Our speakers

Sally Lambourne is Dementia Australia’s General Manager Consumer Engagement. She is responsible for developing and implementing the national consumer engagement strategy across the organisation and managing the Consumer Engagement team.  Sally ensures that people living with dementia and carers collaborate with Dementia Australia in decision-making, advocacy, policy, planning and service development.

Sally joined the Dementia Australia team in October 2013 after 24 years’ experience across the government, private and non-profit sectors. Her career spans a wide range of disciplines, including aged care, women’s and youth health, child protection, policy, evaluation, organisational development and management consulting.

Sally has extensive experience in developing, supporting and expanding consumer engagement which began when she established the Youth Health Advisory Network for a Sydney Area Health Service. In recognition of her achievements, Sally was awarded the NSW Baxter Health Award for ‘Engaging the Community’. She also won the Area Health Services ‘Award for Excellence’ for achievement in consumer and carer participation under the National Standards for Mental Health Services.

For three years Sally managed the Dementia Australia NSW Transitions into Care project where she was successful in elevating the voice of 1,290 carers to support 102 residential aged care providers to improve the quality of living for residents and family carers.

Sally has co-authored articles for the Australian Journal of Dementia Care including ‘Moving into Care, Turning Research into Good Practice’ and ‘We are still gay…: the needs of LGBT Australians with Dementia’. She has also co-authored a book chapter ‘Person Centred Care and Cultural Safety: The Perspectives of Lesbian, Gay and Trans People and their Partners on Living with Dementia’ in the 2016 edition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* Individuals Living with Dementia, edited by Sue Westwood and Elizabeth Price.

Sally graduated with a Master of Policy Studies - High Distinction, from the University of NSW and was the recipient of the Prize in Policy Studies.  She also holds a degree in Health Science (Nursing) and a Graduate Diploma in Community Health.

Sally is passionate about human rights and social justice and is committed to ensuring that people with dementia, their families and care partners have a voice in advocating for their needs and priorities.