About us
Our Board and Management
VincentCare's Board of Directors and Management team
Board of Directors
Bernard Bicknell | Chair / Director
Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
An experienced senior executive with specialised knowledge of the retail sector, having been Chief Executive Officer of Mitre 10 Pty Ltd; Chief Financial Officer of Mitre 10 Pty Ltd; Executive Vice President – Administration of The Glidden Group USA and Chief Operating Officer at The Godfreys Group.
Special responsibilities: Chair of Group Audit, Risk & Finance Committee, Chair of Group Investment Committee, Member of Retail Advisory Committee.
Michael Quinn | Director
Over a period of 35 years, established and was the Managing Director of Quinn Industries, Australian-made furniture manufacturing company.
Managing Director of M Print, a Victorian-based printing company for over 10 years. Past Chair of St Jude’s Parish Advisory Council and Finance Committee 2013 – 2021. Established the East Timor Scholarship Fund in 2007 – ongoing. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria 33-year member.
Special responsibilities: State President of the Society, SVDPV Company Member, Director SSVDPV Property Board, Member of Group Audit, Risk & Finance Committee, Member of Group Investment Committee, Chair of Retail Advisory Committee.
Alyssa Caplan | Director
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Economics, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow Governance Institute of Australia
A senior commercial lawyer with more than 18 years’ experience in the law, both in private practice at Allens Arthur Robinson and as a corporate lawyer at Accenture, a multinational professional services company. Held several roles on Accenture’s executive leadership teams, including Director of Legal Services for North APAC.
Special responsibilities: Director of VincentCare Community Housing Board, Member of Group Governance & Strategy Committee.
Thomas (Tom) Quinn | Deputy Chair / Director
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering (Honours), Master of Business Administration
Over 30 years of global experience as a business and major project executive in multiple sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, food and chemical service industries, in global public companies. Currently, managing director of Telford Executive Consulting. Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Broadspectrum. Recognised from 2010 to 2013 as one of the top 100 engineers in Australia by Engineers Australia.
Special responsibilities: Chair of VincentCare Community Housing Board.
Sheryl Carstein | Director
20 year experience working within Centrelink, with experience as a supervisor with the field assessor and family payments sections. Secretary to Eastern Valley Street Rodders for 17 years.
Gippsland Central Council President since 2021 and previously Regional Council Treasurer for Latrobe Baw Baw region and Vice President to the previous Gippsland Central Council President. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria 12-year member.
Special responsibilities: State Council Member, SVDPV Company Member.
Dr Margaret Gearon | Director
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, Master of Education Studies, Doctor of Philosophy – Monash University
Maîtrise des Sciences du Langage – University of Montpellier III Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies – University Paris III – Sorbonne Nouvelle.School
Secondary school teacher of languages and history in Victorian government schools, Teacher of English in French government schools, Senior Lecturer in Languages Education, Monash University, Languages Education Consultant. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria 13-year member.
Special responsibilities: State Council Member, SVDPV Company Member.
Fiona McKinnon | Director
Masters of Business in Health Administration, Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management, Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
A clinical background in Physiotherapy, having worked within the Public sector health in a range of clinical and leadership positions in both metropolitan and regional health services in Victoria, and in the UK for over 45 years, with a focus on senior leadership and executive positions during the past 30 years.
Currently Chief Allied Health Officer, professionally responsible for 800+ Allied Health staff at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Previous roles include National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Chair of the Registrations and Notifications Committee (RNC) Physiotherapy Board of Australia (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency-AHPRA).
Kenneth (Ken) Northwood | Director
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws
Solicitor in private practice – litigation specialist with an emphasis on corporate litigation 1964- 1982. Australian Regular Army 1983- 2000, serving in Defence Force Legal Services including Director of Military and Administrative Law, Defence Force Magistrate 1989- 2000. Director of Legal Training 1997-2000. Service with United Nations, 1989 (Southwest Africa). Member, Commonwealth Refugee Review Tribunal 2000- 2003. Thereafter – legal consultant to Department of Defence. Co-author Justice in Arms – the first hundred years (2014). St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria 23-year member.
