Meet the ADAQ Leadership Team

Ben Stockwin

Chief Executive Officer

Ben Stockwin is a highly strategic, creative, and outcomes-focused CEO with over 15 years of experience delivering impressive results through organisational transformation and growth. Ben commenced his career as a schoolteacher and principal, bringing this foundation in people-centred leadership to the not-for-profit sector.

Ben joins ADAQ with a strong background in leadership and association management, bringing proven experience in guiding member-focused organisations through times of opportunity and growth. His passion for strengthening professional communities and supporting members will ensure ADAQ continues to thrive as the peak body representing dentists across Queensland.

Throughout his career he has developed a talent for understanding the intrinsic relationship between both big picture and fine details and can implement innovative ideas geared towards delivering impressive growth and transformative optimisations.
 
Ben is an optimistic, open, and results-oriented leader with a passion for bringing strategy to life and supporting people to become the best versions of themselves by treating them with respect, trust, and accountability. His leadership style has been described as collaborative and affiliative, working hard to ensure that all individuals feel valued and important.

Ben Stockwin can be contacted on [email protected]


Jane Palmer

Chief Finance and Risk Officer

Jane graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She has worked in accounting roles across numerous industries and within the public sector. Jane relocated to Brisbane in 2011 and was working as the Financial Accountant for a Logistics company overseeing the south east region of Australia before joining ADAQ in February 2021 as Finance Manager.

Jane Palmer can be contacted at [email protected]

Larissa Alderton

Manager - Compliance and Advisory Services

Larissa has 18 years experience in dentistry as an Oral Health Therapist. In addition to her Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy, Larissa holds a Master of Health Management, with a background in Healthcare Law and Ethics. At ADAQ Larissa assists dental practitioners with insurance claims, regulatory complaints (Ahpra, OHO, QCAT), health fund audits, regulatory requirements and patient complaints. Her clinical understanding of dentistry, first-hand experience in patient management and deep understanding of regulatory bodies makes her an incredible asset to ADAQ. 

Larissa Alderton and her team can be contacted at [email protected]


Sharyn Dunn

Manager - Training and Practice Consultancy Services

Sharyn has been with ADAQ for over ten years, working in our Education and Advisory Services Team. Sharyn's team provides practices with support and consultancy services with a team of four skilled professionals with education and backgrounds in dentistry. Sharyn is also the Manager of the ADAQ RTO, overseeing the online delivery of training for Certificates III and IV in Dental Assisting. Sharyn has had practical experience working in private practice as a Dental Assistant and then Practice Manager, she holds a Diploma of Quality Auditing, Diploma of Training and Assessment, Diploma of Practice Management as well as Dental Assisting and Sterilisation qualifications.

Sharyn Dunn and her team can be contacted at [email protected]


Paula Clark 

Manager – Education & Quality

Paula obtained her degree in Bachelor of Dentistry at the University Camilo Castelo Branco, Brazil, and Masters in Health Service Management from the University of Tasmania. Paula practised Dentistry in her early working career and has achieved extensive experience in clinical education across academic and corporate environments. After her experience at the University of Sydney, Bupa Dental Care, and GC Australasia, Paula has joined the Australia Dental Association Queensland where she will be modelling the Continuing Professional Development courses based on quality assurance for a balanced delivery of multi-modal education that supports practitioners’ learning and delivery of high-quality of dental practice.

Paula Clark and her team can be contacted at [email protected]