Uniting AgeWell is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary-Jane Stolp FAICD as Chair of the Uniting AgeWell Board, succeeding Raelene Thompson, whose nine-year tenure as Board Chair concludes in November. 

Mary-Jane is an experienced Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer with more than 25 years’ leadership across aged care, disability, health and community services. She brings deep expertise in governance, strategy, workforce culture, risk, transformation and board-executive relationships, with a strong record of delivering sustainable growth and social impact. 

She is currently Chief Executive Officer of MND Victoria and the outgoing Chair of Mayflower Aged Care. She previously served as Chief Executive Officer of The Bridge Inc, where she led financial turnaround, cultural transformation and service expansion. Her governance experience also includes chairing Mayflower Aged Care’s Clinical Governance Board Sub-Committee and serving on the National Disability Services State Committee. 

Uniting AgeWell Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kinnersly welcomed Mary-Jane’s appointment and said her values-led leadership and sector experience would be invaluable as Uniting AgeWell continues to respond to reforms in the sector and grow services across Victoria and Tasmania. 

“Mary-Jane brings an outstanding combination of governance capability, executive leadership and deep understanding of the sectors in which Uniting AgeWell operates,” Andrew said. “Her experience, coupled with her commitment to values-based leadership, will be of great benefit as we continue to deliver innovative, high-quality aged care services with respect and kindness.” 

Andrew also paid tribute to outgoing Board Chair Raelene Thompson, acknowledging her significant contribution during a period of growth, reform and change. 

“Raelene’s leadership has been instrumental to Uniting AgeWell,” Andrew said. “Her wise counsel, stewardship and unwavering commitment to our values have helped guide the organisation through significant challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and generational sector change. On behalf of the Executive and the whole Uniting AgeWell family, I extend my sincere thanks for her extraordinary service.” 

“Uniting AgeWell is an organisation with a clear purpose, strong values and a deep commitment to the people and communities it serves,” Raelene said. “I am proud of what has been achieved over the past nine years and grateful to have worked with so many dedicated people. I warmly congratulate Mary-Jane and wish her, Andrew and the Board every success.” 

“Uniting AgeWell has a proud history of supporting older people to live and age well, and a strong reputation for delivering services with respect and kindness,” Mary-Jane said. “I am honoured to join as Board Chair and look forward to working with Andrew, the Board and the broader team to build on Raelene’s legacy and continue strengthening services for older people, their families and communities.”