PPCG is governed by a volunteer Board of Management elected annually by members.

Board of Directors

Gina Fiske

chair | 2017

Gina has a Masters of Organisational Change, and a Bachelor in International Politics and Anthropology.

In a professional career spanning over 40 years, Gina has worked in the community and human services sector in program management and direct service delivery leading improvements in the lives of children, youth and families and promoting health and wellbeing initiatives in the community.

Her involvement with PPCG has been long term dating back to her role as a past elected Councillor of the City of St Kilda (prior to the formation of the City of Port Phillip), and as a member of the Community Consultative Group.

Veena Mishra

Executive Officer

Veena joined PPCG as Executive Officer in April 2023. She has extensive experience within health, disability and primary healthcare. A Science Graduate with a Masters in Business Administration, she is passionate about health equity and social justice. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and co-founder of a health promotion company. Veena in the past was Chair of Kalparrin and she currently is on the Board of Rural Northwest Health in regional Victoria.

Veena’s roles have progressively led to areas such as leading change and developing outcomes-based funding models. She completed a values-based leadership program with the Sisters of Mercy and describes her leadership style as collaborative. Veena has assisted clients with disability housing, family violence and community mental health.

Elizabeth Jennings

Treasurer | 2020

Commencing work in banking, Elizabeth moved into the government and not-for-profit sectors to support her commitment to community organisations and social justice. She was Chief Financial Officer at Victoria Legal Aid, Head of Strategic Finance at World Vision Australia and the Director of Corporate and Community Services at the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Elizabeth has served on a number of boards and currently is a board member of the Donkey Wheel Foundation and the Port Phillip Community Group. She holds degrees in Commerce and Arts, a Master of Assessment and Evaluation from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Business from Swinburne University. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Susanne Birks

Board Member | 2018

Susanne has a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing), Master of Health Administration, and Executive Leadership Program at University of Oxford (Said Business School).

She is currently working at Alfred Health as Manager of Community Psychiatry (Mental and Addiction Health). She has been in the field of mental health for over 30 years in direct care, leadership and management positions.

Susanne’s professional interests include social justice, mental health, housing and homelessness, complex needs and risk assessment and management; all of which reflect PPCG’s primary focus in delivering its range of innovative services to people and communities in the City of Port Phillip.

Claire Edmanson

Board Member | 2018

Claire has a Bachelor of Social Work.

Claire is the Program Manager Youth Services, Salvation Army Youth Services supporting the delivery of a range of client services and case management in both St Kilda and Fitzroy.

Claire has worked at the Salvation Army since 2010 in a variety of roles including after-hours refugee support, and intensive outreach case management. Claire has expertise and experience working in a crisis setting with a focus on high and complex needs of young people and families.

Julie Margetts

Board Member | 2022

Julie has worked as a Human Resources Manager for over 25 years in complex organisations across a range of industries including manufacturing, oil and gas and construction.

She holds an Honours Science Degree from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources and Industrial Relations) from RMIT and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Julie has a particular interest in social justice and community support.

Aleksandra Janezic

Board Member | 2024

Aleksandra has had a highly successful and diverse legal career, with over 30 years of experience as in-house counsel in the public and private sectors.

For over a decade, Aleksandra has served as principal in-house general counsel in several Victorian government employment and economic development departments and within various associated agencies in the Victorian public sector.

Prior to her career in the Victorian public service, Aleksandra held positions as in-house counsel with an Australian ASX-listed company and KPMG Legal, following several years working in international legal and corporate practices.

Aleksandra graduated from the University of Melbourne with degrees in Law and Arts and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Aleksandra has established strong professional, government and community links, and a particular interest in governance within the public sector.

John Wall

Board Member | 2023

A multi-talented, service oriented professional supported by an outstanding record of career progression with tangible achievements in operational productivity, customer satisfaction and project management initiatives, John graduated from the University of Queensland (UQ) with a Bachelor of Commerce.

He was worked in many different industries ranging from Hospitality to Publishing to Logistics. The highlight of his career was working at the Sydney Olympics from 1997 to 2000.

John has always been involved in charities and volunteering and was Chair of the Redfern Inner City Support Service in Sydney, Board member of Our Rainbow House in Queensland and has volunteered with Switchboard’s Out and About program since 2015.

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