Max Williams

Since 2014, Senior I CAN Mentor Max Williams has mentored hundreds of Autistic young people, never failing to share his distinctive sense of humour, strength in the face of adversity and pride in being Autistic. Recently overcoming cancer, Max knows all about seizing the day and never giving up.

James Cifuentes

Program Representative for the I CAN Network in Queensland. We work to connect young Autistic people with Autistic mentors and advocate for the needs of the Autistic community. I am Autistic myself and have background in entomology and scientific communication. I use the skills and experiences I gained in those fields to provide perspective on how Autistic people can thrive in the world.

Kitarna Drury-Smith

A 17-year-old mentee in the Goulburn Murray (VIC) region, Kitarna is changing the way her peers and community view Autism. Surrounded by negative narratives for years, she has rejected the naysayers and instead has embraced herself and those around her with a positive energy which inspires.

Jake Holland

I CAN Mentee now Trainee Mentor Jake says, “Standing out in a crowd is actually a good thing. Now I ain’t saying stand out like a leprechaun in a bunch of business suits. But do something different. It’s better to actually be different as no one gets through life just acting like everyone else because no one is going to recognise them that way.”

CEO Chris Varney

Chris founded I CAN Network in 2013 and as Chief Enabling Officer has grown it into Australia’s largest Autistic-led organisation with 60 Autistic staff and 1,500+ students in the program nationally. Growing up, I benefited from a network of parents, teachers and friends who embraced my Autistic strengths and anxieties and encouraged me to say ‘I CAN’. Founding an organisation in their name was the best way I could express my gratitude.

Patricia Winney

I CAN Chairperson

Patricia is an experienced leader in government schools in Queensland. Currently Patricia is a Head of Special Education Services in the Queensland Department of Education. Pat has a strong background in managing large teams of educational professionals in the field of special education and Autism programs. At Crestmead State School, Patricia enabled the successful 2017 pilot of I CAN Network’s program in primary schools in Queensland. Patricia brings expertise to the Board in the areas of government schools, special education, Autism support programs and human resources.

Tiffany Mumford

Deputy Chief Enabling Officer & Child Protection Officer

Tiffany is an Autistic psychotherapist with a 13 year background in psychotherapy and disability support. Tiffany has held roles including owner/ operator of Nyernda Counselling & Psychotherapy and Team Leader of Disability Support for Outlook Incorporated. Joining I CAN Network in 2016, Tiffany has been instrumental in creating systems and processes to support Autistic staff to thrive. As Culture Manager (2016-18), Tiffany more than doubled the number of Autistic staff employed by I CAN. As Deputy CEO, Tiffany has oversight over I CAN Ltd’s child protection systems, human resources, and Network/ Regional Managers across Australia.

Yenn Purkis

Yenn Purkis is an Autistic and non-binary Advocate, Author and Presenter. Yenn has a Masters Degree in Fine Art from RMIT University. Yenn has given a presentation for TEDx Canberra and has been a frequent keynote presenter at Autism and disability events for several years.

Steve Silberman U.S.A

Steve Silberman is an American writer for Wired magazine and has been an editor and contributor there for 14 years. In 2010, Silberman was awarded the AAAS "Kavli Science Journalism Award for Magazine Writing." His featured article "The Placebo Problem" discussed the impact of placebos on the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Wenn Lawson

Dr. Wenn Lawson is a well-respected and highly knowledgeable expert on Autism. He combines his lived experience insights with professional knowledge ranging from First Class Honours in Social Work to a Doctorate in Psychology.

Andrew Baird

ANZ DXC Dandelion Program

Experienced Technology Manager with a strong people focus. I enjoy developing teams and individuals to their potential and see them grow. Right now I am looking after the Autism program and the Technology Graduate program, both of these are running in technology and are providing great pathways of talent and building careers of the individuals.

The Hon James Merlino MP

Minister for Education

James Merlino is an Australian politician serving as the member for Monbulk in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, as a member of the Labor Party. He has been Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Education since December 2014. The Hon James Merlino MP was elected at the 2002 State Election.

Dr Emma Goodall

Autism Education Expert

Emma Goodall, PhD, is a Senior Autism Advisor in South Australia and an executive committee member of the Australian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) as well as an executive committee member for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN Aus/NZ)

Kate Meade

I CAN Regional Manager South West

Kate’s early career was in dance. Among Kate’s many achievements in dance was her creation over 2012 - 2018 of the Victorian Dance Festival she has also been the host and producer of the Morning Rush program on ACE Radio which Kate received the 2019 Best Networked Radio Program. Kate is listed in the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence (Regional and Local) and is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology and is a MBA Candidate. Kate is a Mum of three which includes a fantastic Autistic son.

