Head Start Homes welcomes Ryan Dempsey and Jodie Stevens as Directors of our Board.

We are committed to enhancing and expanding our home ownership pathway for First Nations People.

We are thrilled to welcome Ryan and Jodie to our Board. Both Ryan and Jodie have deep connections to their communities, and through their own lived experience will help to ensure that we continue to enhance our client-centric home ownership pathway for all Australians.  

Ryan has extensive experience in social work and community services, particularly in successfully working with metropolitan and regional Aboriginal communities through out-of-home care, family preservation, corrective services, and youth intervention. He’s deeply committed to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged people and is currently Executive Manager of Biripi Aboriginal Children’s Service. 

Ryan welcomed his appointment to the Board stating:

"I am looking forward to being involved with Head Start Homes in order to help our community members build brighter futures through home ownership.” 

Jodie Stevens

Ryan Dempsey

Jodie is an innovative thinker with broad-based experience in human resources, organizational development and safety. Jodie is also an energetic leader with high integrity and the ability to create successful and motivated teams, which are culturally aligned to organisational goals. In her current role with the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation and their subsidiaries, Jodie  provides high-level strategic advice and assistance in the areas of Human Resources, Organisational Development, and Industrial Relations. 

Jodie also welcomed her appointment stating:

"I am excited to be provided the opportunity to be involved with Head Start Homes; as together we continue to strive for outcomes for my people"

Stephen Woodlands, our Founder and Managing Director, was thrilled with the appointments stating:

“We understand that to be the best advocates for our clients, our leaders must be diverse, inclusive and have lived experience, particularly in social housing” 

“We welcome and are excited with the knowledge, passion and heart that Jodie and Ryan will bring to Head Start Homes as we work towards an Australia where everyone has access to a safe and stable home with fair and practical pathways into home ownership.” 

At Head Start Homes we’re proud that the majority of our current clients are First Nations People. We are also proud of the knowledge sharing partnership we have with the Aboriginal Housing Office, which has been pivotal in ensuring that our model helps to meet the housing needs of our First Nations clients. 

Sadly, First Nations People who aspire to own their own home are much less likely to achieve their home ownership dreams due to extra barriers faced. Currently, about 38% of First Nations people own their own home compared to around 66% for other Australian households. We believe in the power of our home ownership pathway to help close the gap.  

Please join us in welcoming Jodie and Ryan to our Board.