Leadership Team

Michael Austin
CEO

Chief Executive Officer since 2014, Michael previously worked at CatholicCare Sydney in practitioner, management and senior executive roles. Michael has Bachelor of Social Work Graduate Diploma in Couple and Family Therapy and a Master of Social Work from the University of NSW. Michael is the Current Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia NSW/ACT and an elected board member of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA). Has also been Board Chair of Family Relationship Services Australia (FRSA), Chair of the Institute of Counselling, as a member of the Advisory Board of the Bachelor of Counselling and Behavioural Science at the University of Notre Dame, a member of the Sydney Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Board. Michael has extensive experience in governance, executive management and leadership in the community services sector, including strategic planning, business management, people development & achievement of client outcomes.

Tony Eid
Chief Operating Officer

COO at CatholicCare Wollongong since October 2020, Tony has held senior roles as Chief Operating Officer General Manager of Delivery and Operations, Program Portfolio Director and Head of IT.  Broad experience across a range of sectors including technology, not-for-profit, banking, wealth management, insurance, motor vehicle, equipment and fintech).  Executive experience in leading Business and IT functions including strategy, delivery and operations, accountability for business results, people, technology governance and budgets.  Advisor to executive teams – identifying issues, developing & implementing solutions with a focus on business outcomes.

 

Michelle Ferrara
Executive Manager, Children & Youth Services

Michelle has worked in the social services sector for 30 years. Previous positions at CatholicCare include Executive Manager, Children & Youth Services 2008 - current; A/g Manager, Out of Home Care 2007-2008; Team Leader, School, Student & Family Program 2006-2007. Current Chair of Child Protection Committee.  Expertise includes youth homelessness, case management, family law separation, stakeholder development, program development and evaluation, strategic planning, change management, public speaking. Developing further skills in early childhood education and care with the oversight of 11 before and after school and vacation care services. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Sociology); Diploma of Education (Primary); HR Practice Certificate.

 

Roseanne Plunkett
Executive Manager, Family Services

Experienced secondary school teacher & Marriage & Relationship counsellor.  Manager, School Student & Family Program, CatholicCare Wollongong (2011-17), Executive Manager Family Services 2018 – current.  Experienced leader of staff in putting mission and values into practice, championing innovation in service delivery and business practices, developing and implementing strategic & business plans, project management, managing program budgets and building strong teams. Roseanne holds BA, Graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Diploma in Arts, Leadership Illawarra Program (Sydney Business College), CatholicCare Leadership Program (Australian Catholic University). 

 

Moye Pritchard
Executive Manager, Finance and Enterprise Development

Finance Manager and A/g Executive Manager, Business Support, CatholicCare Wollongong (2018 to current).  Senior Manager, KPMG 2008 - 2018. Oversight of financial management and stewardship of CatholicCare.  Experience in development of budgets including NDIS. Oversight of CareView Plan Management system.  Involvement in development and execution of strategies and business plans (incl new lines of business) and process efficiency improvements. Oversight of reporting in relation to finance, risk management, governance, internal controls and compliance. Extensive internal and external auditing experience and in-depth financial analysis in various industries including not-for-profits. Moye holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Management); Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting. Member Institute of Chartered Accountants A/a & NZ.

 

Cheryl Tarantola
Executive Manager, Aged Care & Disability

Cheryl has 15 years' experience in Aged Care and Disability Management including mental health, clinical care improvements, regulatory compliance, and business model redesigning.
Prior to joining CatholicCare, Cheryl managed supported independent living group homes, day centre programs and led a large multidisciplinary team delivering home care services across Southwestern Sydney.
Cheryl has a proven track record in aligning strategy to client outcomes, operational design and development and transformation of new concept models of care and practise.
Cheryl is an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse and is passionate in developing and implementing client centric models of care and Ageing in Place strategies across both sectors with the objective of continuity of services and care through individual lifecycles.
Cheryl currently sits on CatholicCare's Committee for the Aged and is currently completing her Master of Business Administration, through Torrens University Australia.

Narelle Austin-Eames   
Executive Manager, Quality & Risk

Executive Manager, Quality & Risk since July 2021.  Previous to that Narelle's experience has been in full profit global, private and public organisations.   

Narelle's last role was as NSW and ACT Safety Manager and Australia/New Zealand Head of Safety (Second in Charge).  This role was conducted in high-risk construction environment and was heavily responsive on risk.  Additional was business improvement, introducing initiatives driven from overseas head office and driving Australia and New Zealand compliance to ISO 45001.  Prior to this role she managed a portfolio of private health, corporate wellbeing facilities and large high profile public hospitals along the east coast of Australia to assist their teams in achieving accreditation status for standards of the Australian Council of HealthCare Standards.  Due to her success, she also managed the Victorian portfolio of Home and Community Care Standards when that portfolio was awarded.

Qualifications include, Bachelor of IT, Masters of Business Administration, Cert IV Work, Health and Safety, Internal Investigator (ICAM) and Internal Lead Auditor and recently completed the Company Directors course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).  Professional memberships include Risk Management Institute of Australia and Australian Institute of Company Directors.   

Hiep Nguyen
Executive Manager, IT

Hiep is a delivery specialist with a proven record of successfully leading and delivering multi programs involving strategic and transformational change in the Banking and Finance Industry. An energetic and trusted driver, who can bridge the gap between business and technology to deliver detail-oriented solutions. Hiep has over 30 years of experience that spans multiple business units and functional areas working in highly regulated Banking environments. Highly skilled in team building, communications, as well as inter-department, senior level relations and vendor management. Hiep is a lateral and strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills in resolving issues, mitigating risks, and prioritizing tasks for best customer outcome.

Prior to joining CatholicCare Wollongong, Hiep has held various roles as Program Director/Manager as well Application Service Manager. Hiep holds a Bachelor of Science (IT & Mathematical Statistics).

 

Steve Nielsen
Executive Manager People & Culture

Steve has over 25 years’ People and Culture management experience, spanning across multiple industry sectors; from small to medium not for profit community service enterprises to large public global corporations.

In the 5 years before before joining CatholicCare in 2024, Steve held executive level positions within aged care. Prior to this, Steve held senior HR leadership and transformation roles in a diverse range of industries, from pharmaceuticals, Information Technology, Banking and Insurance. Steve’s signature strength and passion is being able to translate P&C strategy to drive organisational effectiveness and performance.

Steve has post graduate and tertiary qualifications in psychology, human resource management, training and development and industrial relations.