Chris Potaris
CEO, COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights VictoriaWith over 25+ years of CEO-level experience in over eight industry sectors, Chris has chaired and sat on numerous boards, regional and community-based entities that included small, medium, and larger not-for-profits. Chris has been founder and Chair of a Social Justice Coalition in Melbourne’s west, an Integrated Justice Precinct Advisory Group informing the State Government on the urgent need for integrated justice services, and a criminal prosecutor for over 13 years.
Chris has held the title of CEO in aged care, an international group of companies that employs over 30,000 staff, a national strategic advisory company, a regional advocacy and lobbying group, in consumer affairs, in retail, and in health. He has held the title of Chairman at Community Leadership Australia and has been a capital campaign advisor to St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Melbourne.
Chris has been a strong advocate and champion for the broader communities that he has served, with a particular focus on more marginalised and vulnerable members of our community. He is passionate about leading values-driven organisations and has been instrumental in leading and advising many organisations undergoing significant change.
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Rochna Banerjee
Chief Operating OfficerRochna is an experienced commercially astute executive with over 20 years of experience leading teams in non-profit and for-profit organisations in Australia, India, Pacific and Southeast Asia. In her professional career, Rochna has held the title of COO and Director in NFP organisations and has led teams to deliver a broad range of strategic, financial, and operational effectiveness programs to address organisation sustainability, risk, operational efficiencies, governance and compliance.
Rochna continues to serve on various NFP Boards and Chairs their Audit, Finance and Risk Committees including Women’s Legal Services Victoria and South Port Community Housing Group.
Being a migrant woman from a culturally diverse background, Rochna is passionate about making a difference through her professional approach and example. Rochna is a strong advocate and believes there are endless possibilities of making positive social impact with continued engagement and offering opportunities in communities that are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Rochna is inspired and driven to give back to the community that has given her so much.
Rochna holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Rochna has also successfully completed the Board Leadership Program for Culturally Diverse Women after being awarded the inaugural scholarship from the Victorian Government in 2018.
Avital Kamil
Seniors Rights Victoria Manager & Principal LawyerAvital has a history of promoting access to justice, education, advocating for and supporting vulnerable communities. She has sat on various committees and working groups both at local and state levels, including working groups addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system, police misidentification of predominant aggressors, and the impact of family violence on culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
She has also consulted on the development of the Magistrates’ Court Digital Coordination Tool and Multidisciplinary Training Program to support the rollout of the Specialist Family Violence Courts across Victoria.
Avital’s practical legal experience includes work in private practice, in community legal service, at Victoria Legal Aid, and with the Victoria Police. She has prepared and appeared in complex criminal, civil, and family law matters and has undertaken significant stakeholder engagement and oversight of legal practice teams across the state.
In addition to a Bachelors in Laws / Bachelors in Arts, Avital holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Masters in Law (Human Rights).
Ben Rogers
Policy & Advocacy ManagerHaving honed his policy and advocacy skills in the health and wellbeing sector in both the UK and Australia, Ben brings extensive experience in one of the major policy areas that impacts older people.
Beginning his career with a pharmaceutical company in the UK during a period of legislative upheaval, Ben later joined Victoria’s public health peak body. These roles gave him key experiences across a range of policy issues, including delivering a state election campaign to support community health, developing a range of submissions and reports and supporting the organisation’s responses to the aged care and mental health Royal Commissions.
Ben has been a strong advocate on the need for reform to ensure that people receive the care and support they deserve – and is keen to bring this focus and energy to advance the interests of COTA Victoria, its members and all older Victorians.
Steve Wright
Marketing & Communications ManagerSteve Wright is currently responsible for communications, PR, and marketing. Steve brings his skills in journalism, copy editing, social media, audio and video editing, and all things digital to this role.
He formerly held the position of Senior Communications Advisor at the Australia-Indonesia Centre, a collaborative research centre that focused on the collaborative work of universities from both countries.
Since his arrival in Australia, Steve has also served as Editor-in-Chief at Stevivor, the country’s most-read independent video games website.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, Steve moved to Melbourne in 2001. He has a Bachelor of Arts (English) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Alexandra King
Executive Assistant to the CEOWith extensive administration, customer service, and office facilities management experience in the Aged Care, Health Care and Not-For-Profit sectors, Alex is the first point of call for COTA Victoria’s Senior Management Team.
Working as the CEO’s Executive Assistant, Alex liaises with all internal and external stakeholders by coordinating meetings, events, and communiques on his behalf.
Additionally, with a Bachelor of Business majoring in People Management, Alex works closely alongside the COO to ensure compliance and effectiveness within the field of human resource management. She also efficiently supports the business operations, data, and knowledge management functions.
Alex has a professional, committed, and collaborative approach to all aspects of her work, supporting COTA Victoria in promoting the rights of older Victorians.
Janet Zhang
Finance Manager
Frankie Freeman
Education & Engagement Manager