PCV Board Members 2025

She holds a Master of Nursing and Master of Business Administration and an Adjunct Associate Professor role at Monash University in clinical practice.

With broad strategic, operational and management experience within complex environments, her experience includes being the General Manager Specialty Medicine, cancer and critical care at Monash health, commissioning Casey Hospital at its inception and leading elements of the expansion, Director of Nursing at Jessie McPherson Private Hospital and Director of Nursing and Operations with donate Life Victoria. 

With strong leadership skills illustrated by the ability to create significant change with positive business outcomes, she engages with the workforce to align strategic outcomes and keeps individuals as core to her decision making. As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has Board experience in the health, education and not for profit sectors, including Chair and committee membership. 

She has a strong governance, quality, safety and risk management skills demonstrated in her experience assessing against national and state accreditation frameworks as an Assessor with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards for over a decade. 

Kelly has held a Board position with PCV for two years and was elected Chair at the February 2022 meeting. She is also Chair of the Governance committee. Her Board role includes supporting the CEO to deliver the strategic directions and to involve the membership in developing the direction of PCV in the future. Kelly is passionate about raising the profile and opportunities for Palliative care across all settings and ensuring consumers of palliative care services remain pivotal in policy and funding decisions. She looks forward to supporting PCV as the Victorian peak body to develop and implement the strategies that improve services for our community.

Kate has a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Genetics and Psychology), a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology and recently graduated with an MBA and Master of Leadership and is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors course.

Whilst CEO at MND Victoria, Kate facilitated the development of the strategic and business plans, the re-architecture of the organisation’s IT infrastructure and the selection and implementation of a new client and customer management system. She ably led MND Victoria through the challenges of COVID restrictions, ensuring that people with MND in Victoria and Tasmania have continued to receive the high-quality services and supports they require.

Throughout her career Kate has developed an excellent understanding of the importance of high-quality palliative care and clear communication around the benefits and broad range of palliative care supports. She brings an understanding of the needs of a group of significant users of palliative care services, with a specific range of needs.

Kate has been a member of the MND Research Collective Board, management committee of Knox volunteers and the Board of Extended Families and has a keen interest and depth of experience in governance, strategy, leadership and change management.

Kate sees her role as a PCV Board member is to support delivery of the strategic plan, through good governance and innovation, and to ensure that the development and delivery of PCV’s services are responding to the needs of the community it serves.

Arunesh has significant experience in strategy, operations and governance, which was gained working within commercial, finance, risk, regulation, compliance and IT functions of various organizations. 

In addition to the Treasurer role Arunesh is Chair of the Finance, Risk & Compliance Board Sub-Committee. He has worked with Board committees of various NFP and corporate organisations with a broad focus on finance, risk, audit, treasury and strategic oversight and is well versed in the governance processes. 

With his keen eye for detail and big picture thinking he assists the PCV Board in meeting its objectives.

Sandeep has been a Board Director of Palliative Care Victoria since November 2019. During his tenure Sandeep has been active in strategic development, community engagement and advocacy activities. Sandeep has led interesting community discussions regarding palliative care on Punjabi radio and during National Palliative Care week. 

Sandeep holds fellowships of the RACGP, AChPM (RACP), and an associate fellowship of the RACMA. He is a Graduate of Australian College of Company Directors (GAICD). He has served on various state and national boards including the PCV Board since 2019. Sandeep is a proud Australian Army Active Reserve Lieutenant Colonel.

Sandeep is committed to the vision and values of PCV and to improving the role of palliative care especially for those with non-malignant and chronic incurable illnesses such as advanced heart disease, airway diseases and terminal dementia.

Jennifer established and led the palliative care service at the Alfred Hospital, and subsequently consultancy palliative care services at St Vincent’s Hospital. This involved developing productive working relationships with acute services (oncology, respiratory etc) and community and inpatient palliative care services to facilitate best care of patients. At St Vincent's, she established outpatient clinics in cancer, respiratory, cardiology and renal services to enhance equity of palliative care delivery. 

