Our Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team oversees 3200 employees and more than 500 volunteers, supporting more than 20,000 people each week across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. They are responsible to ensure mecwacare is upholding the highest standards in aged and disability care, and for creating a culture that reflects the mecwacare values: caring, accountable, respectful and ethical.

Anne McCormack Chief Executive Officer

Anne has extensive experience in private health insurance, community aged care, disability, mental health and tertiary health. Having moved to Australia in 2007, Anne has worked across the United Kingdom, United States, Europe and Australia. Anne has a proven record of partnerships and acquisitions, growth and strategy design as well as implementation, technology and governance, and workforce design and planning. With a passion for human services and the dignity of care, Anne believes in a holistic approach to the provision of care to vulnerable people and understands the necessity to maintain a safe, stable environment for those receiving services. She is also a firm believer in defining models of care, as well as utilising technology and analytics to enhance the lives of the people that receive mecwacare’s services. Anne was appointed as mecwacare’s chief executive officer in September 2023.

Steven Lambert Executive General Manager - Finance and Infrastructure

Steve oversees the Finance, Information Technology, Procurement, Property and Ancillary Services elements of the business. Steve has more than 15 years’ experience in the management of corporate services functions across the not-for-profit, local government and telecommunications sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from RMIT, is a Certified Public Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Steve commenced his employment with mecwacare in 2020.

Linda Smart Executive General Manager - Home and Community Services

Linda's portfolio includes in-home nursing, home care services, private care, home care packages, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and day centres. She has overseen significant growth in mecwacare’s home care services and is experienced in seamless acquisitions and mergers ensuring a continuation of client services. Linda has more than 30 years’ prior experience working in a range of management roles in local government and the not-for-profit sector. Linda commenced at mecwacare in 2008.

Samuel Sharma Executive General Manager - Residential and Housing Services

Samuel is a registered healthcare clinician with over 23 years of experience in diverse health sectors. Samuel has held senior positions at several large healthcare organisations including Epworth Private Group, Eastern Health, and Doutta Galla Aged Services. He has a substantial track record in business operations, acquisition, clinical governance, and risk and change management. Samuel's interest in joining mecwacare is driven by his passion for healthcare delivery and making a positive impact on the community. He also holds a double Master of Business and Health Administration with Honors from Latrobe University and is a member of ACHSM and AICD. Samuel joined mecwacare in 2018.

Leesa Conn Executive General Manager - Business Improvement

Leesa oversees mecwacare’s Quality and Risk, Learning and Development, Clinical Projects, Business Projects and Tenders and Research portfolios. Leesa is a registered psychologist with a specialisation in Health Psychology.  Her commitment to a values-based approach to leadership and consumer engagement has been the driver for her career dedication to the not-for-profit sector. She has more than 20 years’ experience in management and clinical roles across a range of residential, community, acute and mental health settings for older people. Leesa commenced at mecwacare in 2007.

James Cramond Executive General Manager - Strategic Growth and Business Development

James is a strong and established operational executive with strategic and operational leadership background across manufacturing, transport, labour hire, facility management, retirement living, aged care and acute healthcare. James has significant demonstrated experience in the successful development and implementation of complex business change and transformation initiatives across major corporate environments, including Healthscope, nbn Australia and Stockland. James possesses considerable experience in management of acquisitions, mergers, organisational restructures and outsourcing. He is passionate about retirement living and aged care and was driven to join mecwacare to support future business growth, ensuring that our clients and residents receive the best possible care. James joined mecwacare in 2023.

Rob Guest Executive General Manager - People and Culture

Rob is an experienced human resources executive leader, having held past positions at Racing Victoria, Metro Trains, and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Rob has worked in Sweden, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, where he has created leading organisation strategies and customer experience initiatives. He has a Master of International Business, a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences). These contribute to his expertise in leading workforce strategies, delivering quality care outcomes and making mecwacare a great place to work. With a particular passion for ensuring a high level of care to vulnerable clients within our service, Rob has an appetite to support clients’ family members through their journey at mecwacare. Rob joined mecwacare in 2024.  

Gaye Sheppard Executive General Manager - Retirement and Affordable Housing

Gaye possesses a wealth of experience in the health sector as a qualified aged care occupational therapist. She has an extensive executive management background in the areas of children and youth, supported accommodation living, in–home care, and community services, having previously worked with Yooralla and Healthscope Independence Services. Gaye’s experience extends to national strategic partnerships with Specialist Disability Accommodation providers, focused on disability housing and empowering those with a disability to live independently. Gaye's enthusiasm for the health and care sector is evident in her energy, vision, future-focused leadership, and commitment to continuous improvement. She is passionate about influencing change, creating organisational cultures which support people’s human rights, and achieving sustainable best practice solutions and outcomes for all. Gaye's professional approach focuses strongly on ensuring her clients receive the highest quality services, live safe and fulfilling lives, and have access to equal opportunities. Gaye commenced at mecwacare in 2024.  

Lyndal McNamara Company Secretary

Lyndal has worked in various industries across her career, including community health, aged care, and as an assessor under quality accreditation programs. Lyndal has also previously worked closely with CEOs and Boards and has a particular focus on quality governance systems that are effective and efficient for mecwacare. Lyndal has qualifications in allied health and leadership and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Lyndal commenced at mecwacare in 2011.

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