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Our Executive Team

The OC Connections Board steers our organisation through the ever-evolving landscape of the NDIS. They are committed to ensuring that corporate governance remains strong, building an environment of trust and transparency so that our vision and purpose can be achieved.

The executive management team at OC Connections guides our organisation to enact the strategic plan and operate to a high standard. Our general managers motivate and lead the teams within OC Connections to ensure that we deliver on our vision and purpose.

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Our Board
Our Executive Team

our executive team

Therese Desmond

Chief Executive Officer

Therese Desmond is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OC Connections Limited, reporting directly, and accountable, to the Board of Directors. 

Therese has held senior executive roles in disability, community health, acute hospital settings, as well as child and family and aged care environments in not-for-profit and for-profit organisations across metropolitan and rural regions for more than 30 years.  Therese had also worked for State Government and in health and human services consulting with KPMG. 

Since commencing with OC Connections in 2014, Therese has navigated the organisation through the successful housing redevelopment and subsequent closure of the Allen Street congregate care facility; the complex transition to the NDIS, and the challenges brought on by COVID-19, while implementing and achieving the strategic goals set by the board. 

Therese is proud of the fact that during her tenure, OC Connections has more than doubled in revenue in the past six years, has financial sustainability, provided quality outcomes and grown its leaders, while continuing to support and safeguard participants – maximising choice and control wherever possible.

Therese is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the National Disability Services National Committee on Housing and Support, the CEO Institute and a number of sector collaboration and advocacy organisations and until recently was a board member of Banksia Palliative Care Service.

Greg Patterson

General Manager, Corporate and Commercial Services

Greg is a chartered accountant with a rich and varied career including roles within professional services and more recently, heading finance and corporate services teams within health and community services. 

A passion for social justice led Greg to work in the not-for-profit sector and he thrives on the dedication and commitment typical of his colleagues in the sector. 

Greg joined OC Connections in 2017 and sees his role as an exciting opportunity to directly contribute towards the stated strategic aspiration to be a sustainable organisation recognised for business excellence.

Jane Ludtke

General Manager, Independence & Community

Jane Ludtke has a passion for advocacy and co-design with a focus on inclusion for people with disability.  This passion has guided her study and work in the field of disability, with a career spanning 28 years across various areas including: respite, recreation, housing, day services and home and community support and at all levels. 

Jane holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Disability Studies and Graduate Diploma in Counselling and has extensive training and experience in consumer and community engagement.

“All my work involves building the capacity of people to be inclusive and support the participation and voice of people with a disability in their community. I have developed strong leadership skills and work collaboratively with customers and staff to create change in services so they are responsive to what customers want.”

Sharon Roxby

General Manager, Innovation & Customer Experience

Sharon brings extensive experience in corporate governance, policy, risk, and compliance from the Disability and Insurance sectors. She has worked in both the Northern Territory and Victorian NDIS jurisdictions.

Sharon has a Masters in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. She has Quality Audit qualifications and has Level 3 Executive Coaching qualifications through the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership. This training, coupled with her experience in Executive roles, leadership, change management and project management brings a holistic leadership and strategic approach to OC Connections.

A former Chair for a number of non-profit organisations, Sharon was also appointed to several government advisory committees focusing on scheme performance and policy.

Sharon is passionate about participant safeguarding and the health and safety of employees. 

Steve Betinsky

General Manager, Employment & Enterprises

Steve’s career in senior leadership spans for-purpose and for-profit organisations across a diverse range of sectors. Prior to joining OC Connections, Steve was the General Manager of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) before taking on the role of Director, Social Enterprises at the ASRC to lead the social enterprise growth strategy.

Prior to joining the ASRC, Steve was the CEO of Child Wise; a charity which works to prevent the abuse and exploitation of children. During this time Steve was also a sitting member of the Federal Government’s Online Safety Consultative Working Group, the Asia Pacific Financial Coalition against Child Pornography and a Director of the ECPAT International Board of Trustees, representing Australia and the Pacific Region.

Before moving into the not-for-profit sector, Steve held senior leadership roles within the corporate sector including, General Manager Transaction Banking at National Australia Bank, Head of Payments Solutions at NAB, and Operations Manager, Telstra National Activations Centre.

Steve holds a Masters of Business Administration with high distinctions, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Angelique Smit

General Manager - People, Learning and Culture

Angelique brings an impressive 20-year track record in human resources and recruitment to her professional journey. Her career has encompassed diverse sectors, including aged care, allied health, audiology, and language services, with a notable recent focus on the not-for-profit sector.

Beyond her corporate roles, Angelique has also made a meaningful impact as a Trauma Counsellor, extending support to individuals who have experienced the aftermath of crime. This underscores her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others.

Angelique’s career commenced in recruitment, but she swiftly pivoted to the field of HR upon immigrating to Australia in 2006. She contributed her expertise to various organisations such as Primelife Aged Care, VIVIR Healthcare and NAB followed by a significant role at All Graduates Interpreting & Translating, where she adeptly managed the transition of over 100 contractors to employee status while overseeing a team of 15.

Today, Angelique lends her talents to OC Connections, driven by a genuine desire to create a positive impact and make a real difference in the lives of others.

Interested in joining us?

If you’d like to join an organisation that is committed to its vision and purpose, holds strong values, and supports its employees, then check out our current vacancies or get in touch with us. 

Work with Us

staying connected

Need help? Contact us on (03) 9569 0603 or email us at enquiries@occonnections.org

OC Connections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of this nation. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and future.

OC Connections respects Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their contribution to our society.

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