SENIOR STAFF
ConnectGV’s senior staff bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to lead our team.
Jacinta Russell
Chief Executive Officer & Company Secretary
READ JACINTA'S BIO
Jacinta Russell is the Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGV, a position she has held since July 2022. Prior to commencing at ConnectGV, Jacinta held the position of Executive Director at Goulburn Valley Health as well as various other management positions across metropolitan and regional health services. Jacinta brings a wealth of experience from previous roles in health administration, corporate and clinical governance, business and ensuring participants and clients have an opportunity to determine and be supported in their care needs.
Jacinta is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Masters of Science from RMIT, Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (Quality & Safety) (UTAS), Graduate Certificate in Management (AIM), Professional Certificate in Health Systems (Uni of Melb), a Bachelor of Science (La Trobe Uni), Prince 2 Practitioner qualifications and is a graduate of the Fairley Leadership Program (FF 2014). Jacinta is also a member of the Australian College of Health Services Management.
She currently is a Board Director at Worktrainers and Recruitment Select, and previously was the Board Chair at Primary Care Connect and Board Chair of the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership.
Jacinta is passionate about assisting the most vulnerable people within our community, via her paid and volunteer work. When not working Jacinta enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, friends and family, in our beautiful region.
BRANT DOYLE
Executive Manager – People, Quality & Safety / Social Enterprises
READ BRANT'S BIO
Brant started with ConnectGV in April 2023 after spending over 20 years in People and Culture, Corporate Governance and Performance Leadership and Executive roles. His career has been varied across law firms, disability and community services, large health services and local government.
Brant is a current Board Director with NCN Health, and was a previous Board Chair and Board Director of Primary Care Connect, Cobram District Health, and the Bridge Youth Service.
Brant is people focused with a strong desire to ensure high quality safe service provision for staff and participants.
Ramesha Jayasuriya
Financial Controller & Manager of Corporate Services
READ RAMESHA'S BIO
Ramesha’s qualifications include a Master of Business Administration from Edith Cowan University (W.A), Bachelor of Science (Hons) Management Information Systems – National University of Ireland, as well as being a full member of CPA Australia and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK).
Ramesha is a CPA accountant with over fifteen years of experience in financial and management accounting and business administration. Prior to her promotion at ConnectGV, as Financial Controller and Manager of Corporate Services in June 2023, Ramesha was the Finance Administrator from 2018 – 2023, overseeing Payroll, month and year end reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, and implementing new software programs.
Prior to working with ConnectGV, Ramesha worked with a local accounting firm as a financial adviser from 2015-2018.
LINDA GLOVER
Quality and Safety Manager
READ LINDA'S BIO
Linda moved to Australia from New Zealand at the end of 2001 before starting work at ConnectGV (as the former GV Centre) in 2002.
She has steadily progressed throughout her career with us, beginning as an Instructor in Day Services (now known as a Disability Support Worker), becoming Supervisor of Residential Houses, then the Residential Manager and Occupational Health and Safety representative for many years, before being promoted to Manager of Quality and Safety this year.
Whilst this was Linda’s first time working with people with a disability, she worked for many years in Aged Carer, specialising in psycho-geriatric. Linda has always had a passion for working with people, and thrives on working toward having a positive impact in the lives of our more vulnerable communities. Now, as the Quality and Safety Manager at ConnectGV, Linda enjoys providing safety in the workplace for both staff and participants.
Linda holds a Certificate IV in Aged Care, Diploma in Psychology and Advanced Diploma in Disability. Additionally, she is an Approved Program Officer (APO) with behaviour practitioners for participants who have an NDIS behaviour support plan and are on restrictive practices.
In her spare time, Linda enjoys gardening, photography and travelling – she must always have a trip to look forward to! Interestingly, Linda was a champion New Zealand dart player, and got to coach the junior team before making Australia her permanent home.
READ JACINTA'S BIO
Jacinta Russell is the Chief Executive Officer of ConnectGV, a position she has held since July 2022. Prior to commencing at ConnectGV, Jacinta held the position of Executive Director at Goulburn Valley Health as well as various other management positions across metropolitan and regional health services. Jacinta brings a wealth of experience from previous roles in health administration, corporate and clinical governance, business and ensuring participants and clients have an opportunity to determine and be supported in their care needs.
Jacinta is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Masters of Science from RMIT, Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management (Quality & Safety) (UTAS), Graduate Certificate in Management (AIM), Professional Certificate in Health Systems (Uni of Melb), a Bachelor of Science (La Trobe Uni), Prince 2 Practitioner qualifications and is a graduate of the Fairley Leadership Program (FF 2014). Jacinta is also a member of the Australian College of Health Services Management.
She currently is a Board Director at Worktrainers and Recruitment Select, and previously was the Board Chair at Primary Care Connect and Board Chair of the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership.
Jacinta is passionate about assisting the most vulnerable people within our community, via her paid and volunteer work. When not working Jacinta enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, friends and family, in our beautiful region.
