Our Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
Kirra Lewis
Kirra coordinates the team at Empatia, enjoying the intricate dance of managing operations and strategy so that your workplace can thrive.
A people-centred leader, Kirra has a deep desire for everyone she works with to realise their potential and find joy in their work
Kirra has a wealth of leadership experience within the not-for-profit sector, including leading in the fields of disability and international development before transitioning into executive leadership roles in employment assistance provision.
She has qualifications in Arts (Disability), Education, Theology & Pastoral Care, Leadership Coaching and is currently studying for a Master of Leadership. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Level 1 Coach.
Kirra loves juggling a million different tasks. If she can be convinced to put them down for a moment, she is likely to be found walking her dogs in the bush, getting her hands dirty with clay or getting up before dawn to do something active.
Executive Director
Wellbeing Services
Dr Shannon Hood
Shannon oversees all wellbeing services and provides consulting, supervision, critical incident and mediation support.
Shannon specialises in working in blue collar industries especially critical incident and trauma work with emergency services. He has been a clinical manager with Converge International and Clinical Supervisor for OZ Help Foundation. He is the Dean of Counselling for Perth Bible College and has an active private counselling practice.
Shannon has Bachelor or Masters degrees in Engineering, Theology, Education, Commerce and Counselling. He holds a PhD in Counselling and Graduate Diplomas in Integrated Psychotherapy and Pastoral Ministry. Shannon is a Level 4 member of the Australian Counselling Association and a member of their College of Clinical Counsellors and College of Supervisors.
Shannon is also a Workplace Deacon in the Anglican Church. Shannon is an avid reader, loves outdoor sports and believes regular Lego building is important for mindfulness.
Executive Director
People and Culture
Joanne Hood
Jo provides care and guidance for the Empatia team, in addition to coaching support services.
Jo specialises in supporting women in senior leadership roles juggling work, family and life in general.
Jo has served in numerous Human Resources Roles mainly for professional services firms throughout the Asia Pacific. She was the People and culture manager for KPMG Canberra before joining their internal National Executive Coaching and Leadership Development team as a Senior Manager.
In her undergraduate studies, Jo majored in Organisational Psychology. She has a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, as well as a Masters degree in Human Resource Management.
She is accredited in Lumina Spark and the Leadership Circle. She is a member of the Australian Human Resource Management Institute and the Association of Coaches.
Jo loves a bush walk, reading the Women’s Weekly and is a closet royal watcher.
Director Research
Dr Rowan Lewis
With his extensive experience in research, higher education and qualitative surveys, Rowan supports the research, reporting and assessment services of Empatia.
Rowan specialises in the integration of social science, spirituality and human flourishing. His early career was as a business analyst and strategy consultant before moving into Higher Education where he has lectured at several Theological Colleges. Rowan currently serves as the Head of Pastoral Theology at the Australian College of Ministries.
Rowan has degrees in Commerce, Theology, Education and Training as well as Spiritual Formation. His PhD investigated spiritual change and crises in young adults - the insights of which have been used to develop several formation programs.
Rowan is engaged in several research projects including a national survey of youth and spirituality, and investigating the impact of Christian Schools on the formation of faith in students.
On weekends Rowan can be spotted in the backcountry on his mountain bike or cooking up a storm in the kitchen for friends and family.
Consultants
Empatia has a pool of professionally accredited consultants who resonate with our Christian mission.
Some exclusively provide Telehealth Support, others provide onsite support as well.
They include a diversity of Christian traditions including Anglican, Baptist,
Catholic, Churches of Christ, House Church, Non-denominational community church,
Lutheran and Pentecostal expressions of the Christian faith.
If you would like to join the Empatia team please
click here to submit an Expression of Interest.
Senior Consultants
Senior Consultant South Australia
Sharne Kilsby
Sharne provides counselling, supervision and support for individuals and couples, drawing on over a decade of experience in therapeutic and trauma-informed care.
Sharne is passionate about helping people build healthy relationships, process difficult experiences, and grow in confidence. She works with couples using the Gottman Method and with individuals through EFT Tapping and trauma-informed approaches to support healing and resilience.
Her focus areas include anxiety, grief, trauma recovery, and emotional regulation. She holds a Bachelor of Counselling, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling & Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual), and Level 2 certification in both Gottman Method Couples Therapy and EFT Tapping. A Level 4 member of the Australian Counselling Association and an ACA-approved Supervisor, Sharne also provides supervision for students and new graduates.
Sharne’s ideal retreat space would be surrounded by trees, with soft light filtering through the windows, a warm cup of tea nearby, and plenty of time to write, read, and simply be still.
Senior Consultant Tasmania
Sharyn Hill
Sharyn provides counselling, training, critical incident support and professional supervision. Sharyn has a passion for healthy workplaces and communities.
Sharyn believes everyone should have access to information to support living a healthy, resourceful and purposeful life, understanding the connectedness of every part of our lives.
Sharyn has been working in rehabilitation and support roles for the last 15 years with experience in workplace rehabilitation, employment support, mental health chaplaincy, drug and alcohol support and supporting women in leadership roles. She has a Bachelor of Applied Social Science and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision.
Sharyn holds membership with Chaplaincy Australia, Christian Counselling Association of Australia and the Australian Association of Supervisors.
