About Jobsbank team
Our Team
Our small, dedicated team is made up of professionals from a variety of sectors who work with you to develop solutions for your business.
Staff Members
Dr Karina Davis
CEO Jobsbank
With a wealth of experience in the education sector developing innovative educational and training programs and products, Karina has a passion for the power of opportunity to change lives.
After working as a Lecturer and Research Fellow within the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne, where she also completed her Ph.D, Karina worked in various roles at Melbourne Polytechnic including as Director, College of Education, Training and Leadership and then as Executive Director, Programs and Educational Leadership, where she oversaw the delivery of all Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education programs. Karina then joined Monash College and across her time there led the Learning Innovation, Bachelor of International Business and broader Education teams.
Karina brings to Jobsbank deep strategic expertise and understanding of how to support access and participation in successful industry outcomes.
John Deppe
Director, Business Engagement
John is a senior executive and people leader with extensive experience in building business partnerships that produce positive commercial outcomes. Having led and grown Operations and Business teams across Australia, Asia, United Kingdom and Europe, John comes to Jobsbank with a lived passion for fostering successful stakeholder outcomes and coaching teams to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Michelle Cunningham
Director, Commercial & Corporate Services
An experienced executive with a passion for meaningful change, Michelle has worked in partnership with Boards, CEOs and teams to elevate the customer and employee experience. With an MBA and an internationally recognised Change Management certification, Michelle focuses on improved commercial outcomes and operational excellence for organisations and the communities they serve.
When she’s not at work, Michelle loves sharing a meal with friends and family or discovering a new 'favourite' restaurant in Melbourne's vibrant scene.
Merita Tabain
Director, Stakeholders and Advocacy
Merita is a highly experienced communications, media and corporate affairs professional with many years of experience in senior roles including the Victorian Department of Health, Victoria Police and Sustainability Victoria.
Jane Anderson
Director, Gippsland
Jane is an influential leader with a commitment to enabling equity and addressing social issues so people can live healthy and well. Jane has worked and participated in various roles across community, government and industry, always with an intent to improve health and wellbeing systems and contribute positively to society. As the Latrobe Health Advocate, Jane reported directly to the Minister of Health. She had a strong focus on place-based engagement and systems change to improve health and wellbeing, addressing the social determinants of health. Jane was a Gippsland regional leader at Anglicare Victoria, a practising lawyer in private and public settings and a Victoria Police member, including as a prosecutor and investigator.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Masters of Human Services Management.
Margaret Portelli
Manager, Finance & Operations
Margaret is a highly experienced FCPA who has built her career on strategic, financial, operations and commercial leadership. She has been responsible for establishing business and financial control systems from first principles, implemented commercial and strategic business plans and has extensive knowledge of SME business operations. She is results-driven and has thrived in positions as CFO, Senior FC, and Financial and Management Consultant.
She is passionate about travel, good espresso, her daughter and providing excellent service.
Alicia White
Manager, Client Solutions
Alicia has extensive project management, engagement and change management experience gained in both the private and public sectors. She joins Jobsbank from the State government where she championed social procurement in her role as social procurement specialist. Alicia has a passion for innovation and collaboration, and a track record of producing better outcomes for local communities.
Marion Olen
Manager, Client Solutions
Marion helps create tailored Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, managing project milestones while refining client solutions. She collaborates with businesses across Victoria to develop inclusive workplaces and deliver social procurement workshops. As a Social Inclusion Advisor, she has led Indigenous procurement strategies in the past, built relationships with key suppliers, and identified Indigenous companies for hiring.
Marion is on a mission to make Social Procurement the new normal—as she says, it should be part of everyday business in Australia.
Leigh Jones
Manager, Digital & Innovation
Customer focused and data driven, Leigh has spent the past 12 years in digital roles across a range of industries, from legal and investments to digital agencies, to national and international retailers.
He then landed in the not-for-profit sector five years ago with Good Shepherd Microfinance and Speckle Loans, bringing a world first ethical, digital lending product to market.
Leigh is committed to creating efficiency through systems and using digital and marketing for good, focusing on the “why” we do what we do.
When not working he can be found playing, coaching or watching various sports.
