Our team

Executive leadership team

Tom Symondson

Chief Executive Officer

Tom is a respected voice for aged care, serving as the inaugural chief executive officer (CEO) of Ageing Australia, the national peak body representing the majority of organisations providing aged care and housing for older Australians.

Since 2022, Tom has led Ageing Australia’s mission to champion a high-performing, trusted and sustainable aged care sector that empowers older Australians to age with dignity, care and respect.

With over 20 years of experience spanning aged care, public health, and local government sectors in both Australia and the UK, Tom has been at the forefront of policy reform, driving meaningful advocacy and shaping strategy to improve care outcomes for over 1.5 million older Australians.

In early 2024, Tom was appointed to represent Ageing Australia and its members on the National Aged Care Advisory Council. The Council was established in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and council members provide expert advice to government on key matters relating to the aged care sector.

Tom’s previous roles include CEO of the Victorian Healthcare Association and senior policy positions in one of the United Kingdom’s largest local councils. Tom has also served on a range of government boards and taskforces, including the Australian Government’s Aged Care

Taskforce and as a Board Director of one of the largest superannuation funds in Australia, Aware Super.

Tom’s leadership is defined by his unwavering commitment to advocacy, collaboration and ensuring older Australians receive the care and support they deserve.

Connect with Tom on Linkedin

Belinda Allen

GM Services and Sector Capacity

Belinda is an accomplished executive leader with expertise in strategy development, large transformation projects and teams, marketing and business development, and significant community sector reform.

With over 20 years’ experience in government, corporate and for-profit settings, she is passionate about the delivery of quality services to the most vulnerable people in our community.

Belinda leads Ageing Australia’s services and sector capacity division consisting of funded programs, member services, consultancy, learning and events, workplace relations and innovation.

Belinda was previously Director of Member Services and Marketing at the National Disability Services peak.

Connect with Belinda on Linkedin

Geraldine Ellis-Maguire

GM Member Relations

Geraldine has extensive executive leadership experience in professional services and recruitment, addressing workforce shortages, workforce planning and building talented teams.

Geraldine previously led a Tasmanian peak body which successfully advocated for Tasmania to be the first state to raise the out-of-home care age from 18 to 21 years. She was previously a State Manager with Ageing Australia.

Geraldine leads Ageing Australia’s member relations division including state managers, member administration, member advisory, support and communications.

She also oversees Ageing Australia’s national and state forums and the National Member Council.

Connect with Geraldine on Linkedin

Arzu Haylaz

GM Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer

Arzu is a CPA-qualified finance professional with extensive experience in financial, strategic, and commercial leadership. Arzu has close to 20 years’ experience in finance roles across manufacturing, local government, broadcast media and most recently in sport as General Manager of Finance.

Arzu is passionate about strengthening the role of finance in supporting organisational goals, working collaboratively, and finding the balance between short-term initiatives and long-term sustainability.

Connect with Arzu on Linkedin

Abderazzaq Noor

GM Marketing and Communications

Abderazzaq has extensive experience in managing integrated communication, marketing, and stakeholder engagement portfolios across various sectors. With a career spanning three decades, he has worked with diverse organisations—governmental, non-profit, and corporate—across Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Asia.

His passion for health, aged care and education shines through his extensive work in sectors such as health, retirement living, and aged care, alongside his engagements in education, financial services, advertising, and manufacturing.

Abderazzaq holds a Masters in Media and Communication and has a background as a trained journalist and teacher.

His previous roles include serving as the Head of Marketing and Communication at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, General Manager Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations at the Australian Scholarships Group, General Manager Communications at Save the Children, and in other organisations such as Australian Unity, Monash University, and General Motors, among others.

Connect with Abderazzaq on Linkedin

Roald Versteeg

GM Policy and Advocacy

Roald is an executive with almost 20 years’ experience in health related government and non-government organisations, including roles in advocacy, policy, regulation, general practice education, practice standards, and health funding.

Roald is a fierce advocate for a quality and sustainable health and aged care systems. He leads Ageing Australia’s policy and advocacy division and is responsible for the organisation’s policy, advocacy, government relations and media functions.

Roald is currently studying a Master of Health Economics.

Connect with Roald on Linkedin