Our Team

Our team brings 40+ years of combined NFP experience.

Most of the team have worked in fundraising, partnerships and leadership roles in for-purpose organisations ourselves. We understand the culture, the challenges, and the passion that drives this sector because we've lived it. We show up at conferences, professional development events, and sector gatherings because we're part of this community, not just recruiting for it.

Michelle Varcoe

CEO/Co Founder

Michelle Varcoe is the Founder and CEO of Gembridge Australia, where she's spent the past eight years connecting talented people with organisations that are changing the world. She specialises in the NFP sector, driven by a genuine passion for helping organisations and leaders create meaningful impact.

Michelle believes deeply in the transformative power of the right person in the right role.

When the right individual joins an organisation, confidence grows, teams strengthen and culture lifts, ultimately amplifying the impact they create together. This purpose energises her and the Gembridge team each day.

Since founding Gembridge in 2019, Michelle has built her reputation finding the right leaders for the right roles - from CEOs and C-Suite executives to senior specialists in fundraising, marketing and operations. Her deep understanding of leadership, governance and fundraising strategy has helped organisations strengthen teams and achieve transformational results.

Before launching Gembridge, Michelle recruited across nursing, banking, financial services and marketing in both Dublin and Melbourne. She made a deliberate choice: focus exclusively on the For Purpose sector, aligning her skills with her values. Michelle's expertise extends beyond recruitment - she's led capital campaigns and major gift programs, securing significant philanthropic support and driving sector-wide impact.

Michelle currently serves as Director/Trustee for the Museum of Australian Photography and is an active member of the Melbourne Women's Fund. She previously held a board position with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Foundation (2018-2024).

Beyond work

Michelle's perfect day involves time with family and friends, tennis, or hiking. She recently completed Tasmania's Three Capes Track and has taken up sailing keelboats.

Jenni D'Orival

Associate Director
B.Management (Marketing, HR), B.A.Sc (Human Movement), GradCert (HR)

Jenni brings six years' experience in executive recruitment, specialising in the not-for-profit and purpose-driven sectors. Prior to recruitment, she spent 14 years working in the not-for-profit sector, including in senior roles across strategic fundraising and communications.

She leads and delivers senior and executive search assignments across leadership, fundraising, philanthropy, marketing, communications and corporate services, partnering closely with boards, CEOs and senior leaders to design and run rigorous, consultative recruitment processes.

Jenni is known for her structured approach, strong stakeholder management and practical advice throughout the recruitment lifecycle. In addition to managing recruitment projects and searches, she leads and coaches a small team of senior consultants, with a focus on quality, consistency and long-term client relationships.

She brings a deep understanding of the not-for-profit landscape and a commitment to building leadership capability that enables organisations to achieve their mission.

Beyond work

Jenni is a keen recreational runner and gym-goer, typically training for half-marathon events and aiming to tackle her first full marathon in 2026. She enjoys travel, staying active, and spending relaxed time with family and friends. She is passionate about personal development and continuous learning, and values balance, resilience and building strong connections both in and outside of work.

"Lisa was fantastic throughout the recruitment process. She kept me informed at every stage, provided great support, and helped me secure a role that was a perfect fit. I highly recommend working with her."

Nisha Sethi
Breast Cancer Network Australia
"Jenni provided great support throughout the recruitment process. She communicated regularly, and proactively resolved any issues that arose. Jenni's follow-up after each interview was thoughtful and timely, and her professionalism made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. I'm truly grateful for her assistance. Thank you. "

Ereshade Silva
Head of Donor Operations
World Vision Australia
"Dawn always communicated where we were at in the process and gave timely feedback. She was always easy to get hold of, even with a time difference!"

Maria Moffitt
Philanthropy Manager (WA)
The Smith Family
"Working with Gembridge, specifically Jenni and Lisa, was an incredibly positive experience during our search for a new Philanthropy Manager. Their professionalism, personalised approach, and in-depth understanding of our needs made the recruitment process seamless and efficient. The team truly went above and beyond to ensure that we found the perfect candidate. I greatly appreciate their dedication and expert guidance throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Gembridge to any organisation in need of exceptional recruitment services."