READ BRANT'S BIO
Brant started with ConnectGV in April 2023 after spending over 20 years in People and Culture, Corporate Governance and Performance Leadership and Executive roles. His career has been varied across law firms, disability and community services, large health services and local government.
Brant is a current Board Director with NCN Health, and was a previous Board Chair and Board Director of Primary Care Connect, Cobram District Health, and the Bridge Youth Service.
Brant is people focused with a strong desire to ensure high quality safe service provision for staff and participants.
READ RAMESHA'S BIO
Ramesha’s qualifications include a Master of Business Administration from Edith Cowan University (W.A), Bachelor of Science (Hons) Management Information Systems – National University of Ireland, as well as being a full member of CPA Australia and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK).
Ramesha is a CPA accountant with over fifteen years of experience in financial and management accounting and business administration. Prior to her promotion at ConnectGV, as Financial Controller and Manager of Corporate Services in June 2023, Ramesha was the Finance Administrator from 2018 – 2023, overseeing Payroll, month and year end reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, and implementing new software programs.
Prior to working with ConnectGV, Ramesha worked with a local accounting firm as a financial adviser from 2015-2018.
READ LINDA'S BIO
Linda moved to Australia from New Zealand at the end of 2001 before starting work at ConnectGV (as the former GV Centre) in 2002.
She has steadily progressed throughout her career with us, beginning as an Instructor in Day Services (now known as a Disability Support Worker), becoming Supervisor of Residential Houses, then the Residential Manager and Occupational Health and Safety representative for many years, before being promoted to Manager of Quality and Safety this year.
Whilst this was Linda’s first time working with people with a disability, she worked for many years in Aged Carer, specialising in psycho-geriatric. Linda has always had a passion for working with people, and thrives on working toward having a positive impact in the lives of our more vulnerable communities. Now, as the Quality and Safety Manager at ConnectGV, Linda enjoys providing safety in the workplace for both staff and participants.
Linda holds a Certificate IV in Aged Care, Diploma in Psychology and Advanced Diploma in Disability. Additionally, she is an Approved Program Officer (APO) with behaviour practitioners for participants who have an NDIS behaviour support plan and are on restrictive practices.
In her spare time, Linda enjoys gardening, photography and travelling – she must always have a trip to look forward to! Interestingly, Linda was a champion New Zealand dart player, and got to coach the junior team before making Australia her permanent home.
melissa joyce
Manager - Day Programs
READ MELISSA'S BIO
Melissa studied Community Services when she was younger, but it was disability support that really captured her interest. She worked for a disability organisation in New South Wales for 3 years before relocating to Shepparton and commencing work at ConnectGV in 2012.
Melissa started at the organisation as a Disability Support Worker, learning the ropes in each sector and continuing to build her extensive knowledge of support work which eventually earned her the promotion to Service Manager of Day Services in 2023.
Melissa handles all operational queries for Day Programs at the Bowenhall St campus, coordinating staff and participants to access programs which assist them to build skills and improve and maintain healthy social connections.
daniel falla
Manager - Outreach
READ DANIEL'S BIO
Commencing as a support worker in 2006, Daniel was promoted to Outreach coordinator in 2012 and now holds the position of Outreach Service Manager.
Daniel is passionate about supporting others with their mental health and wellbeing, and advocating for high quality participant centred supports.
Daniel is driven to work with people on a highly individualised level, assisting to plan and see them achieve their goals. He values the perspective his current role offers, and the connections he’s made with a highly diverse range of participants, their families and wider community.
Daniel holds qualifications including Certificate IV in Aged Care and Disability, Diploma of Disability, Diploma of Mental Health and Diploma of Alcohol and other Drugs.
In addition, Daniel has also invested in formal training to strengthen his leadership skills, and actively mentors members of his team to purposefully connect to their work.
LEAH DOWN
NDIS Services Manager
READ LEAH'S BIO
After working in retail for 9 years including time as a department manager Leah began her career progression by completing a Certificate 3 in Health Assistance (Nursing) via a traineeship at GV Health where she continued in her role for another 3 years whilst continuing to raise her three children.
Looking for further opportunity in the health and wellbeing field, she gained employment at Intereach where she was a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for 2.5 years, working with adults and children with a disability aged 7 and up. Whilst working at Intereach, Leah worked her way up to backfill the managerial role where she gained many new skills.
Leah’s experience with Intereach led her to the role as our NDIS Services Manager, where she oversees the Plan Management, Support Coordination and Participant Engagement Coordination Teams, supporting our onboarding processes and NDIS supports. Leah also assists participants and families/carers with service agreement and billing enquiries whilst also supporting staff to understand and adhere to NDIS service provisions.
Leah enjoys walking her dog in her spare time, and loves playing tennis and spending time with her family.
Leah has a passion for ensuring that our participants are fully supported and that we are providing them with quality supports and services of their choice.
