i AM Support is registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguarding Commission and provides support coordination services.

Alana Mitchell

Founding Director

Located in Melbourne, VIC

Alana (Lana) Mitchell, Director of i AM Support, brings over 15 years of experience in the disability and mental health sectors across Australia and New Zealand. As the founder of i AM Support, her first "baby," Lana's passion shines through in everything she does. She is driven by her lived experience as a person born with a hand difference and as a mother to a son with unique needs, which has shaped her deep commitment to advocating for people with disabilities.

In addition to leading i AM Support, Lana holds volunteer governance roles with two not-for-profit organisations supporting people with limb differences. Lana is passionate about helping children, young people, and families with complex support needs and is also dedicated to supporting individuals transitioning from custodial settings back to their community.

Lana was recently recognised with the 2024 Enablement Award for Most Outstanding Specialist Support Coordination Services Provider, celebrating her leadership and dedication within the sector.

Lana’s favourite thing about being a support coordinator is seeing the difference good support can make to quality of life, while building strong, supportive relationships. If Lana wasn't a support coordinator, she would be a hand surgeon, or giving back to the limb difference community.

Outside of work, Lana enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and indulging in her favourite foods— seafood and Vietnamese. Originally from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, she finds peace in nature and loves spending time with her family and her pomeranian dog, Ana.

Values: Connection, Inclusion, Love, Relationships

Brayden Lawson

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Located in Perth, WA

Brayden is the driving force behind the operations of i AM Support and the biggest supporter of Alana’s vision and lived experience within the disability sector. He plays a vital role in managing the behind-the-scenes functions, always encouraging the growth and direction of the business.

A true outdoorsman, Brayden loves boating and diving and holds commercial diving qualifications. On a sunny summer day, you'll most likely find him out on the water. As a dedicated foodie, Brayden enjoys seafood of all kinds. With a kind heart and a personal connection to disability, Brayden is committed to advocacy and ensuring i AM Support makes a difference.

Values: Growth, Innovation, and Integrity

Dave Serpell

HR and Admin Lead

Located in Melbourne, VIC

Dave’s favourite aspect of being in iAM Support is witnessing the positive changes in the lives of the people we support. For Dave, the true reward comes from knowing his efforts are making a real difference. At i AM Support, Dave appreciates how much the organisation values both its staff and the people it supports, prioritising their needs over anything else.

Outside of work, Dave enjoys spending time with his family, catching up on sleep, indulging in good food, and going on relaxing drives. His go-to meal is a classic Chicken Parmigiana and Chips, and his favourite song is The Remedy by Jason Mraz. If he weren’t a Support Coordinator, Dave would pursue his passion for becoming a specialised driving instructor.

With extensive experience in sales, customer service, and the car industry, including roles at Toyota and Lexus, as well as being a former state sales manager for a disability mobility provider, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge. His strengths include empathy, problem-solving, and building trust with those around him.

Values: Love, Honesty, Ethics, Compassion, Integrity, and Freedom

Stephanie D'Ovidio

Specialist Support Coordinator

Located in Perth, WA

With a deep passion for making a difference, Stephanie is dedicated to supporting participants and their families with compassion and care. She thrives on building meaningful connections and helping individuals access the right services to enhance their independence and well-being.

Bringing over a decade of experience in self-development and holistic healing, Stephanie has worked with people of all ages to navigate challenges and rediscover their inner strength. She is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling, she holds a Master Reiki Practitioner, and certifications in Life Coaching and NLP, and Holistic Counselling and Meditation Teaching.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and exploring nature. As an Italian, she has a special love for homemade pasta, and her playlist is filled with old-school R&B and ‘80s/’90s hits

Values: Compassionate, understanding, intuitive, working with complexity and nuances.

Alana Mitchell

Welcome! My name is Lana and I have lived experience of a person with a disability and am a mum with a son, both of us who were born with a hand difference and other unique needs.

My purpose in life has always been to connect with unique human beings and support those who require it. I have fourteen years of experience working in the disability and mental health sectors within Australia and New Zealand.

In both my professional and personal life, I am a highly motivated and positive person who thrives on personal development and setting and achieving goals. ‘Te Whare Tapa Whā’ is a Māori health model that resonates with my holistic view of health and well-being.

I am passionate about the disability sector and ensuring all persons have the opportunity to reach their potential. I am particularly interested in supporting children, young people, and family systems with complex support needs. Another area of interest is working with individuals in custodial settings and supporting their transition back into their community – back to their sense of belonging. I am dedicated to creating opportunities for those I collaborate with, fostering strong human connections, and uncovering the unique potential within each individual. I am originally from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, appreciate the connection with people and nature and enjoy being with my dog, Ana.

Testimonial

“I want to sincerely thank you for all the guidance and support you gave me during my placement. You were patient and always willing to share your knowledge. I learned so much and truly appreciated the time you invested in me and the trust you showed by giving me space to grow. It was a privilege working alongside you.”
Placement Student
“I am sure I speak on behalf of the team when I say thank you for the enormous amount of effort, work, and advocacy you have put forward. It can be hard to continue at this intensity without acknowledgement, so I wanted to make sure you knew it is seen and valued.”
Allied Health Professional
“ You and Steph are both just amazing at what you do. Thank you again”  
Plan Manager
“Thank you for the kind and professional way you handled such a difficult matter. You are one in a million.”
Finance Person, Service Provider
"I am really happy that I attended your celebration, the venue and speeches were outstanding. Lovely to catch up; you have a fab team with lots of passion and hearts in the right place"
National Partnership Manager
"Thank you so much for inviting us to celebrate with you, your family, your staff and your clients and colleagues. We had such an amazing time and both left with our hearts so full of admiration, joy and gratitude. We loved being a part of the celebration, and it was really inspiring to see just how much you guys have achieved, and how many lives you have touched."
Senior Physiotherapist
"Amazing Marnie, I have heard wonderful things about you!"
Service Provider
"I must say you are an outstanding Support Coordinator, and I am very grateful for your responsiveness and the opportunity be part of the team…  over the moon with you as their Support Coordinator."
Support Worker
"It has been an absolute pleasure and delight working with you Lana. Your passion to ensure families receive the best support and tenacity in advocating... your precise note-taking and openness to exploring alternative; your highly organised skills, enthusiasm, and openness to support any changes that work best for your families, is of immense benefit to all involved."
Consultant Family Systems, Disability Services
"I have been so impressed with your professionalism, integrity, and commitment. Many thanks for all your hard work and positive collaboration with the government."
Local Coordinator, Disability Services
"I have enjoyed working with Lana as my son's Support Coordinator. I really appreciate the effort she has put into building a rapport and getting to know my son. She is knowledgeable, adaptable, and innovative and I have learned much working with her."
Parent
"​I have been so grateful to Lana… she has really helped me pull things together."
Parent
"You achieved more in a short time than anyone else had previously. Your genuine approach and support have meant the world to me, and I only wish you had been my support coordinator from the beginning. Thank you for everything — I’ll always be grateful."
Sister of focus person
i AM Support
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