The team at the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW working behind the scenes supporting the implementation of the program.
Odysseas Kripotos is our Media Mentor and Consultant Media Trainer. Odysseas is a sought after media and public relations professional who has worked as a journalist in both Greece and Australia. He has extensive experience as a radio producer and presenter including with SBS and 3ZZZ. He has delivered multiple projects in the CALD space, produced two podcast series, and has authored and delivered several communication and engagement strategies (including providing advice to SML). Odysseas is familiar with the Speak My Language (SML) model, as he was a Bi-Lingual Facilitator for the SML - Ageing Well program. His content and contributions were so outstanding he was one of a select few chosen to showcase the SML model and represent the SML brand during an extended interview session with the then Commonwealth Minister for Ageing, Hon. Ken Wyatt AM. MP.
Odysseas holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Masters Degree in Communication and Media, and a Masters of Teaching.
Noel is working in the SML Team in three roles: systems designer, programmer and administrator for the SML portal; senior sound engineer; and quality assurance officer. The SML Portal has greatly benefited from Noel's more than 30 years' experience working with information and communication technology. He is a whizz at coding in many computer languages, and has been employed as an ICT professional in the public service, private sector and in not-for-profits. Noel's vast experience with sound recording, sound editing and design using a variety of equipment and software will help to support our team of editors in SML. His skills in quality assurance are equally as impressive. He is well acquainted with intricacies of delivering large volumes of podcast content across states using remote teams, whilst also ensuring adequate workflows and guaranteeing standards of recording and content quality.
Vanessa Papastavros is the Communications and Engagement Officer for Speak My Language, overseeing the national media and communications strategy for the program. Vanessa graduated with first class Honours from a Bachelor of Media and Communications (Media, Arts and Production). She received the university medal for her original research on cross-cultural representations of gender deviance in children's animated media. She has a particular interest in cross-cultural communication and transnational media. Vanessa has worked as a media and communications adviser for two Federal Members of Parliament in Australia's most multicultural electorate, Reid. During this time, she oversaw the digital media strategy for a successful Federal Government election campaign in a marginal seat. Vanessa assisted in the early development of Speak My Language (Ageing Well). She is looking forward to contributing to the Speak My Language (Disability) program to assist in delivering engaging content for people living with a disability from diverse backgrounds.