Working with a shared mission
The MAX Solutions executive team leads our business towards our company mission, to give every person, every chance. By leading business areas to grow and develop, our business evolves to support the work it does in human services.
They share the same values as all employees in the business and are the hallmarks of their success as leaders in our organisation.
Deborah Homewood, Managing Director
Prior to joining MAX Solutions Ms Homewood was CEO for Pacnet, Australia and New Zealand, an Asian headquartered telecommunications carrier. She was with Pacnet for 10 years and has held various senior roles including Vice President Sales, South Asia.
Ms Homewood has had a diverse career encompassing multiple sectors including retail, medical industry and varying communications sectors. In 2005 she was named NSW Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, Corporate and Government sector. She is a current member of Chief Executive Women, and chaired the membership committee from 2010 to 2012, and was Non-Executive Director KU Children's Services 2006 to 2008.
Deborah is deeply committed to ensuring MAX Solutions meets the needs of all their clients and strongly believes that employment is a fundamental right that underpins self esteem, wellbeing and a connection to society.
Darren Hooper, Chief Operating Officer
Darren has worked in the human services sector for well over 30 years and has a strong commitment to ensure these services provide people with the best opportunity to meet their goals and reach their full potential.
Darren has worked for MAX Solutions since September 2014, appointed Chief Operating Officer in August 2016 and is responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of all operational areas of MAX. Darren has worked in many areas across the Australian Government, taking on strategic leadership roles delivering employment services, policy development programme management, workforce development and change management.
From 2002, Darren held senior executive roles with the various iterations of the Commonwealth employment departments and more recently the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where he held the position of the Queensland State Manager.
His other roles included managing property and business services, managing multi-billion dollar procurement processes, population and migration policy, large scale evaluations, and implementation of the Government’s Indigenous programme agenda.
Darren holds an honours degree in law, a management degree with a human resource major, and a diploma in project management. He holds professional memberships with the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Australian Institute of Project Management.
Darren is married with four adult children. He lives in Canberra where he follows the AFL, rides his motorcycle and enjoys a regular game of golf.
Adam Heilbron, Executive General Manager
Technology
Adam Heilbron joined the MAX Solutions team in 2017 as Executive General Manager of Technology. Bringing 18 years’ of knowledge to his position, Adam has extensive experience at Senior Management level in large and complex organisations. He is a strategically focused provider of technological advice and brings a wealth of knowledge to his role that covers implementing digital and cloud technology, advancing business operations, large scale project management and innovative thinking.
Throughout his career Adam has been responsible for both strategic and tactical planning and execution across large scale IT platforms and environments. As Director of Information Technology with MAX Solutions, Adam is responsible for setting the strategic direction of MAX Solutions IT and aligning all plans to the future state of the organisation. In conjunction with operations, Adam and his team are responsible for implementing innovative ways to assist the business by using technology for competitive advantage.
Adam is passionate about the role of technology in change management processes and continuous improvement through innovation. After completing his undergraduate degree in Technology with an Information Systems Major (Distinction) from Swinburne University in 2008, Adam attained his MBA from Charles Sturt University in 2010.
Cameron Taylor, Executive General Manager
Finance
Cameron is the Executive General Manager of Finance at MAX Solutions and comes to MAX with over 25 years' experience across a range of service industry sectors. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand, Cameron worked in the UK and the Netherlands for thirteen years in banking and advertising, gaining vast experience in large multinational businesses.
Within the banking sector, Cameron worked with JP Morgan, Swiss Bank Corporation and Cantor Fitzgerald. He went on to hold senior Finance Director and CFO roles with some of the world’s largest advertising and marketing communication groups, including TBWA (Omnicom Group) and DraftFCB (Interpublic Group) before returning to Australia.
In Australia, Cameron has contributed to the success of Flight Centre Group Ltd and Corporate Travel Management Ltd in senior finance roles, whilst gaining experience in the listed public company environment.
Cameron brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to MAX Solutions, managing finance functions and partnering with operational management to drive outcomes and performance. Cameron lives in Brisbane with his wife and identical twin boys who keep him busy with junior cricket and golf.
Fiona Lamb, Executive General Manager
Employment Services
Fiona has more than 20 years’ experience in the Employment Services industry, joining MAX Solutions in 1997 after a number of years working in the Education sector.Fiona has dedicated her career to the pursuit of helping people find sustainable work and has witnessed the transformation of many individuals throughout her career. She is an experienced senior manager and gains the most enjoyment from working and leading teams to reach their potential.
As Executive General Manager of Employment Services, Fiona is responsible for leading the jobactive and Disability Employment Services teams across Australia. Fiona holds a Bachelor of Education.
She lives in Melbourne with her husband, son and daughter, together with their West Highland White Terrier. She enjoys AFL, closely following Carlton FC and enjoys coaching her daughter’s netball team.
Joanne Ryan - Executive General Manager
Human Resources
Joanne has 12 years’ leadership experience operating as a solutions focused and pragmatic Human Resources Manager delivering on all facets of strategic and operational HR initiatives. Joanne has significant experience in large organisational and cultural change initiatives.
Joanne’s previous employment includes key management roles with Super Retail Group, SunnyCove Management Limited, and Woolworths Supermarkets. In 2012 Joanne received the Australian Retail HR Practitioner of the Year Award with the Australian Retailers Association, and has a MBA through Chifley Business School and a BBUS in HR and Marketing with USQ.
For Joanne, supporting diversity and developing people are her passions and the greatest asset for progressive forward-thinking organisations. Joanne lives in Brisbane with her partner and two boys.
Karen Massier, Executive General Manager
Strategy
Karen is the Executive General Manager of Strategy at MAX Solutions. Karen brings 18 years experience in social policy development, service design and delivery and government relations strategy.
Karen’s career has focussed on improving employment opportunities for all Australians and she is passionate about policy design that helps people help themselves. Karen has worked in Government as an adviser and chief of staff to three former Federal Ministers for Employment during the implementation of welfare reform agendas. While working in the Australian Public Service for five years, Karen headed teams designing welfare to work programmes, the privatisation of service delivery and programme management.
Most recently Karen has worked in the private sector specialising in strategy and positioning for government human service opportunities. Karen has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University and has been admitted to practice in the ACT Supreme Court.
Richard Spurrell, Executive General Manager
Quality, Performance and Analytics, Facilities
Richard Spurrell joined MAX Solutions in 2004 having worked in the employment and vocational training sectors since 1978 including 18 years in the Australian Commonwealth Public Service developing, delivering and managing employment and training programs.
Richard has devoted his career to the design, management and delivery of employment services and programs and has a firm belief that helping people gain and maintain employment is the most effective way of helping them take control of their lives.
Having previously performed all management roles within MAX, including a period as Managing Director of MAXIMUS UK, Richard is responsible for contract performance and compliance on all major government contracts. This includes Quality systems, internal audit teams, setting performance standards and reporting against those and developing new processes and practices.
Richard is currently a Director of Goldfields Employment and Training Services, a joint venture of MAX Solutions and MEEDAC Inc, delivering services to remote regions in Western Australia and specifically responsible for improving outcomes for indigenous people and their communities.
Richard is also a Director of MAX Foundation, a charitable foundation. Having previously studied teaching Richard also holds a Masters of Business Administration.
