Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia
South Australia’s premier executive appointments column tracking the movements of those driving the state’s public and private sectors. Plus, the latest executive recruitment opportunities.
AMA SA unveils new leadership
The Australian Medical Association in South Australia (AMA SA) has appointed Simon Jones as its new CEO.
AMA SA said that Jones is an accomplished senior commercial executive with extensive experience in management and stakeholder engagement across the retail, telecommunications and IT sectors.
He spent 11 and a half years at Optus, including most recently as state manager from July 2019 until August 2024.
Since April 2025, Jones has been general manager of Solutions Plus Partnership.
Jones previously completed a bachelor of health science, clinical pharmacology and pathology at the University of Adelaide, and in 2013, he completed a master of business administration at the University of South Australia.
AMA SA President Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam welcomed Mr Jones’s appointment.
“Simon’s medical studies give him a valuable perspective on the health advocacy of the AMA SA,” Subramaniam said.
“His strong corporate management credentials will strengthen the organisation’s mission to serve the needs of our doctor members.”
OARS Community Transitions breaks barriers
OARS Community Transitions (OARS CT) has announced the appointment of Louise Kelly as its new CEO following an extensive recruitment process.
Kelly is the first woman to lead the organisation in its 139-year history and takes over from outgoing CEO Leigh Garrett, who retires after more than 30 years at OARS CT’s helm.
Kelly has been the deputy CEO of OARS CT for the past six years and has held various leadership roles at the not-for-profit over the past 15.
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During this time, she oversaw the introduction of the Women’s Hive – a female offenders reintegration service – and the Home Detention Integrated Support Service Program.
She also played a key role in establishing The Don’t Become That Man service during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is a helpline for perpetrators of family and domestic violence.
Kelly is a recipient of the Churchill Fellowship and chair and member of numerous boards, including the Ministerial Strategic Advisory Group on Women Offenders and SA Prison Health Services Clinical Governance Committee.
OARS CT said it “has been delivering high-quality professional services and support to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families for more than 135 years”.
Mitolo Family Farms announces new CCO
After six years as the head of sales and marketing with Mitolo Family Farms, John Tselekidis has been appointed to the newly created role of chief commercial officer.
The farm, which grows 200,000 tonnes of potatoes and 60,000 tonnes of onions each year, said it is expecting a major rebound from recent potato shortages as favourable weather conditions over the past few months provide promising signs for this Christmas’ harvest.
Executive Chairman Tim Lee said the new position of Chief Commercial Officer would be responsible for overseeing commercial strategy as they look to grow their business, adding that the role would be “building on [Tselekides’] current responsibilities to assume the total oversight of our sales and operations planning”.
“I’m really excited at the opportunities for growth, both across our traditional channels and emerging markets,” Tselekidis said.
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Quality and Risk Manager, and General Manager – Workforce & Strategy opportunities with MADEC Australia, a successful community-owned not-for-profit and charitable organisation with a proud 50+ year history of providing relief to people experiencing poverty and distress. Employing around 180 staff nationally and with turnover approaching $200m, MADEC delivers employment services, education and training, a Pacific labour mobility scheme and Indigenous programs. Both positions can be based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney.
Chief Marketing and Fundraising Officer with St John Ambulance SA, a respected charitable organisation serving South Australians since 1885. Reporting to the CEO, this role leads marketing, lottery and fundraising strategies to drive growth, brand presence and customer engagement. Payroll Manager with Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), designer and builder of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne. Reporting to the Financial Controller, this role manages end-to-end payroll operations and compliance with flexible options for Part-time (60 hours per fortnight) or Full-time (75 hours, 9-day fortnight). Senior Executive Officer to the Chief Executive for Renewal SA, the South Australian government’s urban development agency, delivering some of the state’s largest urban development projects. Provide valued executive assistant support to a highly respected Chief Executive as part of a cohesive, experienced and well-regarded executive support team. |
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Passing on the reins at AADC
Corey Swaffer has been appointed as the new co-president of the Adelaide Advertising & Design Club (AADC) for 2026-27, taking the reins from outgoing president Paul Kitching.
