The Wandi Nerida Team

Wandi Nerida is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a board and staffed with qualified and experienced medical, allied health, and support staff. We value lived experience and recovery, and many of our staff, board members and volunteers have been affected by eating disorders. The leadership team oversee operations of the facility ensuring the highest quality of care and standards are met for all participants, their families, carers, and employees.

Brian Mayahle
Ba. Science Mental Health Nursing, Master Mental Health, MBA. PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Brian has extensive experience across a range of mental health services in the UK and Australia. He has worked at various levels of leadership and in different settings including research, commissioning of services, inpatient, community mental health services, public, private, and now, not for profit sectors.

Brian’s passion encompasses clinical governance, patient safety, providing services which add value to patients’ recovery and outcomes, building effective teams and empowering other leaders and staff to improve their own workplace.
Brian completed a PhD which focused on streamlining clinical and operational processes to improve patients’ safety and outcomes using the “Lean” methodology (a business principle).

Elise Jione
Danielle Dougherty
Master of Leadership, Ba. Science (Nursing), Post Grad Dip. Midwifery Science, Post Grad Dip. Leadership and Management, GAICD
Operations Director
Danielle is an experienced health care leader with a background in Nursing and Midwifery and has experience working in Family Violence and held Senior Leadership positions in Indigenous Health. Danielle has post graduate qualifications in health management; and completed a Master of Leadership in 2022. Danielle is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Danielle has a passion for developing and leading high performing teams that provide safe and high-quality health care and enable people to live fulfilling lives.
Peter Dobson
Katrina Faulkner
Chartered Accountant, Bachelor of Economics (Commerce)
Business Director
Katrina has broad experience in financial management and governance, having begun her career working with international accounting firms up to the partner level. She then established an outcomes-driven management consulting practice supporting clients of varying sizes at the highest level across finance, operations, and strategy. Upon moving to the Sunshine Coast, Katrina worked in public health for several years before joining Wandi Nerida. Katrina has a passion for working with not-for-profit entities and has held Board and Committee positions on a voluntary basis. She has also held positions as an independent Audit Committee member for local government entities.
Carmel Gurnick
Bachelor of Business, majoring in HR, minoring in Psychology
HR Director
Carmel (she/her) has over 16 years’ experience working in the HR field across the Local Government, Construction and Healthcare industries in Queensland. Carmel enjoys all aspects of a HR Generalist role and is not only passionate about supporting and building an organisations most important asset – their people, but also working towards continuous business growth and strategic development. Carmel relishes the challenge of establishing and growing a business’s HR framework and strives to create a culture that encourages entrepreneurial ideas, out of the box thinking, and employees feeling safe, valued, and heard at all times.
kevin barrow

Dr Fionnuala Dunne

MB.MRCPsych., FRANZCP

Medical Director (Psychiatrist)

Fionnuala Dunne received her medical degree at Trinity College in Dublin. She completed her registrar training in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England and undertook a senior registrar position in Melbourne in 1998. She returned to Newcastle and became a consultant in adult psychiatry in 2000 and, over the next five years, developed an early intervention service for psychosis. Dr Dunne came to the Sunshine Coast in 2006 and was a consultant psychiatrist at both Gympie and Nambour hospitals, before setting up her private practice at Cooinda Clinic in April 2014.

Dr Dunne has been the Medical Director at Wandi Nerida since May 2023.

Jodie Ashworth
Dr Carly Roukos

Clinical Psychologist, Psy.D.

