Rural Lifestyle Options Australia
Community Service Provider
We understand rural and regional communities.
Our Executives
Leading the organisation to translate vision into reality.
Our Executive Team leads Rural Lifestyle Options Australia’s work by engaging our key stakeholders in setting direction and harnessing the passion and commitment of staff and supporters to achieve incredible life outcomes for the people we support.
Michelle Latailakapa
Chief Executive Officer
CertIVTAE, DipDis, DipBus(Gov), AdvDipCounsPsych, AdvDipMgt, AdvDipComSecMgt, AdvDipHRM, BSocSc(SocWelf), GradDipComSecMgt, GradDipStratLed, GradDipMgt(Learn)
MAHRI, MAIFPL, FICDA, CMgr, CPMgr, FIML
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Michelle Latailakepa joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia on 2 February 2015 and is the Chief Executive Officer for the organisation. Michelle leads Rural Lifestyle Options Australia with a diverse range of executive experience gained from 25 years of driving positive change within the Human Services sector and during this time has gained a strong reputation for professional and ethical performance. Michelle started her career as a volunteer support worker more than twenty-five years ago. Michelle then worked in a variety of strategic and leadership positions within small and large For-Purpose Organisations as well as the public sector. Michelle’s leadership played an important role in revitalising our services, and ensured Rural Lifestyle Options Australia not only successfully transitioned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme but also thrived in this new competitive environment. Michelle oversees the People and Culture Division within the organisation and is responsible for implementing the company’s Strategic Plan. Michelle’s commitment, values and her lifelong passion has been and continues to be, creating inclusive communities where the unique skills, talents and attributes of people are valued, acknowledged and welcomed.
Steven Dsouza
Head of Finance
CertIVDis, DipSysMgmt, AdvDipComSecMgt, BCom
CPA, ACMA, CGMA
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Steven Dsouza joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in July 2022 and is the Head of Finance for the organisation. As the Head of Finance, Steven is responsible for managing the financial affairs of the business and is responsible for overseeing the finance functions at Rural Lifestyle Options Australia. Steven provides leadership and development support to Finance, Payroll and Plan Managers. Steven’s role within the organisation is critical in ensuring the organisation’s going concern is well maintained by ensuring robust cashflows and sound return on investment is achieved by ensuring organisational sustainability. Steven is also responsible for ensuring the organisation meets all its statutory financial obligations in a timely manner. Steven is well experienced in the Not-for-Profit sector including Disability, Home Care and Government and State Grant funding models and is also passion to work for the industry as it provides a sense of fulfilment. Outside of work, Steven enjoys sports such as Cricket, Hockey, Soccer and Tennis. He also enjoys watching television, cooking and going on long drives.
Robert Rees
Head of Operations
CertIVTAE, CertIVComServ, DipMan, AdvDipComSecMgt
AMICDA, AFIML
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Robert Rees joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in April 2019 and is the Head of Operations for the organisation. As Head of Operations, Robert is responsible for the quality of services provided to NDIS participants supported through Rural Lifestyle Options Australia. Robert provides support and leadership to our Service Delivery Team, our Support Coordination Team and the Rostering Team. Robert’s role is integral in maintaining and expanding relationships, developing partnerships, ensuring quality services are delivered, responding to participant feedback and expanding our Supported Independent Living service. Robert was part of the NDIS pilot program in Victoria in 2014 and brings over 30 years of experience working in the aged care and disability sectors. His favourite aspect about working for the organisation is "working with participants and their families to achieve their goals" stating that "there is no better feeling than seeing participants succeed in what they have set out to do".
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Nicholas Power
Head of Marketing and New Business
DipMktg, AdvDipComSecMgt, BMultMedDes
AMICDA, AMAMI CPM
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Nicholas Power joined Rural Lifestyle Options Australia in May 2015 and brings over 15 years experience to the Head of Marketing and New Business role. Nicholas oversees the ‘Marketing and New Business Division’ and is accountable for managing a high volume of marketing information through a range of different platforms. He is responsible for the ongoing transformation of the Rural Lifestyle Options Australia brand and all aspects pertaining to the customer experience across all of the organisation’s brand touchpoints. As Head of Marketing and New Business, Nicholas oversees our Aged Care Home Care service stream and plays a pivotal role in the ongoing growth of the organisation. He provides support and leadership to the Aged Care Home Care, Business Development and Customer Experience Teams which are driven by a shared goal of achieving steady and sustainable growth across all of our services.
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Fiona Gracie
Head of People and Culture
CertIVHRM, DipProjectMgmt, DipMgmt, BBus(HRM)
MAHRI
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Fiona Gracie originally joined RLOA in 2019 and after a 2 and a ½ year break working as a P&C Business Partner in the Aged Care Sector, returned in April 2024 as the Head of People and Culture. As Head of People and Culture, Fiona provides both strategic and operational expertise to the CEO, Executive and Leadership Teams, Supervisors and employees on all people related matters. Fiona commenced work in the People and Culture space over 20 years ago as a payroll officer in the Federal Government. Her experience since then includes HR Generalist Coordination and Business Management on Christmas Island; HR Procurement with the NDIA; and being a volunteer member of the Charles Sturt University HR Advisory Committee. Fiona is committed to contemporary human resource management practices which find ways to meet the goals and expectations of both RLOA and its employees. Her favourite aspect about working for RLOA is that "we really do live by the motto Big enough to provide the service, small enough to look after you" stating that “it is refreshing to work for an organisation that not only values its clients, but truly recognises the value of its people.”