Board of Directors
Kalma Rathouski [MSocSc]
Board Chairperson
Kalma holds a Masters in Social Science and 15 years’ experience at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Alistair Lloyd
[MBA BComp (Info Sys) MAICD]
Deputy Board Chairperson
Alistair has extensive information systems, program delivery and strategy implementation experience. With over three decades in corporate and public sector roles.
Simon McKenzie [BCom, JD, GAICD] Director
Simon is an admitted lawyer with a commerce degree and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Alicia Kokocinski
[BA, Dip PR]
Director
Originally a journalist, Alicia is the General Manager of Marketing and Communications at Australia's leading trustee company, Equity Trustees.
Derek Jones
[FCPA]
Director
Derek is a retired finance professional who has been a Director at Distinctive Options since February 2016. He had a significant career in both the public and private sectors
John Papatheohari [BBus, CA, CHCIO]
Director
John has a number of years’ experience as an IT and digital transformation executive across private and public health.
Sunayana Tonks
[LLB, RMIA, MBA, BA, GradCertIA]
Director
Sunayana is a highly qualified compliance, risk and internal auditor with over 15 years of broad experience in managing and advising on compliance and risk obligations across various organisations.
Mark Wiegerink
[MBA; BBus (Marketing)]
Director
Mark is a strategic marketing and fundraising executive with close to 25 years’ experience in leading wholesale, consumer and not-for-profit organisations.
Executive Management Team
Ernie Metcalf
Chief Executive Officer
Ernie has led Distinctive Options since November 2016, guiding the organisation firstly through the NDIS transition and now the impact of a global pandemic.
Rick Dunn
Executive Manager Support Services
Rick has worked for Distinctive Options since 1998, providing significant expertise on disability issues and best practice service provision.
Paul Pearman
Business Development Manager
Paul joined Distinctive Options as their first Business Development Manager in 2021, providing guidance and overseeing growth via new business initiatives.
Christine Meilak
Manager Corporate Services
Christine joined Distinctive Options in March 2023 as Manager of Corporate Services. She brings a breadth of experience in managing teams over the past 19 years
Leadership Team
Jane O’Leary
Business Development Coordinator
Jane has worked in a number of roles at Distinctive Options, including senior positions within support services, since she joined the organisation in 2005.
Elena Cotchin
Lead Coordinator
Sunbury Region
Elena oversees Distinctive Options largest team and support services. She has been in this key role since mid-2019.
Tara Boag
Lead Coordinator
Bendigo Region
Tara joined Distinctive Options in 2018 and quickly demonstrated her disability support abilities.
Deborah Ford
Coordinator
Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Independent Living Supports
Deborah started working for Distinctive Options in November 2021 in ILS.
Jackson Hetherington
Coordinator
Brimbank Region
Jackson took up the Team Leader role in 2021, and he continues to work towards offering the best support services in the Brimbank municipality.
Beau McGrath
Individualised Supports Supervisor
Bendigo Region
Beau started his career in the health field by first completing his Cert III in Individualized Support, starting work at Bendigo Health. He joined Distinctive Options in August 2021
Melanie Mays
NDIS Intake Coordinator
Melanie commenced her career at Distinctive Options a little over 12 years ago. She originally was employed as student placement, but this soon evolved into a support worker role with Distinctive Options back in 2009.
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Catherine Woodger
Content Creation Coordinator
Catherine joined Distinctive Options in 2011 and her talents for support services where quickly identified and recognised.