Our leadership team

Chris joined Helping Hand as CEO in 2019. He has over 25 years of executive level leadership experience across various sectors including professional services, financial services and healthcare. His most recent position was as Managing Director of a leading SA professional services firm, Hood Sweeney, where he consulted extensively to clients on business growth, strategy and corporate governance.

Chris was a board member of Helping Hand for nine years and chaired the Finance & Property committee from 2012-2015. He is currently a SA regional committee member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and a board member of Windmill Theatre. He has served on a range of other boards and committees, predominantly in the not for profit sector and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His qualifications include BSc (Hons); MBA; Diploma (AICD); Diploma of Financial Services; Level 1 Accredited Executive coach.

Chris is passionate about leadership and bringing his commercial and consulting expertise to ensure the growth and ongoing success of Helping Hand.

Melinda Richardson is an experienced executive leader with responsibility for residential services, bringing a strong focus on quality, governance, and people-centred outcomes. In her role as Executive Manager Residential Services, she provides strategic and operational leadership across residential facilities, ensuring services are safe, compliant, and aligned with organisational values and expectations.

Melinda is recognised for her clear and thoughtful communication style, setting high but supportive expectations and working collaboratively with senior leaders and operational teams. She plays a key role in guiding residential strategy, managing complex operational issues, and supporting leaders to deliver consistent, high quality care environments.

With extensive experience working alongside multidisciplinary teams, Melinda partners closely with colleagues across residential operations, people and culture, clinical, and corporate functions to drive continuous improvement and effective decision making. She is particularly engaged in matters relating to residential communications, expectations, facility performance, and risk awareness, bringing a considered and balanced approach to leadership.

Samantha Giorgatzis is a senior executive at Helping Hand, one of South Australia’s most respected aged care organisations, where she leads the Strategy and Engagement portfolio. With 30 years of leadership experience across aged care, local government, and the health and community services sector, Samantha is recognised for her strategic acumen and ability to lead complex planning and transformation initiatives.

A University of South Australia graduate with qualifications in Marketing and Human Resources, Samantha’s expertise spans strategic planning, precinct and environmental master planning, commercial strategy, and market positioning. She is currently leading major precinct planning for future capital development, shaping the organisation’s long-term strategic direction, and ensuring consumer insight is embedded in planning and decision-making at every level.

Samantha provides executive oversight of strategy support, strategic property development, marketing and communications, public relations, consumer engagement and partnerships, and admissions and sales. Her commercial strategies are positioning Helping Hand for sustainable growth across residential, home care, and retirement living.

A collaborative leader, Samantha builds high-performing teams and strategic partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.

Anita Peace joined Helping Hand in April 2026 and is a seasoned executive with a strong operational and human resources background, bringing broad expertise across core HR disciplines gained through leadership roles in diverse industries.

Driven by a belief that sustainable success is built on people, Anita leads Helping Hand’s People and Culture function with a focus on building an aligned, engaged and future-ready workforce that supports our strategy and enables outstanding outcomes for our clients and staff.

Luci Badge joined Helping Hand in 2022 as Company Secretary and was appointed Chief Governance Officer in 2026.

Luci has a background in law and more than 15 years’ experience working across Australia’s Not‑for‑Profit sector and other highly regulated environments. She has developed deep expertise in governance, risk and compliance, and has successfully supported governing bodies and executive teams through complex legislative and regulatory change.

Luci completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of South Australia, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Luci is passionate about helping organisations to move beyond minimum compliance to achieve governance excellence, while fostering trusted and constructive relationships with regulators. She is known for her enterprise level thinking, practical and solutions focused approach, and her commitment to safeguarding quality outcomes that protect the interests of clients and residents.

Megan joined Helping Hand in 2021 and was appointed Acting Executive Manager Home Care in 2026. She brings more than 20 years of experience across for-purpose organisations, with a strong background in marketing, communications, and strategy development spanning public health and the university sector. Throughout her career, Megan has held senior roles leading strategy, change management, complex projects, and business improvement initiatives, consistently delivering outcomes that enhance organisational performance and impact.

Megan is particularly passionate about improving customer experience and leading cross-functional programs that strengthen outcomes for clients and residents. Her work is driven by a genuine commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and to contributing to a sector that is stronger, more responsive, and more compassionate. She is motivated by her conviction to leave both the organisation and the broader community better than she found them.

Dom joined Helping Hand in 2023 and was appointed Acting Chief Financial Officer in 2026. He brings more than 25 years’ experience across finance, accounting and business operations, with extensive financial leadership expertise. Throughout his career, Dom has held senior roles leading finance and administration functions, including financial reporting, treasury and banking, and tax related matters.

Since joining Helping Hand in 2023 as Finance Manager, Dom has played a key role in strengthening financial operations and supporting the organisation’s strategic objectives. He is known for his strong analytical skills, collaborative approach and ability to build trusted relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.

Dom is passionate about delivering positive outcomes for our clients and residents, and is driven by a commitment to strengthening the organisation so that it can continue to deliver positive outcomes to those we look after.