Our Management Team

Leading the way

The MDS Management Team is responsible for the service delivery operations, review of organisational procedures, standards operating procedures, and the development and review of our organisational goals and strategic objectives.

	Chief Executive Officer Anne Thorn
	Director, Finance & Administration Alicia Parks
	Director, Quality & Human Resources Amanada Mesa
	Director, Marketing and Engagement Angus Ng
	Director, Community Training & Development Julie Deane
	Director, Employment Services Lenore Dodd
	Director of Community Services Lynne Bennett

Our Board

The MDS Board has changed over the years as the organisation has grown, and so too have the legal and financial duties associated with running a community business. The change to performance based contracts has required more sophisticated management and accounting practices, well developed policies and procedures, and a strong strategic direction, coupled with an understanding and commitment to the strengths and aims of the organisation.

Cathie Gerloff

Thirty years’ experience and involvement with programs for people with a disability in Macarthur area. Twenty five years working in the public sector. Member Guardianship Tribunal. Mother of daughter with downs Syndrome
 

Daniel Kuchta

Director since 2009. Daniel is employed by BCP Accounting and Business Advisors as Audit Manager with extensive experience in audit and assurance.

Bernie Shipp

Director since 8 February 2005. Bernie has experience in Community Legal Centres including: Manager of Macarthur Legal Centre, Burnside Adolescent Legal Services, Legal Presiding Member Guardianship Tribunal, Social Security Appeals, Child Support, and Consumer Trading.

Justin Thornton

Justin is a qualified solicitor with an interest in providing opportunities, support and training for people with disabilities. Partner of Marsdens Law Group with extensive experience in audit and assurance.

Mark Kofahl

Founder and Director of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd and Siteflex International Pty Ltd, Mark has extensive commercial experience. Mark consults with private and public firms and government both locally and internationally. Mark contributes his time to a number of charitable organisations and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kristie Leopardi

HR consulting and people management experience. Working across the finance sector and more recently with NFP including MDS. Kristie has a social justice and equity focus and a passion for helping others in the community.

Bill Kuchta
Former partner of Price Water House Coopers with experience in merging businesses and the global mobility of human resources. Since retirement in 2007, involved mainly in the non for profit Brain Foundation as a board member.

Vanco Djoneski
Teacher/Lecturer, Engineer and Manager of a Research Laboratory for 18 years. Personal experience of accessing the human and disability service system. Extensive experience in assessing needs for people with disability and networking with relevant services for solutions to their issues. Currently working as an advocate for people with all types of disability; and a community member of the Guardianship Tribunal of NSW.