Our people
The Ombudsman is supported by a team of skilled and dedicated staff.
We employ about 115 staff who have a diverse range of qualifications, experience and backgrounds.
Our people have qualifications ranging from law and criminal justice to social science, human rights, media and communications, and business.
The Ombudsman and three Deputy Ombudsmen make up the organisation's Executive.
Deputy Ombudsman, Operations – Dan Nicholson
| Dan Nicholson is the Deputy Ombudsman responsible for Operations, including complaints, investigation and legal areas. Prior to joining the Victorian Ombudsman, Dan spent 12 years at Victoria Legal Aid, directing both the criminal and civil justice divisions. In these roles, he led the organisation’s criminal law services through rapid change during COVID-19 lockdowns and led the response to the Robodebt program. Dan previously managed the Human Rights Unit at the Victorian Department of Justice, worked at the Court of Appeal and Fitzroy Legal Service, and worked on a range of human rights issues in Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Dan has been a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission since 2018 and was a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council from 2021 to 2024. |  |
Deputy Ombudsman, Prevention – Andrew Adason
| Andrew Adason is the Deputy Ombudsman responsible for Prevention, including communications, engagement, policy and intelligence. Prior to this role, Andrew was the Assistant Ombudsman, strategic adviser and head of the Ombudsman’s executive office. Andrew has worked with the Victorian Ombudsman since 2015, including as principal investigator leading a range of human rights investigations examining the closure of Victoria’s state borders in 2021, the detention and treatment of public housing residents during a COVID-19 'hard lockdown' in July 2020 and practices related to solitary confinement of children and young people and the United Nations’ Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). |  |
Deputy Ombudsman, Corporate – Kerryn Ellis
| Kerryn Ellis is a passionate public sector leader with over 25 years’ experience working with communities experiencing rapid change. Kerryn’s main professional love is building high-performing, ethical and agile organisations with values-based leadership, working in partnership with the community to deliver great outcomes. Prior to joining the Victorian Ombudsman as Deputy Ombudsman, Corporate, Kerryn was Chief Executive Officer of South Gippsland Shire Council for five years, leading the transition back to elected local democracy following a tumultuous period. Kerryn has also held positions as Director, Corporate Services, at the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and Director, Corporate Performance, with the City of Greater Bendigo. Kerryn holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Public Policy and Management, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. Kerryn was recognised as one of the IPAA Top 50 Public Sector Women in 2021. |  |
Careers
Work with an energetic and passionate team. Look for career opportunities with us.
Careers — Roles with usCode of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct sets the behaviour expected of our employees.
Code of Conduct — See Code