Stephanie Coleman - Project Coordinator
About
Stephanie is an experienced leader in the social services sector, with two decades of experience across disability, employment, mental health, and the NDIS. She has worked extensively within not-for-profit organisations delivering government-funded initiatives and has led operational teams through complex change and growth. Her work brings together strategic thinking, service design, and a deep commitment to equity and social justice. Stephanie is known for her calm, collaborative approach and her ability to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose. She values connection, shared learning, and solutions that are grounded, achievable, and shaped by the people they are intended to serve.
Capabilities
Stephanie combines strategic thinking with practical delivery experience to support the design and implementation of impactful projects. She brings strong skills in stakeholder engagement, project coordination, and service innovation—having successfully led initiatives across disability employment, youth development, and mental health sectors. At Beacon Strategies, Stephanie plays a key role in the Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention initiative across Far North Queensland. Her strengths include translating strategic goals into well-defined, achievable projects, while her operational leadership background ensures services are designed for real-world application. She is experienced in navigating complex cross-sector relationships, facilitating meaningful engagement with diverse stakeholders, and supporting teams to maintain alignment and focus on tangible outcomes. Stephanie’s work is rooted in human rights and social justice principles, with a strong interest in addressing the underlying causes of distress and systemic inequities.
Approach to work
Stephanie’s approach is based on community development principles and a focus on respectful, place-based engagement. She works to build trust through consistency, listening, and inclusive practices, making sure collaborative members and community voices are involved throughout the process. With a calm and steady style, Stephanie balances strategic thinking with practicality to guide projects toward meaningful outcomes.
Achievements at Beacon Strategies
Implementation of Cairns Suicide Prevention Community Action Plan
Implementation of the Torres and Cape Suicide Prevention Community Action Plan
Contributed to Queensland Mental Health Commission’s First Nations Suicide Prevention Pilot in Lockhart River
Contributed to Northern Queensland PHN Distress Brief Support service across Atherton Tablelands and Mareeba
Professional Experience
Stephanie’s professional experience spans operational leadership, strategy, performance and project coordination within the social sector.
Project Coordinator – Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention FNQ, Beacon Strategies (2024–present)
Business Partner – Strategy and Performance (Disability Employment Services), CoAct (2022–2023)
General Manager – Operations and Enterprises, Worklink Group (2019–2022)
Performance and Partnerships Leader – Disability Employment Services, Worklink Group (2018)
Youth Development Coach, Vocational Partnership Group (2016–2018)
Business Manager – Job Services Australia, Joblink Plus (2012–2015)
Academic Qualifications
Certificate IV Frontline Management, TAFE NSW, 2009
Bachelor of Community Welfare (Youth Work and Disability), University of Western Sydney, 2006
Career Highlights
Strategic redevelopment, coordination, and facilitation of the Emerging Leaders Program for Cairns Chamber of Commerce (2019–2023)
Co-authored discussion paper: “How people with lived experience of mental illness are disadvantaged by Disability Employment Services” (Worklink Group) that was delivered to DSS General Manager (2019)
Member of the Disability Employment Services tender build team (2018–2023)
Contributed to submissions for CoAct and Worklink Group that successfully secured 70 contracts across Australia
Member of the DSS Taskforce contributing to the redesign of the Inclusive Employment Australia program
Led operational teams through complex change, including the transition from block-funded to NDIS service delivery models within not-for-profit organisations
Personal Interests
Stephanie loves exploring new places and completed a lap around Australia with her family. When not working, she enjoys hiking, spending time at the beach with her kids and dog, and finding time to unwind outdoors.
