Meet the team

Our CEO and Executive team are dedicated to helping members achieve their best retirement outcomes. Our executives report to a Board of Trustees. Vision Super’s board is responsible for setting the fund’s strategic direction and oversees governance.

Trustee Directors

Trustee Directors are responsible for ensuring Vision Super is managed properly in the best financial interests of all members.

There are nine directors – four appointed on the nomination of the ASU, four appointed on the nomination of the employer associations (MAV, VWIA and VECCI) and one independent director who is appointed on the nomination of the Board.
lisa web 2

Lisa Darmanin

Bachelor of Business (Industrial Relations and HR Management), Diploma of Community Development

Chair

Lisa Darmanin became Chair on 1 July 2021. Lisa was first appointed to the Vision Super Board in March 2018 as a member representative having been nominated by the Australian Services Union - Victorian and Tasmanian Authorities & Services Branch (the ASU). Lisa is Branch Secretary of the ASU. Prior to this role, Lisa worked as the ASU Branch Executive President and an ASU Organiser and has previously been a trustee director of HESTA and an alternative director of Vision Super.

Lisa Darmanin

Bachelor of Business (Industrial Relations and HR Management), Diploma of Community Development

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Graham Sherry

LL B (Hons), BComm Melbourne, OAM for service to the country through Employer Organisations and the AFL

Deputy chair

Graham was appointed as a Director of Vision Super on 28 September 2012, on the nomination of VCCI. He became Deputy Chair on 1 July 2021. Graham served as President of VCCI from 1999 to 2001, and has a long and continued involvement with employer organisations including the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Australian Thai Business Council. For over 40 years he has practised in many aspects of general commercial law.

Graham Sherry

LL B (Hons), BComm Melbourne, OAM for service to the country through Employer Organisations and the AFL

Vijaya (VJ) Vaidyanath

BA (Economics) Uni. of Bangalore
MA (Economics) Uni. of Bangalore
MBA Graduate School of Business Pittsburgh, USA
Senior Executive Fellow, Harvard Uni.

VJ was appointed to the Vision Super Board on 1 January 2022 as an employer representative and was nominated by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). VJ has more than 25 years in executive leadership roles in the local government sector. She is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Homes Melbourne and previously the CEO of the City of Yarra in Melbourne since 2012.

Vijaya (VJ) Vaidyanath

BA (Economics) Uni. of Bangalore
MA (Economics) Uni. of Bangalore
MBA Graduate School of Business Pittsburgh, USA
Senior Executive Fellow, John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Uni.

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Joanne Dawson

BComm, MBA, Diploma of Financial Planning, CA

Joanne Dawson was appointed as an Independent Director of the Vision Super Board in August 2014. She is an experienced financial adviser and Director.

Joanne Dawson

BComm, MBA, Diploma of Financial Planning, CA

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Peter Gebert

RG 146

Peter was appointed to the Vision Super Board in August 2018 as a member representative. Peter was nominated by the Australian Services Union - Victorian and Tasmanian Authorities & Services Branch (the ASU). Peter has over 30 years experience in the superannuation industry which includes working at one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds and fund administrators. Peter is currently a Local Laws Officer with Nillumbik Shire Council.

Peter Gebert

RG 146

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Casey Nunn ASM

Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Health Science

Casey Nunn was appointed as a Director of Vision Super in July 2017 on the nomination of the ASU. Casey has been a Councillor with the Hume City Council and was Mayor from 2013 to 2014. Casey is heavily involved with her local community and is a member of the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Ambulance Victoria and the Salvation Army Advisory Board (Northern Region).

Casey Nunn

Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Health Science

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Diane Smith

National Diploma in Business and Finance (UK)

Diane was appointed to the Vision Super Board on 31 August 2018 as a member representative. Diane was nominated by the Australian Services Union - Victorian and Tasmanian Authorities & Services Branch (the ASU). Diane has previously worked in the banking industry in the UK and is currently working within the Home and Community Care department of the City of Whittlesea.

