Anne Nioa
Executive Manager - STEPS Charity
Anne is a well-known and respected business professional and corporate adviser with broad experience in business, government, politics, management, tourism, international relations, events and the community.
Anne managed the Tourism, Events and Marketing portfolio as a member of the Fraser Coast Council from 2004 to 2012, and brings years of experience running successful organisations to STEPS Autism Treehouse.
Anne’s career in local government and business management spans more than two decades, providing her with an extensive network of contacts across the business, government and community sectors throughout Queensland and Australia.
Anne has an established reputation for providing evidenced-based advice and hands on guidance to national and international business, government, politics and small business.
She has demonstrated a high level of proficiency in small business, real estate, public speaking, tourism, marketing, project and events management, team leadership, high level communication and negotiation, international relations and sales.
A former furniture and homewares importer, real estate agent and business strategist her goal is to grow STEPS Autism Treehouse to expand their reach and extend their services into regional Australia to support more families living with autism.
Anne also has a deeply personal connection to STEPS through her daughter Ariana, who has Down Syndrome, and attended the STEPS Pathways College in Caloundra since 2017 and graduated last year.
Ms Nioa, a single mother who raised her children alone after her husband lost a battle with bowel cancer in 1997, knows first-hand how important organisations like STEPS Autism Treehouse are to the community and to parents like her.
STEPS Pathways College provided her daughter with a living and learning facility for young adults with disabilities, that really allowed her to begin an incredible new chapter in her life towards independence, and the opportunity to shine.
She understands that raising a child with a disability presents such unique challenges to parents that it can sometimes feel like an all-consuming responsibility.
Anne says that as the mother of a young person with a disability she understands how important it is to know that there are services out there that you can lean on like STEPS. She says her daughter’s new independence has also given Anne a new independence and she would like to help other families on that important journey.
Carmel Crouch
STEPS Group managing DIRECTOR
Carmel Crouch has held numerous senior executive roles in a career that spans both the commercial and non profit sector. Carmel is a distinguished community leader and a passionate advocate for disabilities and equal opportunities for all people. This, combined with her in depth knowledge of contract administration, has led her to play an important role in policy change and implementation. Carmel’s innovative approach to service delivery, skilled strategic leadership, and business acumen have been instrumental in the successful growth and diversification of the organisation. Carmel’s responsibilities as Managing Director also includes the role of Chief Executive Officer of STEPS’ Registered Training Organisation.
Over the years Carmel has sat on many committees concerned with social and economic progression and recently served for 3 years as a member of the Executive Committee of Regional Development Australia, Sunshine Coast. Today Carmel sits on the Caloundra CBD Taskforce, and is a representative for the Partners In Recovery Council for the Sunshine Coast and Gympie Regions. Carmel is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.