Originally from London, Deborah qualified as asocial worker in 1986 and worked as a caseworker and Manager in out of homecare and child protection in South London for 10 years. In 1996 Deborah moved to Australia.

Since her move Deborah has worked in Senior Management roles in both Government and Not for Profit organisations in Sydney and the Central Coast NSW.

From 2000-2003 Deborah was the Manager Homelessness Action Team, Housing NSW and responsible for undertaking the first homelessness census in Sydney.

In 2003 Deborah established a successful social business venture for one of Australia’s leading charities, the venture returning all profits to children’s services in NSW.  During this time Deborah was invited by both UNSW and Sydney University to lecture Social work students on working and recruitment in the profession.

In 2017 Deborah took up the role of CEO, Central Coast Community Legal Centre, a not-for-profit legal service providing free legal information and advice for marginalised communities on the Central Coast. Deborah was instrumental in developing programs in partnership with The Barang Regional Alliance and their opt-ins, including securing funding for a 4year program embedding a solicitor within the Eleanor Duncan Yadhaba team.

In 2023 Deborah took up the role of Manager - Local Decision Making (LDM) with Barang, designing a roadmap to re-ignite LDM negotiations on Darkinjung Country.

Deborah is currently Chair, Community Legal Centre’s NSW.

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