Penni Michael – CEO
Penni Michael has a Degree and Masters in Social Work, completed an Effective Directors Course with the Governance Institute of Australia, a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and is an Eden Associate. Penni joined DutchCare in 2012, to head up a new arm, MiCare, with the goal of providing services to people from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. Penni has a range of experience having worked in human services for 30 years. She services, social planning and research, community development, employment services and aged care. Penni has worked for state and local governments, the private sector and not for profit in senior and executive positions. Penni has a keen interest in and is an advocate for change in social policy, which addresses social justice issues and discrimination against fundamental human rights. She has presented at a number of conferences and participated in state and national working groups and is very committed to CALD responsive services in a range of settings.
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 has extensive experience in human services including aged care, disability programs and settlement services. She has worked for both small and large not-for profit organisations in a number of leadership and management roles. Her most recent role was Acting CEO of a settlement and community organisation. Within all her roles, she has pursued social justice, equity and access, openness and trust. Her experience is further enhanced by three degrees, the most recent being a Masters in Business Administration.
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 in Aged Care led her into writing 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 enthusiastic about the opportunity of exploring an advanced and extraordinary relationship based model with a global significance.
Angela Roennfeldt – General Manager properties
Angela is a registered Architect, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), member of the Victorian and National Enabling Architecture Committees and the Association of Consultants in Access Australia. She is also the current chair of the Standards Australia committee which writes the AS1428 suite of standards relating to the provision of Access for people with disabilities within the built environment.
Angela has more than 30 years’ experience working in the design, property management and development of Aged Care, Retirement Living, community services, health, heritage, and disability services in both private architectural practices and the not-for-profit sector.
She is the recipient of a Churchill fellowship, which focused on the design of small scale accommodation for older people and adaptable and affordable housing. She received a National Disability Accessible Housing Award for advocacy work in accessible housing and her contribution towards the provision of accommodation for people with an acquired brain injury.
Angela’s motivation is to contribute towards a more accessible and inclusive environment for everyone and the majority of her working life has been focused on her particular interest of the provision of home like accessible environments for older people and people with disabilities.
