Benetas Executive team
Standing, L-R: General Manager People Development Ellen Flint, General Manager Strategy, Research and Communications Allison Kenwood, General Manager Property Chris Karagiannis , General Manager Residential Services Jane Boag , Chief Financial Officer Neil Fawcett, Chief Executive Officer Sandra Hills and General Manager Community Services Paula Trood
Sandra Hills
Chief Executive Officer
Master of Business Administration, Graduate Diploma of Human Services Management, Graduate Certificate of Human Services Research and Evaluation, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology)
With roles and qualifications spanning nursing, psychology, sociology, research and business management, Sandra has plenty of experience to draw upon in her role as Chief Executive Officer of Benetas. One of Victoria’s largest not-for-profit providers of aged care, Benetas offers a range of services to ensure older people from all backgrounds enjoy a positive experience of ageing.
Sandra worked in health and community services at various levels of government before moving to the not-for-profit sector. She has consistently demonstrated a clear talent for leadership, is an astute strategic and financial planner and researcher, and also has experience with human resources, property, program development, and partnerships and communications.
Sandra is an active participant on boards and advisory groups and is a director of Aged and Community Care Victoria, and Anglicare Australia, and is a member of the Aged Care Consultative Committee for the Department of Health and Ageing.
Sandra is passionate about advocating on behalf of older people and supporting them to participate in the community and have their opinions heard. She is committed to working with older people who are disadvantaged and is particularly interested in assisting the growing numbers of older Australians who are socially isolated.
Neil Fawcett
Chief Financial Officer
Bachelor of Business in Accounting Economics, Australian Chartered Accountants
Neil joined Benetas in August 2007 and has over 10 years experience in a range of senior management roles. His work has covered a number of different industries including the accounting, financial services, executive recruitment, health and aged care. Previous employers include Ernst & Young Auditing and Consulting (Melbourne and USA), GE Commercial, Korn/Ferry International Futurestep. Neil was also Financial Controller at State Street Australia Limited.
Jane Boag
General Manager Residential Services
Graduate Diploma Community Health, Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)
Jane started at Benetas in January 2010, coming to the organisation from a position as Manager, Clinical Care and Government Relations at Australian Unity. She has a background as an Occupational Therapist and holds a post graduate diploma in Community Health. Many years working for various public and not-for-profit hospitals arms her with valuable experience, as does considerable time with the Transport Accident Commission.
Her professional career is augmented by her volunteer roles, including Chair of the Board of Management of the Whitehorse Community Health Service from 2000 – 2010 and as the current Chair of the Committee of Management with The Australian Children’s Choir.
Paula Trood
General Manager Community Services
Master of Health Services Management, AFCHSM
Paula has a background in General Nursing with extensive clinical and management experience in both community and aged care sectors. She joined Benetas in 2007 and now, as General Manager Community Services, is responsible for all aspects of Benetas’ government-funded community-based programs, including community packaged care programs and respite services.
Paula has had a focus on care of the aged throughout her career, and brings extensive experience in both community and residential sectors, having worked for the Royal District Nursing Service for over 13 years, and in clinical and supervisory roles in both for profit and not-for-profit residential aged care services since 2005.
She is an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management and a member of the Australian Association of Gerontology. Paula is also a volunteer director for a not-for-profit community and social welfare agency.
Ellen Flint
General Manager People Development
Master of Industrial Relations and Labour Law, Post Graduate Certificate in Change Management, Bachelor of Arts
Ellen has been leading the People Development team at Benetas since April 2007. Her career commenced in the Industrial Relations field prior to moving into Human Resources at Fairfax Media where she worked for over eight years in Sydney and Melbourne. Ellen has also held project management responsibilities in printing site expansions, international publishing acquisitions, and numerous new product launches.
Ellen’s talents extend beyond her work experience; she is the author of three books, two of which are career guides, and she has been a volunteer for a number of years.
Chris Karagiannis
General Manager Property
Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management, Diploma of Business
Chris was appointed to the role of General Manager Property Development at Benetas in June 2008, with over 14 years’ experience in the property industry. Prior to joining Benetas, Chris was National Facilities Manager at Becton Property Group responsible for managing a national portfolio of leading retirement villages.
He has held a number of other senior positions in a range of public and private property sectors including local government, state government and a listed Australian property group managing diverse property portfolios. He has specialised in strategic property management and project management and has experience across a range of disciplines including corporate real estate strategic planning, portfolio management and administration, property acquisitions, disposals and leasing, and facilities management.
Allison Kenwood
General Manager Strategy, Research and Communications
Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts
Allison joined Benetas in February 2008 after more than 20 years working in the health and human services industry with government and both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Benetas Allison spent six years with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) in International and Government Relations and Business and Strategic Planning. Allison was instrumental in establishing the ARCBS' national project management and business planning systems as well as supporting critical international partnerships.
Allison has held other senior roles in both the private and state government sectors, building a specialty in policy development, strategic and business planning , project management, partnerships and business development.
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