping, spending quality time with family and friends or event planning (her other passion and super power)!

Carly provides capacity / skill building and disability support services on a casual basis and currently has capacity on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 9:00 and 4:00pm.

If you're looking for a professional and experienced support worker who is enthusiastic about helping participants thrive, please reach out if you would like Carly on your support team!

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Certificate IV Community Services
  • Certificate IV Youth Work
  • Certificate IV Property Services
  • Current Blue & Yellow Card Holder
  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Suicide Awareness & De-escalation Training
  • Youth at Risk & Trauma Informed Care Training
  • Barista Certificate Holder
  • Food Safety Certificate
  • White Card Construction Holder