Mentor & Coach for Human Services Professionals

With over 12 years of frontline and leadership experience in the human services sector, Cassandra Kear brings deep insight, compassion, and practical wisdom to her work as a mentor and coach. Her career has spanned youth justice, case management, residential care, and re-engagement programs—giving her a rich understanding of the challenges and rewards of supporting vulnerable individuals and communities.

Cassandra’s approach is grounded in listening, empathy, and empowerment. She has walked alongside young people and the professionals who support them, offering guidance that is both trauma-informed and rooted in real-world practice. As a former Team Leader in Case Management, she led teams supporting young people transitioning from residential care, demonstrating her ability to foster resilience and stability in complex environments.

Her qualifications—including a Diploma of Community Services and a Certificate IV in Youth Justice—complement her lived experience and professional insight. Cassandra is also a qualified Trainer and Assessor, known for designing and delivering training that is practical, relevant, and deeply aligned with the realities of frontline work.

Over the past five years, Cassandra has focused on capability development across the sector, creating learning experiences that build confidence, strengthen communication, and support de-escalation in high-pressure situations. Her passion for Trauma-Informed Care is reflected in the impactful training she has delivered to teams across Victoria.

As a mentor, Cassandra offers a safe, supportive space for human services professionals to reflect, grow, and thrive. Her coaching is informed by a commitment to person-centred practice, professional integrity, and the belief that every worker deserves to feel heard, valued, and equipped to make a difference.

Mentor & Coach for Human Services Professionals

Sam Harrison is a highly experienced mentor, educator, and practitioner with over 25 years in the human services sector. Her career spans Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), Mental Health (MH), and Child Protection Services (CPS), where she has led teams, supported individuals, and guided professionals through complex and demanding environments.

Sam holds a Master of Education from the University of Melbourne, alongside a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources, and Diplomas in Employment Services and Community Services (Case Management). Her qualifications reflect a lifelong commitment to learning and a deep understanding of the systems and people that shape human services work.

For the past 15 years, Sam has taught and mentored frontline workers in family violence and child protection, and for six years has lectured at Deakin University. Her mentoring is grounded in reflective practice, active listening, and a genuine belief in the power of support to transform professional lives.

Sam creates safe, respectful spaces for human services professionals to explore challenges, reconnect with their values, and build the confidence needed to thrive. Her coaching is practical, compassionate, and deeply informed by lived experience—helping others navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.

Authentic, wise, and unwavering in her commitment to person-centred practice, Sam Harrison is a trusted guide for those seeking to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact in the human services sector.

Mentor & Coach for Human Services Leaders and Practitioners

Shannon McMillan is a respected leader, mentor, and coach with over 25 years of experience across the human services sector. Her career spans social housing, family services, child protection, and disability—bringing a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and compassion to her work supporting professionals at every level.

With formal qualifications in Community Services and Sector Management, Shannon blends academic expertise with lived leadership experience. She has held senior roles in complex service environments, guiding teams through change, challenge, and growth with clarity and purpose.

Shannon’s mentoring is grounded in trauma-informed practice, reflective leadership, and a deep commitment to authenticity. She understands the pressures faced by frontline workers and leaders alike, and creates safe, supportive spaces for professionals to reflect, recalibrate, and build their capability with confidence.

Known for her calm authority and unwavering integrity, Shannon empowers others to lead with empathy, navigate complexity, and stay connected to their values. Her coaching is practical, insightful, and deeply attuned to the realities of human services work—whether supporting emerging leaders or seasoned practitioners.

Shannon McMillan is more than a mentor—she is a trusted guide, a strategic thinker, and a passionate advocate for the wellbeing and growth of those who serve our communities. Her work continues to shape stronger, more resilient teams and leaders across the sector.