Jennifer has also established vibrant clinical research programs with a particular focus on developing and testing innovative, flexible models of palliative care delivery, clinical trials and equity in care. Her research interests in equity focuses upon those experiencing social disadvantage such as people in prison or who use illicit drugs. She has also worked to develop evidence-informed tailored models of palliative care for people with non-malignant illnesses. Currently Jennifer chairs the Health Equity Steering Group of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre overseeing multiple programs to improve care.

Her current leadership roles facilitate mentorship of clinicians, educators and academics in the field of palliative care. Jennifer leads clinical trials programs focused on building research informed practice, establishing clinical trials capability and access across community palliative care services and in regional centres.

Jennifer's influence upon policy development is evident in the Triage in palliative care tool and establishing targets for palliative care in cancer care.

Jennifer has governance experience with recent roles on the Eastern Palliative Care Clinical Governance Committee and Committee of Management and is involved, (some as chair) in a number of Health services (eg. WCMICS advisory committee), University (Promotion committees, PhD Advisory Committee) and Research Program committees

Janet has held senior management roles across multiple health environments, including public, private and community settings. During this time, she has achieved successful outcomes in leading teams and developing positive work cultures. Janet’s focus is on delivering person-centred services and she is outcome focussed. Janet has an authentic and energetic style that has led to strong partnerships with key stakeholders.

Janet is socially driven, and a passionate advocate for high quality palliative care service provision that is accessible to people with life-limiting illnesses. Her previous roles include General Manager MCM Palliative Care, Chair of Clinical Governance Committee MCM, Communications Facilitator for Cancer Council Victoria and Melbourne University. 

Janet is currently the CEO of Peninsula Home Hospice and has shown strong leadership in executing a new Strategic Plan with positive clinical and business outcomes. She has experience in clinical governance, strategic planning and change management.

Janet has been an Adjunct Associate Professor of Nursing Practice at Monash University since 2022 and the Chair, Southern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium for almost 4 years, developing  a 3-year Strategic Plan with the members.

In her role as Nurse Unit Manager, Holly played a key role in establishing the palliative care unit at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, launched in 2020. She leads a high performing team delivering specialised care to a highly complex patient cohort, fostering a culture of respectful, supportive, and values-driven leadership that prioritises staff wellbeing and consistently achieves exceptional outcomes for patients and their families.

Holly is experienced in risk management and driving strategic planning and research initiatives within   the palliative care unit and across the wider health network.

Holly has facilitated advanced communication skills training, served as a clinical tutor for the University of Melbourne’s Death and Dying medical sciences subject, is a member of the Palliative Care Nurses Australia committee and has presented at leading industry forums, including the PCNA Melbourne Conference 2024, VADCON Brisbane 2024, and the NSW Palliative  Care State Conference in Tamworth 2024.

 Holly is motivated to contribute her expertise in palliative care to the PCV Board, providing a strong  voice for the sector.    

Katrina has an appreciation of governance and strategic leadership in the palliative care sector.  She served for many years on the Committee of Management for Palliative Care Nursing Australia, including a term as Vice-President, where she contributed to national advocacy, workforce development, and professional standards. Katrina has been a high- and low-risk reviewer on the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee for over 10 years, providing oversight on complex ethical issues in health and social care research.

Katrina's research leadership includes convening the Palliative and End of Life Research Interest Group (PELRIG), which brings together academics, clinicians, and industry partners to advance evidence-based practice and policy. She is a member of the Palliative Care Education and Training Collaborative - National Advisory Group Meeting. Her doctoral research focused on palliative care for homeless populations, reflecting a commitment to equity and inclusion in care delivery.

She is passionate about advancing compassionate, person-centred care and ensuring that palliative care services are responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Her recently completed studies in the Master of Counselling further enhance her understanding of the psychosocial dimensions of care and support, so vital to supporting quality palliative care.

As a board member of Palliative Care Victoria, Katrina hopes to contribute strategic insight, organisational knowledge, and a strong commitment to inclusive, high-quality care. Her aim is to support the organisation’s mission through policy development, workforce planning, and advocacy, ensuring that all Victorians have access to timely and appropriate palliative care.