Lifeline Gippsland board members
Michelle Blackburn
Chair
Michelle has practiced as a planning and environmental lawyer for over 20 years. She has also been a Director of Interchange Gippsland Inc since 2010 and Director of Latrobe Magnesium Ltd since 2022. Michelle has a Masters of Social Science (Planning and Environment), a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), a Bachelor of Arts and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Michelle has a Masters of Social Science (Planning and Environment), a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), a Bachelor of Arts and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Belinda Brennan
Secretary
Belinda has worked in the Landcare, Natural Resource Management and Community Engagement fields for over 30 years, in Victoria and Western Australia. With extensive experience in facilitation and support, strategic planning, community engagement and consultation. In 2022, Belinda started her own business focusing on supporting organisations and groups in the governance, community engagement and strategic planning spaces. She was a director for the Gippsland Southern Health Service for 4 years including inaugural chair of the community advisory committee. A passion for good governance in the NRM, healthcare and not for profit sector, she has a Diploma in Business in Governance and recently completed the Australia Institute of Company Directors Course.
Justin Brook
Treasurer
Justin is a recognised business professional who has significant experience with boards and audit & risk committees. He has a thorough understanding of the health sector through his previous roles as external auditor and internal auditor on a numerous public hospitals in Gippsland, combined with providing external audit services to numerous community health service and aged care organisations. Justin has held the role as board director and chair of the audit committee for Quantum Support Services and is currently a director of West Gippsland Healthcare Group. Justin has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is a chartered accountant, registered company auditor and a member of the AICD.
Georgia Pentifallo
Board Member
Georgia is a seasoned leader with over nine years of financial leadership experience across both CBA and National Bank. She is a passionate learner, having completed a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting, Economics and Finance, a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking up a storm on the weekends and is a busy mum of two, which keeps her on her toes.
Mary Manescu
Board Member
Mary is the CEO of Rochester and Elmore District Health Service. Prior to her appointment, she held a range of clinical nursing and senior leadership roles in the private and public health sector. She also worked extensively for the Department of Health (Victoria) in various areas including regulation, major capital works, performance and information management.
Mary holds a Master of Health Services Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Beyond her substantive role, Mary is an accreditation surveyor with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards and is a board member of a number of not-for-profit organisations.
Belinda Bywaters
Board Member
With over 25 years of experience in HR and Organisational Development, Belinda is the Principal Consultant at Harp Coaching & Consulting, where she helps clients achieve their strategic goals and enhance their performance and culture. Belinda holds a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Service Management. Belinda is passionate about supporting people, organisations, and the community to grow, learn, and adapt in a dynamic and uncertain environment. In particular, she is interested in the “space in between” relevant to transitions, where she can apply her expertise in action research and systems thinking to address complex organisational challenges and opportunities. Belinda is a proud Gippslander, and Nannybelle to her three grandchildren.
Mathias Wood
Board Member
Mathias is an emerging local leader, currently employed at AGL Loy Yang. He has experience in sitting on boards within Gippsland, namely at the George Gray Centre, and various committees; currently serving on the Gippsland Primary Health Network’s community advisory committee. Mathias has a great understanding and network of the Gippsland region, becoming a recipient of the 2025 Latrobe City Council’s Citizen of the Year. Mathias is currently participant of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program as well as studying his graduate certificate in management. He lives in Gippsland with his partner and their daughter.
Nitin Rohmentra
Board Member
Nitin brings over 20 years of Information Technology leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. His career has focused on guiding organisations through change, building strong teams, and ensuring services are delivered in ways that meet community needs. A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), he is committed to good governance and helping organisations achieve outcomes that matter. He is passionate about supporting community services and believes technology should always serve people first. Nitin is an advocate for making solutions more human-centred, ensuring services are accessible, responsive, and create a positive impact for those who rely on them. Outside of work, Nitin is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast. He has trekked to the base of Mount Everest twice and completed a 60km marathon to raise funds for Beyond Blue, reflecting his dedication to personal resilience and community wellbeing.
Ross Egan
Board Member
Ross is a accomplished senior leader with over 40 years of progressive experience across employment services, disability support, recruitment, and retail. Ross brings deep expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, stakeholder engagement, and community development within complex and regulated environments. Ross has demonstrated success in leading large, multi-site teams, achieving critical KPIs, and transforming underperforming programs into high-performing, compliant operations. Ross is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and creating sustainable pathways, particularly for individuals facing disadvantage. Recognised for his building strong strategic partnerships and consistently delivering outcomes aligned with organisational priorities and government objectives. Ross brings to Lifeline Gippsland a collaborative, mission-driven approach to board service, with a strong focus on social impact, workforce participation, and community outcomes.
