Staff
To contact an individual staff member, phone reception on (03) 9667 1333 or send us an email.
Chief Executive Officer
Jerril Rechter
Jerril Rechter, CEO
Jerril has extensive experience in leadership across the areas of arts, community and not-for-profit sectors. She comes to VicHealth from Leadership Victoria where she held the position of Executive Director since 2009. Before this, she was CEO of Footscray Community Arts Centre, CEO/Founder of Stompin Youth Dance Company, and Artistic Associate at the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts.
She has served on various state and national boards and committees, including VicHealth's as Board Member from 2004 to 2010. Her ministerial appointments include her membership in the Australia Day Committee in Victoria.
Jerril is a recipient of a Centenary Medal, Tasmania Day Award, and Fellowships from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Australia Council, Harvard Club of Australia, the Australian Davos Forum-Future Summit, and Williamson Community Leadership Program (Leadership Victoria).
Jerril holds a Master of Business Leadership from RMIT University.
Senior officers
John Fitzgerald
John Fitzgerald
Executive Manager, Strategic Advisor
John joined VicHealth in April 2009. He is a leading academic in the field of drug and alcohol research and policy making, working locally, nationally and internationally to translate research into policy outcomes. In 2008 John was recognised for his research and policy work on alcohol consumption among AFL footballers. John has an extensive publication and research grant history and joins VicHealth following his appointment as Associate Dean Knowledge Transfer in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne. In addition to academic publishing, John has expertise in short film-making, rich digital media and innovations in linking research to policy.
Brian Vandenberg
Brian Vandenberg
Executive Manager, Knowledge and Environments for Health (Acting)
Since 2007, Brian has led VicHealth's tobacco control, alcohol harm reduction and UV protection programs. During this time Brian was also contracted as an advisor and policy writer for the National Preventative Health Taskforce’s discussion paper "Australia: the Healthiest Country by 2020" and the accompanying technical report on alcohol. In 2011, Brian was contracted to the Commonwealth Department of Defence to assist with an independent advisory panel review of alcohol use in the Australian Defence Forces. Brian has previously been a senior advisor to the Victorian Premier's Drug Prevention Council, and has also worked for the Commonwealth Government to develop the National Alcohol Strategy 2006-2011. In 2002-2005, Brian established and managed Living Room primary health service, a drop-in and outreach service for street based injecting drug users in the Melbourne CBD.
Lyn Walker
Lyn Walker
Executive Manager, Participation and Equity for Health
Lyn has a background in human service management and has worked in the public health field for the past 23 years. Lyn's predominant areas of focus have included development of gender-specific services and programs, and advocacy for legislative and policy reform in key areas. Lyn has written and co-edited a range of publications focusing on the social and economic determinants of health, and supported development of the first International monograph on Mental Health Promotion: Concepts, Emerging Evidence and Practice. She is a member of the Adult Multicultural Education Services Board and the Global Consortium for the Promotion of Mental Health, and supports the activity of a range of state committees and working parties.
Kerry Grenfell
Kerry Grenfell
Executive Manager, Communications
Kerry has extensive experience in marketing and communications across a diverse range of sectors including government, infrastructure, consultancy, and not-for profits. Areas of focus in her previous communications roles have included childcare policy, women’s health, disability, ageing, community services development, sustainability and water. Kerry’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Business Communications, Queensland University of Technology, and Bachelor of Arts, Politics and Media, Griffith University.
Nick Boyle
Nick Boyle
Executive Manager, Corporate Support (Acting)
Nick joined VicHealth in 2009, bringing 15 years of professional experience in strategy and operations management to the organisation. Nick’s qualifications include Bachelors of Engineering and Commerce. He has worked in construction management and IT development and has five years experience in management consulting for local and state governments. Nick specialises in strategy, governance and operations management.
