Our People

Alison has been a Speech Pathologist since 1988, and also holds a Masters in Applied Linguistics and an ESL teaching certificate. She has worked in education, the disability sector, health, early intervention and private practice, in Melbourne and London, and taught English at RMIT and a university in Mexico. She now leads a team of Speech Pathologists at Spelfabet in North Fitzroy, focussing on reading and spelling difficulties. Alison set up the Spelfabet website in 2012, to encourage early literacy teaching and intervention that reflects scientific research. She was 2015-16 Vice President of Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA), and has also been a Yarra City Councillor and Mayor. She received LDA’s 2018 Mona Tobias Award, and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022.

Heidi Gregory is a parent advocate and information specialist with over a decade of experience supporting families of children with specific learning disorders, including dyslexia and dyscalculia. She is the Founder of Dyslexia Victoria Support, established in 2014, now the largest parent-led dyslexia support community in Australia. She currently serves as Vice President of SPELD Victoria, working at the interface between families, schools and policy. Her work includes government submissions, stakeholder engagement, and community-informed research. Her academic and scholarly contributions include co-authoring the 2025 Dyslexia Victoria Support Parent Survey on Maths Learning Difficulties and Dyscalculia, co-authoring the peer-reviewed article Parental Stress and Satisfaction Following Dyslexia Assessment in Australia (Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 2025), and contributing to the evidence-based literacy field as foreword author of Evidence-Based Support for Children and Young People with Additional Needs: The Roadmap (2026). Her work focuses on strengthening accountability under the Disability Discrimination Act and promoting Systematic Synthetic Phonics and Explicit Teaching.

Amanda is a registered psychologist who has extensive experience working in the fields of education and mental health. While working in schools, Amanda has taken an active role on leadership teams to initiate and champion change. With this passion for evidence based best practices Amanda had led the implementation of whole school approaches to literacy and wellbeing. To complement her psychology training, and to reflect her ongoing interest in education, Amanda is currently studying a Master of Secondary teaching, with a specialisation in learning enhancement.

Peter joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in 1983 where he was involved with the creation of the Concert Music Division of the ABC. He subsequently left ABC and embarked on a successful and long career in finance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) where he played a key role in the corporatization of the organisation, implementing crucial financial systems and corporate structure. He left the MSO in 2008 and became the Financial Director for the Melbourne Theatre Company for a year. In 2010, he took the position as Director Corporate Services for the recently constructed Melbourne Recital Centre. After leaving MRC in 2011, Peter began working as a financial consultant for clients such as Australia Council, National Theatre and Orchestra Victoria. In 2015 he accepted a year’s position as the Financial Controller for the Glen Eira Kindergarten association. In 2017 he was appointed to the position of CEO of the National Theatre in St Kilda which he held until retirement in 2020. Peter has had a long history of volunteering for not-for-profit boards, he held the board treasurer position with Lucy Guerin Pty Ltd for 9 years and is currently the Treasurer of Speak Percussion Pty Ltd and SPELD Victoria.

Chair of Research committee Prior to his retirement Keith Houghton was Professor of Business Administration at the Australian National University. He is now an Emeritus Professor of the University. Professor Houghton holds degrees from the University of Western Australia, the University of Melbourne and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia and the Institute of Accountants in Australia. For eight years Professor Houghton served as Dean of the University’s College of Business and Economics and its antecedent bodies.

Mandy Nayton OAM is the CEO of SPELD Victoria, DSF Literacy and Clinical Services, and President of AUSPELD (the Australian Federation of Specific Educational Learning Difficulties Associations). She is an educational and developmental psychologist and qualified teacher with extensive experience in the field of literacy education. Mandy supports schools with literacy planning and provides professional development in the areas of literacy acquisition and intervention, vocabulary development, working memory, cognitive load and the science of reading. Mandy is a passionate advocate for evidence-informed instruction and is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University’s School of Allied Health. She is a leading Australian LETRS Trainer and has conducted research and published numerous papers in collaboration with UWA, Curtin and the ACU.

Ashraf is the Specialist Education Consultant at SPELD Victoria where he provides, coordinates and develops the organisation’s Educational Services. Based in Melbourne, Ashraf presents a wide variety of workshops where his presentation style has been described as clear, engaging and fun. He enjoys facilitating sessions where knowledge, experiences and good practice can be shared amongst those that he trains. Previously, Ashraf spent the last 14 years teaching and coaching students with learning difficulties in Singapore at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore. His last role as the Director of Specialised Education Services has seen him taking the lead in various curriculum development projects; teacher training initiatives; presenting in numerous local and international workshops; and collaborating with educators to implement initiatives in schools to promote inclusivity for students with learning difficulties. He is a strong advocate for the disadvantaged and has been very active in spreading the awareness of learning difficulties around the world. Ashraf holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Educational Leadership from Monash University; and a Double Diploma Dyslexia and Teaching & Training from the University of Cambridge, UK. When Ashraf isn’t presenting, he is listening to classical music, enjoying chocolate and chai lattes, and exploring his new home in Melbourne with his family.

