People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Spindler-Smith as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Megan has served as Acting CEO since July 2025, after previously serving as Deputy CEO, and has been appointed to the role following a recruitment process.
PWDA Interim President Jarrod Sandell-Hay said the Board had seen first-hand the leadership Megan brought to the role.
“Megan has led PWDA with integrity, transparency and a genuine commitment to strengthening our organisation and ensuring we deliver for people with disability,” Mr Sandell-Hay said.
“They have been prepared to listen, to make difficult decisions when needed and to be open with the Board, our staff, members and community about the work ahead of us.
“Importantly, Megan understands that a strong PWDA depends on the people who make our work possible. They have invested in our staff, empowered our teams and kept our members and the people with disability we work alongside at the centre of our decisions.
“Megan hasn’t simply kept the organisation moving through a period of significant change. They have continued the work of strengthening PWDA so we are in the best possible position to deliver on our commitments to people with disability now and into the future.
“The Board has great confidence in Megan and in the leadership they will continue to bring to PWDA as CEO.”
As a person with disability, Megan brings their own lived expertise to their leadership, alongside a deep understanding of PWDA, our members and the breadth of our work.
Megan said being appointed CEO was both a privilege and a responsibility.
“PWDA has been built by generations of people with disability advocating for our rights and for genuine choice, control and say in the decisions that shape our lives and futures,” Megan said.
“Having had the privilege of being in leadership roles at PWDA for a number of years, I know the strength of this organisation comes from our members, our community and the people with disability who share their expertise and experiences with us every day.
“It also comes from our staff. I see every day the expertise, commitment and care they bring to their work, whether they are supporting someone to defend their individual rights, bringing people together, delivering projects and training, building evidence or advocating for broader change.
“There is a lot happening in our community and a lot of work ahead of us. My commitment is to keep strengthening PWDA, empowering our people to do their best work, listening to our members and making sure we use every part of this organisation to deliver for people with disability.
“I’m incredibly proud to continue leading PWDA and of what we can achieve together.”
The Board also acknowledges Sebastian Zagarella, who concluded his time as CEO this year after leading PWDA since 2020.
During his time as CEO, Sebastian worked alongside members, staff and the Board through a period of significant organisational growth, national advocacy and reform.
PWDA thanks Sebastian for his leadership and contribution to the organisation and wishes him every success for the future.
About Megan Spindler-Smith
Megan is a disabled executive leader with more than two decades of experience across the not-for-profit, public and private sectors, with a background spanning clinical practice, organisational development, inclusion, culture and change.
They have led work to strengthen disability inclusion and accessibility at a national level, including initiatives focused on accessible media and building stronger disability networks across multiple sectors.
Megan joined PWDA as Deputy CEO in July 2024 and, since August 2025, has served as Acting CEO. During this time, they have worked across the breadth of PWDA and led the organisation through a period of significant change for both PWDA and the disability community.
