Executive Team

John Blewonski is an expert leader in the community services and not-for-profit sector with over 25 years of experience. He joined MS Plus in November 2018.

John was previously CEO of VincentCare Victoria and VincentCare Community Housing

• leading VincentCare’s delivery of the Commonwealth Home Care Packages and an NDIS-funded disability employment program
• CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria
• Chief operating Officer Anglicare Victoria

John has also held a number of other leadership roles including:

• Chairman of the Council of Homeless Persons (CHP)
• Board member of Catholic Social Services Victoria
• Member of the Victorian Housing Minister’s Homelessness Advisory committee.

Eileen Goh is a financial professional with over 15 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. During this time, she’s worked in housing and homelessness, aged care, and disability employment services.

Some other career highlights include:

• working as a Chief Financial Officer at VincentCare Victoria (VCV)
• improving and centralising several finance and aged care processes, as Aged Care and Community Services operations were transferred from St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria to VCV.
• working as Group Accountant for Save the Children Australia
• four years of auditing experience with PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) and the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office.

She played a key role under Save the Children Australia and VincentCare Victoria’s shared services in investments, fixed assets, statutory reporting, and finance operations.

Ben Holgate is an experienced marketer with creative roots. After starting his career in commercial marketing, he entered the not-for-profit sector in 2011.

He joined MS Plus as the General Manager in Strategic Fundraising in June 2017. He’s a successful artist who’s had work exhibited at several national exhibitions.

Some other career highlights include:

• leading the establishment of the Plan International global fundraising director’s forum
• six years as Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Plan International Australia
• being responsible for a child sponsorship and fundraising portfolio of $28m per annum
• ten years of experience as a new business specialist
• directing award-winning TAC road safety campaigns
• promoting Coca Cola’s Sydney 2000 Olympic Games sponsorship
• being Director of two of Australia’s most important export businesses: AWB Landmark and IDP Education
• board member of Circus Oz and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.

Jodi Haartsen has over 20 years of experience working with people with MS and broader neurological conditions. She joined the team at MS Plus in March 2020.

Jodi’s patient-focused model of care has helped her uncover ways to improve the lives of countless people. During her career, Jodi has worked as a researcher, nursing clinical and graduate educator, staff development officer and clinical nurse consultant.

Some other career highlights include:

• being Manager and MS Nurse Practitioner at Eastern Health MS clinical service
• leading the development of this service since 2002.

After twelve years working in clinical rehabilitation, Rob joined MS in March 2007 as a Community Support Worker responsible for delivering case management services to around 500 people living with Multiple Sclerosis. In 2014 Rob took on the role of MS Practice Leader for rural and regional NSW and shortly afterwards metro Sydney as well and was responsible for all client services across NSW.

In May 2016 with the roll out of the NDIS, Rob moved into the Business Development Manager role tasked with developing and then managing all NDIS services being delivered in NSW. After twelve months Rob was appointed to the Senior Manager, NDIS Services role overseeing NDIS services in all jurisdictions. In 2019, Rob was Acting Executive Manager for Mission Services until in 2020 he began in his current role of General Manager, Strategic Projects.

Outside of work Rob is a father to two children and is an avid bushwalker/camper which he combines with his hobby of macro photography.

Kim Farrugia joined MS Plus in December 2016 as Executive Officer and Company Secretary. She has extensive experience in governance and administrative support.

Kim has experience across a number of sectors that include:

• Not For Profit
• Financial Services
• Sports Management
• Marketing

Some other career highlights include:

• Manager of Executive Services for a leading not-for-profit aged care provider
• over 25 years of experience supporting boards, committees, and chief executive officers in the not-for-profit sector.