Meet the team
re:think dyslexia is leading the change as a neurodivergent woman-led social enterprise. We celebrate differences by working with a diverse team with lived experience, skills and expertise. We aim to do things differently by disrupting the norm within workplaces and beyond.
Dr Shae Wissell
Director
Dr Shae Wissell
Dr Shae Wissell is a speech pathologist and public health researcher, and the Director of re:think dyslexia, a neurodivergent‑led national social enterprise. She is neurodivergent herself, with lived experience of dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD, which directly informs her work across the VET, employment, justice and higher education sectors.
Shae works with some of the most vulnerable people in our community, leading evidence‑based programs that provide practical tools and strategies to support literacy, learning and work. Her work includes large‑scale projects with government, local councils, employers and correctional settings, and focuses on workforce development, neuroaffirming training, technology‑enabled supports, JobAccess and workplace support.
A leading author in adult dyslexia, Shae wrote the Australian‑first Amazon #1 bestseller Dyslexia: Insights into the Hidden Disability in and out of the Workplace. She is a published researcher, host of the long‑running Dear Dyslexic Podcast, and an internationally and nationally recognised award winner, known for translating research and lived experience into practical, scalable solutions that drive system change.
Dr Judith Hudson,
Psychologist and Clinical Lead
Dr. Judith Hudson, retired specialist teacher and Chartered Psychologist, is an author and researcher focusing on neurodevelopmental conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Based in Tasmania and Wales, she is an Associate Adjunct at the University of Tasmania’s School of Education, where she advocates for teacher training in dyslexia and literacy difficulties. She has developed postgraduate modules on these topics and serves on the Board of Square Pegs Dyslexia Support and as a dyslexia Ambassador. A PhD supervisor at Tasmania and Flinders University, her forty-year passion for dyslexia is fueled by her dyslexic husband and grandson, whose achievements inspire her.
In her role with re:think dyslexia, Judith leads our Dyslexia Screening Program, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based screening that help individuals better understand their learning profiles and access the support they need. As a highly experienced clinician, she also provides clinical leadership and supervision to our team, guiding best practice approaches and fostering professional development. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Judith actively contributes to research activities, helping to advance our understanding of dyslexia and inform program innovation. Her expertise and leadership are instrumental in driving positive outcomes for the individuals and communities we support.
Heleana Burridge,
Neurodivergent Mental Health Clinician
Heleana Burridge has a background in social work and a law degree with a special interest in workplace law. Heleana is a neurodivergent mental health clinician with over 20 years of experience across a broad range of social work services, mental health, and advocacy. As someone with ADHD, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, offering a deeply empathetic and strengths-based approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals.
In her role with re:think dyslexia, Heleana will provide tailored mentorship, helping neurodivergent people navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop practical strategies to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Drawing on her extensive background in mental health and crisis intervention, she equips her clients with tools to foster resilience, self-advocacy, and success.
Passionate about social justice, inclusivity and empowerment, Heleana is dedicated to creating safe and supportive environments where neurodivergent individuals feel heard and understood, valued, and empowered to achieve their goals.
Leni Purbrick
Neurodivergent speech pathologist
Leni Purbrick holds a BA in Speech Pathology (Honours Class I) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology and is a certified coach with psychotherapy-based training. She is a respected business leader, author of two books, and founder of a B-Corp certified business, with recognition for her contributions to social advocacy and community impact. Drawing on her lived experience with breast cancer and neurodivergence, Leni applies a deeply empathetic, holistic, and neuroaffirming approach to her work. She has over a decade of experience supporting neurodivergent children, young people, and adults across hospital, community, and culturally diverse settings. Her expertise spans trauma-informed care, mental health coaching, communication therapy, and developmental wellbeing.
Leni is a published author and sought-after speaker whose work integrates clinical expertise with lived experience. Her books, Grown and Gathered and The Village, reflect her commitment to inclusive, strength-based practice and fostering resilience in individuals and communities.
Dr Laura Dickenson
Adult Literacy Lead
Dr Laura Dickenson, a qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Education (Postgraduate) and a PhD in Education, has over 20 years of diverse teaching experience. She is an Accredited Member of the Australian Dyslexia Association (AMADA) and has completed an Associate Multisensory Structured Language course. She specialises in supporting teens and adults with literacy, academic writing, notetaking, speaking, presenting, and assignment writing, alongside skills in time management, planning, and organisation.
With extensive experience working with neurodiverse students and personal insight as the mother of two neurodivergent children, Laura tailors lessons to individual needs. Her approach is informed by her education, research, and personal experience, driven by a passion to enhance literacy, confidence, and potential. She fosters a positive, engaging learning environment where students succeed.
