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Disability Employment Services Team

Meet the DES team

Linda Doan

Location: DES Bankstown
Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese, Cantonese.

“One of my core values is ‘Team’ and I truly believe in the power of collaboration. With over 2 years of experience in the employment services industry, I actively foster a supportive environment where my colleagues and I work together to empower our clients. Whether it is sharing resources or brainstorming solutions, I am dedicated to ensuring we all succeed as a team.”

Fatimah Qader

Location: DES Liverpool
Languages spoken: Turkish, Arabic and English.

“I love my Job because I like to help people and make them comfortable. I love the value of “kind” at Afford and strive to embody it in both my personal and professional life. In my six months as a Customer Service Officer here, I’ve committed to being kind and respectful to clients. My colleagues and I are incredibly supportive, collaborating as a team and always ready to help one another. This culture of kindness has enriched my life and fostered a genuine sense of community in our workplace.”

Ciara Le

Location: DES Bankstown
Languages spoken: English and Vietnamese.

“I love my job because it allows me to make a real difference in people’s lives. Being part of their journey toward employment fulfillment is incredibly rewarding. I bring kindness to life by actively listening to my team and clients, as well as providing support tailored to their unique needs. Even though I have no direct experience in the industry, I draw from my background in community service, where I learned the importance of empathy and understanding in helping others.”

Aida Kassis

Location: DES Fairfield and Bankstown
Languages spoken: English and Arabic.

“I genuinely enjoy helping people and bringing positivity to their lives as they begin their journey toward finding suitable and sustainable employment, with the support of Afford staff. I strive to enrich my life and the lives of those around me through my experiences. Over the past 14 years in employment services, I’ve gained valuable insights that enable me to impact individuals with limited work skills, teaching them how to improve themselves and become financially, healthily, and socially integrated members of society. My work as a consultant, trainer, and Business Development Consultant has shaped me into a thoughtful and honest person who recognizes the goodness in others and is always willing to go above and beyond my duties.”

Joumana Talj

Location: DES Fairfield
Languages spoken: English and Arabic.

“I love my job because I get to help people make positive changes in their lives every day. Having the ability to support others through the challenges they face, explore options that really make a difference and empower them to achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. I take pride in the influence and contributions that my job allows while knowing I can have a significant impact on the individual and change their lives for the better.”

Cindy Phan

Location: DES Fairfield
Languages spoken: Vietnamese, English and a little bit of Arabic.

“I love my job because it challenges me to grow, inspires me to create, and connects me with amazing individuals. Every day is a new opportunity to make an impact and do what I am truly passionate about. Teamwork is crucial because it harnesses diverse perspectives and skills, fostering creativity and innovation. It builds trust and camaraderie, which enhances communication and collaboration. By gathering resources and talents, teams can tackle challenges more effectively, achieve common goals, and create a supportive environment where everyone thrives. I love my team and I always try contributing where I can.”

Nadine Abou Daher

Location: DES Fairfield
Languages spoken: English and Arabic.

“I love my job because it allows me to connect with people, share knowledge, and assist with a wide range of topics. One of the most valuable aspects is the ability to provide support and guidance to others they in need and helping others to overcome their barriers or have a better mindset. Working as team and to be part of Fairfield team helps me to feel a sense of belonging and people that I can rely and count on.”

Karen Cimacio

Location: DES Mount Druitt
Languages spoken: English and Filipino.

“I believe that kindness is essential in every aspect of my role. I treat each client with empathy and respect, understanding their unique challenges, and supporting them through their employment journey. When clients trust me with their story, I feel privileged, and my goal is always to make them feel heard, valued, and empowered to succeed. In everything I do, I focus on kindness. Whether working directly with clients, mentoring my team, or engaging with employers, I believe that empathy and understanding create an environment where everyone can thrive. It’s essential to me that clients feel supported throughout their journey, and kindness is the cornerstone of that support.”

Sally Anne Zabel

Location: DES Mount Druitt
Languages spoken: English, Arabic (Sudanese) and German.

“I strive to demonstrate the ability to identify, meet and exceed our customers’ needs and expectations, by providing timely, effective, and empathetic support, always with a smile. Knowing that it is a privilege to have gained their trust in supporting them through their journey.”

Yang Zhang

Location: DES Blacktown
Languages spoken: English and Mandarin.

“I believe that being clear in everything we do is essential to building trust with clients and team members. By communicating effectively and setting clear goals, we can exceed expectations and achieve great results. It’s about ensuring everyone knows what to expect and how we’re going to get there together.”

Sara Al-Hiali

Location: DES Blacktown
Languages spoken: English and Arabic.

“I love exploring new ideas and strategies to help my clients succeed. The job market is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay open to new ways of thinking. I take pride in finding innovative solutions for my clients, helping them build confidence and achieve their career goals.”

Mick Alwadi

Location: DES Fairfield
Languages spoken: English and Arabic.

“I love my job because there is no better feeling than knowing that you’ve helped someone further their career and help a client to overcome vocational & non vocational barriers to achieve their full potential.”

Yorka Manjah

Location: DES Bankstown
Languages spoken: English and Arabic.

“I love my job because I am always eager to learn and find new ways to support our clients. My adventurous spirit in exploring different solutions makes a real difference.”

Marlene Alan

Location: DES Liverpool
Languages spoken: English and Tagalog.

“I love helping people and this job allows me to be able to do this where I can tailor our services to their needs. It is also very fulfilling to see our clients develop in their work and personal goals. In all of my working years, the main thing I have focused on is providing excellent customer service to our clients and this continues to be my main goal.”

Brenda Teulilo

Location: DES Liverpool
Languages spoken: English and Tongan.

“Being able to guide and support individuals to reach their goals and gain Employment is the reason why I love my job. Exploring different employment industries to be able to best support my clients and their barriers as every person deserves to be given a fair go.”

Anna Thin

Location: DES Liverpool
Languages spoken: English and Khmer.

“Perseverance can often lead to remarkable outcomes. Witnessing someone overcome obstacles to achieve their goals is truly inspiring. Acts of kindness not only has a direct effect on others, it has a positive impact on yourself as well as our job seekers. By approaching interactions with empathy and understanding, we can empower our job seekers to navigate challenges with confidence. When our clients feel genuinely supported, they are more likely to thrive and reach their full potential in their employment journey.”

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