Lindy is a Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Physician with over 25 years of health management and executive governance experience. Lindy was a Director on the Noweyung Board for three years prior to the merger with Distinctive Options.
Tanya is an independent Director with extensive legal and leadership experience in private, public, and for-purpose organisations with domestic and international operations.
With strong expertise in governance, strategy, business management and operations, law, board reporting and liaison, stakeholder relationship development, program/service design and delivery, advocacy, compliance, and risk management, Tanya brings proven Director experience.
Areeb is an independent Director with lived experience of a physical disability. He is a chartered accountant who has extensive expertise in financial services, plus developed skills in diversity and inclusion. Areeb is passionate about integrating people into the workforce and to participate fully in society. He also brings other experience gained from being a Treasurer for a national not-for-profit charity.
Rebecca is an independent Director who brings a wealth of experience and skills as a strategic senior finance leader with a passion for transformation.
Rebecca has over 20 years in rewarding and challenging senior roles, including driving best practice financial oversight and governance across organisations.
Executive Leadership Team
Shweta brings deep expertise across finance, operational leadership and systems improvement. She has extensive experience in navigating complex service environments and driving financial sustainability, while ensuring quality and compliance remain front and centre.
Elena joined Distinctive Options in 2009 as a Support Worker. Since then, she has held a range of roles and helped develop new activities and programs, with a particular focus on sport, health and nutrition to support participants to build skills, confidence, resilience and wellbeing.
Appointed as Regional Support Manager, South Central in 2026, Elena leads the delivery of services across our South-Central region, which extends from metropolitan Melbourne through Sunbury and the surrounding communities towards central Victoria. She works closely with participants, families and staff to ensure supports are person-centred, high quality and responsive to individual goals and needs.
Deborah Ford
Quality, Safeguarding & Service Development Manager
Since joining the organisation in November 2021, Deborah has played a key role in ensuring participants receive consistent, person‑centred support.
Deborah brings extensive experience in client relationship management and community services case management. She has recently completed a Diploma in Leadership in Disability, reflecting her strong commitment to Distinctive Options and achieving the best outcomes for people with disabilities.
Jenny joined Noweyung in 2019 as a Support Worker before moving into NDIS Administration later that year. In this role, she helped implement systems for participant Service Agreements and supported participants to understand and make the most of their NDIS plans to achieve their goals. She transitioned to Distinctive Options in 2023 following the merger with Noweyung, bringing with her strong local knowledge and established relationships with participants, families, staff and the broader East Gippsland community.
Appointed as Regional Support Manager, East in 2026, Jenny leads the delivery of services across our East region, covering Bairnsdale and surrounding communities across East Gippsland and eastern Victoria. She works closely with participants, families and staff to develop high-quality, person-centred supports, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for greater inclusion and individual achievement.
Gail Makone
Senior Financial Accountant
Melanie Mays
Participant Access & Funding Manager
Melanie began her career at Distinctive Options as a Support Worker, with a particular focus on communication strategies and behaviour support. She later moved into coordinating group services in Sunbury, building her experience in service delivery, participant support and team leadership. In 2022, Melanie was appointed NDIS Coordinator, supporting participants and families with service agreements, funding and navigating the NDIS.
Appointed as Participant Access & Funding Manager in 2026, Melanie leads participant access, intake and funding coordination across Distinctive Options. She works closely with participants, families and teams to help people understand their funding, access the right supports and make the most of their NDIS plans.
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 as a support worker to assist people to live life to their fullest.
Beau was appointed IS Supervisor in January 2022. Beau was an integral part of the Bendigo restructure and was appointed as the Coordinator in 2025.
Colleen Moffat
NDIS Revenue & Strategic Projects Manager
Colleen brings a wealth of experience to the role which demands great attention to detail and strong communication skills.
Gurbax Sidhu
ICT & Systems Manager
Catherine joined Distinctive Options in 2011 as a Support Worker and became Bendigo Coordinator when the service was established in late 2016, a role she held until 2019 before moving into Content Creation. In 2026, Catherine was appointed Marketing, Communications and Engagement Manager.
Vacant
Social Enterprises & Employment Manager