Geoff Radford, Chief Executive Officer of the NT Mental Health Coalition, brings over a decade of experience in community services and government roles across the Northern Territory. A graduate of CDU with a Bachelor of Health Science (Health Services Management) and a Graduate Certificate of Strategic Management, Geoff has used his academic and professional background to become a strong advocate for mental health and wellbeing services across the NT.
His leadership has helped secure substantial funding increases for mental health, alcohol and other drugs, domestic violence, and homelessness services—restoring capacity and staffing lost to rising service delivery costs. Recognising critical workforce shortages in the mental health sector, Geoff led an initiative to upskill Territory residents through tailored, accredited training delivered across regional centres, supported by NT Government funding and evaluated by Menzies School of Health Research, with early findings indicating strong improvements in practitioner confidence and engagement.
Under Geoff’s guidance, the NT Mental Health Coalition has redefined its strategic focus—updating its constitution, policy positions, and member value proposition—while growing its membership by over 30% and diversifying its income streams. He has championed stigma-reducing initiatives through Mental Health Week, ensuring that funding reaches grassroots organisations in remote communities, and expanded the NT Mental Health Awards to include both Central Australia and the Top End. Geoff also leads efforts to train and empower Peer Workers with lived experience and has built partnerships between clinical, community, and academic institutions, including CDU. A dedicated mentor, Geoff supports emerging leaders, helping them transition into effective and confident managers within the sector.