About us

Dan, in partnership with the Board, ensures MHCT functions as an effective peak body for the community-managed mental health sector in Tasmania. He brings expertise in leadership, sector capacity building, and advocacy, with a strong understanding of policy, funding, and systemic reform. Outside of work, Dan enjoys good food and plenty of jokes.

dvautin@mhct.org

Amanda leads community capacity-building initiatives, including Youth Mental Health Access and the Take a minute campaign. She works closely with a network of community engagers to increase participation in mental health and wellbeing programs across Tasmania. Amanda enjoys bushwalking, camping, and spending time with her family and two German Shepherds, Evie and Hazel.

aaitken@mhct.org

Emily develops and coordinates content for MHCT eNews, social media, the website, and promotional materials, and monitors media and government activity related to mental health. She also supports event coordination, including Mental Health Week and other campaigns. Outside of work, Emily enjoys photography and spending time with her cat, Betty.

ecarter@mhct.org

Hannah’s role focuses on implementing evidence-based initiatives across Southern Tasmania to promote mental health literacy and wellbeing. She delivers presentations and resources to schools and community groups, while fostering partnerships with local organisations. Her role also involves the development of a youth peer workforce. Hannah is a voracious reader and enjoys a good audiobook too!

hgodfrey@mhct.org

Laura’s role focuses on implementing evidence-based initiatives across Northern and North-Western Tasmania to promote mental health literacy and wellbeing. She delivers presentations and resources to schools and community groups, while fostering partnerships with local organisations. Her role also involves the development of a youth peer workforce. Laura enjoys playing music, filmmaking, photography, and spending time with her cat, dog, family, and friends.

ljohnson@mhct.org

Laura oversees MHCT’s programs, governance, and human resources to ensure the organisation delivers impact effectively and sustainably. She also works closely with our Board of Directors, providing secretariat support. Outside of work, Laura enjoys good food and wine, gardening, mountain biking, and exploring Tasmania.

lmartin@mhct.org

Nick is responsible for the development and delivery of the MHCT Communication Strategy, liaising with media and key stakeholders, and developing a range of communications including media releases, infographics, key documents, and marketing materials. A keen musician, Nick keeps the office vibes in check as our resident DJ, while outside of work he’s the guitarist in a local band.

nsullivan@mhct.org

Rhi coordinates the development and delivery of training and resources for the Lived Experience (LEx) Training Hub. Drawing on over five years of peer work experience, Rhi provides specialised advice to ensure contemporary consumer lived experience principles are embedded across the Hub’s work. A true dog person, Rhi’s closest companion is Rue, a black Labrador. She also enjoys surfing, soccer, and writing.

rhamilton@mhct.org

Shanthini manages MHCT’s financial operations, ensuring compliance with regulations and accurate reporting. She plays a key role in supporting governance and organisational sustainability.

sgurung@mhct.org

Sophie provides executive and administrative support to the CEO and ensures the smooth operation of the MHCT office. She manages key administrative functions and supports organisational wellbeing activities. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys reading, family time, and pampering her dog, Harper.

scliffe@mhct.org

Tasdik leads MHCT’s policy development, research, and advocacy efforts, engaging with stakeholders and contributing to sector reform initiatives. He reviews and develops policy submissions aligned with MHCT’s strategic goals. Tasdik enjoys exploring Tasmania with his family and brings a great sense of humour to the office.

policy@mhct.org

Mark Mewis

Chair

Mark is a former Commander of Police with over 40 years of experience in policing, including a number of years representing police in the delivery of mental health services. Prior to his recent retirement, his more immediate experience lay in the areas of strategic planning, large scale project management, and executive level leadership.

Chris Hannan

Deputy Chair

The Managing Director and Principal Therapist of Chris Hannan Relationship Therapy & Clinical Supervision, Chris is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, a relationship therapist and mental health professional with over 22 years’ experience.