Clinical Lead
Carly is a clinical psychologist who completed her studies in the United States with a special interest in eating disorders and severe and enduring mental illness. She has worked at inpatient, outpatient, and day program facilities in the U.S. specialising in eating disorders. She also has experience in forensic facilities and treating those with severe and enduring mental health diagnoses. Carly is passionate about making eating disorder services more available in Australia and has been involved with Wandi Nerida since it’s opening in 2021.
Anne Doherty
Dr Jade Dunstan
M.B.B.S. (Qld), DCH

General Practitioner

Dr Dunstan is a dedicated and compassionate General Practitioner. She graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Medicine in 2015 before moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2018. Dr Dunstan has completed post graduate studies in Pediatrics. Dr Dunstan enjoys all aspects of General Practice and has a particular interest in women’s health, and the management of eating disorders. Jade has been a part of the Wandi Nerida multi-disciplinary team since May 2023 and oversees the medical care of participants receiving treatment for Eating Disorders.
Anne Doherty
Hannah Beighton
Ba. Nursing, Ba. Behavioural Science (Psychology), Grad Cert HR Management, Nurse Immuniser), Cert IV Training and Assessment
Nurse Unit Manager
Hannah is a Registered Nurse with qualifications in Psychology and Human Resources Management. Hannah has completed post graduate studies in training and assessment and is a registered nurse immuniser. Hannah has a strong drive to learn, and a passion for health education and management. Hannah is currently pursuing NEDC membership to formally become a credentialled Eating Disorder Mental Health Nurse. Hannah demonstrates her passion for high-quality, evidence-based clinical care in her role as a Senior Leader at Wandi Nerida.
Anne Doherty
Tahlia Duff
Ba. Health Science (Nutrition), Ba. Dietetics, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC)
Senior Dietitian

Tahlia Duff (she/her) is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who prides herself on providing evidence-based practice. Over time, she has developed a particular interest in mental health and the treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating (including ARFID), weight and body image concerns, gastrointestinal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies. Tahlia has worked in both private practice and inpatient hospital settings. Tahlia is also Mental Health First Aid accredited, FODMAP certified and has trained as an Equine Assisted Therapy Assistant.

Tahlia practices with a Health at Every Size® (HAES) and weight inclusive framework; promoting improved health behaviours, body image and self-compassion for all population groups regardless of size.

Ranjani Utpala
Sophie Howes
Ba. Nutrition and Dietetics, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC).
Senior Dietitian
Sophie (she/her) is an experienced Accredited Practising Dietitian who is passionate about working with people of all ages to improve their relationship with food and recover from eating disorders, disordered eating, and chronic dieting. She also has a special interest in gastrointestinal, hormonal, and reproductive health. Sophie brings an understanding of trauma-informed, neurodiversity affirming care. She practices with empathy, compassion and curiosity and values working collaboratively with individuals and their families to support them through the challenging recovery process. Sophie practices through a non-diet approach rooted in Health at Every Size® (HAES®) principles.
Ranjani Utpala
Alanah Kelley
Ba. Nursing
Participant Relationship Manager

Alanah (She/Her) is an experienced Registered Nurse with a postgraduate in Mental health Nursing. Alanah completed her graduate year in Mental Health Nursing at Rockhampton Base Hospital, where she developed a passion for improving Mental Health Services and where providing excellent client care began. Alanah has worked across many different departments of Mental Health Care including Adolescent, Adult, Older Persons, Community and Phone Triage. Alanah is currently undertaking the process of becoming a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse. After relocating to the Sunshine Coast from South Australia, Alanah commenced working at Wandi Nerida as a Registered Nurse before becoming the Patient Relationship Manager. Alanah is responsible for supporting participants and their families to navigate the intake and admissions process throughout their journey at Wandi Nerida.

Ranjani Utpala
Nerys Kinnaird
Dip. Hospitality Management, Cert III Commercial Cookery.
Head Chef
Nerys has 21 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry and has expertise in a variety of cuisines and sectors of the industry including 5-star hotels, fine dining restaurants, clubs and aged care. Nerys is a certified Food Safety supervisor.
During her time at Wandi Nerida, Nerys has built a knowledge in providing nutritious food to people with Eating Disorders as well as supporting them to build their skills in preparing their own food on transitioning to the community. Nerys has a passion for sharing her love and knowledge of food; and supporting participants along their journey to recovery.