- Committee
Emmy Monash Foundation Committee
The committee members of the Emmy Monash Foundation have deep ties to the organisation and the Jewish Community of Melbourne. They have chosen to build the Emmy Monash Foundation as a lasting tribute to the founders and our Jewish elders in the coming years with sustainable and dedicated funding.
Richard Rogers AM — Chair
Richard Rogers is an experienced company director and nonprofit board chair with a demonstrated track record of leadership, deep understanding of organisational governance best practices and philanthropy. During his time a chairman of Cabrini he was responsible for the development of the hospital including the construction of the new 11 level wing. He was also Deputy Chairman of Gandel Philanthropy for many years. Richard has worked in the private and not for profit sectors.
Awarded AM in the Queens Birthday Honors June 2022 for significant service to the community through the not for profit sector.
ROD NIRENS — PRESIDENT
ROD NIRENS — Board President of Emmy Monash, Board Member, Emmy Monash Foundation
Rod leads the Victorian Health business at Microsoft and is responsible for providing strategy and executive engagement across the sector. He has a passion for applying technology to improve the overall clinical and patient experience, with a strong focus on security, risk and compliance. He has the drive to motivate individuals to achieve their very best, supporting a strong team culture. Rod holds a number of IT accreditations and is trained in media presentation.
Tanya Abramzon — CEO of Emmy Monash
Tanya Abramzon is a seasoned aged care professional with over 20 years’ experience in nursing and management. Tanya has provided strong, innovative and inspiring leadership for more than 15 years as the CEO of Emmy Monash.
Before leading Emmy Monash, Tanya held other senior positions including High Care Manager, Acting Director of Nursing and Unit Manager across multiple high-care facilities.
At Emmy, Tanya has led facility upgrades, from a $50M+ development of a single 90-bed building to a multi-building facility with state-of-the-art accommodation for over 170 residential beds and assisted living suites.
She is responsible for managing a team of over 200 staff from 45 different countries. She works closely with the Executive team to ensure the smooth operation of all programs and services. Her position also requires maintaining strong relationships with local community members to ensure that Emmy Monash, as a not-for-profit entity, raises adequate funds each year to assist with the provision of its care and lifestyle programs.
Tanya is passionate about mobilising teams through inspiring leadership, effective communication and a culture of support and collaboration.
In 2023, Tanya was accepted to the Victorian Member Council of Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA). She was a finalist CEO of the Year in the 2018 Australian Healthcare Week Awards for her effort in the community and continues to lead the industry in innovation and excellence in care.
Andrea Morris — Staff
Andrea Morris serves as the Executive Manager Philanthropy at Emmy Monash. Andrea has nonprofit management experience in the United States and Australia. After many years as front-line social worker and nonprofit executive, she transitioned into fulltime philanthropy work in 2005. She has overseen large scale fundraising campaigns that have enabled capital projects, scholarships, music and cultural programs, biomedical research and human services delivery. She is committed to excellence in philanthropic governance and providing an outstanding donor experience.
ALAN SYNMAN OAM — BOARD MEMBER
Alan Synman OAM was a practising architect from 1968 to 2006. In 1976, he founded Synman Justin Bialek (SJB) Architects which has since become a prominent national architectural practice with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. SJB has expanded its areas of expertise in creating SJB Planning, SJB Interiors and SJB Urban practices. Together with SJB Architecture, these practices have received the highest professional industry and international awards for design excellence. In July 2000 SJB/FKA Architects was formed, an exciting initiative with Fender Katsalidis Architects, borne out of the involvement of both firms in the Melbourne Docklands NewQuay project.
Since retirement, Alan has served on a number of PCG Committees to assist with building projects including Beth Weizman, Metropolitan Golf Club, Maccabi Victoria Tennis Club, the Jewish Holocaust Museum (Chair) and Emmy Monash.
Alan was Chair of the Jewish Museum of Australia Corporate Club from 2009 to 2012, he has been a Director of the Maccabi Victoria Foundation since 2005 and the principle driver of the Foundation Coaching Program and All Abilities, key initiatives since 2011 and was made a Life Member of Maccabi Victoria in 2021.
Alan was awarded an OAM in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list for services to the community and architecture.