Nicci Godsman,
CEO
Learning for Life Autism Centre
"The Governance Committee of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation engaged Michelle in early 2025 to run a Board recruitment process, to support our planned Board succession and renewal strategy. 12 months later, we have 3 terrific new Directors and new Chair. Michelle was (as always) a delight to work with: deeply experienced and informed, flexible and invested in us achieving what we were looking for."

Sarah Davies
Alannah & Madeline Foundation
"I am incredibly grateful to Gembridge for their exceptional support in securing my new role at The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. Their deep understanding of the not-for-profit sector and dedication to finding the right fit for both candidate and organisation truly set them apart. I highly recommend Gembridge for their professional and effective approach to recruitment. "

David Lee
Fundraising Database Lead
The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
"Working with Gembridge on our recent executive-level recruitment for a General Manager was a really positive experience. The team demonstrated a deep understanding of our brief and the strategic direction of our organisation. What truly set Gembridge apart was their ability to attract exceptional candidates inspired by where we are heading. Most importantly, we secured an exceptional candidate who aligns perfectly with our vision and values."

Peter Walton
General Manager, Community Engagement
Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation / Greater Melbourne Foundation
"Gembridge were great- they take a very consultative approach and make light work of the tasks that keep the process moving forward. For an unpaid board that is managing a recruitment process outside of hours and other commitments, they made the process smooth and ensured we had everything we needed to make a great decision. "

Katie Havelberg
Professionals Australia
"It was really a seamless process. Michelle made every step of my recruitment clear, straightforward, and a positive experience. I secured my dream role but even if I had ultimately been unsuccessful, I'd still recommend Michelle and the team to anyone looking for their next move!"

Steven Cooke
Executive Director
Royal Historical Society of Victoria
"Lisa was wonderful! Supportive, encouraging, practically helpful and readily available. I even dropped her a little gift to say thank you for how much she helped me secure a great job. She really went above and beyond. "

Genevieve Callaghan
Copywriter
Breast Cancer Network Australia
"Michelle and the Gembridge team's deep experience saw them quickly nail the brief and identify a number of highly qualified candidates for our EO role. Our new hire is an absolute gem."

Simone Clancy
Penguin Foundation
"It was a pleasure partnering with Michelle and the team to land a key executive hire for us."

Peter Zhao
Head of Fundraising
The Smith Family
"Dawn always communicated where we were at in the process and gave timely feedback. She was always easy to get hold of, even with a time difference!"

Maria Moffitt
The Smith Family
"Dealing with Michelle and the Gembridge team recently was a great experience. Right from the start of the process, all communications and the next steps felt natural and smooth. It was a great tone to take and enabled me to explore what became my next role, in a trusting and authentic environment."

Jo Gleeson
Director, Development
Trust For Nature
"Michelle took the time to truly understand our needs, team culture, and the specific requirements of the role - not just on paper, but in practice. The quality of candidates she presented was consistently high, which saved us valuable time and ensured a strong fit both technically and culturally. Michelle's communication was proactive, and solutions-focused. She represented our organisation professionally in the market. I would highly recommend Gembridge to any company looking for a recruiter who acted as a true strategic partner."

Sue Sonego
Executive Director, Community Engagement
Caulfield Grammar School
"Michelle goes that extra mile to find the best short-list of candidates. Michelle delivers results, has integrity and keeps me informed across the entire recruitment assignment. Here extensive knowledge and networks across the not-for-profit sector clearly play a role in her success."

Carl Young
Former Philanthropy & Fundraising Manager
Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation
"Jenni provided great support throughout the recruitment process. She communicated regularly, and proactively resolved any issues that arose. Jenni's follow-up after each interview was thoughtful and timely, and her professionalism made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. I'm truly grateful for her assistance. Thank you. "

World Vision
Eresha De Silva
"Michelle has been amazing to work with! She has been professional and warm throughout the recruitment process - she communicated regularly and offered valuable feedback at key points. My experience with Gembridge has been outstanding and I can't recommend Michelle and her team highly enough!"

Giselle Pinto
General General, Community Engagement
Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation / Greater Melbourne Foundation

Dawn Patrick

Senior Recruitment Consultant

Dawn has spent the last 3.5 years in not-for-profit executive search including roles in Fundraising, Communications and Advancement. Prior to that, she spent over 15 years working across the healthcare and education sectors, as well as event and project management. These roles helped her develop strong organisational and relationship-building skills.

