Seniors Rights Service is honoured to welcome three new directors to our board. Ours is a voluntary Board and we acknowledge the time and commitment our Board Directors make to the organisation and its purpose to raise awareness and empower older people to activate, uphold, extend and defend their individual rights.
Matthew Cleary
Matthew has extensive management and not for profit governance experience across a range of sectors including Health, Social and Disability. Within the Age Care space, he has worked as a Senior Project Manager for the Older Persons Advocacy Network. Matthew has also worked extensively overseas in humanitarian management roles supporting people and communities in need. Additionally, he has worked for St Vincent de Paul as Executive Officer based at the Matthew Talbot Hostel and as a consultant at PwC on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
Matthew is currently the CEO for the Mater Dei Organisation, who work together with families and carers to provide innovative and contemporary education and therapy services to babies, children and young adults with an Intellectual Disability or developmental delay. Matthew has a Masters in Health Services Management (Health MBA), a Bachelor of Nursing as well as being a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jane Saphin
Jane holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Science and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jane has over 30 years’ experience in the Health Care industry, including 12 years in global product management for 2 Australian medical device manufacturers, ResMed and Cochlear and 13 years in senior leadership roles with 3M Australia and New Zealand. Jane was an Executive Director for 3M Australia and New Zealand and Director and General Manager of 3M Health Care.
Jane is currently the Business Manager, Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Jane is also a volunteer coach for the Harding Miller Education Foundation, an Australian charity that supports high potential but socio-economically disadvantaged girls across Australia.
Her passion for seniors’ rights was influenced by her parents who were both strong contributors to the community throughout their lives and were both impacted by multiple cancers towards the end of their lives. This significantly impacted their quality of life and a variety of experiences with home care services and residential aged care.
Nitika Bhala
Nitika’s educational qualifications includes a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Economics, and a Bachelor of Commerce. Additionally, she is an associate member of CPA Australia.
With over a decade of diverse experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors, Nitika now works as the Senior Finance Manager at YWCA Australia. Nitika leads financial operations for three entities, managing a $30M revenue portfolio.
Nitika has over six years of experience in leading the external audit process, including financial statement mapping and preparation of year-end statutory and other reporting.
