Board & Leadership

Franca Facci

Chair

Franca Facci is a highly respected health and community leader with extensive experience in integrated care, multicultural health, and system-wide service delivery across the Illawarra and broader NSW health sector. She brings decades of senior leadership in public health. Serving as Stream Leader for Integrated Care and Priority Populations with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, she oversaw a diverse portfolio of services, including chronic care, youth and homelessness, multicultural and refugee health, and virtual care initiatives Franca has demonstrated exceptional capability in leading complex system reform and innovation, particularly through partnerships with primary care and government agencies.

She has also made significant contributions to governance and community leadership, serving as Chairperson of the CatholicCare Advisory Council and in numerous advisory and board roles. Franca is widely recognised for her inclusive leadership, strategic insight, and longstanding commitment to improving health outcomes for diverse communities.

Kieran Biddle

Kieran is a highly experienced legal and governance professional with over four decades of practice in the Illawarra region. Admitted as a solicitor of both the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1978, he built a distinguished career as Managing Partner of Hansons Lawyers in Wollongong. His legal expertise spans business and property law, estate planning, governance, and advisory work for public companies and statutory bodies.

Kieran’s career reflects strong leadership, having served as a Partner from 1978 to 2014 and later as a consultant until 2019. He has also contributed his expertise to financial services through a part-time role with PCL Finance. Alongside his professional practice, he has maintained a significant commitment to community and not-for-profit organisations.  His governance experience is extensive, including roles as Chairman of the Diocesan Finance Council and a Director of IMB Bank.

Kerry Hunt

Kerry is a highly experienced senior executive with over three decades of leadership in local government and community services. She has built a distinguished career with Wollongong City Council, where she has held a broad range of executive and senior management roles since 2004, culminating in her current position as Director of Community Services. Her experience spans organisational strategy, corporate and community services, economic development, and public relations, reflecting a strong capability in both service delivery and strategic leadership.

She brings significant expertise in driving organisational improvement, aligning strategy with community outcomes, and leading complex portfolios in dynamic public sector environments. Kerry’s leadership has encompassed planning, research, performance reporting, and the delivery of customer-focused services that respond to diverse community needs.

Greg Parrish

Greg is an experienced, CPA‑qualified executive leader with extensive experience in governance, strategy, and not‑for‑profit, church, education and financial services leadership. Greg has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Chief Operations Manager for the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, where he supported the Bishop in overseeing diocesan ministries, with a particular focus on professional standards and safeguarding.  His earlier role as Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Education Network saw him lead shared services across multiple dioceses, supporting large-scale ICT and data initiatives that enhanced educational outcomes.

His career also includes executive and finance leadership roles within mutual banking and private health insurance, giving him broad commercial and operational expertise. Greg was the previous Chair of Greenacres Disability Services, reflecting his passion for inclusion, sustainability, and service innovation.

Shanyn King

Shanyn is an experienced health executive and clinical leader with an extensive career in nursing, clinical governance, and health service leadership across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region. She is currently Director of Nursing and Midwifery for the Shoalhaven Hospital Group within the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, where she leads large, multidisciplinary teams and is responsible for ensuring high-quality patient care and service delivery.

Shanyn brings deep expertise in critical care, having held senior leadership roles including Co-Director of the Critical Care Division, Clinical Operations Manager, and Patient Safety Manager. Her career reflects a strong focus on clinical governance, patient safety, and continuous improvement, underpinned by a commitment to best practice care and staff capability development.

Rev Fr James Arblaster

Fr James Arblaster is a Catholic priest currently serving as Parochial Vicar of St Michael’s Parish, Nowra. He was formally appointed to the Board of CatholicCare Wollongong in August 2026, following a year working within the organisation.

Fr James brings diverse ministry and professional experience across education, health, aged care and palliative care. His ministry has included work in state and Catholic primary and secondary schools, universities, hospitals and aged care facilities. Prior to entering the priesthood, he completed studies in law and international studies, worked in youth residential care services and became a NSW Justice of the Peace.

Fr James holds qualifications including a Master of Arts (Philosophy), Bachelor of Divinity, Bachelor of Ministry, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Studies. Since joining CatholicCare, he has also undertaken governance training for not-for-profit organisations with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Fr James is passionate about finding new and creative ways to serve the community, strengthen connection and bring people closer to Jesus and to one another.

Darcy Lound

Darcy is an experienced community and local government leader with a strong background in civic leadership, business development and community engagement. He has served as a Councillor with Campbelltown City Council since 2012, including as Deputy Mayor from 2018 to 2020, and has been Mayor of Campbelltown since 2024.

Through his local government leadership, Darcy works closely with residents, businesses and community organisations to strengthen local services and support the continued growth and development of the Campbelltown community. His experience includes strategic planning, infrastructure and community development, as well as advocating for funding and investment from state and federal governments.

