Project Independence Welcomes Joy Burch to the Board of Directors
Fri Mar 13 2026
Project Independence is delighted to announce the appointment of Joy Burch to our Board of Directors — a respected leader with a distinguished career in public service, governance, and community advocacy.
Joy brings decades of experience across government, health, and the not-for-profit sector, along with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for communities.
A Leader in Public Service
Prior to joining the Project Independence Board, Joy served as the Member for Brindabella in the ACT Legislative Assembly from 2008 to 2024. During her time in government, she held several ministerial portfolios, including Housing and Disability, and later served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for eight years until her retirement from politics in 2024.
Throughout her parliamentary career, Joy built a reputation for collaborative leadership, practical problem-solving, and strong advocacy for inclusive community outcomes.
A Longstanding Supporter of Project Independence
Joy’s connection to Project Independence stretches back to the early days of the organisation. As Minister for Housing and Disability, she played an instrumental role in helping secure PI’s first property in Harrison, which became a foundational step in developing our supported homeownership model for people with intellectual disabilities.
Her support at that critical moment helped set the path for the growth and impact that PI has achieved today.
A Career Dedicated to Community Impact
Before entering politics, Joy built a diverse career across healthcare and community services. She began her professional life as a nurse and went on to manage rural health services, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges faced by regional communities.
She later led a not-for-profit organisation in the Northern Territory focused on improving access to GP services and worked as Executive Secretariat for university departments of rural health, supporting initiatives designed to improve healthcare access across rural and remote Australia.
Joy holds a Bachelor of Arts, has completed postgraduate studies in health information systems, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Strengthening PI’s Future
Joy brings extensive governance and public sector experience to the Project Independence Board, alongside a deep belief that positive outcomes are achieved through collaboration and strong partnerships.
Her strategic insight, advocacy skills, and commitment to community will play an important role as PI continues to expand its work providing supported homeownership and independent living opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
We are honoured to welcome Joy to the PI leadership team and look forward to her guidance as we continue building inclusive communities and empowering people to live independently.
“Joy’s deep understanding of housing, disability policy and community outcomes makes her an outstanding addition to the Project Independence Board. Her long-standing support of our work — including helping secure our first Harrison property — demonstrates her genuine commitment to creating opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to live independently. We are thrilled to welcome Joy and look forward to the strategic insight and leadership she will bring as we continue to grow.”
- Michael Claessens, CEO, Project Independence.
“Joy has been a supporter of Project Independence since our earliest days, and her contribution to securing our first property in Harrison helped lay the foundation for what PI has become today. Her experience in government, healthcare and community leadership will be invaluable as we expand our supported homeownership model and work towards a future where more people with intellectual disabilities can live independently and with dignity.”
- Glenn Keys AO, Founder & Chair, Project Independence.
References:
PI Board