A career that truly counts
16 May 2025
Why Brendan chooses to explore innovative solutions at AnglicareSA
Brendan’s career has been driven by a passion for people. Through years of dedicated work in disability and health services, he has continuously expanded both his expertise and impact. Now, as Business Solution Lead at AnglicareSA, Brendan is doing the most cutting-edge work of his career in an environment that values his authentic self.
Enriching lives for a living
Living with disability should never stop a person from living life on their terms. It’s why systems like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are so much more than funding models – they empower people with disability to have greater choice and control over their service providers. Brendan started working in disability services when he was 20 years old and has witnessed first-hand the impact it can have on people’s lives.
“My choice to pursue this career stemmed from a desire to work with people, inspire them, and bring out the best in them,” Brendan said. “Whether working directly with clients or my team, I’ve taken every opportunity I can to get different experiences that enrich organisations and people’s lives.”
Brendan’s journey shifted in 2016 with the rollout of the NDIS, when the mental health organisation he was working for transitioned to the new funding model. Inspired to understand the scheme from within, he spent six months as an NDIS Planner. He said it was an invaluable experience that opened doors to senior management roles within state and national organisations.
Yet, the higher Brendan climbed, the more he missed the connection he felt with the people he’d set out to help. It was his search for a role that achieved a good balance of both purpose and progression that led him to AnglicareSA.
“I was really attracted to the broadness of AnglicareSA. It gave me an opportunity to take on a strategic, customer experience role while remaining connected with services on the ground.
“It seemed like the perfect opportunity to share my previous experience to help them along their own NDIS journey, and working with people from a range of different professional backgrounds allowed me to learn and grow.”
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Leaving the door open
Taking on the role of Principal, NDIS Practice, Brendan’s expertise was pivotal in helping the AnglicareSA team adapt to a new NDIS business model and learn all the different rules and legislation it entailed. His success in the role enabled him to take on acting manager roles and play a part in system improvement and implementation.
“I got involved in some of AnglicareSA’s systems projects to help embed quality and practice improvements into a digital environment and I really loved it,” Brendan said.
“It gave me the opportunity to engage with our Technology and Information team, business analysts, and project managers to connect business, practice, and quality service needs with system capability. I really enjoyed working with the team to innovate, learn, and do things differently to get better outcomes for our clients and the business.”
Although Brendan enjoyed the variety and impact he was having at AnglicareSA, when an opportunity arose to support another organisation’s NDIS implementation journey, it was impossible to pass up.
“I took a leap of faith and left. But I was only with that organisation for a few months when I realised I really missed the culture and the team at AnglicareSA.
“I saw an advertised position for a Business Solution Lead that really aligned with my interests in business improvement and innovation. Luckily, I kept the door open with AnglicareSA and was fortunate enough to be welcomed back.”
Now part of the Technology and Information team, Brendan’s days involve collaborating across the business to innovate and improve services. Whether through systems, processes, or people initiatives, he’s constantly brainstorming new ways to benefit every person whose life is touched by AnglicareSA. Brendan is also furthering his studies through a degree in psychology, which perfectly complements his day-to-day work.
“One of the reasons I stopped studying in the first place was because I couldn’t connect with it. I found the content too academic, not practical. Now, I’m able to apply the things I’m learning directly in the workplace, which has made it so much more enjoyable.”
A truly diverse team
Balancing work and study is no easy task, but Brendan said he appreciated that AnglicareSA gave him plenty of support and flexibility to manage both. He is also grateful for his team, whose camaraderie and care enable him to do his best work.
“We do a lot of work from home in my team, but we regularly connect online. Even outside of work, we’ve done escape rooms, game nights and coffee catch-ups.
“People make an effort to spend time with each other here. It’s quite a vibrant environment; even if you’re not in the office, you still feel engaged and build bonds with people, which is really nice.”
Something Brendan didn’t expect, but was pleased to discover, was the existence of an LGBTQIA+ employee network at AnglicareSA. As a member of the community himself, it meant a lot to him to connect with others who shared lived experiences.
“Having people around me who understand has been an extra thing that’s made me feel comfortable, connected and safe,” he said.
“”I have found it really helpful to challenge my perception of what representation looks like in a faith-based organisation, and hopefully, networks like ours make it more welcoming and accommodating for anyone else in the community who’s considering joining AnglicareSA.”
Looking for a role where you’ll be surrounded by a compassionate and supportive team? In Brendan’s eyes, there’s no better place to be than at AnglicareSA.
“I’ve found AnglicareSA to be a very welcoming place. All the talk about being a values-based organisation genuinely translates into the work you do. Even in corporate areas, where you’re not working directly with community members, you still feel like you’re contributing to that impact.”