Danielle Loizou-Lake

OTAUS 2025 MC

Danielle is a population health and disability services professional who specialises in community and consumer involvement to improve service design and delivery. She has worked extensively with government agencies, NGO's and the community services sector; including disability, health, mental health, FDV and housing.

Danielle holds extensive knowledge of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and consults in this space. Danielle founded and manages a successful NDIS Support Coordination organisation, providing services for people with disability and mental illness.

Danielle maintains extensive contacts in the disability, health and mental health sectors. She is sought out for work in systemic advocacy, facilitation of events and panels and leading stakeholder engagement and co-design projects.

In 2023 Danielle was appointed a Western Australian delegate to the United Nations in New York, to participate in the 16th Session on the Conference of State Parties, for the Convention on the Rights of People with Disability.

Danielle remains committed to advocacy and is an active member on a range of government and community boards and committees.

Danielle is a para-sports athlete and competes at a national level on her horse BML Jack Sparrow, they have goal to achieve international competition and hope to make the Paralympic team in the future.

Dr Karen Jacobs

Thursday Closing Plenary

Dr. Karen Jacobs is a distinguished occupational therapist and a recognised leader in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within occupational therapy. With a career spanning over four decades, she is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, the Program Director for the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy, and a Clinical Professor of occupational therapy at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She has been a faculty member since 1983 and has lived in two BU dormitories for nearly two decades as a faculty-in-residence while also hosting the interactive Sargent Choice Test Kitchen, a cooking program that engages students in healthy eating practices.

Dr. Jacobs holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Massachusetts, a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University. Her expertise spans multiple fields, including ergonomics, AI, marketing, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. She has made significant contributions to the application of AI in occupational therapy, focusing on how emerging technologies can enhance assessment tools, therapy interventions, and clinical outcomes for clients.

Her work in AI has led to innovative research that explores the intersection of machine learning, data analytics, and rehabilitation practices. Dr. Jacobs is particularly passionate about utilising AI to improve client care, streamline workflows, and provide personalised interventions that increase occupational performance. Her ongoing research and publications delve into the potential for AI to drive better therapeutic outcomes, especially in areas like ergonomics, assistive technology, and rehabilitation.

Dr. Jacobs has played a pivotal role in advancing the use of technology in occupational therapy, such as promoting the application of AI to enhance clinical decision-making and client interaction. She also pioneered initiatives like the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) National Backpack Awareness Day and created the Occupational Therapy Global Day of Service, helping to expand the profession’s global presence.

As a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA), the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), Dr. Jacobs is recognised for her contributions to both occupational therapy and the emerging role of technology in the field. She has been a tireless advocate for the ethical integration of AI into occupational therapy practice and for ensuring that AI applications are aligned with the values and principles of the profession.

Dr. Jacobs has held leadership roles, including serving as president and vice president of the AOTA, and has received numerous honors, such as the 2005 Fulbright Scholarship in Iceland, the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award, the AOTA 2020 Outstanding Mentor Award, and the 2024 AOTA/AOTF Presidents' Commendation in Honor of Wilma L. West.

In addition to her extensive leadership and advocacy work, Dr. Jacobs is the founding editor-in-chief of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, where she has contributed to shaping the future of occupational therapy in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. Through her pioneering work, Dr. Jacobs continues to influence the integration of AI in occupational therapy, ensuring the profession remains at the forefront of innovation and technology.

Dr Clinton Schultz

Friday Opening Plenary Speaker

Clinton Schultz, is a Gamilaraay man and a licensed psychologist. His work delves deeply into concepts of lore, culture, and the broad spectrum of health and wellness, emphasizing the well-being of health and community service workers.

His PhD, entitled "Winanga-li-gu, Guwaa-li-gu, Maruma-li-gu: Holistic Wellbeing for Aboriginal Health and Community Workers," garnered Griffith University's Chancellor’s award for academic excellence in 2019. He plays a pivotal role as Director of First Nations Strategy and Partnerships at the Blackdog Institute and co-founded Sobah Beverages.

Dr Schultz has published and presented extensively on the concept of social and emotional wellbeing from an Aboriginal perspective.

Emeritus Professor Gail Whiteford AM

Thursday Afternoon Invited Speaker

Gail Whiteford has been part of the occupational therapy community for forty years. In that time she has served in numerous roles including manager, researcher, research centre director, consultant and as Australia’s first Pro Vice Chancellor for Social Inclusion. She is widely published and has been an invited speaker in 14 countries including most recently at the 2023 Moroccan Occupational Therapy Conference. Gail has been the recipient of the Freda Jacob Award, a Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy Award for International Leadership, a NSW LHD Health Research Award and was honoured to deliver the 2019 Sylvia Docker Lecture and the 2022 Zemke Lecture in Occupational Science in San Diego. She has served as a Ministerial appointee on the board of NSW’s MNC Local Health District and was a project lead for WFOT from 2019-2023. In 2023 Gail received the Order of Australia (AM) for services to higher education and community health.

Associate Professor Justin Scanlan

Friday Closing Panel Facilitator

Associate Professor Justin Scanlan is an academic staff member at the University of Sydney. His research interests are innovative programs in mental health, mental health recovery and workplace wellbeing for mental health staff. He has published close to 100 journal articles and book chapters and has presented at many conferences. Justin has been a member of every Conference Scientific Program Committee for the OTA National Conference and Exhibition since 2011 and was Chair of the Conference Scientific Program Committee in 2019.

Michelle Bihary

Friday Closing Panellist

Michelle is a dynamic, passionate mental health occupational therapist, psychotherapist, and family therapist, who specialised for many years in youth mental health, completing extensive clinical training and accreditations in neuroplasticity, coaching, strengths, and emotional intelligence.
Michelle is passionate about supporting our profession to thrive sustainably and optimise our occupational performance to ensure we can flourish both personally and professionally while navigating challenging and complex work.
Michelle also advocates for the environment allied health professionals work within. She recognises the ways that healthcare systems and workplaces could lift their game above the line to create a far more optimal context. She provides transformative professional development programs in supervision, leadership and workforce wellbeing. Michelle has trained over 50,000 healthcare professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
Michelle has authored two books, Leading Above the Line: Applying Neuroscience to Build Psychologically Safe and Thriving Teams and Caring Costs: Addressing the Cost of Caring in Healthcare and is currently writing a book on Supervision.