JOE KRAMPEL AM — BOARD MEMBER
Joe Krampel AM was the founding partner of KNP Solutions, Chartered Accountants, which specialised in forensic accounting prior to his retirement. Joe’s communal activities have also extended over many years with Maccabi Vic (Life Member) and the Zionist Federation of Australia.
Joe has been on the Board of Emmy Monash since 2003, and President from 2010 – 2021.
Joe was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Mark Hammerschlag — STAFF
Mark is the Executive Manager Finance of Emmy Monash and the Emmy Monash Foundation.
He was a partner in a Public Accounting practice from the time of his emigration from South Africa until his retirement in 2019. After his retirement from Public Practice he returned to the work force as the EMF of Emmy. During his time in Public Practice Mark spent 11 years as a director and chair of the Finance Committee from 2006. As EMF, Mark is responsible for Emmy Monash’s financial governance and helping to ensure the maximisation of, and optimal allocation of, the resources available to the organisation to best serve the Melbourne Jewish community’s elders. Mark has developed a deep understanding of the social and economic drivers of Australia’s aged care system as well as its regulatory and legislative framework.
Nathan Shafir OAM — BOARD MEMBER
Nathan Shafir OAM began his working career in the textile industry, working in senior managerial and marketing roles. Nathan then took a different turn working for a decade in the health and fitness industry, holding the volunteer roles of President of the State roof body and concurrently, Treasurer of Fitness Australia, the Federal roof body. Nathan had extensive involvement in the restructure of the roof bodies.
In 2005, Nathan accepted a position at Monash University where he still works in a part-time capacity at Monash Business School.
Throughout his adult working life, Nathan has maintained a high level of volunteer communal commitment. He has twice served as President of the United Israel Appeal, Victoria, most recently in 2016. He has served on the Board of the Mount Scopus Memorial College Foundation and on the Board of Maccabi Victoria Sports Foundation. He still works as a volunteer with Golden Days Radio GDR 95.7fm.
His commitment to Emmy Monash Aged Care began when family members became residents. Soon after, he became involved in the area of fund-raising and is a member of the Emmy Monash Foundation committee.
Nathan was awarded an OAM in the 2015 Australia Day Honours list for services to the community across a range of organisations.
PETER LEWINSKY AM— BOARD MEMBER
Peter, the son of former Emmy Monash president and Honorary Chief Executive Officer, the late Marianne Lewinsky, joined the board in 2003.
He has operated a private investment banking and corporate advisory practice since 1991. This follows 10 years in investment banking and stockbroking, in Australia and internationally.
Peter sits on the Boards of several publicly-listed companies and government agencies and has chaired a number of government committees. Peter is also involved in wider-community affairs.
Rochelle Daboush — Staff
Rochelle is the Executive Manager of Communications and Engagement and has been at Emmy for close to six years. Her role includes responsibilities for the delivery and creation of marketing, communication and fundraising and strategies. Rochelle and her team are also responsible for events involving donors, volunteers, staff, residents and the community. Recently Rochelle’s role expanded to include overseeing the Reception team and the Lifestyle area.
Rochelle is extremely passionate about communication, and believes it is the key to having successful relationships both professionally and personally.
SELWYN GREENBERG — BOARD MEMBER
Selwyn is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has operated an accounting practice in Malvern since 1987. It is literally a family practice that includes his wife Hannah, son Jay and daughter Bonnie, all qualified accountants. The Greenbergs service small-to-medium-sized businesses in accounting and income tax matters and assist high-wealth individuals with bookkeeping, income tax, superannuation, and estate planning. Selwyn has been an active member of the Emmy Finance committee since 2009.
In between his work, Emmy Monash commitments, and his five children and ten grandchildren, Selwyn can be found playing golf at the Cranbourne Golf Club when time permits.
Dr Sharon Nathani
Sharon Nathani is a philanthropy professional with extensive experience across arts administration, finance, and the nonprofit sector.
She has held senior roles in the philanthropic and cultural sectors, including Executive Officer of the Inner North Community Foundation and Manager of the Australia Cultural Fund. Earlier in her career, Sharon worked with a range of arts and film organisations across Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.
Her PhD, completed in 2024, examined networks among trusts and foundations supporting the arts in Australia, with a particular focus on their influence on arts organisations. Sharon has also contributed to sector knowledge and dialogue as the author of the OzPhilanthropy blog, which she wrote from 2010 to 2023.