Our People

Banksia Gardens Community Services continues to impress with its track record of excellence in the delivery of education and community programs. The organisation’s work has been recognised at a local, state and national level.

This dynamic organisation has managed to recruit some of the most inspiring and dedicated staff, who help attract a wide range of local residents to get involved in the services offered.

Executive Management

Gina Dougall GAICD

Chief Executive Officer

M. Public HeaLth, Australian institute of comany directors Graduate, BA Recreation, Dip Education, Dip Business Management, Dip Counselling

BIO

Gina serves on several boards an committees in the region, with roles on the board of Broadmeadows Revitalisation, North West Metropolitan Partnership, Neighbourhood House Victoria and Hume Jobs Taskforce. Gina has held previous positions as Chair of the Hume Victoria and Hume Jobs Taskforces, Chair of the Hume Whittlesea LLEN and Chair of the Hume early years partnership. Gina holds a Masters of Public Health, along with formal qualifications in arts, education and business management. She has been admitted as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is passionate about Health and loves her role as a board member on Sunbury Cobalt Community Health. Gina is a passionate supporter of the Saints, has three adult children and is a grandmother.

Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, director NCESE

M.Sc. Applied Physics, Master of Engineering

BIO

Jaime has had a long association with Banksia Gardens, where he started volunteering as a mathematics tutor two decades ago. In his role, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of many of the organisation’s current programs such as the Aiming High VCE Support Program, the Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement, Community Connectons and the Good People Act Project (GPAN). Jaime’s interests are quite diverse and include social and environmental issues, science and languages. He was a volunteer translator with Greenpeace International for over a decade and he currently sits on the Board of the Northern Community Legal Centre.

Georgina Wheeler

MANAGER PEOPLE, FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

M.Health and human services, B. Health Sciences (Public Health), B. International development, Cert IV Training and Assessment

BIO

Georgina has worked at Banksia Gardens for over seven years across diverse areas including youth, education, sustainability and social enterprise. Between 2020 – 2023, she travelled as an English teacher in primary schools in Thailand. Currently Georgina manages the Business Services Team at Banksia. She loves the work environment at Banksia Gardens and the close connection that the organisation has with the community.

Paul Atkinson

Manager Community Development and Youth

Master of Peace and Conflict Studies

BIO

Paul is a social worker with 20 years’ experience in community service organisations. During that time Paul has worked in direct service roles, policy and advocacy and leadership. Paul moved to Melbourne from Western Australia in 2006 and has worked predominantly in housing and homelessness, including crisis accommodation and with justice-involved people of all ages and their families. Paul has a masters of peace and conflict studies and is a trained mediator, interested in transformational conflict resolution. Paul started working at BGCS in August 2020.

Donna Stoddart

Manager Circular Economy and Sustainability

Adv Dip Business Management

BIO

Donna leads the Circular Economy & Sustainability team at Banksia Gardens Community Services, where she oversees a suite of social enterprises and environmental programs aimed at building stronger, greener, and more inclusive communities.

With a background in local government, community development, disability services and environmental engagement, Donna brings a deep commitment to place-based, community-led solutions. Her work spans food justice, youth employment, urban greening, and social enterprise development – all underpinned by a focus on equity, inclusion, and long-term sustainability. Donna is passionate about co-designing programs that respond directly to community need.

Outside of Banksia Gardens, Donna volunteers in threatened species conservation, enjoys yoga and gardening.

Dr Rana Tbaileh

Manager Training and Employment

PhD Engineering, Adv Dip Business Management, Cert IV TAE, Cert IV TESOL

BIO

Rana was first involved in Banksia Gardens as a volunteer tutor, soon becoming a Project Coordinator in the Community Development Department. Working at Banksia Gardens has allowed Rana to pursue her passion in the education and teaching field, demonstrated through her role as an adult education trainer and extensive experience, which led her to her current role. Rana enjoys the friendly, supportive and team spirit that shines at Banksia Gardens, and is looking forward to future developments, both personally and professionally through her career.

Seral Fehmi

LEAD TEACHER PROJECT REAL

BA YOUTH STUDIES, GRAD DIP EDUCATION (SECONDARY)

BIO

Seral has been the Project REAL Lead Teacher since starting at Banksia in 2019 and brings extensive educational leadership experience in student wellbeing, re-engagement programs, and community partnerships. During her time as a Schools Partnership Manager for Hands on Learning in Victoria, she supported numerous schools in setting up and implementing their own onsite re-engagement programs for students in need of alternative learning experiences to strengthen their connection with school. Seral has a passion for experiential learning and has implemented a wide variety of learning programs across Years 7-9 to improve learning and engagement. Seral has a strong commitment to improving the lives of children, young people, and families through school engagement, social justice and inclusion.