Kate Andrews

I CAN Regional Manager Goulburn Murray

Kate came to I CAN Network after a successful career supporting students both as a primary school teacher where she worked in a diverse range of contexts including the Northern Territory, Undera Victoria and Mooroopna Victoria. Kate joined I CAN Network in 2017 as a Network Leader in Kyabram and Shepparton. Kate was recruited as manager for Goulburn Murray in January 2018 and has been responsible for growing the region’s I CAN programs from scratch. Kate has coached her team to partner with schools to achieve outstanding results for Autistic students. Currently the Goulburn Murray region is partnering with well over 20 schools, including 16 government schools.

Bree Huggins

I CAN Regional Manager Queensland

Bree came to I CAN Network after a successful career supporting students both as a secondary school teacher, and as Wellbeing Coordinator at Derrinallum P-12 College on the South West Coast in Victoria. Bree began her career with I CAN Network in 2017 as a Supervising Teacher of the I CAN South West community programs in Camperdown. She was recruited as Regional Manager South West (Camperdown to Portland Victoria) in December 2017, and held this role until October 2019 before being transferred to Regional Manager North Coast Queensland. By the time Bree transferred to North Coast Queensland, the South West region was supporting 122 Autistic families.

Jenni Montgomery

I CAN Regional Manager Greater Melbourne

Jenni’s early career was at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE and Environment Protection Authority Victoria. Jenni later joined the Australian Bureau of Statistics where she served as Assistant Director from 2011 until 2020 overseeing a range of portfolios such as partnership strategy, Census support projects and human resources projects. Among her achievements included Jenni’s establishment of the ABS’ Leveraging Asperger’s and Autism Network for Autistic staff, which became part of the furniture at the ABS thanks to Jenni’s determination.

Sam Rose

I CAN Network Leader

“I wanted to become an I CAN mentor so that I could be someone I needed when I was in high school.” Since joining our team last year, Sam has become “that someone” for so many Autistic mentees by helping them feel understood, accepted and celebrated. Sam is also an integral part of our efforts to provide meaningful support for Queer (LGBTIQA+) Autistic young people.

Kristie Murden

I CAN Network Leader

Kristie Murden is a Network Leader in I CAN Network's Melbourne team. Kristie is an incredible mentor among I CAN staff and Autistic families. Kristie was responsible for delivering I CAN Network's pilot online mentoring program for parents, including Autistic parents, in 2020. Kristie is a Mum of three which includes a proudly Autistic son.

Lana Wheatfill

I CAN Mentor

Lana Wheatfill was first part of I CAN Network as a student mentee in I CAN's mentoring program at Aquinas College Ringwood in Viictoria. By 2017 Lana had become a trainee Mentor and played an instrumental role educating her peers about the strenghts of her Autistic peers. After graduating in 2019, Lana became part of I CAN's Mentor staff and has helped to run some of I CAN's most successful online mentoring programs in 2020.

Tim Chan

I CAN Ambassador, Author and Autism Advocate

In 2014, at age 18, he was the first non speaking Autistic to deliver a TEDx talk and last year, he released his autobiography, Back From The Brink. Tim also plays a meaningful role in several other Autism and disability-related organisations across Australia. What a privilege it is to have Tim Chan as an Ambassador for I CAN Network. Tim has been a part of our I CAN family since our earliest days and continues to make his mark as an advocate. “I am excited to be part of the self-advocacy movement to drive Autism to a new level of relevance and inclusion.” – Tim

Julia Wake

Non Executive Director, I CAN Network

Julia is an experienced leader in Catholic schools in Victoria. Julia has held roles including Director of Teaching and Learning in a Marist school and is currently Director of Faith and Mission at Marymede Catholic College: a large P-12 Catholic College in outer northern Melbourne. At Marymede, Julia enabled the successful 2014 – 2015 pilot of I CAN Network’s program in secondary schools. Julia brings expertise to I CAN Ltd in the areas of Catholic schools, education, youth programs and child protection. In addition to her directorship, Julia is a Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Hearing Panel Member and Secretary of the Mill Park Junior Football Club.