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Corporate Leadership finalists vying for Future Leader of the Year at National Retirement Living Summit

4 min read

The Health Metrics' award for Future Leader of the Year at the Retirement Living Council’s annual National Retirement Living Summit, which takes place in Brisbane from 18-20 June, is highly coveted.

The category recognises outstanding young professionals (35 years or under) in the retirement living industry who demonstrate excellence through their leadership, technical skills and capacity to innovate. 

The Corporate Leadership finalists vie with the Community Leadership nominees featured in The Weekly SOURCE last Tuesday for the Future Leader of the Year title.

The finalists are:

Patrick Day, Aveo 
Talent Acquisition Specialist 

"Patrick Day is described as a ‘superstar’ by his colleagues. Epitomising Aveo’s core values of kindness, care, and respect, he is a young leader deeply valued within his team and across the broader business. His passion for the retirement living sector has created a positive impact on Aveo’s recruitment as he skilfully places the right people into the right roles," said his employer.

“I’m proud to say I work in retirement living, it’s a cool place to be,’’ said Patrick, who has been employed by Aveo for over three years. 

Daniel Jukic, Catholic Healthcare 
Development Manager 

"Daniel is a humble and driven future leader in the retirement living industry, showcasing exceptional leadership and innovation in property development. His passion for creating vibrant communities drives his problem-solving skills and engagement with stakeholders. Daniel’s commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life through innovative solutions positions him as a transformative force in the industry," said the Not For Profit.

Daniel, who has been Catholic Healthcare's Development Manager for the past 18 months, previously worked in a similar role at Anglicare for almost six years.   

Thomas Mitton, VIA Architects 
Associate Director 

"Thomas Mitton is recognised as a leader in the retirement living sector for his innovative contributions. As Associate Director at VIA Architects, Thomas has led teams in developing architectural solutions that advance the sector’s focus on resident wellbeing and community integration. His leadership on projects like TLC Healthcare | Mordialloc, Australia’s first multi-generational community care precinct, and Pavilions Blackburn Lake has earned significant accolades for their sector-wide impact, solidifying his expertise in community engagement, change and innovation, and population wellness," said the Melbourne-based architects.

Thomas has been employed by VIA Architects for over 11-and-a-half years, beginning as an Associate (Architect), then Senior Associate before being appointed Associate Director in November last year.   

Jessica Madden, Ozcare 
Operations Manager - Retirement Living 

"With over 14 years in the retirement living sector, Jessica Madden exemplifies commitment and dedication to enhancing resident care and quality of life. Known for her hands-on approach and innovative programs, she fosters strong community connections and promotes staff success by empowering their growth. As a rising leader, Jessica continues to drive positive change within the organisation, showcasing excellence in care, leadership, and innovation – key qualities that position her as a standout in the industry," said the Queensland operator.

Jessica's first employment was at De Paul Manor Estate in Southport, Gold Coast, where she rose to be Village Manager before joining Ozcare as a Village Manager. She has since led its Retirement Policy and Procedure Development and worked as Acting Head of Retirement Living. She started her current role in May 2024.  

Jason Perin, Keyton 
National Manager, Injury Management & Wellbeing 

"Jason exemplifies Keyton’s Employee Value Proposition “Lead with Heart”. Earning five nominations for the national Keyton Kudos Awards, he pioneered Keyton’s Injury Management Framework, employee wellbeing program “KeyWell”, and coordinated the inaugural “Keyton Connect Day” to enhance community engagement through volunteering. He also created and delivered the first national mental health first aid training program for employees. His expertise in injury management has saved the company significant costs, demonstrating his impact on financial performance as well as staff wellbeing," said the village operator.

Jason joined Keyton in March 2023 after being National Lead, Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Scott's Refrigerated Logistics. He previously worked for Lendlease as Injury, Care and Recovery Manager. 

Jonathon Sparks, RetireAustralia 
Analyst - Property Development and Transactions 

"Jonathon is a resourceful, innovative, and diligent member of the Development and Acquisitions team. He is known as the ‘go-to’ person for data-driven decisions. Jonathon was heavily involved in bringing RetireAustralia’s first Care Hub to fruition. He has also been instrumental in developing RetireAustralia’s development site filter metrics to target preferred customer segments in the right localities. Jonathon provides comprehensive reports to decision-makers allowing for a clear and efficient path to acquisitions, allowing RetireAustralia to develop age-appropriate accommodation," said RetireAustralia.

Jonathon has served in his current role for nearly four years following three years at consultancy firm Urbis.

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