CEO & Board

Jennifer Fleming, Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer joined Lort Smith in November 2021.

Jennifer brings broad experience in helping established organisations move and adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs.

Her extensive experience spans health, financial services, community services, energy and fast-moving consumer goods.

Jennifer comes to us from the large not-for-profit Baptcare, as Executive General Manager, Mission & Corporate Development.

Prior to her current role she has held positions with the Victorian Government as a Deputy Secretary, Corporate Chief Strategy Officer, Department of Economic Developments, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), Girl Guides Victoria as the Chief Executive Officer, Medibank Private as the Group GM Strategy and Transformation and other senior roles with ANZ Bank, National Australia Bank and A.T. Kearney.

Jennifer joined Lort Smith at an exciting time of growth with our second site opening in Campbellfield and the redevelopment of North Melbourne animal hospital – as demand for the health and wellbeing of animals continues to expand in our community.

Members of our Board include:

Dr Angus Henderson, President

Angus joined the Board in October 2020.

Angus has an accomplished track record in strategic management and business planning, with a main focus on healthcare and medical technologies. Prior to his current role as Director of Enterprise Strategy at Monash Health, Angus has held various senior public and private sector positions and has led initiatives to promote business partnering as a way to drive innovation and growth.

“Having always had pets and enjoyed the devoted companionship of several dogs, I am thrilled to be a part of the Lort Smith Board and for the opportunity to help the organisation grow and continue the wonderful services it provides to support animal health and wellbeing.”

Ruth Feltoe, Company Secretary

Ruth commenced her role in June 2023.

Ruth is an experienced lawyer and governance professional who has held senior legal, governance and risk roles across various organisations in the private and public sector. She is a graduate of the AICD’s company directors’ course and holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice.

“I have two dogs and four cats who are an integral part of our family life. Lort Smith’s work supporting people to care for their animals and enjoy the benefits of animal companionship resonates deeply with me and I am pleased to contribute my time and skills to Lort Smith’s mission.”

David Diviny, Director

David joined the Board in February 2019.

David is a Principal at Nous Group, the largest Australian-founded management consulting firm. He is the leader of Nous Analytics and works across business and digital strategy and organisational performance. He has experience as a director, an executive and a background as a lawyer. He has an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne.

“I joined the Board of Lort Smith because of their unique commitment to the human-animal bond. I wanted to contribute my skills and time to the next exciting phase of this important institution in Melbourne.”

Stefano Giorgini, Director

Stefano joined the Board in May 2020.

Stefano brings extensive senior financial executive, board and governance, insurance, and government experience. During a career of more than 30 years in the resources industry with BHP, he held senior positions including Vice President Finance and Head of Group Risk Assessment & Assurance, as well as business development and marketing roles, both in Australia and internationally. He is currently an insurance company director, State Government Department audit committee member, and has been a past-Director of the Institute of Internal Auditors Australia.

Stefano has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from RMIT, is a Fellow CPA and Graduate AICD.

“My family and I have admired the work of Lort Smith for many years, including volunteer fostering with the cattery. Our current pet ‘Lenny’ was a foster cat who somehow never went back! Lort Smith is entering an exciting phase in its history with the planned expansion at Campbellfield and I very much look forward to contributing to that journey.”

Selin Lanzafame, Director

Selin joined the Board in May 2020.

Selin is a Design Director at McKinsey & Company, specialising in experience design. She has worked with clients globally driving each to better understand their customers and deliver experiences and rapidly capture value from digital opportunities, setting them apart from their competitors. Selin holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Economics from La Trobe University and a Masters of Accounting from RMIT University.

“Lort Smith has a long standing commitment to delivering world-class animal health care and wellbeing, a vision which resonates deeply with me as an avid animal lover. Individuals today are increasingly influenced by their experiences with digital disruptors, I’d like to bring this perspective and help Lort Smith as it embarks on its next exciting phase of growth.”

Alastair Stott, Director

Alastair joined the Board in May 2020.

After starting his career as a veterinary surgeon in practices in the UK and Australia, Alastair ventured into the corporate world with roles with Bevington Consulting, Lonely Planet and Racing Victoria. He started his own mobile technology business before switching to the for-purpose sector with leadership roles with Carers Victoria and Guide Dogs Victoria.

In addition to his veterinary qualifications, Alastair has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School and is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course and the Centre for Ethical Leadership Ethical Leadership program. He has previously been a Director of Melbourne IVF and his family business Stott’s Correspondence College.

Alastair is currently the chief services officer at Beyond Blue supporting the Australian community to achieve their best possible mental health.

“In my roles as a veterinary surgeon and at Guide Dogs Victoria, I have seen the positive impact animals can have on mental health and wellbeing. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to support Lort Smith deliver world-class, affordable animal health care.”

Elaine Ko, Director

Elaine joined the Board in December 2022.

A general management executive in the Public and FMCG sectors, Elaine has a track record of delivering commercial growth through business transformations and outstanding customer-centric commercial outcomes.

Elaine is a Graduate of AICD and has an Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, and a Bachelor of Science (Physics)/Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from The University of Melbourne. She has been the Chief Executive of a State statutory authority, brand owner of the world’s largest biscuits brand in one of the biggest markets, best practice international Supply Chain and Strategic Sourcing management across the APCA regions in the FMCG and the public sectors.

“I have always admired Lort Smith’s work and am a firm believer in its impact not only on animal welfare but on our community’s mental health and wellbeing. As the sector becomes increasingly commercialised, I would like to support LS to continue to grow in a commercially sustainable way, to further increase our impact in the community.”

Graham Phelps, Director

Graham joined the Board in October 2020.

Graham is a highly experienced public sector executive with a proven record of improving organisational performance and culture. He has a strong understanding of veterinary practice and animal welfare having practiced as a veterinarian for 12 years and served on the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine for three years.

“As a veterinarian who branched out into wider conservation and community development, I’ve always cared about the importance of looking after animals and the value they bring to the lives of individuals and communities. I’m pleased to be part of the team at Lort Smith that cares for animals and helps people, no matter what their circumstances, to have the joy and benefits of having animals in their lives.”

Kirstin Fox, Director

Kirstin joined the Board in December 2022.

Kirstin is a General Manager and Executive in Health Care and a Registered Nurse with experience in community, rehabilitation and residential care settings. She is committed to the development and delivery of care models that provide holistic and personalised care that enhances individual and community resilience and sustainability.

Kirstin holds a Bachelor of Nursing from UTS Sydney and a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration from AIM and has completed the Company Directors Course of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“For many people, animals are an integral part of their personal health and wellbeing, which I have seen many times through my nursing. It is a privilege to be a part of the Lort Smith Board and use my expertise in clinical governance to enhance the mission of the hospital.”

Everard Hunder, Director

Everard joined the Board in December 2022.

Everard brings extensive expertise in marketing and reputation management. Over his career, Everard has held marketing leadership roles with Healthscope, Monash IVF, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Spotless Group, Genetic Technologies and CSIRO. He brings strong commercial acumen together with expertise in brand strategy and digital transformation.

Everard has also been recognised as one of the top 50 Marketers in Australia as judged by CMO Magazine Australia (IDG) and has a Master of Marketing from Monash, and a BA in Jouranalism from RMIT.

“My home is filled with animals; with rescue dog (Opey), two chickens, a lizard, and a parrot. I’m passionate about the wellbeing that comes from pet ownership and helping Lort Smith make that reality for more future pet owners.”