Our Management
Natasha Miliotis
CEO
Natasha is Chief Executive Officer of MIFSA, a role she feels very honoured to hold. Natasha has a Masters in Social Work and considerable experience working with people with mental illness, having worked both in the non government sector and as a Psychiatric Social Worker for the public Mental Health Service in SA.
As the CEO of MIFSA Natasha works alongside participants, staff, volunteers and the Board of Management in implementing many new programs and driving innovative projects to ensure South Australians affected by mental illness have a range of options when seeking education, information, support and rehabilitation and recovery based programs in their local communities.
Simon McMahon
Programs Manager
Simon completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at Uni SA and worked as a Youth Worker before joining the SA Police in 1999 where he spent a number of years as a patrol officer and police prosecutor at Elizabeth.
Whilst studying accounting Simon then joined the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as an investigator and prosecutor which is where he experienced his first role in management. Seeking a career change as he neared 30, Simon remained in the public service working for the Department of Health and Ageing leading a team of contract managers and completing further studies in Mental Health Prevention and Promotion (University of Queensland) and Business Governance.
Simon then joined a Division of General Practice managing a headspace service and later an Indigenous health and prevention of type 2 diabetes program and had significant involvement in the tendering for a Medicare Local. Simon has also volunteered on the board of the Huntington’s Disease Association of SA/NT and is an volunteer advocate adviser for the Citizen Advocacy program.
Simon describes MIFSA’s core business as focussing on ‘Wellness’ and loves modelling this and supporting others to achieve the same. “The workplace culture at MIFSA is amazing and it is already the best place I have worked”.
Matthea Malcolm
Programs Manager
As one of four Programs Managers at the Mental Illness Fellowship of South Australia (MIFSA), Mattea supports and oversees MIFSA’s three Activity Programs (Christies Beach, Port Lincoln and Wayville.) Mattea has qualifications in Social Work, and has spent many years working with young people in activity, school and community settings.
In recent years Mattea has been drawn to working within the Mental Health Sector, where she finds opportunity to express deeply held values around dignity, participation and citizenship. Late in 2008 Mattea was appointed to the MIFSA Management Team, which undertakes a broader strategic role in planning for the future of MIFSA and the people who access its services.
Ben Heyward
Programs Manager
After finishing Agricultural Science at Melbourne University for 4 years Ben ran a farm school in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea then went to work as an animal scientist on a village goat and sheep development project in Nigeria, West Africa. Returning with his family to PNG in 1983 Ben worked as a Church Adviser with a mandate for Church agricultural projects and youth leadership training and project development. However, with the return of widespread inter-clan fighting in the mid-80s Ben moved into leadership support and development.
In 1989 Ben and his family returned to Australia where Ben worked with Agriculture Consultants and then in industrial chaplaincy before moving to Adelaide in 1993 to run a youth and community centre at Christies Downs. After studies in international development in 1997 and 1998 Ben returned to PNG where he established a community development team for the Baptist Union of PNG. Since then Ben has mainly worked as the PNG and Pacific Project Officer for Baptist World Aid Australia facilitating independent Pacific Churches to undertake community development and effectively manage the health and education services they run as agents of their national governments
Lesley Currie
Programs Manager
Lesley Currie was recruited as the new PHaMs Program Manager in June 2010. She has extensive experience in working with people with disabilities who have complex needs due to their disability. A social worker for over 20 years, she has worked in crisis intervention, rehabilitation, complex case management and more recently people who have vision and hearing loss. Lesley has had significant involvement in organisational leadership strategic planning and the implementation of programs designed to promote excellence in service delivery and work place practices.
Lesley is passionate about social justice and ‘making a difference’, and has embraced the inclusive culture of MIFSA which fits comfortably with Lesley’s ‘egalitarian approach’ to working with and respecting people from all walks of life.
Amanda Porter
Operations Manager
Amanda joined MIFSA in February 2008 and performed a range of program roles before making a transition to Operations in July 2011. Amanda has an academic background in Psychology and a working background in community services, banking and legal services.
Amanda is currently completing a Master of Business Administration to further her knowledge of organisational development and to contribute effectively to MIFSA’s growth and sustainability.
Amanda feels a connection with MIFSA’s vision, mission and values and embraces opportunities to take creative and innovative approaches.
Mark Wasiewicz
Financial Services Manager
Mark has an extensive work history having held positions including Business Manager, General Manager and Director of Finance and Administration in a range of organisations. Mark brings comprehensive experience and knowledge in the not-for-profit sector having been directly responsible over the past few years for budgets of $45 million+.
Mark believes Finance Managers are more than just number crunchers who prepare the monthly and yearly reports. In fact, he believes they are key strategists who help both individuals and the organisation to improve their financial practices and systems. Mark has been a Member of the Institute of Public Accountants for over 25 years.
Mark believes in “building a good team around you” and “creating a positive work environment”. Mark is keen to work in “a progressive, innovative and positive environment where I can maximise my skills in business management... I know that MIFSA is just that environment.”.
