Principal Consultant and Investigator
Qualifications:
Master of Policy and Administration
Graduate Diploma in Social Science (in Social Administration)
Bachelor of Education
Graduate Diploma in Educational Counselling
Certificate III in Investigative Services & Certificate IV in Government (Investigation)
Certifications and memberships:
Licensed Investigator
Fellow & Certified Professional Manager: Australian Institute of Management (FAIM) (CPMgr)
Biography:
Colleen brings 13 years’ experience in executive management positions in the South Australian Government including 12 years as an Executive Director in the S.A. Health Commission (SAHC) where she held state-wide responsibility for a range of portfolios including community health, mental health, disability and Aboriginal health services, as well as responsibility across the State’s public health system for human resources (i.e. industrial relations; personnel, organisational and classification services; redeployment; staff development; equal employment opportunity; and occupational health and safety). These executive positions entailed extensive delegations of authority to plan, administer, fund and continuously review agencies in accord with government priorities and community needs, as well as investigation and resolution of a range of concerns and complaints across the system. The latter included being one of two nominated executive managers with state-wide responsibility for investigating and addressing issues reported under the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act 1993.
Other relevant experience includes Assistant Director of the Children’s Services Office, senior positions in the S.A. Public Service Board and Treasury; and Lecturer in Counselling and Group Work in the School of Social Studies (Social Work) at the then S.A. Institute of Technology.
Colleen has been a freelance consultant since 1998 undertaking assignments at the individual, work unit, organisational, state-wide and national levels in the areas of human resource and workplace investigations, reviews and audits; strategic planning; needs assessment; community profiles; policy development; organisational analysis and capacity building; evaluation and review; public sector structures and governmental procedures; governance; and general management.
Since becoming a Licensed Investigator in 2013, Colleen has undertaken numerous investigations for a range of public sector and private entities in Victoria and New South Wales in workplace misconduct, unethical conduct, bullying, harassment, discrimination, physical and sexual assault, fraud and alleged abuse of people in disability services. She was also engaged by the S.A. Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner as an expert reviewer and investigator.