Board Of Directors

Meredith Carter, Chair
Meredith was appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2009. A lawyer with over 20 years experience employed at senior levels across the private, public and not for profit sectors Meredith has a reputation for effective advocacy and campaigns promoting law reform and community participation in policy development. She has a correspondingly diverse background in community affairs, involved at senior levels in many community and public sector organisations and boards including a period as an honorary consultant to the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

From 2004 to 2007 Meredith worked as a social policy advisor to Premier Bracks. This position followed a decade as Executive Director of policy think tank Health Issues Centre. Meredith led the research agenda, achieving significant funding for projects from diverse sources including the NHMRC. She published widely and was sought after as a media commentator and public speaker with a strong reputation for promoting consumer interests in health around Australia. 

John Orr, Company Secretary (General Manager, Corporate Services)
John has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting with an extensive range of experience in risk reduction, compliance and corporate governance. He held the position of Company Secretary with The Australian Ballet, the Queen’s College Endowment Fund, Queen’s College (Melbourne University) and St Margaret’s School. John has worked with many Boards and Committees predominately in the not for profit sector.

Vince Abelardo
Vince is a CPA whose experience includes several executive and general management roles in and around the private and not-for-profit health care sector. He has also worked extensively at board level in advisory and consulting capacities. Vince has been involved in a number of acquisitions and mergers in healthcare and has completed several projects in the not-for-profit sector. He holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and an MBA. He is also a member of the AICD.

Stephen Duns
Stephen was appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2009. 
Stephen’s career experience includes several Chief Executive Officer and general management roles in health and community services in Australia and the UK.  He has also worked extensively as a consultant, primarily in the not-for-profit and government sectors.
Stephen’s recent voluntary interests include President of Joy 94.9, teaching business governance in developing countries with Australian Business Volunteers, Chair of Austin Health’s Human Research Ethics Committee, President and Chairman of the Board of Parkinson’s Victoria and Parkinson’s Australia and President of Cobaw Community Health Services. 

Johnny El-Halabi

Johnny El-Halabi is a resident of Moreland, having lived in Pascoe-Vale for 19 years. Johnny has been involved in many political, recreational and sport clubs in the municipality. Johnny is currently completing his accounting degree. He currently sits on the Board of directors of Guild, a multi-million dollar organisation at La Trobe University which aims to improve the university experience by providing services to students.
He is also employed by Senator The Hon. David Feeney, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Defence.

Paul Geyer
Paul has diverse management experience that includes private companies and not for profits in health, IT and retail. After a series of start ups he completed the Company Directors Course and then joined the Australian Institute of Company Directors as State Manager. In addition, to his executive role he is a non executive director of Crisis Support Services a telephone counselling service.

Genevieve Juj
Genevieve Juj is a resident of Moreland and has been a member of the MCHS Board of Management since 2006. Genevieve has an MA in Human Service Management, a BA in Social Policy and a BA in Social Work. Her skills and specialisations are in Executive Management positions in the Public Health area.

Marleine Raffoul
Marleine Raffoul has been a resident of the City of Moreland for thirteen years. She has been involved in various committees within the area. Marleine has been educated in three languages, her knowledge extends to teaching and business acumen. She is passionate and committed to the improvement of health services to the multicultural community of Moreland, and looks forward to extending her expertise to its residents.

Leonardo (Leo) Santomartino

Leo has lived in Brunswick since 1966 and has been active with different community work and issues for about 40 years. He has been involved and served on various community committees.
Since 2000 having been exposed to ageing community issues, he has participated on projects dealing with Aged Care.  At present he is involved with an Italian PAG project.