Executive Team
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)
Sandra joined Benetas in 2009 as Chief Executive Officer. With a background and qualifications spanning nursing, psychology, sociology and business management she has considerable passion, knowledge and leadership experience in aged care. Sandra has worked in health and community services at various levels of government before she moved into the not-for-profit sector.
From early in her career Sandra demonstrated a clear talent for leadership, managing numerous portfolios before ultimately assuming the role of General Manager Aged and Community Care for the Brotherhood of St Laurence prior to joining Benetas. She has established herself as a successful project manager as well as an astute strategic and financial planner and researcher. She has taken on responsibilities in areas as broad as human resources, property, program development, partnerships and communications, all of which have benefited from her renowned enthusiasm and energy.
Sandra has been a productive and active participant on boards and advisory groups, and remains a Director of Aged and Community Care Victoria (ACCV), a member of the Aged Care Consultative Committee for the Department of Health and Ageing and Director of Anglicare Australia.
Sandra has a commitment to working with older people who are disadvantaged and believes she can help give them a voice by providing visionary leadership.
Sharon McGowan
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Master of Business Administration, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Nursing Division 1.
Sharon qualified as a Registered Division 1 Nurse in the UK and held a number of operational leadership roles in the National Health Service, before being appointed as the Head of Donor Response Services for the National Blood Service. She completed her Masters in Business Administration at Cranfield University in 2001 before moving to Australia in 2003 to work with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service as National Blood Products Manager.
Sharon joined Benetas in August 2006 as Executive Manager Strategy and Business Development. She had responsibility for developing and overseeing the organisation’s strategic plan, marketing and communications, initiating service developments and driving improvement programs to further enhance the organisation’s position as a leader in aged care services. Sharon was promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer in March 2008 and was awarded a Diploma with Order of Merit for the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course completed in June 2008.
Jane Boag
Executive Manager Residential Services
Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy), Graduate Diploma Community Health
Jane joined Benetas in January 2010 from her 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 hospital roles arms her with valuable experience, as does considerable time with the Transport Accident Commission.
Her illustrious professional career is augmented by her work as President of the Whitehorse
Community Health Service in Box Hill over the past decade. She recently joined the
Committee of Management of The Australian Children’s Choir.
Neil Fawcett
Chief Financial Officer
Bachelor of Business in Accounting Economics, Australian Chartered Accounts
Neil is Chief Financial Officer, having joined Benetas in August 2007 and has over 10 years experience in a range of senior management roles. Neil’s experience spans a number of different industries including the Accounting Profession, Financial Services, Executive Recruitment and Aged Health Care. Previous employers include Ernst & Young (Melbourne and United States of America) Auditing and Consulting, GE Commercial, Korn/Ferry International Futurestep and State Street Australia Limited as Financial Coordinator.
Ellen Flint
Executive Manager People Development
Bachelor of Arts, Master in Industrial Relations and Labour Law, Post Graduate Certificate in Change Management.
Ellen has a wealth of experience in Human Resource Management and joined Benetas in April 2007. Leading the people development team at Benetas which includes the organizations Pastoral Care and Volunteer services is a natural extension of her prior experience.
Ellen’s career commenced in the Industrial Relations field prior to moving into Human Resources at Fairfax where she worked for over eight years in Sydney and Melbourne. Her HR leadership roles in printing, journalism and group services all focused on raising the bar for staff learning and capability building to enable organisational growth. She 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. Ellen’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Psychology, Masters Degree in Industrial Relations and Labour Law and a Post Graduate Certificate in Change Management. Ellen has also been a volunteer for a number of years.
Carol Julian
Executive Manager Community Services
Masters in Business Leadership, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Graduate Diploma Business Management, Graduate Diploma Health Science (Occupational Health Nursing).
Carol has a background in nursing (Division 1) and Occupational Health Nursing. Her professional experience includes community services, local government and risk management.
Prior to her appointment to Benetas in August 2007, Carol worked in a number of senior management roles in Risk Management, Community Relations and Community Services. Her last position was an executive role in Community Services in local government.
Carol joined Benetas as the Executive Manager Community Services and then became the Executive Manager Client Services responsible for both Community and Residential Services, leading a major business improvement process in Residential Care and overseeing the accreditation of 11 of Benetas’12 facilities.
Carol has now returned to the position of Executive Manager Community Services to drive the growth and development of this division. Her responsibilities include Community Care packages in metropolitan and regional Victoria, Respite and Day Programs and Benetas@Home Direct Care Services.
Chris Karagiannis
Executive Manager Property
Diploma of Business, Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management
Chris joined Benetas in June 2008, with over 14 years’ experience in the property industry, particularly strategic property management and project management.
Chris has held a number of 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.
Chris has experience across a range of disciplines including;
• Corporate Real Estate strategic planning
• Portfolio management and administration
• Property acquisitions, disposals and leasing
• Project development and delivery
• Facilities management
• Facility condition auditing and life cycle planning.
Prior to joining Benetas, Chris was National Facilities Manager at Becton Property Group responsible for managing a national portfolio of leading retirement villages. Chris holds a Diploma of Business and a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management.
Chris Sargood
Executive Manager Information Technology
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Chris joined Benetas in October 2007. With over 20 years experience in the IT industry, he has managed IT departments and projects with national and international responsibilities Chris has designed and project managed the implementation of many IT infrastructure projects including designing IT systems for new offices around Australia, migrating legacy software systems, moving computer rooms and upgrading telephone and videoconferencing systems.
Outside of Benetas, Chris is a founding director of the Elwood Community Bank and has a small cattle property in East Gippsland.
To view our organisational chart click here