Penni Michael – CEO
Penni is committed to delivering responsive services that empower individuals from diverse communities. With over 25 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to enhancing service delivery, advocating for disadvantaged groups, and fostering inclusive support systems. Her leadership is driven by a strong focus on strategic growth, innovation, and ensuring that every individual, whether a client or an employee, feels valued, respected, and appreciated.
Her extensive expertise in social planning and research, community engagement, employment services, and aged care brings a wealth of knowledge and skills in the human services sector. Penni has worked across all levels of government, as well as in the private and not-for-profit sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work, has completed the Effective Directors Course with the Governance Institute of Australia, and holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. As an Eden Associate, she is deeply committed to person-directed care and human rights.
Penni has presented at numerous conferences and contributed to both state and national working groups. She embraces a collaborative approach and actively engages with diverse communities to drive meaningful change.
Graeme Wickenden – Chief Financial Officer
Graeme Wickenden is CFO at MiCare. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia and has a Bachelor of Business, Graduate Diploma in IT and a Graduate Diploma in Finance & Investments.
Graeme’s career commenced at GMH and he moved through a broad range of finance related positions at NAB, Dun & Bradstreet and Aviva Financial Services before making the move to the not-for-profit sector as CFO at VincentCare. In March 2008 he moved to Villa Maria and implemented a range of initiatives predominantly around management reporting and analysis and facilities management. When Villa Maria merged with Catholic Homes in 2015, he was appointed CFO of the merged entity and oversaw the integration of the finance functions.
He was appointed CFO at Alzheimer’s Australia VIC in February 2016, where he led the introduction of several cost-saving initiatives and introduced a budgeting methodology aligned to the CDC and NDIS pricing models. Graeme has served as a Board member for the autism peak body Amaze and the ITAC Conference organising Committee, is an inductee into the ITAC Hall of Fame and chairs the CPA Aged Care Finance Discussion Group.
Tess McGrath – General Manager People Services
Tess McGrath brings extensive experience leading national HR functions across various sectors, including not-for-profit, emergency health services, and the Aged Care sector. With a robust background in these high-impact areas, Tess excels in the development and execution of comprehensive people strategies, organisational development, and innovative workforce solutions, designed to drive business growth and transformation. Her expertise encompasses the strategic design and implementation of people management frameworks that not only align with organisational goals but also foster an environment of empowerment and support for both leaders and employees. Tess’ approach is characterised by a commitment to delivering practical and pragmatic solutions that address complex challenges while promoting a positive and productive workplace culture.
Despina Haralambopoulos – General Manager Aged & Migrant Services
Despina is a passionate and dedicated professional with extensive and diverse experience in community services including aged care, disability and settlement services. She has worked for both small and large not-for profit and health organisations in various operational and executive management roles. Despina holds a Diploma in Teaching, Bachelor of Social Work and Masters in Business Administration.
Despina’s career is built on a deep commitment to empowering individuals, families and communities. Her approach to work is deeply embedded in the values of empathy integrity and service and is committed to creating environments where all can thrive.
With extensive and diverse experience in community services and business administration, Despina brings a holistic approach to leadership, bridging the gap between service delivery and operational excellence.
Within all her roles, she has pursued principles of social justice, equity and access, openness and trust
Gladys Kadzutu- Maseko – General Manager Residential Services
Gladys Kadzutu-Maseko is a charismatic Aged Care leader. Her field of expertise spreads over Operations Management, Clinical Governance, Facilities Management, Nursing, Administration, and Client Services. She is actively involved in ensuring compliance in the industry and she believes in effective leadership development and ensuring the Managers in Aged Care and their teams provide exceptional care and lifestyle services, resulting in consumer satisfaction and outstanding performance.
Gladys holds a Master of Applied Management and a Master of Nursing (Advanced practice), specialising in Older Persons Care. She is a part-time Research Student and Published Author whose passion for Aged Care led her to write her first book, ‘The Journey of an Aching Heart Through a New Leaf’.
Gladys believes in effective relationship-based models of care that promote person-centredness, having created the successful Family Model of Care in her previous organisation, which was adopted across the group. She is now working in an Eden Alternative environment at MiCare and is enthusiastic about the opportunity of exploring an advanced and extraordinary relationship-based model with global significance.
Karen McCauley – General Manager Quality, Risk & Compliance
A seasoned healthcare and aged-care executive, Karen McCauley brings extensive experience in nursing, quality, risk, and compliance leadership to MiCare. She has a foundational background as a Registered Nurse and progressive experience spanning clinical practice, auditing, governance, and executive management across the acute care, residential and home care, and the disability sectors. Karen was awarded the Nurses Board of Victoria June Allen Fellowship (2007) to study the clinical leadership role of Registered Nurses in aged-care settings in Canada and Japan, and is also a certified Lead Auditor (ISO 9001) and NDIS auditor.
Karen’s passion lies in embedding robust quality systems, steering accreditation processes, and driving cultural change in complex care environments. She has extensive experience in clinical governance, complemented by education in quality, training, business, and leadership.
Karen is deeply committed to fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and person-centred care. Her leadership ethos centres on empowering front-line staff, promoting continuous improvement, and ensuring that every person has a choice and dignity in their care or support.