Sharyn’s ideal retreat space would include an open fireplace, wall-to-wall books with a big, soft couch, throw cushions, a hot cuppa with a couple of squares of extra Dark Chocolate (or maybe the full block). Her grandchildren come and sit beside her, and they snuggle up, chat, and read together.
Senior Consultant Sydney
Dr Mel Burr-Dixon
Mel provides counselling and critical incident support, specialising in children, teenagers and women.
Mel lectures at Bible College, is a School Counsellor and facilitates the supervision training for counsellors in NSW. She was a Secondary Mathematics and History teacher and enjoys connecting with teenagers.
Her private practice focuses on children, teenagers, and women, as well as supervising other counsellors. Mel is the author of Toddler to Teen (over 20,000 copies sold) and A Grateful Heart.
She has Masters degrees in Education, Theology and Counselling and a Doctorate in Counselling. Mel is an elder in her local Churches of Christ church and enjoys reading, tennis and playing with her most squishable grandchildren.
Senior Consultant Regional NSW/ACT
Dr Brad Crook
Brad specialises in the nurture of emotional and spiritual wellbeing, relationship counselling and counselling support for individuals stuck in cycles of problematic coping behaviours.
Brad has Bachelor and PhD degrees in Applied Science. With over 30 years in government, university, and private organisations, he is highly experienced in strategic planning, change management, and the potential impacts on staff wellbeing.
He holds a Graduate Certificate in Divinity, Advanced Diploma in Christian Counselling and Family Therapy, Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual), Level 2 training in Gottman Method of Couples Therapy, and specialised training in Spiritual Direction and Soul Care focused on emotionally healthy leadership.
Brad is a member of the Australian Counselling Association, He has a deep interest in contemplative Christian practices, and enjoys collecting stones, shells, and seeds while spending time in nature.
Senior Consultant Western Australia
Rev Sheldrin D'Rozario
Sheldrin is based in Perth. He provides counselling and critical incident support for Empatia.
Sheldrin specialises in working with clients in tertiary public hospitals, delivery and transport. He is currently the Head of Department, Pastoral Care Services at King Edward Memorial Hospital and Pastoral Counsellor with Converge International. He was the founding Coordinator of Pastoral Care Services at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Sheldrin has a Bachelor degree in Engineering (Information and Electronic) and Theology, Graduate Diploma in Ministry, Diploma in Leadership and Management and is currently in his final semester of the Master of Social Work at the University of Western Australia.
He is an accredited Pastor with the Baptist Churches, WA and is presently a student member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Sheldrin is a member of the Carlton Football Club and he is very grateful to his wife and two children who endure lots of shouting, cheering and singing when Carlton is playing.
Senior Consultant Queensland
Rev Wayne George
Wayne provides counselling and critical incident support, specialising in supporting Christian pastors and church leaders.
Wayne is a qualified Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor registered with the Australian Counselling Association. He has over 20 years of Pastoral Ministry experience, having served in ministry roles in different countries, including South Africa, the UK, New Zealand and Australia. This equips him with diverse multicultural experience and the ability to relate well to people from all walks, ages, and stages of life.
Wayne has served in the VET and Higher Education Sector for a number of years; he is an Associate Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor with the Australian College of Applied Professions (Discipline of Counselling).
Wayne holds Bachelors and Graduate Diploma qualifications in Theology as well as Counselling. He is currently studying towards a Master of Counselling. Wayne enjoys tickling the ivories on the piano and is always open to a good old South African braai (BBQ on coals).
Senior Consultant ACT
Terry Lynch
At Empatia, Terry provides counselling, critical incident support, mediation and leadership coaching. He specialises in anxiety and stress management, grief counselling, relationship counselling and performance coaching.
Terry has 20 years of education experience in leadership and well-being roles for staff and students. He has spent half of that time supporting multi-denominational ministry and pastoral teams in rural churches.
In his private practice. Terry's work includes pastoral and professional supervision, counselling, and a variety of performance, emotional and executive coaching strategies.
Terry holds a Masters of Counselling, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual), a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education and is a Level 4 Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and its College of Supervisors. He is also an ICF-trained coach holding a Level 1 Certificate with a decade of experience.
Terry loves reading, gardening, gym workouts and long walks before the sun comes up.
Senior Consultant Victoria
Anna Muller
Anna provides counselling and psychotherapy for individuals and families, with extensive experience in life transitions, grief, loss and palliative care.
Anna works collaboratively with each client, exploring what resonates most with their unique healing journey. She employs creative approaches to awaken new ways of thinking and feeling, helping us find clarity and hope when life feels overwhelming.
Anna focuses on each person's story and what they need for their own path forward. She values diversity and seeks to support clients in transforming thought patterns, behaviours and emotions that make life challenging. Her integrated approach includes her broad experience in kinesiology, health and fitness, life coaching, and pastoral care to create personalised pathways for growth and wellbeing.
Throughout her career in South Africa and Australia, Anna has been privileged to accompany people through many stages of life — from moments of celebration to times of deep loss. Her work has brought her alongside individuals and families at their most vulnerable, helping them find peace and connection.
Anna holds a BA in Music and Psychology, Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy and PACFA Membership, CCAA Clinical Membership and Level 4 ACA Membership.