Oliver Grimshaw
Senior Advisor, Research, Evaluation and Policy
Ollie is an accomplished advisor with a collaborative, results-driven approach to policy implementation. He is experienced in engaging stakeholders from both public and private sectors to achieve successful outcomes. A strategic thinker and pragmatic communicator, Ollie is skilled in executing and analysing policies such as the Social Procurement Framework and the Local Jobs First Policy. Projects previously supported include the Metro Tunnel Project, Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub and the Suburban Rail Loop.
On weekends, he enjoys exploring Melbourne’s fine dining scene or watching sports with friends.
Taylor Burge
Executive Assistant
Taylor brings four years of professional and administrative experience with the Australian Government, providing a high-level of support to departmental secretaries. She is a detail - oriented, diligent professional who has successfully implemented systems of tracking and organisation for secretarial tasks.
As a self-proclaimed coffee-addict, Taylor cannot start her day without an almond latte.
Board Members
Daniel Findley
Board Chair
A firm believer in setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly towards them, Daniel has made a significant mark on the not-for-profit sector over the past three decades – driving growth as a board director and earning a prestigious Australian HR Institute CEO of the Year award.
Currently the CEO of Outlook Australia – a social enterprise that empowers people with disabilities and from priority workforce backgrounds – Daniel is deeply committed to cultivating diverse, inclusive communities. MBA-educated and known for his collaborative, performance-focused leadership style, Daniel has been CEO of Sparkways, West Arnhem Regional Council and Masonic Care Tasmania. In his push to take organisations to the next level, he has built support among disparate groups and created enthusiastic corporate cultures where talent is nurtured.
David has also served as Chairman of CouncilBiz in Darwin and as a Non-Executive Director at Helm Youth Services, where he was Chair of the Social Enterprise and Growth Board Committee. Daniel initially joined Jobsbank as a member of the Board, and soon became valued for his insights and positive, proactive approach. Daniel’s driving motivation is to make a meaningful difference, inspiring others to reach their full potential.
Claire Ferres Miles
Board Member
Claire is an optimistic leader driven by curiosity, seeking out innovative partnerships with purpose-driven people and organisations to deliver tangible community outcomes of impact.
As Founder of CuriosityCo, former CEO of Sustainability Victoria and Interim CEO of the City of Melbourne, she has held executive roles in State and Local Government, Transport for London, and the private sector in sustainability, transport, infrastructure, city planning and place, business development and community engagement. Claire has been recognised as an IPAA Victorian Fellow and a ‘Top 50 Woman in the Victorian Public Sector’.
She has a Master of Transport, a Master of Traffic, a Bachelor of Planning & Design and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Emilie van de Graaff
Board Member
Emilie is an accomplished leader who has been involved in social procurement and social enterprise throughout her career, promoting diversity in both the corporate and government sectors. Currently the Managing Director of her own consultancy, Elleeva Associates, brings to Jobsbank not only extensive experience in policy and strategy development, but also practical, hands-on advice.
Committed to creating sustainable, inclusive and accessible solutions for people and communities, Emilie has spent more than 20 years in the transport and mobility sector, and prior to that, 10 years in communications and stakeholder engagement starting with The Body Shop, a world leader in social procurement and diversity. Her experience includes senior roles at Yarra Trams and Transdev Australasia, where she was responsible for strategy and held leadership accountability for risk, finance and legal compliance. A lifelong bike-riding enthusiast, Emilie recently stepped down as Vice President of Australia’s largest cycling organisation, the Bicycle Network.
A creative, visionary leader, Emilie recognises that positive outcomes hinge on meaningful stakeholder and community involvement. With her deep understanding of complex organisational challenges, Emilie will be invaluable in shaping Jobsbank’s future. She stands by the adage that you get what you give – and thrives on opportunities to make a positive impact on the world.
Jim Hilaris
Board Member
The General Manager of Procurement and Supply Chain at Metro Trains, Jim joins the Jobsbank board with extensive executive experience leading transformational change across community and commercial sectors.
Jim combines his professional expertise in procurement supply chains, finance, business process improvement and risk management with an MBA, CPA and GAICD.
A former Treasurer of the Arcadia Centre, Jim is currently Vice President of the Kynourian Philanthropic Association.
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