Dr Di Winkler AM
Dr Di Winkler AM
CEO, Founder and Executive Director
PhD, GAICD, BAppSc (Occ Ther), Grad Dip Neuroscience, Grad Dip AppSc (Comp Sci), Master of Applied Science
Di Winkler is an occupational therapist who has worked with people with severe brain injury for more than 20 years. Di started a PhD and then established the Summer Foundation in January 2006 after becoming frustrated by the lack of appropriate housing and support for young people with disability who were being admitted to nursing homes for the aged. In 2012 she completed her PhD at Monash University, which involved a series of studies that focused on young people in nursing homes.
In 2018 Di was conferred with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa from Monash University for her distinguished service to the community through her leadership as a practicing occupational therapist and researcher.
In 2019 Di was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to people with disability. Di is the Chief Executive Officer at the Summer Foundation. She has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe University. In 2024 Di was awarded a La Trobe Distinguished Alumni Award for her service to the disability community. Di is also on the boards of Liverty Housing and Housing Hub.