Amanda Hendren - Director / Service Delivery Manager
Amanda started her career as a psychologist at Baillie Henderson Hospital in Toowoomba working in the Acquired Brain Injury and Dual Disability units. In 1998 she left Australia to travel and work overseas for eight years returning to Brisbane in 2006 and taking up a position as a psychologist working in correctional facilities. Reconnecting with her psychological roots she went on to specialise in working with people with cognitive impairment in the prison system and in 2010 moved to the position of Senior Dual Disability Coordinator with Mental Health Services where she remained until 2017. Amanda has also worked with the Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service.
Amanda started working in private practice in 2013 specialising in dual disability and naturally moved into working with NDIS participants when the scheme rolled out in Queensland. She has completed a Master of Disability Studies and is currently studying a Master of Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis and is a registered Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Amanda is part of our Sunshine Coast team.
Lauren Pennisi - HR & Operations Lead
Lauren supports AJH across HR, Operations, Finance, and IT. She brings a diverse background in administration and sales within private banking, alongside a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Most recently, Lauren transitioned from management and instructing in the Pilates industry to join the AJH team, bringing her organisational skills, attention to detail, and proactive approach to every project she undertakes.
Lauren is known for her friendly, approachable nature and her ability to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. She values teamwork and enjoys contributing to a positive, efficient workplace environment.
Outside of work, Lauren loves spending time at the beach, being with her family, and caring for her gorgeous pets. She enjoys maintaining a balanced lifestyle and draws energy from her personal interests, which reflect her dedication to wellness, connection, and living life to the fullest.
Lauren is part of our Sunshine Coast team.
Leanne Wiki - Service Delivery Manager
Leanne is our Service Delivery Manager at AJH, bringing nearly four decades of nursing experience across Australia and New Zealand, alongside extensive leadership and management expertise. With a strong clinical background, Leanne has worked across primary care, cardiac rehabilitation, Indigenous health, correctional nursing, and NDIS service delivery, supporting individuals with complex clinical, mental health, and behavioural support needs.
Throughout her career, Leanne has trained nursing and support staff in clinical care and behaviour support within home-based, SIL, and SDA settings. She is deeply committed to high-quality, person-centred service delivery and is known for her strong leadership, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex and dynamic environments.
Having recently returned to the Sunshine Coast, Leanne enjoys coastal living, swimming, gardening, reading, music, travel, and spending time with her family and friends. She is a proud mum of three adult children and shares her home with a much-loved collection of pets.
Leanne is part of our Sunshine Coast team.
Tara James - Administration Officer
Tara is a dedicated Administrative Officer and valued member of the team, bringing efficiency, warmth, and a solutions-focused mindset to her work. Since beginning her admin career in 2022, she has become the friendly and reliable first point of contact for many, guiding individuals through intake processes with clarity, care, and professionalism.
With a naturally positive attitude and a genuinely caring nature, Tara ensures that everyone she interacts with feels supported and well-informed. Her ability to solve problems quickly and calmly makes her an essential part of the team’s daily operations.
Tara is also the unofficial in-house IT department and a die-hard spreadsheet lover, known for her knack for troubleshooting tech issues and creating beautifully organised systems.
Outside of work, Tara is a proud dinosaur enthusiast and an unapologetic habitual plant killer—traits that add to her approachable, down-to-earth personality.
Tara is part of our Sunshine Coast team.
Kiarra de Bruyn - PA to the Director
Kia is a warm, intuitive, and highly empathetic Professional Assistant who brings a calm, engaging presence to every task and interaction. She plays an essential role in supporting our Director, Amanda, helping her stay organised, focused, and on track with the many responsibilities that come with leading a dynamic organisation.
With a natural interest in human behaviour, Kia is also a budding behavioural analyst in her own right. She applies her developing knowledge thoughtfully and effectively, contributing valuable insights that enhance both her own work and the broader team’s practice.
Known for her kindness, reliability, and ability to connect meaningfully with others, Kia is a trusted and respected member of the team.
While she proudly claims to be a dog lover, those who know her well suspect she’s actually a cat person at heart—a charming contradiction that only adds to her personality.
Kiarra is part of our Sunshine Coast Team
Would you like to make a referral?
Welcome!! Click here if you would like to submit an intake request.