Special responsibilities: State Council Member, SVDPV Company Member, Director SSVDPV Property Board, Chair of Group Governance & Strategy Committee.
Chandar (CP) Singh | Director
VincentCare Community Housing
Board of Directors
Thomas (Tom) | Chair / Director
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering (Honours), Master of Business Administration
Over 30 years of global experience as a business and major project executive in multiple sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, food and chemical service industries, in global public companies. Currently, managing director of Telford Executive Consulting. Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Broadspectrum. Recognised from 2010 to 2013 as one of the top 100 engineers in Australia by Engineers Australia.
Special responsibilities: Deputy Chair of SVDPV/VCV Board.
Nita Prekazi | Director
Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Masters of Architecture (Honours)
Nita is an experienced commercial advisor with an established track record advising government and private sector on the procurement, assessment and delivery of complex major projects and infrastructure. She draws from 17 plus experience as a Big 4 Consulting Director and senior leader in the property industry, providing deep expertise in commercial structuring, project finance, and development strategy.
Alyssa Caplan | Director
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Economics, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow Governance Institute of Australia
A senior commercial lawyer with more than 18 years’ experience in the law, both in private practice at Allens Arthur Robinson and as a corporate lawyer at Accenture, a multinational professional services company. Held several roles on Accenture’s executive leadership teams, including Director of Legal Services for North APAC.
Special responsibilities: Director of SVPDV/VCV Board, Member of Group Governance & Strategy Committee.
Mario Lo Giudice | Director
Bachelor of Economics, Registered Building Practitioner (Commercial and Residential), Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors, Member of the Housing Institute of Australia and Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia
Mario is the Managing Director of Banco Group of Companies established in 1962, one of Melbourne’s most well-established property developers specialising in social and environmentally sustainable developments and urban regeneration projects, including residential buildings, shopping centres, apartment complexes, townhouse and mixed-use developments, industrial parks, warehouse shells and land subdivisions. The organisation is committed to building a sustainable future for Australian cities and creating places people can proudly call home.
Jennifer (Jenny) Roche | Deputy Chair / Director
Bachelor of Commerce, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Graduate Diploma Management
An experienced non-executive director who draws from over 25 years’ experience as a Big 4 Consulting Partner and Senior Executive in large organisations. Jenny is the Chief Experience and Technology Officer for Bendigo Kangan Institute.
Ellie Schwab | Director
Bachelor of Arts Law, Victorian Real Estate Licence holder, Certificate in Governance for Not-for-Profits
Ellie is a performance minded property executive with over 30 years’ experience in development and asset management of commercial real estate in Australia and internationally having worked at Lendlease and Dexus. Highly valued leader with strong commercial and strategic acumen and a proven track record in developing high performing teams that deliver strong financial performance, innovation and operational excellence for a diverse range of investors and industry stakeholders.
Senior Leadership Team
Dr Jenny Fitzgerald AM
Group Chief Executive Officer
Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, a distinguished leader in the field of social services and disability support, assumed the role of Group CEO at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria in July 2023.
With a remarkable track record in the support services sector, including her successful tenure as CEO of Scope, Dr Fitzgerald brings extensive experience and compassionate leadership to our organisation. Recognised for her exceptional contributions, she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (AM) in 2021.
Growing up with a mother who volunteered for St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, Dr Fitzgerald deeply appreciates the organisation’s values and transformative approach of providing a ‘hand up’ to those in need.
Paul Turton
Executive General Manager, Client Services
Paul has a dedicated history of working strategically in non-profit organisational management. He was formally General Manager Homelessness Services at VincentCare, our designated housing provider. Prior to that, he was a senior manager at Melbourne City Mission for many years.
Paul has a strong focus on peer learning, business coaching and service innovation.
Ray Kelleher
Executive General Manager, Housing & Property Strategy
