Our Leaders

Our Leaders

We are fortunate to have the experience and expertise of our founders available to us. Their guidance is complemented by a diverse range of skills and knowledge from a highly professional team.

Together, they help ensure the success of our organisation.

And help ensure our people get the support they need, when they need it.

Graham Hodges

Graham Hodges Profile

Chairman, Independent Non-Executive Director

Graham has been a Non-Executive Director since August 2017 and was appointed Chairman on 1 July 2018. He has extensive international experience in the financial services industry with a career spanning more than 40 years. He commenced his career in Commonwealth Treasury, Canberra, where he worked for approximately 10 years before being seconded to the International Monetary Fund in Washington for several years.

Graham built an executive career at the Australian and New Zealand Banking Group Limited and was formerly the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, ANZ Banking Group Ltd.

Graham is currently a Non-Executive Director of Assemble Communities Pty Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited and ANZ BH Pty Ltd. He was previously Chairman of ANZ SAM Board (Special Assets Management), Esanda, and ANZ Wealth, a Director of AmBank Holdings Berhad, and a member of the Australian Government’s Aged Care Financing Authority.

Graham holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) degree from Monash University.


Linda Mellors

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Linda has been Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer since September 2019. Linda has over 20 years of executive experience in health and aged care. Prior to joining Regis, Linda held a range of roles in hospital and health systems predominantly in Victoria, as well as a national aged care service. Linda was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Health Services at Mercy Health and also the Co-Chair of the Victorian Metropolitan Hospital Chief Executive group.

Linda is currently a Board Director of Mackillop Family Services and Director of the Australian Aged & Community Care Providers Association (AACPA)

Linda was formerly Chair of the Aged Care Reform Network, Chair of the Aged Care Guild, Chair of the North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Care Service, Board Member of the Parent Infant Research Institute and Board Director of the South West Melbourne Medicare Local.

Linda has a PhD in cardiac physiology, Bachelor of Science with first class Honours, Bachelor of Arts and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a graduate of the Williamson Community Leadership Program, operated by Leadership Victoria.


Christine Bennett AO

Christine Bennett Regis Aged Care

Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board in March 2018, Christine is a specialist paediatrician with over 30 years’ health industry experience in clinical care and governance, strategic planning, executive management, teaching and research. Christine is also Convenor of the Champions of Change Coalition Health Group for gender equality.

Christine was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia following her contributions as Deputy Vice Chancellor Enterprise & Partnerships and Dean of Medicine, Sydney for more than 10 years. Previously, Christine was Chair of Research Australia, a Group Executive and Chief Medical Officer at both MBF Limited and Bupa Australia, a Partner in the KPMG Health and Life Sciences Practice, CEO of Westmead Hospital, Chair of the Sydney Children’s
Hospitals Network, Non-Executive Director of Digital Health CRC Limited and until September 2022 she was on the Telstra Health Board.

From 2008 to 2010, Christine was Chair of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission to provide advice on a long-term reform plan for the future of the Australian health and aged care system. Christine was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her distinguished service to medicine and health care leadership in 2014. Christine is currently a Patron of Research Australia and Non-Executive Director of Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney and a Master of Paediatrics from the University of New South Wales. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has recently completed certification by the Diligent Institute for AI Ethics and Board Oversight.


Sally Freeman

Sally Freeman

Independent Non-Executive Director

Sally was appointed to the Board in January 2022 and chairs Regis’ Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. She has extensive experience in Governance, Risk, and Audit, with an executive career spanning 30 years, culminating in being the Partner in Charge of KPMG Australia’s Risk Consulting practice and a member of KPMG’s Global Risk Executive. Sally is currently a Non-Executive Director at Eastern Health, Regional Investment Corporation, Melbourne Football Club, Suburban Rail Loop Authority, and ASX-listed Netwealth Group Limited, Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd. Sally is also a Director Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company Australia Pty Ltd and was appointed as the Chair of their Board in December 2023.

Sally holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants. She is a Global Certified Information Systems Auditor, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Victorian Williamson Leadership Program and a member of Chief Executive Women.


Jodie Leonard

Non-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board in November 2023, Jodie is an experienced listed company director and commercial leader with a focus on strategic marketing and digital transformation. Jodie’s career spans over 30 years in ASX, NYSE and FTSE-listed companies and includes senior positions at General Electric, the Nine Network, British Airways and Telstra, having worked across Australia, the USA, UK, Asia and Europe.

Jodie has experience in a diverse range of industries including banking & financial services, superannuation, healthcare, technology, consumer goods, media & entertainment, and travel & tourism. Jodie currently sits on the boards of Pacific Smiles Group Ltd (ASX:PSG), and Barwon Water Corporation. She has previously served on the boards of Beyond Bank Australia, the RACV, Flexigroup and BWX. She is also actively involved with Women on Boards and Chairs the inaugural NED Circle syndicate.

Jodie is an experienced Remuneration Committee Chair and has extensive governance experience having served on the board of multiple APRA regulated entities.

Jodie holds a Bachelor of Business from Western Sydney University, is a member of Chief Executive Women and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.


