Who we are
Who we are
Our Values
We believe in working collaboratively, and with purpose, creativity, and empathy.
Working together, Kaleidoscope Focus creates greater, measurable, and sustainable impact.
Who is Kaleidoscope Focus?
Michelle Dodd and Rachel Dickson both run well-established and successful consultancies. With their complementary approaches and skillsets, the move to join forces and create Kaleidoscope Focus was a natural progression. Their collaboration, based on experience, mutual strong values, a passion for music, and a shared sense of humour, all contribute to the success of Kaleidoscope Focus, not only for Michelle and Rachel, but also for the people and organisations they work with. Part of this success includes their Senior Advisors who provide counsel and advice in their fields of expertise.
Kaleidoscope Focus works with people and organisations to rediscover and revitalise their direction, and to grow their capacities and capabilities, so they can better support the people and communities they serve.
Seeking to make meaningful difference by sharing their expertise and knowledge enables the people and organisations they work with to magnify their own – and Kaleidoscope Focus’ – positive impact.
Michelle Dodd
Partner
Michelle Dodd is an accomplished strategist and management consultant, working in the human services sector for more than 30 years. A former senior executive in the NSW Public Service, she understands what it takes for people and organisations to survive and thrive in complex and ever-changing environments.
An excellent communicator and facilitator who leads with integrity and compassion, Michelle connects strategy, culture, and systems to build organisations’ capacities and capabilities to work with purpose, and motivate people to achieve their best.
Rachel Dickson
Partner
Rachel Dickson is an experienced developmental psychologist with more than 20 years’ practise in the human services sector in clinical, training and research fields. She is an advocate of empowering others to navigate life’s challenges with honesty, congruence and self-actualisation. Rachel’s areas of passion and interest include: supporting individuals with neurodivergent brains to discover their motivations and unlock their creative strengths; strengthening teams through humanistic approaches to problem solving; and mental health awareness.
A skilled facilitator in person centred approaches, leadership development, and reflective practices, Rachel has worked nationally and abroad, sharing her approach with others.
Meet our Senior Advisors
Professor Emerita Patricia O’Brien
From 2009-2020 Patricia was Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, affiliated with the University of Sydney. Prior to this role, Patricia held respective academic appointments at Trinity College, Dublin, as Director of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability and at the University of Auckland as Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research.
Patricia’s research interests and publications cover deinstitutionalisation, individual supported living, housing, advocacy, inclusive education, community participation, service design and support. She is known for leading inclusive research initiatives where people with intellectual disabilities are involved as co-researchers. Patricia is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Intellectual Disability.
Send Patricia an email
Sue Mathieson
Sue Mathieson worked with people with a disability, families and communities for over 30 years. For over 15 of those years she worked as a Senior Executive within the NSW Public Service and as a CEO in the Not For Profit sector.
As a leader, Sue promoted values-based practice. She has strong experience in strategic and operational management in complex human service organisations.
Send Sue an email
Phillip Dickson
Phillip Dickson is a former journalist, administrator and Australian Press Council industry member with 40 years’ media experience.
Phillip retired from Australian Associated Press as managing director in 2015 and later was invited by the national news agency to establish its ethics, standards and complaints review committee, on which he served a two-year term as independent chairman.
Send Phillip an email
Michelle Dodd
We worked with Michelle on a number of projects and tender processes. She listened to what we needed and was able to use her experience and networks to produce really fantastic work that enhanced our organisation. She understood who we were as well as the people, families and communities we work with, and was such an asset for us.
Rachel Dickson
“From this program I have confidence around where we are heading… I am taking away a changed perspective and way of thinking about working with people, and some purpose and excitement too”.
Kaleidoscope Focus
“These sessions were great. I think there was real value in attending and I believe it helped us grow as a team.”