Mim Davidson, N.T. Carysfort Training College, Dublin; Diploma of Teaching of the Deaf, University College Dublin; Graduate Diploma in Special Education, University of Melbourne. Mim has been involved with SPELD Victoria since 1970. Her tireless work has enabled SPELD Vic to work with families, teachers and individuals in Victoria as well as making links within Australia and around the world building our knowledge of dyslexia and learning difficulties in children and adults of all ages. Qualified as a Primary Teacher and a Teacher of the Deaf in Ireland, Mim also has postgraduate qualifications in the area of specific learning difficulties from the University of Melbourne. Currently, Mim is also a consultant with Learning Difficulties Australia. She has worked across higher education, primary and secondary schooling to see children and adults achieve their educational goals.

Rupinder holds a Master’s in Information Technology. She brings project management experience and has helped small businesses optimise their workflows. She manages all of SPELD Victoria’s IT systems and the online bookstore, ensuring the smooth running of the organisation’s systems, vendor relationships, finance, and business operations. Rupinder also oversees financial processes, reviews IT policies, and identifies opportunities to enhance efficiency and improve operations. Known for her problem-solving nature and commitment to high-quality customer service, she continually works on processes to support and empower her colleagues. A lifelong learner, she is always improving her skills and staying up-to-date with technology and operational best practices. Beyond her professional role, Rupinder enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time in nature.

Petina is the Events and Marketing Officer at SPELD Victoria, where she coordinates and delivers professional learning workshops and events that support educators, allied health professionals, and families across Victoria. In her role, she manages event logistics, communications, registrations, and marketing campaigns to ensure workshops run smoothly and participants have a positive learning experience. Petina brings extensive experience in program coordination, events, and marketing across education, innovation, and community-focused organisations. Prior to joining SPELD Victoria, she worked in roles supporting large-scale programs, stakeholder engagement, and event delivery, including initiatives at Deakin University, Findex and Etsy. Outside of work, Petina enjoys creative projects, exploring local cafés, and spending time cooking and experimenting with new recipes.

Mia is one of SPELD Victoria's Family Support Officers, providing administrative support and also maintaining the organisation's marketing and communications. She holds a Bachelor's of Social Work (Honours) and has worked for various NGOs for over 4 years, including some time at SPELD NSW’s branch. Being neurodivergent herself, Mia is passionate about promoting neurodiversity and advocating for better supports and inclusion. In her spare time, Mia enjoys creative and immersive hobbies such as reading, gaming, and various arts and crafts.

Megan Payne (they/them) is a Family and Admin Support Officer at SPELD Victoria. Prior to this, they worked as Operations Manager at Emerging Writers’ Festival, and they have a background as a contemporary dancer and choreographer. They hold a Bachelor of Dance and an Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing. Megan is passionate about behind-the-scenes work and supporting people to access health and arts services and experiences. At SPELD, this motivates them to support individuals and families by providing clear information, resources and guidance tailored to their needs. They are relatively new to SPELD and hope that their contribution will be meaningful. Outside of work, Megan writes fiction – often featuring supernatural and shapeshifting stories exploring queer and trans identities. They also enjoy reading and knitting.

Andre is the bookkeeper at SPELD Victoria. He is new to the organisation as of 2026 and excited to join the team in providing support to individuals with learning difficulties to achieve their full potential. He has a personal connection with learning difficulties and values the importance of advocacy and support work highly. His role at SPELD Victoria is to record financial transactions and to help streamline processes to enable the organisation to run as smoothly as possible. He began his professional life as a primary school teacher and since moving to finance has worked in a large variety of fields, with not for profits, arts, hospitality, manufacturing, and with teams large and small. He enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors cycling and swimming and listening to and making music.

Sarah is a clinical neuropsychologist, board-approved supervisor, and the Lead Psychologist at SPELD Victoria. In addition to leading the clinical team, she sees families for general advice as well as diagnostic and psychoeducational assessments. She has previously taught and supervised early career psychologists at several universities across Melbourne and has worked with young people with learning and developmental differences in schools, hospital, and private practice. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, drinking lots of coffee, and exploring nature.

Emma is a psychologist and Educational and Developmental Registrar, having completed a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at the University of Melbourne in 2024, where she was awarded a place on the Dean’s Honours List. She has experience working across Student Support Services, primary and secondary schools, and private practice, supporting young people and individuals with complex needs. Her clinical interests include cognitive functioning, neurodivergent presentations, academic skill development, and helping individuals navigate and access the school system in ways that support their unique learning profiles. She has particular experience working alongside neurodivergent young people and their families, providing support within a neurodiversity-affirming framework that respects and celebrates different ways of thinking, learning, and being. She is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and respectful spaces where individuals feel understood and supported. Fun fact: She loves animals and hopes to one day incorporate therapy animals into her practice!

Dr Elaine Moran (B.Ed. (Ed & Psych), PGDip. (Inclusive & Special Education), DEdPsych) is a Registered Psychologist with a Doctorate in Educational Psychology from University College Dublin, Ireland. At SPELD Victoria, she provides comprehensive assessments and individualised recommendations to support learning and development. She works closely with families, schools, and individuals, using a neuro-affirmative and person-centred approach. Elaine began her career as a primary school teacher, which continues to inform her understanding of learning and her collaborative work with schools and families. Her research interests include restorative practice and understanding children’s behaviour as communication, and she has published research in this area. Elaine is registered with AHPRA and is a Chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.