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In the fourth event in the Workforce of the Future livestreamed series, we partnered with the Human Services Skills Organisation and skills experts to examine the gaps in the workforce and the skills and training needed to better support the aged care and disability support sectors now and into the future.
Featuring
Jodi Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Human Services Skills Organisation
Jodi is an experienced CEO with a track record of successful business transformation, improving profitability and significantly enhancing shareholder value.
Jodi has over the last 3 years been consulting across a number of industry sectors including education and training, property and real estate, manufacturing, human services, ICT and digital businesses in the areas of strategic planning, CEO/executive coaching, leadership and culture development and business performance and advisory.
Jodi has had extensive experience in the Vocational, Education and Training sector over the last 15 years. She served as the Deputy Director-General, Training and Employment with the Queensland government, and then as the inaugural chief executive officer of TAFE Queensland, leading the reform and amalgamation of TAFE institutes in Queensland and establishing it as one consolidated commercial entity. She also served as the Chair of the National Education and Foundation Skills – Industry Reference Committee (IRC), and has been a member of a number of national review boards and expert panels.
Prior to this, she held various senior executive positions in both Australia and the United Kingdom in health, defence and local government in both the public and private sectors and holds qualifications in marketing, accounting and market research.
Benjamin Keast, Chief Executive Officer, ARC Disability Services
Benjamin has been the CEO of ARC since April 2016. Prior to this he has held many roles at all levels within the organisation over his 18 years in the industry. Ben has always held a passion for the skills development within the Disability sector since his engagement on the Disability Sector Training Coalition (2008 -2012).
Ben was a member of the Far North Queensland’s Regional Disability Advisory Committee; and is currently a member within the Premiers Regional Forums. Ben has his MBA and has been on a number of not for profit boards within advocacy services; arts; and community housing organisations. Ben is currently the Chair of the Far North Queensland’s Disability Provider Network, as well as the Chair of the Disability Support Industry Reference Committee.
John Murray – Human Services Skills Organisation Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Australian Air Force Association WA
John took up the role of CEO at RAAFA in May 2013. He comes with extensive experience in health, aged care and retirement living with senior management experience spanning 25 years. John commenced his career as a Registered Nurse specialising in mental health. RAAFA has gone through a major transformation over the past six years, now employing 750 staff, with 450 aged care beds, 1440 retirement units, community-based services and DVA services.
John was previously the Chair of Aged Care and Community Services WA, and a Director of ACSA National. He continues to be Chair of the Audit, Financial and Risk Committee. ACSA represents not-for-profit providers across Australia.
He holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Leadership, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
Beverly Smith - Executive General Manager, Residential Communities, Australian Unity
Beverly is the Executive General Manager of Residential Communities, Independent and Assisted Living at Australian Unity. The Residential Communities business comprises operating 21 retirement living and seven residential aged care communities in Victoria and New South Wales and a pipeline of new seniors accommodation developments. All of the new developments are supported by the award-winning Better Together® model of care.
Beverly is a senior executive acknowledged for delivering customer-led transformation in aged and community care and retirement living since 2009, including inaugural chief customer officer roles at Bolton Clarke and Feros Care. She thrives in For Purpose environments which positively impact customers and communities, working in mutuals or non-profits for most of the last decade. Beverly also has experience as the Chief Commercial Officer in TAFE in Victoria.
Elmina Joldic - Acting Head of Youth, Brotherhood of St Laurence
Elmina heads up the youth division at the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) and has extensive experience across the non-profit national and international sectors including youth education, employment and mental health. Elmina leads local and national youth employment efforts at BSL, working nationally with community partners through the National Youth Employment Body. Elmina is a passionate champion for young people with over 20 years’ experience in the youth community sector.