MICHELLE BYE
Manager Residential Services
READ MICHELLE'S BIO
Michelle Bye has over 20 years’ experience working with adults and younger people with a disability. Michelle started working with SCOPE as an integration aid for kindergarten students with additional needs, working a one-on-one ratio in 2006. After working through the early development of the support industry and raising her four children, Michelle was hired in 2013 as a Residential Disability Support Worker (DSW) at ConnectGV.
While working as a DSW, Michelle also completed her Diploma of Nursing.
Michelle has seen a change in her roles over the years at ConnectGV; Disability Support Worker, Servicer Leader at two Residential sites – 9 Middleton St and Chertsey Rd and her newly appointed role as Residential Manager.
Michelle enjoys volunteering across the community, participating in the Winter Night Shelter Project, local football club, school council and youth programs.
READ MELISSA'S BIO
Melissa studied Community Services when she was younger, but it was disability support that really captured her interest. She worked for a disability organisation in New South Wales for 3 years before relocating to Shepparton and commencing work at ConnectGV in 2012.
Melissa started at the organisation as a Disability Support Worker, learning the ropes in each sector and continuing to build her extensive knowledge of support work which eventually earned her the promotion to Service Manager of Day Services in 2023.
Melissa handles all operational queries for Day Programs at the Bowenhall St campus, coordinating staff and participants to access programs which assist them to build skills and improve and maintain healthy social connections.
READ DANIEL'S BIO
Commencing as a support worker in 2006, Daniel was promoted to Outreach coordinator in 2012 and now holds the position of Outreach Service Manager.
Daniel is passionate about supporting others with their mental health and wellbeing, and advocating for high quality participant centred supports.
Daniel is driven to work with people on a highly individualised level, assisting to plan and see them achieve their goals. He values the perspective his current role offers, and the connections he’s made with a highly diverse range of participants, their families and wider community.
Daniel holds qualifications including Certificate IV in Aged Care and Disability, Diploma of Disability, Diploma of Mental Health and Diploma of Alcohol and other Drugs.
In addition, Daniel has also invested in formal training to strengthen his leadership skills, and actively mentors members of his team to purposefully connect to their work.
READ LEAH'S BIO
After working in retail for 9 years including time as a department manager Leah began her career progression by completing a Certificate 3 in Health Assistance (Nursing) via a traineeship at GV Health where she continued in her role for another 3 years whilst continuing to raise her three children.
Looking for further opportunity in the health and wellbeing field, she gained employment at Intereach where she was a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for 2.5 years, working with adults and children with a disability aged 7 and up. Whilst working at Intereach, Leah worked her way up to backfill the managerial role where she gained many new skills.
Leah’s experience with Intereach led her to the role as our NDIS Services Manager, where she oversees the Plan Management, Support Coordination and Participant Engagement Coordination Teams, supporting our onboarding processes and NDIS supports. Leah also assists participants and families/carers with service agreement and billing enquiries whilst also supporting staff to understand and adhere to NDIS service provisions.
Leah enjoys walking her dog in her spare time, and loves playing tennis and spending time with her family.
Leah has a passion for ensuring that our participants are fully supported and that we are providing them with quality supports and services of their choice.
READ MICHELLE'S BIO
Michelle Bye has over 20 years’ experience working with adults and younger people with a disability. Michelle started working with SCOPE as an integration aid for kindergarten students with additional needs, working a one-on-one ratio in 2006. After working through the early development of the support industry and raising her four children, Michelle was hired in 2013 as a Residential Disability Support Worker (DSW) at ConnectGV.
While working as a DSW, Michelle also completed her Diploma of Nursing.
Michelle has seen a change in her roles over the years at ConnectGV; Disability Support Worker, Servicer Leader at two Residential sites – 9 Middleton St and Chertsey Rd and her newly appointed role as Residential Manager.
Michelle enjoys volunteering across the community, participating in the Winter Night Shelter Project, local football club, school council and youth programs.
Irene Timm
Social Enterprise Coordinator
READ IRENE'S BIO
Irene’s career at ConnectGV spans 25 years of service. She commenced working at the GV Centre (as it was known then) in 1997 where she was employed as the first carer. Three months later she became an instructor (now known as a support worker). From Instructor she progressed to Team Leader and then 12 months later, Program Manager. Irene enjoys the diversity of her employment at ConnectGV and the various role changes including that of Social Enterprise Co-ordinator, overseeing business services and supported employees. She is currently back in Day Options, while continuing to oversee some of the supported employment areas.
Whilst employed and raising her family, Irene gained qualifications in aged care and disability, was a short-term foster carer and volunteered her time at FamilyCare’s holiday programs for children with a disability. Currently she also volunteers as an ITP (Independent Third Person) in the justice system. This involves assisting people with a disability through the interview process when involved with the police, whether this be as a perpetrator or victim.
Irene is a Mooroopna local, she played basketball as a junior and was a part of the inaugural women’s Gators team. She playing at this level for five years, then continued playing A grade basketball at a club level and coached juniors at club level and was team manager for Under 18 girls’ squad teams.
In her career and personal life, Irene has relished the opportunity to be involved in supporting people in her community.