Darcy also brings extensive commercial experience, having worked in sales engineering roles with WeldQuip and Bolts and Industrial. His professional background has developed strong skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, customer service and business development.

Darcy attended St Gregory’s College Campbelltown and completed a fitter and machinist apprenticeship through Campbelltown TAFE. He is undertaking the University of Technology Sydney Executive Certificate for Elected Members and the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Company Directors Course in 2026.

Matthew Baxter

Matthew is an experienced strategy and communications leader with expertise across strategic planning, communications, media, marketing and education.

Matthew currently serves as Executive Director and Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, bringing more than a decade of leadership experience advising executive teams and senior stakeholders across complex, mission-led and corporate environments. His experience spans education, strategy consulting, retail supply chain and not-for-profit organisations.

Matthew holds a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Australian Catholic University and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Wollongong.

With a strong background in strategic leadership and communications, Matthew brings valuable experience in supporting organisations to navigate complex environments, engage stakeholders and advance their strategic priorities.

Michael Austin

Chief Executive Officer

Michael has served as Chief Executive Officer at CatholicCare Wollongong since 2014. Prior to this role, he held practitioner, management, and senior executive positions at CatholicCare Sydney. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Graduate Diploma in Couple and Family Therapy, and a Master of Social Work from the University of New South Wales. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

His previous governance roles include Chair of Family Relationship Services Australia (FRSA), Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia NSW/ACT and an elected board member of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), Chair of the Institute of Counselling, member of the Advisory Board for the Bachelor of Counselling and Behavioural Science at the University of Notre Dame, and member of the Sydney Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Board.

With extensive experience in service delivery, governance, executive leadership, and strategic planning, Michael brings deep expertise in NFP management, people development, and delivering impactful client outcomes across the community services sector.

Tony Eid

Chief Operating Officer

Tony has served as Chief Operating Officer at CatholicCare Wollongong since October 2020. He brings extensive executive experience across a range of sectors, including technology, not-for-profit, banking, wealth management, insurance, motor vehicles, equipment, and fintech.

Throughout his career, Tony has held senior leadership roles such as Chief Operating Officer, General Manager of Delivery and Operations, Program Portfolio Director, and Head of IT. He has led both Business and IT functions, with responsibilities spanning strategy, delivery, operations, governance, and budget management.

Tony is a trusted advisor to executive teams, known for identifying complex business challenges and implementing practical, outcome-focused solutions that drive organisational performance.

Steve Nielsen

Executive Manager, Aged Care & Disability (Interim)

Steve is the Interim Executive Manager, Aged & Disability Services at CatholicCare, bringing more than 25 years of experience in people, culture and organisational leadership across a diverse range of industries.

Having joined CatholicCare in 2024 as Executive Manager, People & Culture, Steve brings strong executive experience in the aged care sector, having previously held executive-level roles in aged care for five years. His broader career spans not-for-profit community services, pharmaceuticals, information technology, banking and insurance.

Steve brings a strong focus on organisational effectiveness, workforce capability and translating strategy into practical outcomes. In his current interim role, he leads CatholicCare’s Aged & Disability Services portfolio at a time of significant sector reform, with a continued focus on sustainable, high-quality and client-centred services.

Steve holds postgraduate and tertiary qualifications in psychology, human resource management, training and development, and industrial relations

Michelle Ferrara

Executive Manager, Children & Youth Services

Michelle has worked in the social services sector for over 30 years, bringing deep expertise and leadership to her current role as Executive Manager, Children & Youth Services at CatholicCare, a position she has held since 2008. Her previous roles within the organisation include Acting Manager of Out of Home Care (2007–2008) and Team Leader of the School, Student & Family Program (2006–2007).

Michelle currently serves as Chair of the Child Protection Committee and is recognised for her expertise in youth homelessness, case management, family law separation, stakeholder engagement, program development and evaluation, strategic planning, change management, and public speaking. She is also expanding her leadership in early childhood and school aged education and care, overseeing 14 before and after school care and vacation care services as well as Early Learning Centres. 

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology), a Diploma of Education (Primary), and a Certificate in Human Resources Practice.

Roseanne Plunkett

Executive Manager, Family Services

Roseanne is an experienced secondary school teacher and Marriage & Relationship Counsellor who has worked in leadership roles at CatholicCare Wollongong since 2011. She served as Manager of the School, Student & Family Program from 2011 to 2017 and has held the position of Executive Manager, Family Services since 2018.

Roseanne is a values-driven leader with a strong track record in championing innovation in service delivery and business practices. Her expertise includes strategic and business planning, project management, budget oversight, and team development. She is known for her ability to lead staff in putting mission and values into practice across all levels of service.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Graduate Diploma in Arts, and has completed the Leadership Illawarra Program (Sydney Business College) and the CatholicCare Leadership Program (Australian Catholic University).

