Executive Team

Michael Beres

Chief Executive Officer (Interim)

Michael joined SEMPHN in July 2021 and is currently the interim Chief Executive Officer. 

Michael is an accomplished executive leader within the community sector. In his work, he continually demonstrates expertise in business growth, strategy, business development and governance. He has previously held several roles as Chief Operations Officer (including interim COO at SEMPHN) and has extensive board governance experience. 

Prior to joining SEMPHN, Michael was the General Manager of Operations for Relationships Australia (RA) where he led and managed all programs (notably, mental health, family mediation and family violence support services), developed governance frameworks, led tenders and was responsible for effective relationship management with key stakeholders. 

Prior to RA, Michael held roles with Uniting Vic/Tas and Wesley Mission Victoria in numerous roles including Executive Strategy Manager and Group Manager of Disability & Aged Care services. Michael has also worked in Good Shepherd and OzChild in COO positions.

Michael has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Melbourne University Business School.

Simon Wrigley

Chief Operating Officer

Simon has over 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles at global financial institutions both locally and internationally. Previously, he was a senior executive and company secretary at a large national community mental health services provider and board director of a mental health peak body.

As an authentic and values-based leader, he has strong commercial acumen from holding leadership positions across a variety of business functions including operations, client relationship management, strategy development, governance and risk management, finance, and technology. Simon’s passion is the delivery of high-quality services to community health clients by the business and its team members.

Tony James

Executive General Manager, Human Resources

Tony James joined SEMPHN in July 2015 and is currently General Manager Human Resources and is responsible for Human Resources and Occupational Health & Safety. Holding an Advanced Diploma of Business (Human Resources), he brings to the role HR experience in health and higher education sectors. Most recently he held senior HR roles for the Bayside Medicare Local and RMIT University.

Brian O'Sullivan

Executive General Manager, Strategic Relations

Brian joined SEMPHN as General Manager Strategic Relations in August 2018 and is responsible for stakeholder engagement, communication, events, media relations and issues management. With over 25 years’ experience in the corporate communications arena, Brian has held senior leadership roles at City West Water, Yarra Trams and Australia Post, in addition to work in the local government and not-for profit sector. Brian is the former Chair of BreastWest, a not-for profit committee which supported breast cancer survivors in the Western Health catchment (2007-2014), in addition to mentoring young achievers at Western Chances, a western suburbs scholarships organisation for young people who have the capability, but not the funding, to achieve in their field of expertise (2009 – present).

Clare Escott

Executive General Manager, Corporate Services

Clare joined SEMPHN in March 2020 and is currently General Manager Corporate Services. Clare is a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has extensive senior executive experience in leading Corporate Services teams in the health not-for-profit and local government sectors.  Her broad career experience includes financial management, risk and governance, with a focus on project delivery and business improvement.  

Clare and the Corporate Services team are responsible for ensuring that robust financial management and sustainable corporate infrastructure, systems and processes are in place to support SEMPHN in delivering its strategic objectives.

Marita Sealey

Executive General Manager, Special Projects

Marita joined SEMPHN in March 2020 and is currently General Manager Special Projects. She has over 30 years’ experience working in the health and community sectors in Victoria and Western Australia and holds a Master’s degree in Health Services Management.

Marita is a trained midwife and registered nurse and has held senior leadership positions and executive roles across various health organisations. In addition, Marita has held board positions at the South Coastal Women’s Health Service and Care Options in Western Australia. Marita has been managing her own consultancy business for 15 years supporting clients with a wide range of business and organisational activities. 

Galina Daragnova

Executive General Manager, Business Intelligence

Galina joined SEMPHN in April 2021 as an Executive General Manager Business Intelligence. She is a dedicated leader with years of experience in health and analytics across government and academia sectors who is passionate about translating data into meaningful insights.

Previously as Executive Manager of Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), she led several national flagship studies on health and wellbeing of diverse population groups across the life course (children, males, refugees, military). At AIFS, she also had a leadership role in the development and implementation of business strategy for the Data Linkage and Integrating Authority with focus on the integration of various data sources to inform policy development.

Amongst her current professional appointments, Galina serves on several advisory boards, nationally and internationally and provide advice to the Australian Government Departments of Social Services, Health, and Defence.

Galina holds a PhD from Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, Melbourne University. 

Fotini Strongylos

Executive General Manager, Service Innovation

Fotini joined SEMPHN in 2016 as the Manager, Mental Health Service Development and is currently Executive General Manager, Service Innovation. She has extensive experience in leading large establishment projects across the health and not-for-profit sector and is recognised for her exceptional leadership and governance skills.

Prior to SEMPHN, Fotini has led a number of initiatives in areas such as Refugee and Asylum Seeker and the Secada Drug and Alcohol Service which was established on the back of the recommissioning of the Alcohol and Other Drug services across Victoria. Fotini also delivered key projects in access to healthcare services in senior roles held at Monash Health ambulatory care services. 

Fotini holds Graduate Certificates in Leadership and in Business.