Melissa Smith

Chief Executive

My association with the disability sector and this organisation began in 2000 when I was a student social worker at Otago University. During my first social work placement, I recognised how easily my values align with those of CCS Disability Action, and after graduation I joined the Southland branch as a Support Worker and then Community Worker (now Service Coordinator).

With my eye on travelling, I moved to Perth where after a period as a Support Worker I saw a role advertised as an Employment Consultant with the Western Australia Deaf Society. The Deaf Society took me on in this role and not only taught me to show employers the reality behind many of their myths around employing Deaf people, but they also ensured that I had the opportunity to qualify as Australian sign language interpreter. I never thought when I moved to Australia that I would need to learn another language! I was fortunate to be supported to move into leadership roles in the Employment Service, Community Service Department and Interpreting Service whilst with the Deaf Society, but by far the thing I remain most grateful for was the opportunity to lead a team of solely Deaf employees. Leading and supporting a team in their work whilst they were teaching and supporting me with the most basic level of language development at different times is a truly humbling experience and one I will never forget.

The Team Leader role for the Otago branch was advertised in 2009 and I came home to take up that position. When the region restructured four years later, I also became Team Leader in Waitaki and later moved into the acting Regional Manager role. In October 2016, I commenced as the General Manager of the new Southern Region and enjoyed the challenges of working across the length and breadth of the South Island.

CCS Disability Action is about family and relationships for me. My Mum is a Service Coordinator in the Southland branch and I had my son while working as Team Leader in Otago. He began coming to work with me for a period from 11 weeks of age. To add to this, I have had the privilege of meeting and engaging with so many members of our team, the disabled community and the disability sector, to the point where I can say I call many of those I have met, a friend.

In stepping into the role of Chief Executive, I recognise there will be moments that challenge me and in those times I will rely on these relationships. I also recognise that there will be many opportunities for growth and development and I welcome them. Along the way there will also be the moments that will become my new moments that I never forget – and I look forward to these.