Meet the team – Maria Stephenson

How long have you been with DPS?

Aside from a brief seven-month hiatus, in which I tried to pursue ambitions outside of DPS Publishing, I couldn’t help but return in March of 2023. Ultimately, in the six years I’ve been with the company, I have grown attached to my role, the people around me and the work that I do. I really couldn’t picture a life without DPS and based on the kind words from colleagues, they must feel the same way about me.

What is your role?

Although my official title is ‘Head Of National Disability Sales,’ I find that I can wear many different hats throughout the course of my day. Sometimes, I hear about what we need to improve for the future of the company, but most of my days are spent hearing about what it is that we do right. Over the course of six years, I can’t help but agree with the shared optimism in the office — for where we’re at and for where we intend to go.

What are some of the things you’ve learnt in this role at DPS?

I’ve been caught up in how complex the industry, along with the disability sector more broadly, can be. It’s challenged my understanding of how people with disability managed to navigate a lot of the jargon and how their families make sense of it all. That’s why I see the value in what I, along with the company, do on a day-to-day basis.

What is the best thing about working for DPS?

Well, actually, it’s exactly that — it’s working for DPS. Across the people and the industries I deal with — DPS is friendly and inclusive; it’s just what we do. DPS cares for its people, clients and community, not to mention its staff.

What is the best thing you have worked on?

The Disability Support Guide of course, it’s like my baby. Which, I suppose, would make our online Disability Support Guide and news platform, Talking Disabiliy, like friends of my baby. I guess it’s just that popular already!

What is your greatest achievement?

Launching the Disability Support Guide and building it to where it is at now, for certain. It’s been a long time coming and I’m glad that we can finally offer people a directory to point them in the right direction and navigate the systems in place.

Now, for some more lighthearted questions… Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

In my own head, of course! All jokes aside, I have been to many fun and beautiful places, but I would definitely say the United Kingdom, just because of its age. Of course, there’s also Hadrian’s Wall, all of the castles, Shakespeare, the Bronti sisters… Visiting where these people lived and how these places inspired them is very interesting, to me, anyway.

Read our previous Meet the Team profile here. If you want to stay up to date with the latest  news and information about the aged care sector, sign up for our Talking Aged Care newsletter.