Our Team

Mark Kinsela is an experienced health leader, advocate and former intensive care nurse educator with a career spanning clinical practice, government, digital health and peak-body leadership. He brings more than two decades of experience working across health systems, with a strong commitment to improving the way Australians live, age and receive care at every stage of life.

Mark was a former Adviser to the Commonwealth Minister for Health and the Minister for Aged Care, and has held a range of senior leadership roles including Chief Executive Officer of Council on the Ageing (WA), Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and Chief of Staff at the Australian Digital Health Agency.

He has contributed to several landmark national policy initiatives, including the national expansion of the My Health Record, and the 2012 Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms.

Earlier in his career, Mark served as an Officer in the Australian Army and holds postgraduate qualifications in business, governance and education.

Mark is committed to person-centred, compassionate and equitable care, and holds a strong belief that every West Australian should have the opportunity to die well, with families, services and systems that honour their final stage of life.

Jo is a sales and administration professional with extensive skills and experience in people management, administration, events management, marketing, sales and business development, and has an ability to build strong long-lasting client relationships.

Following her graduation from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Arts, English and Communications, Jo worked in various roles throughout the corporate sector including Retail Management, Operations Manager at a large logistics facility and in various Training and Development roles. After a small break to raise a family, Jo then successfully set up and ran her own small retail businesses for eight years.

She then re-entered the corporate sector as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the Director of one of the most notable and recognised interactive media companies in Australia. This role is her first foray into the not-for-profit sector and Jo is loving the challenge!

Helen is a finance and accounting specialist with many years of experience in public practice and commerce.

As a Chartered Accountant, Helen brings to Palliative Care WA extensive knowledge and skills in all aspects of cash flow management, payroll, business activity statements, annual and event budgeting, grant acquittals and the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports.

Helen has been at Palliative Care WA for nine years.

Liz Rehfeldt has worked extensively in senior communications and marketing roles in the not-for-profit sector, public and private hospitals, State Government, the university sector and through her communications consultancy.

Starting her career as a newspaper journalist, Liz moved into communications and marketing, predominantly in the health, disability and multicultural sectors. She has been responsible for initiating, developing and managing communications and media relations strategies, issues and reputation management, brand management and stakeholder events.

Liz also worked in project management for an aged care home support transition project in the South West and on State Government COVID-19 communications.

Liz has a Bachelor of English degree majoring in journalism and certificate qualifications in documentary making and community engagement.

At Palliative Care WA, Liz manages all communications and marketing activities, including key messaging, reputation management, branding, media liaison, awareness campaigns, publications, social media, website and other electronic communications.

Sabena is a highly skilled communicator, specialising in adult education, training and group facilitation. She has strong skills in developing and delivering adult education and training, facilitating groups, engaging with the community and working with volunteers.

Sabena has a Master of Psychology (Counselling) from Curtin University. Her work roles initially combined adult education and/or training with individual counselling. Since 2005, she has focused on her passion for working with people in groups. Sabena has experience in the community, not-for-profit, health, aged care, education and public sectors.

Working part-time for Palliative Care WA, Sabena enjoys time with friends and family, as well as in community-building. Sabena enjoys swimming, cycling, bushwalking and music.

Julia is a community services professional with qualifications in community services, dementia care practice, chaplaincy and pastoral care. Having worked in aged and community care for more than 20 years, Julia has a passion for supporting individuals to maintain autonomy and independence and to be able to make choices in their own care.

Julia has lived experience with grief and loss and supporting family living with dementia and other complex health conditions.

Commencing with Palliative Care WA in January 2022 in Advanced Care Planning Support, Julia continuously aims to provide personal and practical help for people to be able to progress their advanced care planning, explore their values and express their wishes.

Fran is an Advance Care Plan Support Officer and has experience working in grief and loss in hospitals.

This experience has highlighted the need for people to have a voice to make their healthcare decisions.

Fran has a Bachelor of Counselling and has worked in pastoral care. She is very passionate about people having the right to be heard, and giving people space and time to explore what is really important to them.

With 23 years’ experience in the palliative care sector, Sonje is committed to supporting individuals and families with compassion, clarity,and dignity.

As an Advance Care Planning Support Officer, Sonje helps people navigate important decisions and ensures they receive the best possible service and care.

Sonje holds a Bachelor of Counselling, which strengthens her ability to build meaningful connections, communicate with empathy, and guide others through challenging moments.

She is deeply passionate about the work she does and strives to create a supportive environment where every person feels heard and empowered.

Outside of work, Sonje enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as researching her family tree — an interest that continually inspires her appreciation for personal stories

and legacies.

Shane has had a 30-year career as an occupational therapist. She has a passion for enjoying life and living well to the end. After supporting family members during to their end-of-life journey, Shane recognised that people who are unwell and their families often have many non-clinical needs that are not met. This led to Shane informing herself and undertaking training as an end-of-life doula.

Shane has volunteered at the Kalamunda Palliative Care Unit supporting patients and their families. In 2018, she became the unit’s consumer representative. Shane has a strong interest in compassionate communities and volunteers time to support the City of Kalamunda in the development of the City’s Compassionate Communities Project. As well has her work with Palliative Care WA, Shane is employed as a Connector Coordinator for the Perron Institute’s Compassionate Communities Hub Project.

Shane believes that information about dying and death and the ability to have conversations about these areas can result in living better and a better dying and death experience for the person and their family.