Lisa Cameron

Executive Manager, Client Experience, Marketing & Communications

Lisa leads CatholicCare’s client experience, marketing and communications portfolio, bringing more than 30 years of executive experience across global consulting, technology, brand, growth and transformation. Her career has included senior leadership roles with organisations such as Amazon Web Services, Unisys, DXC, Fujitsu, IBM, PwC and Cognizant, where she built a strong track record in strategy, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation and business growth.

A seasoned executive leader, Lisa is known for turning complexity into clear, purposeful and people-centred strategy. She has led high-performing teams, delivered large-scale transformation and strengthened brand, customer and growth outcomes across complex environments. Her ability to connect commercial discipline with human-centred design now supports CatholicCare to deepen its reach, relevance and impact across the communities it serves.

At CatholicCare, Lisa leads the organisation’s approach to brand, client experience, communications and strategic engagement, ensuring the voice of the client is reflected across every touchpoint. She is passionate about building trusted relationships, strengthening community connection and positioning CatholicCare as a credible, contemporary and mission-led organisation that delivers meaningful outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

Moye Prichard

Executive Manager, Finance & Enterprise Development
Public Officer

Moye Prichard is an experienced finance and enterprise development leader with a strong track record in strategic financial management, governance, and operational excellence. Since joining CatholicCare Wollongong in 2018, Moye has held key leadership roles including Finance Manager and Acting Executive Manager, Business Support, before stepping into her current position as Executive Manager, Finance and Enterprise Development.

In this role, Moye provides strategic oversight of CatholicCare’s financial stewardship, leading the development of budgets across diverse funding streams and driving the execution of strategic and operational business plans. Her leadership has been instrumental in launching new service lines and implementing process efficiency initiatives that enhance organisational performance.

Moye’s portfolio also includes responsibility for financial reporting, risk management, governance, internal controls, compliance, project management, and facilities management. She brings over a decade of experience from KPMG, where she served as a Senior Manager, specialising in both internal and external auditing and financial analysis across a range of industries, including the not-for-profit sector, aged care, disability services, banking, education and retail sectors.

Beyond her executive role, Moye contributes to the broader community as a Board Director and Chairperson of Finance, Risk and Audit Committees for several not-for-profit organisations.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Management), a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Diana Donovan

Executive Manager, People & Culture (Interim)

Diana is the Interim Executive Manager, People & Culture at CatholicCare, bringing more than 25 years of experience in human resources and leadership across the health, insurance, finance and for-purpose sectors.

Since joining CatholicCare in 2025, Diana has progressed from Manager, People & Culture to the Interim Executive Manager role, providing leadership across the organisation’s people and culture function. She supports workforce capability, employee experience and CatholicCare’s broader strategic priorities.

Diana is helping lead a significant period of organisational development, including CatholicCare’s HR information system transformation, workforce growth and continued investment in organisational capability.

She holds a Master of Human Resource Management and postgraduate qualifications in leadership. With a practical and people-focused approach, Diana is committed to creating an environment where people feel supported to do their best work and contribute to positive outcomes for the individuals, families and communities CatholicCare serves.

Narelle Austin-Eames

Executive Manager, Quality & Risk
Company Secretary

Narelle has served as Executive Manager, Quality & Risk at CatholicCare since July 2021. She brings extensive experience from global, private, and public sector organisations, with a strong background in safety, risk management, and quality systems.

Before joining CatholicCare, Narelle held senior roles including NSW and ACT Safety Manager and Australia/New Zealand Head of Safety (Second in Charge) in a high-risk construction environment. In this role, she led risk-focused initiatives, drove compliance with ISO 45001 standards, and implemented business improvements aligned with global directives.

Earlier in her career, Narelle managed a portfolio of private health, corporate wellbeing facilities, and major public hospitals along Australia’s east coast, supporting teams to achieve accreditation through the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Her success in this space led to her oversight of the Victorian portfolio for Home and Community Care Standards.

Narelle holds a Bachelor of Information Technology, a Master of Business Administration, a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, and qualifications as an Internal Investigator (ICAM) and Internal Lead Auditor. She recently completed the Company Directors Course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a member of both the Risk Management Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Hiep Nguyen

Executive Manager, Information Technology

Hiep is the Executive Manager, Information Technology at CatholicCare Wollongong, bringing over 30 years of experience in the banking and finance industry. He is a delivery specialist with a strong track record of leading and delivering complex, multi-program initiatives involving strategic and transformational change.

Known for his ability to bridge the gap between business and technology, Hiep delivers detail-oriented solutions that align with organisational goals. His career spans multiple business units and functional areas within highly regulated environments, where he has demonstrated expertise in team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and vendor management.

Prior to joining CatholicCare, Hiep held senior roles including Program Director, Program Manager, and Application Service Manager. He is a lateral and strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in risk mitigation, issue resolution, and prioritising tasks to achieve optimal customer outcomes.

Hiep holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Mathematical Statistics.Australian Institute of Company Directors.