At re:think dyslexia, Laura leads the development and delivery of our adult literacy program, providing tailored support to help individuals build confidence and essential skills in reading, writing, and communication. In addition to her leadership in literacy, Laura contributes across a range of training and coaching initiatives within the organisation. Her expertise ensures that our programs are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the diverse needs of the neurodivergent community. Laura’s compassionate approach and commitment to lifelong learning make her a valued member of the re:think dyslexia team.
Dr Kim Percy
Training Lead VET / Workplace Trainer and coach
Kim Percy, is an artist, designer and researcher whose PhD at Federation University explored dyslexia through lived experience, reframing it as a source of creative strength. With more than two decades of experience as Senior Designer and Co‑Director of Designscope, Kim brings deep expertise in branding, strategy and visual communication, alongside extensive teaching roles at RMIT, Federation University and Collarts.
Kim discovered her own dyslexia while advocating for her son—an experience that strengthened her commitment to accessible, inclusive learning. At re:think dyslexia, she leads the training program, developing high‑impact learning content, shaping brand identity, and contributing to research grounded in evidence‑based practice. Her multidisciplinary perspective and lived experience play a critical role in advancing the organisation’s mission to drive meaningful, systemic change.
Jo-Anne Kamphuis
Executive Assistant and Operations Support Officer
Jo-Anne Kamphuis has over 20 years of experience in executive administration, where she has developed skills across several industries, including social enterprise, business consulting, construction, road research, automotive, and real estate. She is committed to working in an organisation that upholds integrity, ethical practices, and fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. Jo-Anne consistently brings positivity and energy to her professional setting and excels in building connections with colleagues. Additionally, Jo-Anne has been an active volunteer in her community over the years.
Jo-Anne plays a vital role in supporting the leadership team, ensuring seamless coordination across internal operations. She oversees all aspects of office administration, including systems management, process improvement, scheduling, and day-to-day operational support. Her work helps maintain an efficient and well-organised environment that enables the broader team to focus on delivering impactful outcomes.
Georgia Lewis
Office Assistant
Georgia Lewis is a Project Administrator, and as a neurodivergent individual with a disability, Georgia is passionately involved in the neurodiverse community. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to sharing, her strengths lie in engaging with people and effective communication.
Georgia manages the Dear Dyslexic Podcast Show and leads our social media engagement, playing a key role in amplifying our message and connecting with the wider community. Her creativity, attention to detail, and passion for raising awareness about dyslexia make her a valuable asset to re:think dyslexia. Through her work, Georgia helps ensure our content is accessible, engaging, and aligned with our mission to drive meaningful change for neurodivergent individuals.
Ross Duncan
Blog Editor
From Silence to Voice: My Journey With Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Advocacy. At 42, after years of silently struggling to fit into a world that never quite made sense to me, I finally discovered the name for the difference that had shaped my life: dyslexia.
For decades, I worked hard—pushing through challenges, masking my difficulties, and trying to make sense of why I couldn’t quite “fit the mould.” At the time, I was employed in the UK Civil Service in Belfast, and adult support for dyslexia was hard to come by. It was a lonely place to be. Returning to my roots, I reached out to Dyslexia Scotland. That moment of connection changed everything. Not only did I find understanding, but I also found purpose. Since then, I’ve become a proud volunteer with the charity and now sit on the committee of the Cross-Party Group on Dyslexia at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood—contributing my lived experience to help shape better policy and support.
Within the Civil Service, I took on a leadership role in neurodiversity inclusion, founding and running a national neurodiversity staff support network. For years, I worked to change the culture from the inside, advocating for a better understanding of neurological difference and pushing for systemic change. But perhaps most unexpectedly, over the past 16 years, I discovered a passion and talent I never knew I had: storytelling. From scratch—and against the odds—I’ve built a global platform as a freelance volunteer writer, sharing stories of remarkable people across continents. My work has appeared in international publications, giving voice to the unseen and celebrating the strengths in neurodiverse minds.
Raising awareness of dyslexia isn’t just a mission—it’s personal. I can’t and don’t want to change how I think. What I want is for the world to rethink what dyslexia is. Too often, society clings to outdated misconceptions. But dyslexia—and neurodiversity more broadly—comes with hidden advantages, insights, and creative powers that deserve recognition. This is the story I tell, and the future I fight for: one where difference isn’t something to fix, but something to value.
Ross collaborates with re:think dyslexia to research and write engaging blog content that highlights the stories of successful neurodivergent entrepreneurs and professionals. Through thoughtful storytelling and a strengths-based lens, Ross showcases the diverse talents, innovative thinking, and unique career journeys of individuals across various industries. His work not only celebrates neurodivergent achievement but also helps to challenge stigma, shift narratives, and inspire others within the community.
