Episode 4: Shae Wissell

Shae Wissell

Shae Wissell

Shae Wissell is the CEO, Founder and Executive Director of the Dear Dyslexic Foundation and she serves as Managing Director and Secretary of the Board.

Shae trained as a Speech Pathologist and then completed a Masters Degree in Public Health and one in Health Administration. Shae has worked extensively over the last 15 years in the Health Sector as a clinician and manager. She has worked on major Federal and State health projects, within the Not-For-Profit and Community sector. She more recently has been working and connecting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities to improve their access to health care services.

Shae’s passion for working in public health and empowering people with dyslexia led her to establish the Dear Dyslexic Foundation.

As a person with dyslexia herself, Shae has seen and experienced first hand the challenges those with dyslexia can face. The impact dyslexia has on a person’s education, employment and quality of life. Shae is currently a Doctoral candidate researching the social and emotional wellbeing of young people and adults with dyslexia and their workplace experiences within the Australian context.

Shae will be debuting her first book – The Hobo CEO, A Year in the Life of a Dyslexic Social Entrepreneur. The book will be on sale on the 1st of October in line with Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Awards

In 2020 Shae was nominated for the Aspire awards which recognise Australians who identify with a disability and whose work and achievements have made a significant contribution to their profession or community. The awards will be announced on the 30th of October.

Shae was also shortlisted for the Pro Bono Australia’s 2019 Impact 25 Awards. These awards were started in 2014 and each year they aim to shine a spotlight on incredible individuals making a positive impact in the community.

In 2019 Shae won three awards People’s Choice Award for Leadership, the Women’s Business School Accelerate Award and second for the Making a Difference Award (Non-Profit).

2018 Shortlisted for Telstra Business Woman of the Year for her work at the Dear Dyslexic Foundation.