OUR TEAM
Michelle Alford
With a career spanning 30 years in the disability sector, Michelle has extensive experience, working for government at a State and Local level and Non-Government Organisations. During my time at the Department of Health and Human Services I undertook a number of roles including, Provider Management - working with funded Non-Government Organisations in contract management, compliance and adviser for complex service support. During her time as Manager Disability Accommodation Services, her focus was on redesigning services to provide individualised services to people with complex supports. During this time, Michelle worked on researching and developing a service model to provide a specialised accommodation for people living with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Michelle provided leadership to the accommodation until leaving the department.
With a passion and focus on innovative and individualised supports, Michelle developed an independent Support Coordination business. As an advocate for increasing specialised services to support teens and adults living with Prader-Willi Syndrome, Michelle has worked with Neil to develop The Orange Hive
Neil Gumley
Neil has over 17 years of direct care experience working with people with a disability. He gained a Science/Disability Degree from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia in 2010, while at the same time working at the Department of Health and Human Services, specialising in the management of housing for people with complex supports. During that time, Neil worked both as a House Supervisor and Operations Manager, directly responsible for a cluster of houses. In 2014 Neil worked in a small, advanced team which was tasked with the establishment of the First Prader-Willi Syndrome specific accommodation in Melbourne Australia. The house remained Neil my team, until leaving his role in 2023.
Neil served as a Board Member on the Prader Willi Syndrome Association Victoria Board for 6 years, during this time Neil was nominated as the Australian Caregivers Delegate for the Professional Providers Caregivers Board. Neil has held a Board position with Professional Providers Caregivers Board since 2019. During this time, he has had the honour of presenting at the Toronto, Cuba and Berlin Conference.