Randall Kent
Randall Kent
Chief Financial Officer (Acting)
Randall has a broad range of experience in financial management, human resources and governance in the health and community services sector. He returns to VicHealth after originally working with the organisation as its Director of Finance and Administration from 1988 to 2006. He was previously CEO of Kensington and Flemington Community Health Centres and Commissioner of Wesley Mission Melbourne. Since 2006, he has provided technical advice to the World Health Organisation and the National Preventative Health Taskforce.
CEO's Office
Jerril Rechter Chief Executive Officer
Participation and Equity for Health
Lyn Walker Executive Manager
Physical activity
Cameron McLeod Acting Manager
Kathleen Brasher Senior Project Officer
Vanessa Phillips Senior Project Officer
Shelley Salter Senior Project Officer
Alex Pusenjak Project Officer
Annabel Sides SSAPP Coordinator
Social connection
Irene Verins Manager
Jim Rimmer Senior Project Officer
Therese Riley Research Leader
Reducing race-based discrimination & supporting diversity
Kim Webster Manager
Debbie Darnell Senior Project Officer
Currently vacant Senior Project Officer
Preventing violence against women
Renee Imbesi Manager
Liz Murphy Senior Project Officer
Kiri Bear Senior Project Officer
Janelle Cribb Project Manager–Special Projects
Economic participation
Irene Verins Manager
Health inequalities
Kellie Horton Manager
Ben Waterhouse Senior Project Officer
Knowledge management & workforce development
Irene Verins Manager
Sarah Posner Project Officer
Karlee Field Short Course Trainee
Unit administration
Aaron Dore Acting Manager, Program Support
Cassie Nicholls Project Officer
Kristen Finney Project Officer
Betty Bougas Assistant Project Officer
Marnie Shine Program Support Administrator
Knowledge and Environments for Health
Brian Vandenberg Executive Manager (Acting)
Tobacco, alcohol & UV
Brian Vandenberg Manager
Sean O'Rourke Project Officer
Rachel Petrie Project Officer
Food & nutrition
Julie Woods Acting Manager
Melissa Deutscher Project Officer
Knowledge
Lisa Thomson Manager
Tessa Hillgrove Senior Project Officer–Surveys
Nikki Honey Senior Project Officer – Research Coordination
Fiona McKay Senior Project Officer–Environments for Health
Candice Shean Project Officer
Environments for health
Sue McGill Manager
Matt Cameron Project Officer
Unit administration
Michele Agustin-Guarino Manager–Program Support & Special Projects
Beth Gazzara Project Officer
Corporate Support
Randall Kent Chief Financial Officer
Nick Boyle Executive Manager (Acting)
Kerry Oehm Executive Assistant
Information and communications technology (ICT)
Martyn Baker ICT Manager
Xa Dinh ICT Officer
Paul Grant ICT Officer
Jeevan Jeyarajah Assistant ICT Officer
Business & risk systems
Nick Boyle Manager
Alana Mlinarevic Contracts, Procurement and Risk Coordinator
Finance
Alex Benbow Finance Manager
Daniel Nguyen Financial Accountant
Larna-Grace Pack Finance Support Officer
Annie Lee AdministratrionTrainee
People, culture & development
Julia Galante People, Culture & Development Coordinator
Marnie Shine People Culture and Development Administrator
Resources & knowledge support
Kathy McLinden Manager
Eromi Paiva Officer-Resources & Knowledge Support
Chris Davis Support Officer-Resources & Knowledge Support
Gabrielle Mercieca Support Officer-Administration & Facilities
Communications
Kerry Grenfell Executive Manager
Media and communications
John Fulcher Communications Manager
Jane Gardner Senior Media Officer
Andrew Park Strategic Communications Advisor
Publications (print and digital)
Margarita Paguio Publications Manager
Samantha McCrow Publications Coordinator
Heather Smith Publications Coordinator
Natalie Lleonart Administration Officer
Unit administration/event support/study tours
Jo Hillas Administration Coordinator
Front of house
Helene Finnie Receptionist
Associates
Rebecca Armstrong
Jodie Doyle
Belinda Hall
Tahna Pettman
Ben Rossiter Executive Officer
Charmaine Chew Community Engagement Coordinator