Retaining and empowering volunteers in emergency services with Karen Calwell & Daniel Ciccosillo of St John Ambulance Victoria

Karen Calwell’s connection with St John Ambulance Victoria began as a teenager, sparking a lifelong passion for first aid, leadership and community service. A registered nurse with an MBA and postgraduate qualifications in emergency and spinal cord injury nursing, Karen has worked across public, private, rural and not-for-profit healthcare. Her roles have spanned clinical care, education, workforce development, organ and tissue donation, and regional health coordination.

Karen returned to St John Ambulance Victoria five and a half years ago as both a volunteer and staff member. She held senior roles, including Training and Development Manager and Acting General Manager, before stepping into her current position. She now leads initiatives in volunteer development, training and member engagement, with a focus on building a future-ready volunteer workforce. Karen believes education and empowerment are key to strengthening communities, and she is proud to give back to the organisation that shaped her formative years.

Having progressed from the Youth Program to senior leadership in Victoria and a national role with St John Ambulance, Daniel Ciccosillo is a dedicated champion for emergency management, youth development, and community resilience. Alongside his active volunteer work with St John and VICSES, Daniel serves as Executive Director of Health and Medical Services at Omnia Community Health. With more than 20 years spanning clinical practice and health sector leadership, he oversees clinical excellence and service integration following the merger of Nexus Primary Health and Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health.