All of our staff and management are dedicated to Umbrella Inc.’s ethos of respect, passion and commitment. We believe that there is no greater joy or greater reward than to make a fundamental difference to people’s lives. We believe that our diversity is our strength. The more than 100 staff members and 70 volunteers represent 40 different nations and speak more than 40 different languages.
Chief Executive Officer
Languages: Polish, English
Chief Executive Officer
Anna Harrison was born and raised in Poland and after some time in the UK she migrated to Australia in 1978.
In the early 1980’s Anna commenced her career providing services to the diverse communities of WA and was instrumental in organising activities that led to a significant reduction in the isolation of older members of the community. She also assisted the WA Association of Polish Women to obtain Commonwealth funding to provide aged care services. In 2000, Anna established the Umbrella Inc HACC program and in 2004 became the CEO of Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc.
Anna has an Advanced Diploma – Community Sector Management, Diploma of Community Services Management, Justice of the Peace – School of Law, Murdoch University. She has received certificates for the Seniors Ministerial Advisory Committee (3 Years), Active Ageing Task Force-Ministerial Committee (1.5 years), WA Association of Polish Women Inc (20 years of service to the Community), and First Polish Senior Citizens Club (15 years of service for Polish Seniors).
Anna has received an Award of Excellence from the Minister for Seniors in 2000 and a Multicultural Services Award from the WA Government in 2003. In addition a Silver Cross for service to the WA Polish Community from the Polish Government awarded by the President and a Centenary Medal for services to migrants and refugees awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. Anna is also a Commissioner for Declarations, Justice of the Peace.
Senior Manager Community Home Care Packages
Languages: Polish, Russian, German, English
Senior Manager Social Support and Transport
Languages: English, Polish, Russian
Senior Manager Assessments & Social Support Programs
Languages: English, Polish
Manager Communications and Community Engagement
Languages: English, Hungarian
Senior Supervisor Social Support Programs
Languages: English, Polish
Supervisor Social Support Programs
Languages: English, Polish
Umbrella’s current Board is a very supportive group of committed, emphatic, knowledgeable professionals who, for a number of years, have volunteered to our organisation to support its mission. Our Board includes professionals with extensive experience in key areas such as aged care, public health, advocacy, medical care, government relations, information and communication technology, law and legal services and public policy.
President
After obtaining qualifications in nursing and working in this industry for a number of years, she changed careers with a newly obtained Associate Diploma of ...read full profile
President
After obtaining qualifications in nursing and working in this industry for a number of years, she changed careers with a newly obtained Associate Diploma of Applied Science and became a Library Technician in the education sector. Her engagement with people from diverse backgrounds during her career has left her with a keen interest in other cultures, languages and history. She is also interested in aged care issues. In addition to her involvement on the Umbrella Board, Ann has been involved in other committees with disparate fields of interest.
Vice President
After obtaining a qualification as a Geographer in Macedonia, Marika undertook qualifications in Academic and Professional English in Australia followed by Paraprofessional. ...read full profile
Vice President
After obtaining a qualification as a Geographer in Macedonia, Marika undertook qualifications in Academic and Professional English in Australia followed by Paraprofessional Interpreting qualifications in Serbian and Polish. With these qualifications, Marika has spent her career in the multicultural community sector in a variety of roles including as a family violence worker and a number of programs helping new migrants settle in Australia. She also works as an interpreter for Macedonian, Serbian and Polish languages. In addition to her paid work, Marika has been involved in in committees and as a volunteer language teacher over many years. Marika speaks Polish, Greek, Macedonian, Serbian and English.
Treasurer
With over 25-years of experience in cooperate governance, budgeting and information systems ...read full profile
Treasurer
With over 25-years of experience in cooperate governance, budgeting and information systems, Othman brings the skills and knowledge which are instrumental in the delivery of better outcomes relating to the operational management and human resources. Othmar has been the member of the Executive Management Team of Rottnest Island Authority where he had an integral part in developing, managing and implementing sound financial strategy and policies. He also has extensive experience in managing a number of internal and external audits and risk assessments for a range of clients, both in the private sector and in state government.
