Our People
Souri Hayati
Souri commenced as Centre Manager at Oakdene House in 2011, the year we opened. Bringing a wealth of experience in from her years working to support migrants, refugees and indigenous youth, Souri has spent the majority of her working life in the service of others.
In addition to keeping the centre running, Souri facilitates our Life Choices Program, provides crisis support and financial counselling for our clients.
Souri is passionate about Oakdene’s vison for ‘Changing Lives’ and her welcoming smile puts everyone at ease.
Mark Henson
Mark has worked in the recovery services sector for over 20 years. Starting out with the Salvation Army as an outreach and detox worker before moving into education, counselling and client assessment. This experience combined with Marks passion for recovery led him to Foundation House and in 2008 The Sydney Problem Gambling Centre, before arriving at Oakdene House in 2013.
In addition to ensuring our Life Choices Meetings and our AA & GA group meetings all work well, Mark has the important role of reaching out to the many services and community groups that Oakdene works with.
Mark has been instrumental in helping many of our clients through their rehabilitation with his dedication and empathy.
Anne Maree Durnan
After various roles in the corporate world, Anne Maree moved into areas of personal interest and helping others. Working for Anglicare with aged care and dementia patients for 10 years, before joining the team at Oakdene House in 2020. Anne Maree is an important part of our team, providing a welcome to all on arrival and assisting you through the assessment process and facilitating our Life Choices Program.
Fabiana Barbosa Pechincha
Originating from Brazil, Fabiana came to Australia as a student in 1999, before returning in later years to reside here permanently.
Working with both students and immigrants as a counsellor and education mentor, Fabiana is now utilising her experience to support the clients at Oakdene.
Fabiana has been working for a long time with international students and immigrants both educationally and as a counsellor.
When not providing counselling and support, Fabiana continues to volunteer as part of a youth mentoring program and pursue her passions of the ocean, travelling, family and people.
Jason Den-Toll
Jason has worked in the field of human development, psychology and sports education for over 30 years, coaching and mentoring both children and professional athletes.
Dedicated to helping others overcome addiction through compassionate curiosity to explore deep emotional pain, empathy and listening to take those small steps forward. Jason combined that experience with his own personal recovery and ongoing training in trauma and life coaching to complete his Masters in Counselling before finding Oakdene House in 2022.
Dr.Bo Bernhard
Dr. Bo Bernhard, Executive Director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s International Gaming Institute and one of the world’s leading figures in the study of gambling addiction has agreed to be our patron. With over twenty five years experience studying the effects of gambling, Dr Bernhard is highly regarded throughout the world.
Dr Bernhard spent most of these years researching and teaching at the UNLV, where he currently sits at the Executive Director of the International Gaming Institute where he developed and oversaw all academic and business functions. Under his leadership, the organization grew from two (2) employees to fifty one (51), with four “centers of excellence” in areas of strategic need in the gaming-hospitality-tourism sector (including problem/responsible gaming).
Working with the staff at Oakdene House, Dr Bernhard is looking forward to a long and beneficial association, sharing information and working towards supporting gamblers as they seek to overcome their addiction.
A fifth-generation Nevadan, Dr. Bo Bernhard happily calls Las Vegas home, but he works often in jurisdictions as diverse as South Africa, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Macao, Vietnam, Japan, Brazil, England, Mexico, and Canada – as well as dozens of states in the U.S.
Deacon. Thomas A Roberts
Deacon Tom Roberts was assigned to Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in 2021 after being ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada in 2011.
President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada since 2013. Tom serves on the Executive Committee of the Southern Nevada CEO Exchange, a group of leaders from the largest not for profit organisations in the Nevada community focusing on enhanced communications and collaborations. Deacon Roberts previously served as the Vice Chairman for the Las Vegas Victims Fund, a not for profit organization established to distribute donated funds to the victims of the tragic shooting in Las Vegas on 1 October, 2017.
Deacon Roberts has more than 27 years of executive management, operations and leadership experience through his private sector career. He is the Founding General Manager of the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the former Vice President of Development & Leasing for the Rio Suite Hotel & Casino (Caesars), a former Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harrah’s (Caesars) Entertainment and Boyd Gaming. Deacon Roberts has also served as the Corporate Vice President of Development for Station Casinos and Fertitta Entertainment (Red Rock Resorts).
Deacon Roberts graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, and has attained a Master Degree in Business Administration with High Honors from Phillips University, in Enid, Oklahoma.
He and his wife Karen reside in Las Vegas, and have three children.