Ian Roberts

Ian Roberts_2343

Non-Executive Director

Ian was a Director of Regis on listing on 7 October 2014. Prior to listing, Ian had been a Director of Fairway Investment Holdings Pty Ltd since May 2007. Ian has over 35 years’ experience in the real estate sector including in excess of 25 years in residential aged care.

Prior to co-leading the Regis journey, Ian was involved in property development (sub-divisional and commercial) in South East Queensland. As a founding shareholder and Director of Regis (Executive Director prior to 2008), Ian headed up Property with oversight of the development and implementation of the strategy that saw the business grow to in excess of 4,500 beds nationally.

Ian is currently a Non-Executive Director of several property and property services enterprises.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Science (Surveying) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.


EXECUTIVES

Imtiaz Bhayat

Chief Information Officer

Imtiaz commenced at Regis in October 2020 and has a 20-year track record in using technology to transform organisations and improve outcomes. As a leader with broad commercial experience in tier 1 consulting, and industry, Imtiaz is known for identifying and building high performing teams that deliver great results.

Imtiaz holds a PhD in Financial Markets Technology, Master of Commerce (University of Sydney), Master of Research (Macquarie University), a Bachelor of Commerce (Western Sydney University), is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (project management), a CPA and a graduate of the Australia Institute of Company Directors.


Filomena Ciavarella

Executive General Manager – Strategy, Quality and Improvement

Filomena commenced with Regis in August 2020.

Filomena has over 20 years’ experience in the health sector, working in various executive management and senior leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director, Strategy, Quality and Improvement at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

She has extensive experience in the development and implementation of clinical governance, strategic management, quality management, risk management and improvement frameworks within various health services, including the Royal Children’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Monash Health, Austin Health and Mercy Health.


Gregg Funston

Executive General Manager Operations – QLD/NSW/NT

Joining Regis in 2010 in a General Manager’s role, Gregg has since held a range of positions including Regional Manager, Operations Manager, National Manager Operations Support, Acting Executive General Manager Operations, Southern Region and Executive General Manager Support Services.

He is an integral part of the Regis team in the provision of high-quality and safe care for all residents, building a strong values-based culture for our employees and the continued positioning of Regis as an innovative leader in the care of older people.

Gregg’s qualifications include a Diploma of Business Management. He has over 25 years of operational, business development and management experience across the hospitality and aged care sectors.


Jodie Haydon

Chief People Officer

Jodie commenced with Regis in August 2024. She has a wealth of experience in human resources and people management, with a proven track record in executive management and senior leadership roles at Shell, Viva Energy Australia, and Energy Australia. She has extensive strategic and operational experience having led people, culture and organisational transformation programs.

Jodie holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Non-Executive Director for the Geelong Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre and Non-Executive Director Afford Disability Services.


Michelle Martella

Michelle Martella

Executive General Manager Support Services

Joining Regis in 2021, Michelle held the role of Regional General Manager Victoria and Tasmania and most recently as the Change Manager Western Australia.

Prior to joining Regis, Michelle has held a range of senior management positions at both Barwon Health and the University of Melbourne in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

Michelle holds a Masters Health Service Management and is a graduate of Australian Institute Company Directors.


Malcolm Ross

Malcolm Ross

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Malcolm commenced with Regis in November 2021. Malcolm has practised for over 20 years as a lawyer and established a strong background in General Counsel and Company Secretary roles in listed company environments with experience in private practice, hotels/hospitality and industrial services sectors.

Malcolm was admitted in 1997 and has a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance.


Rick Rostolis

Chief Financial Officer

Rick Rostolis was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in March 2020. Rick has over 10 years’ experience in ASX listed companies as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to listing, Rick was the Chief Financial Officer with Pro-Pac Packaging Limited. Rick is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business, Accountancy degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.


James Theofanis

Executive General Manager Operations – VIC/SA/TAS/WA

Joining Regis in 2009, James has held several positions including National Recruitment Manager, General Manager across several Homes, Regional General Manager Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and most recently, Executive General Manager Support Services. Prior to joining Regis, James worked in recruitment and management in the private sector.

James holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree and brings extensive management and leadership experience to his role.


Georgia Willis

Executive General Manager – Property

Georgia is well qualified in Urban Development with over 20 years of industry experience working for Government and private developers along with a Masters in Property from RMIT.

Georgia is experienced predominantly in development and property management including the detailed due diligence process & financial assessments to inform project acquisitions and asset management strategies. Recently joining Regis in November 2023, Georgia’s key responsibility is to lead the Property division to innovate and execute Regis’ growth strategy through land acquisition and property development activities.

Georgia has vast experience managing and facilitating predevelopment activities for urban infill and urban renewal development projects. Notably the Moonee Valley Racing Club mixed use redevelopment precinct and the Malt District precinct in Cremorne including a proven record of successfully negotiating development contracts and approvals for mixed use development sites in inner Melbourne.

She was awarded the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Women in Leadership award for 2016 recognising her professional contribution to the development industry and is an active industry member sitting on the Victorian UDIA Urban Renewal and Built Form Committee for the 2018 – 2020 term. Georgia is a natural leader and collaborative team player with the ability to effectively build relationships with stakeholders to facilitate optimum project outcomes.

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