Michelle Varcoe MAICD MAHRI MFIA
CEO & Founder / Director
Michelle launched Gembridge Australia with 25+ years of experience in Executive Search, Recruitment & HR, plus a deep knowledge of the NFP Sector, passion, commitment, and motivation. Being a trusted recruitment partner and empowering people to achieve thriving impact is Michelle's ikagai, and the north star that guides Gembridge's mission, vision, values, team culture and strategic direction. (Ikigai is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose).
Since 2008, Michelle has focussed her recruitment career on the ‘for purpose’, successfully managing leadership roles including CEO, C-Suite and Leadership roles across Fundraising, Philanthropy, Marketing, Communications, Finance, HR and Operations. Previously, she led appointments in Commercial, Health, Banking and Financial Services, Marketing and Communications, both in Australia and Ireland.
Michelle brings a wealth of recruitment expertise, NFP leadership and governance to every project, together with deep knowledge and insights of fundraising and philanthropy having managed capital and major gift programs from feasibility and strategy through to implementation and ‘the ask’ to confirm transformational gifts.
Currently a Director/Trustee of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Foundation and Trustee of Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh, formerly Monash Gallery of Art and active member of the Melbourne Women’s Fund. She is a professional member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA), Philanthropy Australia, EducatePlus, Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jenni D’Orival
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
B.Management (Marketing, HR), B.A.Sc (Human Movement)
Jenni has experience in the not-for-profit sector which spans more than 15 years and she brings an understanding of and passion for the sector. Jenni joined Gembridge in 2020, and combines her NFP knowledge and recruitment skills to lead various projects, with a focus on fundraising, philanthropy, marketing & communications appointments.
Jenni has a background working in fundraising, communications and marketing within the sector including roles such as Fundraising Manager and Direct Marketing & Communications Manager, managing many aspects of fundraising including appeals and campaigns, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising strategy.
Currently on parental leave
MALU FABELLO
SENIOR RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
Master’s (Management), B.A.
Malu is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in recruitment, executive advisory roles and strategic leadership. Dedicated to making a positive impact on the non-profit sector, Malu brings a strong commitment to fostering positive change.
Malu is particularly passionate about promoting the arts as part of her broader commitment to community development, empowering minority groups and celebrating diversity.
DAWN PATRICK
SENIOR RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
Dawn has a background working in the Healthcare and Education industries as well as Event and Project Management, spanning over the last 15 years. It was through these roles that she cultivated the skills that now enable her to move clients and candidates efficiently and effectively through the recruitment process and onto successful outcomes for both.
Since joining the team in 2022, Dawn has enjoyed forging new relationships and searching for ‘gem’ candidates, to connect them with roles they can shine in. Dawn's focus has been in the For Purpose sector, covering roles in Philanthropy, Partnerships and Advancement.
javi medel
SENIOR RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
Bachelor in Communications
Javi has over 11 years of experience working in Recruitment (internal and external) for various sectors including Marketing, Communications, Finance, Education, HR, Operations and Health. Javi has a holistic vision and approach that has helped her build accountability along with client trust and candidate experience.
Outside of office hours, you can find Javi walking, reading, going on day trips and helping the immigrant community land their first professional role in Australia.
Lisa Krishtul
SENIOR RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
Lisa brings over 15 years of diverse experience across Corporate Partnerships, Recruitment, Account and Brand Management. Her background includes roles in the not-for-profit, retail, and wholesale industries, where she has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify and connect key stakeholders, develop strategic partnerships and manage high-value relationships. This experience has given her a deep understanding of what organisations look for in top talent and how to build successful teams that align with business objectives.
In her recruitment role, Lisa’s focus will be on connecting exceptional talent with roles in Partnerships, Fundraising and Marketing within the For Purpose sector. Her most recent role in the not-for-profit space has ignited a passion for creating positive impact, driving her commitment to support organisations in achieving meaningful change. With her extensive background in developing mutually beneficial relationships and delivering successful outcomes, she is dedicated to helping both clients and candidates reach their full potential.
TESSA O’NEILL
RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT
Joining us with a diverse background in both recruitment and hospitality management, Tessa is passionate about curating memorably positive client and candidate experiences. She approaches recruitment with kindness and empathy, endeavouring to go above and beyond to understand the intricacies of each unique project, team and organisation.
Tessa is passionate about DEIB, understanding the immense benefits that mindfulness within this space can offer organisations and individuals. She is committed to ongoing development within this area and the continual management of unconscious biases that can arise throughout the recruitment process.
Out of office hours, you'll find Tessa practising yoga, reading or searching for Melbourne's best coffee and croissant.
Lauren Taylor
Research & Database Specialist
With a diverse background in Healthcare, Arts and most recently Healthcare Recruitment, each of Lauren’s experiences has been underpinned by a strong customer focus.
Lauren is passionate about providing outstanding candidate care and understands the nuances of supporting people through that important journey.
Jenny Nicholls
Marketing & communications Manager
Jenny brings more than 10 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector through roles in fundraising, marketing and communications.
Jenny’s introduction to fundraising began through donor care roles. She then worked in regular giving, and later on, direct marketing, appeals and campaigns in community radio. It was through direct marketing that she found her passion for storytelling and therefore trained as a fundraising copywriter.
After spending some time as a freelance writer, she joined an international development organisation where she led end-to-end, multi-channel fundraising campaigns as well as strategy, graphic design, donor communications and digital platforms such as website development and management and social media.
TROY VARCOE
DIRECTOR, Manager OF FINANCE, TECHNOLOGY & BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION
With a background embedded in business transformations and establishing high performing teams, Troy brings a wealth of knowledge for strategy and business improvement and managing business operations including finance, technology, systems, risk and compliance.
Leroy
Director of Wellbeing
Leroy brings a smile to the team along with Lincoln (Jenny’s cat), Gretta (Tessa’s cat), Winston (Malu’s dog) and Lola (Javi’s dog).
Recruitment Services
Have a look at the range of recruitment services we provide to the not-for-profit sector…