Diane Smith

National Diploma in Business and Finance (UK)

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Kerry Thompson

Bachelor of Business (RMIT), Graduate Diploma in Management (RMIT), Diploma – AICD

Kerry was appointed to the Vision Super Board on 1 January 2020 as an employer representative. Kerry was nominated by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and has more than 20 years in executive leadership roles in the local and state government sectors. Prior to joining MAV, Kerry was acting Chief Executive of VicRoads and has previously been the CEO at Wyndham City Council and Maribyrnong City Council.

Kerry Thompson

Bachelor of Business (RMIT), Graduate Diploma in Management (RMIT), Diploma – AICD

Stephen Brown

Bachelor Business (Bendigo), FCA, Registered Company Auditor, Diploma of Financial Planning

Stephen Brown was appointed as a Director of Vision Super on 17 October 2022 as an employer representative. He was nominated by VWIA. Stephen has held senior management and executive positions in the banking and finance industry during his career of over thirty years. He is currently the Deputy Chair of North East Water and is employed by the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

Stephen Brown

Bachelor Business (Bendigo)
FCA
Registered Company Auditor
Diploma of Financial Planning

Executives

The day-to-day management of Vision Super is the responsibility of our skilled and experienced CEO and senior managers.

Stephen Rowe

B.A (Hons) (Public Administration), MA Industrial Relations, Grad. Dip. Applied Finance and Investment, Grad. Cert. Financial Planning & Graduate AICD

Chief Executive Officer

Stephen manages the entire Vision Super team.

Stephen’s financial services experience in senior management positions has included seven years as CEO of a medium sized industry super fund, and four years as the General Manager of a large South Australian-based government superannuation scheme.

Stephen Rowe

B.A (Hons) (Public Administration), MA Industrial Relations, Grad. Dip. Applied Finance and Investment, Grad. Cert. Financial Planning & Graduate AICD

Michael Wyrsch

BSc(Hons) (Mathematics)

Chief Investment Officer and Deputy CEO

Michael is responsible for providing strategic investment advice to the Trustees, as well as being responsible for operational investment matters, providing investment advice and assistance to the CEO and Trustees as required.

Michael has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, having worked in analytical and advisory roles. Most recently, Michael was a Senior Investment Consultant at a leading investment advisory firm.

Michael Wyrsch

BSc(Hons) (Mathematics)

Noelle Kelleher

B.Com, CA, CPA, FASFA

Chief Financial Officer

Noelle is responsible for financial matters of the Vision Super group.

Noelle has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, with a particular focus on superannuation. Prior to joining Vision Super, Noelle was a partner at two of the ‘Big Four’ professional services firms.

Noelle Kelleher

B.Com, CA, CPA, FASFA

Nikki Schimmel

Masters of Tax Bachelor of Law(Honours)/Bachelor of Science Advanced Certificate in Public Administration (Taxation)

Chief Risk Officer

Nikki leads Vision Super’s Quality and Risk team. She manages the risk and compliance functions of the fund, ensuring Vision Super complies with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, maintaining strong corporate governance.

Nikki Schimmel

Masters of Tax
Bachelor of Law (Honours)
Bachelor of Science
Advanced Certificate in Public Administration (Taxation)

Sean Ellis

MBA, RG 146

General Manager Strategy and Growth

Sean is responsible for fund growth, and leads the teams that provide service to our members and employers. He has substantial management experience at large industry funds and one of the industry’s leading administrators.

Sean Ellis

MBA, RG 146

Steven Leach

ASFA 100, PS 146

General Manager Operations and Transitions

Steve Leach has overall responsibility for fund administration, technology and the project management office.

Steve joins Vision Super from UniSuper and has over 25 years’ experience in the superannuation industry. Steve has spent the last 20 years in the profit-to-members superannuation sector and possesses a strong track record of successfully delivering stepped and sustainable improvements in business and customer outcomes including the leadership of large,

Steven Leach

ASFA 100, PS 146

Rebekka Power

Masters of History Bachelor of Arts RG 146

Head of Communications

Rebekka is responsible for corporate communications, public policy and PR.