Swaffer will lead alongside current co-president Sarah Luthaus, who will complete her final year as co-president in 2026.
He has more than 25 years of experience as a creative director and writer, including 15 years at KWP+Partners, where he was most recently executive creative director.
Since December 2024, he has been a freelance creative and mentor.
Swaffer said he looked forward to working with Luthuas and the committee “to build on the great work that has been done over the Club’s 50-year history and ensure that the AADC continues to be relevant and add value for members”.
Luthaus said Kitching’s “steady leadership, generosity with his time and genuine care for everyone in our community have shaped AADC in ways that will be felt for years to come”.
Reflecting on his tenure as co-president, Kitching said that “it’s been an incredible two years”.
SOCIETY Marketing Communications broadens leadership team
SOCIETY Marketing Communications has broadened its leadership team with the appointment of Stephanie Ockenden as director of brand and communications, overseeing the agency’s southern market operations across South Australia.
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With 17 years’ of experience in major events and broadcasting, Ockenden will oversee the agency’s southern market operations across SA, WA and the NT.
In her new role, she will be working with SOCIETY’s national team on long-standing client partners, including Menz Confectionary, Woolworths Supermarkets, Big W, and Optus.
Founder and CEO of SOCIETY, Dena Vassallo, said Ockenden’s appointment reflects the agency’s continued growth and commitment to supporting brands that positively shape the communities they serve.
“I’ve loved consulting with the SOCIETY team since the beginning of the year, and I’m excited to take on this leadership role,” she said.
SOCIETY’s focus on strategy-led, creative communications aligns perfectly with the way I like to work – delivering campaigns that really make an impact and put people at the heart of everything we do.”
Coopers Brewery board grows
Christine Zeitz has joined the Board of Coopers Brewery, after the company’s total beer sales rose to more than 80 million litres in 2024-25, at a time when the national beer market is contracting.
Zeitz has more than 35 years of industry experience, including as a CEO and director of leading businesses and organisations.
Her appointment as an independent director of the brewery was passed by Coopers shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting held on November 27.
“Christine is an accomplished and well-respected company director with an outstanding career in senior leadership, and expertise in risk management and governance,” said Chair of Coopers Brewery Melanie Cooper.
Sport SA CEO appointed chair of key national body for grassroots sport
Sport SA CEO Leah Cassidy has been appointed chair of Community Sport Australia.
Sport SA said on Facebook that it was “a win for community sport across the country”.
Cassidy’s experience in leadership and passion for sport will “ensure South Australia’s voice is heard at the national level,” they said.
“For our members, this means stronger advocacy, more opportunities, and a commitment to shaping policies that benefit grassroots and community sport.”
Cassidy has been CEO of Sport SA since August 2018.
She previously spent close to two years as assistant director in the Department for Child Protection, and before this, she was manager of the Department for Education.
Political staffer appointed chair of Judo South Australia
Patrick Collinson has been voted as president of Judo South Australia after first being appointed to the board in June.
Collinson’s involvement in judo includes representing the University of South Australia at the UniSport National Championships in 2022, where he won a silver medal and was awarded the Half Blues Award.
He also trains and mentors a vision-impaired judo athlete, who has been selected to train with the Australian Paralympic team.
Collinson is currently also the office manager for Dunstan Labor member Cressida O’Hanlon.
Collinson said he was grateful for the support from Judo South Australia’s clubs, members and volunteers.
“My focus for judo in the state over the next year is quite simple: I want to make sure our volunteers do not face burnout… A strong and welcoming culture is the best way to grow our membership, so a lot of my work will centre on building that unity across the state,” he said.
“I am looking forward to working with our clubs and volunteers to keep judo moving forward in South Australia.”
