A strategic executive working at CEO, CFO and COO level, Michael Malakonas brings 30 years of finance, accounting, operations, governance, enterprise risk and general management experience to the leadership of Fronditha Care. Michael has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting & Economics, is a Fellow CPA, holds a CPA MBA majoring in Leadership & Communication and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Has extensive experience in the global financial services industries, complemented with community healthcare industry services experience, via prior involvement in the not-for-profit sector as a Non-Executive Director, Chairing the Finance and Audit Risk Management Committee for Merri Community Health Services. Michael continues as a Non-Executive Director in the financial service sector with Zeal Solutions Pty Ltd.

Michael’s track record of business performance transformation, adding economic and social value, strategy formulation and execution and people development will ensure the sustainability and growth of culturally appropriate care services that Fronditha Care’s name has become synonymous with in the community and aged care sector.

Driven by ever-increasing demand, Fronditha Care’s rapid expansion in the home care space, social support programs and plans for further expansion in residential care, during a time of transition and change in the aged care sector, will be led by a new CEO with demonstrated leadership, governance and strategy formulation and implementation experience.

Bachelor of Business (Accounting & Economics), Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Member Australian Institute Company Directors (MAICD)

Joined FC in October 2019

As GM of Residential Services, Jim oversees the five residential care facilities located in the Melbourne Metropolitan area and in Newcastle NSW. He has managed the expansion of ANESI residential care in Thornbury, the construction of HIPPOCRATES in Newcastle and the redevelopment of Fronditha Care’s Clayton facilities, STEYI, PRONIA and GALINI. He is heavily involved in the upgrade of Fronditha Care’s corporate property in Mulgrave and the construction of a new 92 bed nursing home in St. Albans.

He has over 25 years of experience in the aged care sector, across both residential aged care and community services. He has worked in both the public and not-for-profit sector.

Diploma of Applied Science in Nursing, Graduate Diploma in Gerontic Nursing

Joined FC in May 1990.

James’ first jobs after high school were cleaning and cooking in two diverse aged care facilities. From these beginnings, James’ passion for service and care for others has shaped his career in finance and comes full circle with James joining Fronditha Care in 2018. Having worked cross culturally in Russia, SE Asia and the Pacific, James has embraced the Bounty of Care culture of Fronditha Care and enjoys his daily Greek coffee!

James’ professional career with international and domestic charities such as World Vision, Red Cross and Wesley Mission Victoria as focussed on building strong systems and teams of passionate finance professionals committed to enabling and supporting our front line people deliver their services to those most in need. Commercial and compliance experience was further sharpened as the CFO in a start-up ASIC regulated property fund.

Bachelor of Arts; Graduate Diploma of Accounting; CPA
Other Qualifications:
Prince 2 Certified Practitioner; RG146 Compliance in Managed Investments; Conversational French & Russian

Joined FC January 2018

Kathleen Fisher is the Executive General Manager of People & Culture who has over twenty years of experience working within Human Resources. Kathleen graduated from Deakin University with a Business degree and has worked in Finance, IT consulting and Health. Kathleen has worked for Fronditha Care for over 7 years and previously for Coles-Myer, GE Capital, Southern Health, Sharjah University (UAE), Dubai Department of Health and DHHS in Tasmania before joining Fronditha Care.

Under her leadership Fronditha Care’s HR department has grown from strength to strength with a major accomplishment being the signing of Fronditha Care’s Labour Agreement with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Bachelor of Business (Personnel Management)

Joined FC March 2011

Penny joins Fronditha with a long history in the aged care industry and over 30 years in the health and community services sector. She has extensive experience in executive management roles; most recently this includes previous positions at Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) and Blue Cross Community and Residential Care as senior and executive manager, respectively.

Penny’s professional interests are in leadership, culture, quality and the client experiences. Penny is committed to meeting the needs of consumers; ensuring operational processes deliver an optimal consumer journey and building and maintaining a culture of high performance

Penny is eager to participate in Fronditha Care’s continued growth and success and in particular support the needs of the CALD community

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Graduate Diploma in Business Management

Joined FC in April 2020

Heleni has worked in the Aged Services sector for the last 20 years. She is passionate about shaping the design and delivery of services for current and future generations, especially those from a CALD background.

Over the years Heleni has developed a keen interest in process design, change management and strategic thinking. Under her leadership Fronditha Care has successfully transitioned to a consumer-directed service model and re-designed processes and systems to complement the consumer journey. As a result the community services division has grown by more than 50% over the previous two years and returning a profit unprecedented in the sector.

Heleni leads Fronditha Care’s first commercial venture, Ariston, a niche registered training organisation developed to meet the growing demand for high quality training programs for the sector.

Master of Business Administration, Graduate Diploma in Management, Diploma in Education

Joined FC in October 2014

Zoe has spearheaded the public affairs arm of Fronditha Care since May 2015. She has brought with her 10 years of professional experience in public affairs, community engagement and advocacy from the political parliamentary sector and the chamber of commerce and industry. Her marketing and communications experience from the private sector has proved as asset in the rebranding of Fronditha Care.

She is passionate about working for the good of the community and has over 10 years of voluntary experience at the committee level of various local, national and international not-for-profit organisations both in Australia and abroad.

Graduate Certificate Business, Master of Arts with Honours in International Relations, Bachelor of Arts Honours Pol/Int.

Joined Fronditha Care: May 2015