Professional Qualifications
Professional work experience
Previous board / committee / volunteer work:
Language Spoken: English, German, Swiss German and French
Secretary
With qualifications in the areas of Finance and Mortgage Brokerage Management, Mariusz has worked with telecommunications companies and in the financial sector. ...read full profile
Secretary
With qualifications in the areas of Finance and Mortgage Brokerage Management, Mariusz has worked with telecommunications companies and in the financial sector in addition to establishing his own business. Mariusz volunteers as a Pranic Healer with a meditation and healing centre and speaks both English and Polish.
Board Member
Following a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science and Records Management, Dorota worked as an academic and librarian in both Poland and Australia. After ...read full profile
Board Member
Following a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science and Records Management, Dorota worked as an academic and librarian in both Poland and Australia. After completing a further qualification in International Trade, Dorota established her own wine export business, eventually leaving the world of academia to focus on this. Dorota has been involved with Umbrella at a Board level for 10 years and taken on a number of executive positions during this time. Dorota speaks English, Polish, French and Russian.
Board Member
With academic qualifications in science and engineering and workplace safety, Milos has spent 35 years in senior university positions in Europe and Australia, 5 years ...read full profile
Board Member
With academic qualifications in science and engineering and workplace safety, Milos has spent 35 years in senior university positions in Europe and Australia, 5 years as a United Nations Expert in Occupational Safety and Health and Chief Technical Advisor, in parallel Consultant in Occupational Safety and Health, and over the last 30 years has been engaged by a number of WA law firms as an Expert Witness in around 500 cases of occupational accidents. He is currently Adjunct A/Professor at Edith Cowen University. Milos has committee and volunteer experience in a number of workplace safety organisations. Milos speaks English and Czech.
Board Member
A qualification in Hotel Management led Maria to 32 years of managing human resources and customer services through the reception desk of a hotel in ...read full profile
Board Member
A qualification in Hotel Management led Maria to 32 years of managing human resources and customer services through the reception desk of a hotel in the heart of Warsaw. An early life of involvement with the Polish Scouting movement and a period of involvement in the Solidarity Movement established an interest in being involved in the community. Upon her arrival in Australia, Maria immediately joined local Polish organisations as a volunteer and has been involved with Umbrella since it was established. Maria, a carer in addition to being a volunteer, represents volunteers and clients on the Umbrella Board. She speaks Polish, English and Russian.
Board Member
With many years in the nursing, disability and aged care sectors in both residential and community care environments, Ronda brings a wealth of experience to ...read full profile
Board Member
With many years in the nursing, disability and aged care sectors in both residential and community care environments, Ronda brings a wealth of experience to the Board of Umbrella. Ronda has worked to establish aged care services for indigenous populations and in rural and remote areas. Ronda’s education and professional development reflect her passion for working in the health and community service industry. Ronda is also passionate about the area of dementia awareness and study.
Board Member
With an academic qualification in Social Work, and a range of further post-graduate formal training in areas of child protection, human services and management/leadership. ...read full profile
Board Member
With an academic qualification in Social Work, and a range of further post graduate formal training in areas of child protection, human services and management/leadership, Daniela has been working with the Department for Child Protection and Family Support, for almost 20 years, in various roles ranging from case management and policy development, to senior advisor cultural diversity; and senior assessor fostering. Daniela’s keen passion in working with and for people, from ‘all walks of life’ and of all ages and gender, was also reflected in her highly-regarded work as an interpreter; as well as in her skilled and perceptive leadership that led to the triumphant establishment of the first Romanian Orthodox Parish and subsequently to the naming of the first Romanian Orthodox Priest, in Western Australia. Daniela speaks Romanian, English and French.
