Bernadette Praske - Principal Consultant
About
Bernadette has worked across the health and social services sector. Her experience includes consumer and stakeholder engagement for primary and tertiary health organisations and operational leadership within the social and community care service sector. Bernadette places values at the forefront of her work with others, is consultative, inclusive and takes a strengths-based approach while focusing on improving client care experiences and organisational outcomes.
As a senior consultant, Bernadette delivers projects that provide tailored solutions to organizational priorities. Her key capabilities include strategic planning, framework development, service reviews, service design and consultation and co-design. She is committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for clients and is experienced in working collaboratively with Boards, executive and senior leadership. She also has extensive experience engaging directly with community members and lived experience representatives.
Capabilities
Bernadette brings strong project management and change management skills to support clients in the achievement of impactful outcomes. Her approach strives to bring clarity, consistency, creativity, insight and attention to detail to all aspects of the work, ensuring the results are meaningful and of high quality.
Bernadette’s experience in the health and community sectors allows her to offer nuanced and practical solutions that respond to strategic and operational challenges. Skills in co-creation support the ability to bring client ideas and aspirations to life ensuring that the project results respond to the identified aims.
Bernadette has the ability to lead projects in a collaborative and consultative way, ensuring all voices are heard, clients are supported in a holistic way throughout the process and the aims of the project remain at the centre of the work.
Achievements
Led the Play Matters Australia strategic planning process which included desktop research, extensive stakeholder consultation and facilitation of Board and leadership workshops. The work culminated in the development of the strategy for 2025-2028.
Led the consultation phase of Queensland Alliance for Mental Health’s PATHS project delivering workshops with diverse community groups and facilitating a townhall event with service providers and community representatives.
Led a needs assessment project for the Healthy Minds Healthy Lives Partnership who sought to understand the perinatal mental health needs of parents in the West Moreton and Darling Downs regions.
led the co-design of a specialised alternative learning pathway program for young people in contact with the youth justice system.
Developed a relationship management framework. The project incorporated consultation, co-design and the development of the framework and associated tools to support general practice engagement.
Led the development of an organisational Outcome and Impact Framework. Project includes development of outcome and impact indicators and the development of program logic models.
Academic qualifications
Bachelor of Social Science (majoring in health in society) - University of Queensland 2011
Certificate in Applying Behavioural Science to Create Change - Monash University 2021
Professional experience
Bernadette has held positions across the health and community service sectors. She has spent time in commonwealth and state government departments, primary health care organisations, and community services.
Senior Consultant, Beacon Strategies (2025 – current)
Director, Consumer, Carer and Community Partnerships, Queensland Health (2024)
Chief Operating Officer, Mercy Community (2023)
Head of Mates4Mates, (2020-2022)
Chief Operating Officer, Goolburri AHA (2018 – 2019)
Senior Manager Planning, Design and Engagement, Darling Downs West Moreton PHN (2017 – 2018)
Principal Engagement Advisor, West Moreton Health (2015 – 2017)
Community Engagement Coordinator, West Moreton Oxley Medicare Local (2013-2015)
Rehabilitation Officer/Consultant, CRS Australia (2007-2012)
Career highlights
Prior to joining Beacon Strategies, Bernadette’s career highlights include:
Development of a statewide consumer engagement framework and strategy for Queensland Health
Strategic review and operational restructure of disability services for operational and financial efficiency
Executive and operational leadership of a multi-site national charity providing allied health and social services to facilitate veteran and family recovery.
Giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide and co-authoring a submission to the Commission.
Co-creation of extensive video/website resources in languages with African refugee communities to improve access to health information in Australia
Co-design and implementation of a child development initiative in the Lockyer Valley in response to the ADEC data.
Personal interests
I really enjoy winding down with yoga and breath work. I love walking my dog pretty much anywhere – in the middle of the city, out in nature and at the beach. I really enjoy time with my family and friends, particularly when there is great food involved.
