Sammy’s career has taken her across the human services landscape – from frontline investigations and casework to hospitals as a first responder in domestic, family and sexual violence incidents, to national leadership roles shaping policy and reform. Along the way, she has seen both the challenges and the possibilities of the sector, and she has built a reputation as a trusted, pragmatic voice who knows how to turn vision into action.
One of Sammy’s most influential roles was as Queensland Manager and National Manager for Child Safe Organisations at NAPCAN. In this position, she worked closely with the Australian Human Rights Commission and other sector leaders to support the establishment of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations – a landmark framework that continues to guide safeguarding practice across Australia. Sammy played a central role in translating the Principles into practice, helping organisations of all sizes embed child-safe systems, policies, and culture. She also authored, designed and delivered professional development programs, resources, and workshops that built capacity in schools, community organisations, and service providers nationwide – including topics on child safe organisational practice, leadership briefings, child abuse and neglect identification and prevention, and the National early years protective behaviours program, ‘Safer Communities for Children’.
At Ernst & Young (EY), Sammy stepped into a national consulting role that allowed her to scale her impact even further. As a Senior Manager in the Human Services Practice, she led strategy and transformation projects across child protection, youth justice and domestic and family violence. She worked with agencies including the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Corrective Services and the National Office for Child Safety to redesign services, align operations with legislation, and embed contemporary practice approaches. Sammy became known for her ability to bridge the gap between policy and practice – translating reform agendas into workable solutions that improved safety and wellbeing outcomes on the ground.
Sammy has always brought a human lens to big systems work. Whether leading state-wide projects in Queensland or delivering reforms at a national level, she focuses on what truly matters: the lived experience of children, families, and communities. Her expertise spans service design, safeguarding, prevention, and community development, but what sets her apart is her ability to work side by side with people – from government leaders to grassroots carers – to create solutions that last.
Now, as co-founder of Social Vantage Advisory, Sammy brings more than 15 years of experience to organisations across Australia. With her Bachelor of Social Work (with Distinction) and postgraduate qualifications in statutory child protection, case management, and training and assessment, she combines academic grounding with lived professional expertise. She continues to champion child safety, prevention, and wellbeing, working to ensure services are not only effective, but also safe, respectful, and inclusive for everyone who relies on them.
For Sammy, this work isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling.