Our People

Dr. Jon Russell – Director

Dr Russell has a wealth of clinical psychological and occupational rehabilitation experience. Before becoming the Director of Russell Professional Group he was a Senior Lecturer of Psychology at La Trobe University for seventeen years. He also held the position of Associate Professor with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, USA.

Regarded as an expert in the field of stress related illness, Jon has pioneered a number of Early Intervention programs for both corporate clients and insurers. Jon has been involved in numerous large scale organisational research projects. As a faculty member at La Trobe University he conducted research examining predictors of return to work for individuals with a psychological/psychiatric condition. This four year research project culminated in 1997, and was published and presented to a number of local and international bodies. More recently, Jon has been involved in leading research into the costs of stress claims.

His dynamic and efficacious style continues to provide favourable results in the areas of conflict resolution and return to work solutions. Jon also provides Management coaching and support services to a range of industries across the public and private sector.

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Jeanne Snider - Manager Organisational Development

Ms. Snider has worked in training, coaching and counselling for over seven years. Her areas of expertise are in communication, career development, stress management, dealing with conflict and handling difficult workplace dynamics. She has particular expertise in the area of emotional intelligence, having written two major papers and a psychological test as well as several training programs in this area. She has a passion for promoting individual personal development, skill building and insight through discussion, exploration and experiential learning. She also offers the use of a range of assessment tools to enhance the coaching experience.

Jeanne brings a great deal of interesting life experience to her training career. She has lived in San Francisco, Hollywood, Brussels, Belgium and Dijon, France, and speaks fluent French. She produced television commercials, music videos and training films for ten years in Los Angeles and Melbourne. She has also performed as an actress in commercials and music videos, and still loves acting with community theatre groups. With such a colourful and dynamic background, Jeanne has a flair for adding innovation, creativity, insight, and a sense of fun to her training programs.

Jeanne designs and delivers training, and provides one-on-one coaching and counselling. She also enjoys promoting the services of Russell Professional Group and building lasting professional relationships. Bringing extensive experience in managing elaborate film productions, she is often responsible for overseeing Russell Professional Group’s larger training projects.

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Kerry Genovese – Senior Consultant

Ms. Genovese has been a Psychologist for eighteen years. She has provided counselling, behavioural coaching and training to staff and managers from a wide range of government, private and community organisations. She has the ability and sensitivity to relate well with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Her clients have included staff ranging from the factory floor through to executive level. A major focus of her work is to help individuals recognise their strengths and build skills to deal confidently and effectively with interpersonal and work-related problems.

Kerry has extensive experience in the provision of interventions for conflict resolution, and group debriefings following workplace incidents. Her background includes several years as a trauma consultant for major companies, and three years working within medical clinics as a private practitioner.

Kerry brings a wealth of experience to Russell Professional Group, with particular relevance to stress prevention and management. She is a qualified mediator, and applies these skills in various workplace contexts.

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Lorraine Stokes - Senior Consultant

Following a thirteen year career with Telstra, Ms. Stokes undertook tertiary study at Griffith University, where she was awarded the Behavioural Science and Psychology Medals. Since 2001, Lorraine has been engaged in Doctoral research exploring the communication and management of large-scale organisational change within a Queensland Hospital, with the aim of improving the capacity of organisations to achieve strategic goals in challenging environments.

Lorraine has extensive experience conducting organisational diagnosis and evaluations using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Lorraine is a fully registered Psychologist and an accredited facilitator of the leadership and team development tools developed by Team Management Systems. Lorraine can assist organisations in a range of areas including strategic planning, learning and development, career counselling, resolving interpersonal conflict, facilitating group processes, and change management. She is an experienced counsellor and coach, and enjoys assisting individuals, groups and organisations to optimise personal and organisational change, and to master behaviours most likely to deliver the outcomes they seek to achieve.

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Lea Kewish – Consultant

Ms. Kewish has over thirty years experience in health, education and consultancy across public and private sectors. As an Occupational Therapist Lea has worked in physical and mental health institutions and community and correctional settings in Victoria, New South Wales, the United States, and the United Kingdom. She has headed large projects in community and adolescent mental health. Lea subsequently moved into occupational health and safety and private clinical practice focussing on rehabilitation, stress, injury and pain prevention and management. She is passionate in assisting people to develop self management skills and attitudes.

As a teacher and trainer Lea taught in secondary schools and later moved to teaching adults in tertiary, community and business sectors. In public and business areas such as manufacturing, printing trades and construction, Lea has focussed on occupational health and safety law and developing tailored training packages such as manual handling, office ergonomics, supervisory OH&S skills, stress management and communication skills. With her extensive clinical and training experience Lea brings an effective set of adaptable skills to Russell Professional Group.

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Judith Scott – Consultant

Experienced in occupational psychology with detailed knowledge of vocational, industrial and labour market issues, Ms. Scott has worked in the fields of vocational assessment, counselling and return to work support. Also skilled in the areas of psychometric testing, worksite assessment and resume development, Judith combines her expertise and experience in the provision of effective return to work outcomes for clients with complex needs including stress and physical injury.

Judith has extensive knowledge of the government sector, having implemented programs and written briefings for the former Victorian WorkCare Authority and the Department of Human Services. She has worked on labour market programs for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and has also provided psychological services for the Department of Family and Community Services.

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Joe Carullo - Consultant

Mr. Carullo has in excess of twenty years experience working in human resource management at middle to senior management level. He has significant experience as an employment consultant in the rehabilitation industry. Joe has conducted over 300 vocational assessments, and placed in excess of 200 WorkCover clients into vocational positions. Joe prides himself in ensuring durability of vocational placements through the provision of post-placement support.

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Nina Bassi - Business Manager

Ms. Bassi has over eight years experience in business development having worked closely with over 600 business owners, directors and managers in assisting their companies in generating additional business through marketing, promotion, networking as well as assisting them to grow financially through securing new markets.

Nina has experience across a diverse range of industries, as well as all facets of business. Nina joined Russell Professional Group as Business Manager, and in this capacity she brings with her a wealth of marketing and financial experience, as well as project coordination expertise.

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