As an experienced people leader, the National Vice President and Non-Executive Director of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and Chairperson of Engender Equality, Chris is passionate about driving positive change, particularly in not for profit, mental health, and community services.

Her approach to leadership is deeply rooted in empathy, strategic vision, and a commitment to sustainable social impact.

Andrew Little

Treasurer

Andrew has over 30 years’ experience in the financial oversight and have actively contributed to the strategic and financial viability of organisations throughout his career. He has provided a range of risk management, assurance, IT, and financial audit services to both public and private sector organizations across various industries and sectors, including mental health service delivery, public health promotion or campaigns, legal, and research. Andrew is deeply passionate about advocating for mental health and wellbeing and committed to supporting service providers in their essential work. He understands the critical need for accessible services, having personally witnessed the transformative impact of mental health support, both professionally and personally.

Ben Hughes

Board Member

Ben has extensive experience in a start-up mental health charity, initiating the first Men’s Table in June 2011 – a peer support model for men focused on active listening. In 2019, it was decided to start more Tables. There are now approximately 260 Tables across Australia. With experience engaging different levels of government and advising the Federal Health Department on men’s health, Ben advocates for lived experience and mental health resilience. As a former Executive Director of The Men’s Table and AICD-trained in non-profit governance, he is committed to Tasmanian community wellbeing and preventative mental health strategies.

Dr Becc Nothrop

Board Member

For Becc, mental illness has been an inescapable reality in her career as a clinician – not only from her patients. She highlights the irony of her colleagues in healthcare, particularly doctors, suffering unacceptably high rates mental illness predating the COVID pandemic.

Both patients and healthcare workers want and work hard for the best healthcare outcomes for Tasmanians but structural and intangible system barriers limit this impact. Acknowledging this, over the years Becc has taken herself to roles beyond the bedside and into leadership coaching for doctors, speaking, and advisory and now to the MHCT board.

Through her professional coaching and advocacy work, she has worked with leaders in primary care delivery in Tasmania and has been invited to speak at numerous national events hosted by preeminent bodies including Australian Medical Association, The Royal Australian Colleges of Surgeons, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and Elsevier Publishing.

Nina Nelson

Board Member

Health and wellness are priorities for Nina, who holds an executive role with St Lukes, a Tasmanian organisation that is on a mission to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet. With over 15 years of executive-level leadership across finance, risk and governance, and studies in Psychological Science, Nina brings a deep understanding of regulated sectors and experience in healthcare, aged care, community wellbeing, and financial services sectors.

Additionally, Nina is co-founder of a values-led wellbeing initiative promoting embodied emotional regulation and mental wellbeing through somatic practice.

Nina will bring a wealth of experience and skills in strategic planning, risk oversight, policy management, and support of good governance practices that foster transparency and assurance.

Kylie Delaney

Board Member

Kylie is the Tasmania State Manager for Wellways, leading psychosocial and community-based mental health programs across the state. With over 19 years in the social services sector, she combines professional expertise with personal lived experience of disability, suicide, and mental illness to drive meaningful and lasting mental health reform.

Kylie has contributed to major policy reforms in Victoria, worked internationally supporting incarcerated women, and co-founded Neurodivergent+, a platform for neurodivergent Tasmanians. A recipient of the 2025 Tasmanian LiFE Award and nominee for the 2026 Women in Leadership Awards, she continues to influence mental health strategy and governance to ensure services reflect community needs.

James Thomas

Board Member

James is a registered psychologist with postgraduate qualifications in Psychology and Health Management. He is the Senior Manager for Allied Health at St. Giles, overseeing Tasmania’s largest community Allied Health team. In this role, James drives clinical quality, service innovation, and financial sustainability, while engaging extensively with government and community stakeholders.

With significant experience working with vulnerable cohorts across NDIS, DVA, and employment services, James brings strategic leadership and expertise in advocacy, funding diversification, and service delivery in regional and remote areas. His commitment is to ensure all Tasmanians have timely access to quality mental health services.