Rebekka has 15 years’ experience as a communications professional in the financial services industry, and has worked as a communications and policy adviser to two cabinet ministers and a Prime Minister.

Rebekka Power

Masters of History
Bachelor of Arts
Diploma of Superannuation
RG 146

Emma Robertson

BSc (Mathematical Statistics and Applied Mathematics) Graduate Diploma, Information Technology, Associate of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

General Manager, Data and Analytics

Emma has more than 25 years’ experience in superannuation, having worked in senior analytical and consulting roles with Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Mercer and Towers Perrin. She also worked for a software development company for five years.

Emma Robertson

BSc (Mathematical Statistics and Applied Mathematics)
Graduate Diploma, Information Technology (Internet Software development)
Associate of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia

Mark Newman

BBus (Business Administration), Dip Superannuation Management, Grad Cert Management, Adv Dip Fin Serv (Superannuation), Dip Fin Serv (Financial Planning), FASFA

Head of Fund Administration Business Operations

Mark Newman has overall responsibility for the superannuation administration, insurance and business support functions. He has substantial experience in the management of defined benefits, pensions, accumulation accounts and claims management.

Mark Newman

BBus (Business Administration),
Dip Superannuation Management,
Grad Cert Management,
Adv Dip Fin Serv (Superannuation),
Dip Fin Serv (Financial Planning),
FASFA

Nick Pratley

Bachelor of Arts Postgraduate
Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM)

Head of Human Resources

Nick is responsible for the management of HR and providing strategic advice to the CEO and managers on human resources matters. He has over 20 years experience  as a HR professional, spanning the financial services, professional services and technology sectors in Australia and the UK.

Nick Pratley

Bachelor of Arts
Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM)

Helpful resources

Fund details

Find out more

Investment performance

Find out more

Vision Super News

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Frequently asked questions

We’re required to have Target Market Determinations under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Design and Distribution Obligations and Product Intervention Powers) Act 2019.

This is to make sure we’re keeping members at the centre of our approach to the design and distribution of our financial products.

This legislation requires financial services product issuers to design products that are appropriate for the consumers in the target market and consistent with their objectives, financial situation, and needs.

A Target Market Determination is a document which describes who a product is appropriate for (target market), and any conditions around how the product can be distributed to customers. 

It also describes the events or circumstances where we may need to review the Target Market Determination for a financial product.

It depends how your details have been changed. The most common request is changing a surname due to marriage, which you can do with a certified copy of your marriage certificate, and a Vision Super “Change of Personal Details form” found here: view form

If you have changed your name another way, we recommend you contact us first on 1300 300 820 so we can outline what documents we need to change your details without issue.

If you want to change your address, you can do this by logging onto the secure member portal online, or calling our Member Services team on 1300 300 820.

You can check your balance 24/7 via Vision Online, our secure member secure site, or via the Vision Super app for mobile devices. You can also contact our Member Services on 1300 300 820 or by emailing us on [email protected]

Here’s how it works. You may be able to receive a tax-free contribution from the Government when you make a non-concessional (after-tax) contribution to your super account.  The maximum entitlement that can be received is $500 where your total income is $41,112 or less in the 2021/22 year. This reduces on a sliding scale and cuts out if your total income is above $56,112 in the 2021/22 year.

This is, of course, provided you satisfy work, income and age tests.

Please note that the income threshold test for the co-contribution is your total income, which is calculated as follows:

Total income (assessable income + reportable fringe benefits + reportable employer super contributions – allowable business deductions).

In very basic terms, ‘salary sacrificing’, or ‘salary packaging’ means using some of your before-tax salary to pay for something. In superannuation terms, it is usually an arrangement between you and your employer to contribute some of your before-tax salary into your superannuation account.

In the 2021/2022 financial year, the maximum that can be contributed as before-tax payments is $27,500, this includes your employer SG payments of 10%.

Please note that any after-tax contributions made, where you obtain a tax deduction, are included in this contribution limit.