Dawn has a strong background in relationship and stakeholder management with a focused approach on client and candidate relationships, communications and care. With her understanding of the For Purpose sector, she works hand in hand with organisations to fill their teams with like-minded GEMs.

Beyond work

Dawn enjoys the opportunities to learn and upskill in various areas. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and catching up on movies. She is also a keen baker and enjoys trying new recipes and sharing that love with her kids. She also enjoys travelling and exploring new places.

Lisa Krishtul

Senior Recruitment Consultant
B.Arts (Law & Anthropology), GradCert (Marketing)

Lisa brings over 15 years of professional experience across sales, marketing, corporate partnerships and recruitment, with the past three years dedicated to the not-for-profit sector. Her career spans roles in for-purpose, retail and wholesale environments, giving her a strong commercial lens alongside a genuine commitment to social impact.

With a background in sales and marketing, Lisa has a proven track record of building trusted relationships, identifying strategic talent needs and connecting organisations with people who drive growth and purpose. She understands what high-performing teams look like from the inside out and brings this insight into every search.

At Gembridge, Lisa recruits across a broad range of roles, with particular expertise in executive search, corporate partnerships, brand and marketing, and relationship fundraising positions. She is known for her thoughtful, people-first approach and genuinely loves getting to know candidates and clients — building meaningful connections is at the heart of why she loves recruitment.

Beyond work

Lisa is an avid shopper and keen thrifter who loves exploring markets, travelling to new destinations, spending time with friends and family, and uncovering hidden gems.

Troy Varcoe

Director, Finance, IT & Transformation
B.Eng

Troy Varcoe is the Director and Manager of Finance, Technology & Business Transformation at Gembridge, bringing more than 27 years of professional experience across IT, business operations, and the not-for-profit sector. As a co-founder of Gembridge, Troy established the operational, financial, and technology functions that underpin the company today, and continues to lead these areas, driving efficiency, modernisation, AI, and innovation. He oversees Gembridge's finance, technology, systems, risk, and compliance, while also managing the OnHire division and continuously enhancing internal processes to strengthen service delivery. Within the NFP recruitment landscape, Troy's blend of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and people-centred leadership enables Gembridge to operate with precision, responsiveness, and continual improvement.

Beyond work

Troy is a musician and tennis enthusiast who enjoys life on the Mornington Peninsula with his family and their groodle, Leroy. He brings the same curiosity and creative energy to his personal interests as he does to his role at Gembridge.

Lauren Taylor

Research & Database Specialist
B.A (Japanese), Certificate IV Professional Writing and Editing

Lauren brings 20 years of diverse experience across administration and accounts management in Healthcare and Arts, including the last five years specialising in for purpose recruitment coordination and candidate care.

In her role as Research and Database Specialist, Lauren supports the team through project coordination, database management, candidate care and research. She is committed to delivering an excellent candidate experience and ensuring smooth, consistent operational processes across all assignments.

Driven by a passion for helping people connect with the right opportunity, Lauren brings a calm, detail-oriented and supportive approach.

Beyond work

Lauren enjoys reading, creative writing and exploring nature. She also loves unwinding with video games and engaging in creative pursuits that balance her analytical strengths with imagination, play and curiosity.

Aerial view of rocky coastal cliffs in Australia with turquoise ocean waves crashing against the rocks.

Ready to partner with Gembridge?

Get in touch with us to discuss your recruitment goals.

Our Team

Our team brings 40+ years of combined NFP experience.

Michelle Varcoe

Jenni D'Orival

"Lisa was fantastic throughout the recruitment process. She kept me informed at every stage, provided great support, and helped me secure a role that was a perfect fit. I highly recommend working with her."

"Dawn always communicated where we were at in the process and gave timely feedback. She was always easy to get hold of, even with a time difference!"

"It was really a seamless process. Michelle made every step of my recruitment clear, straightforward, and a positive experience. I secured my dream role but even if I had ultimately been unsuccessful, I'd still recommend Michelle and the team to anyone looking for their next move!"

"Lisa was wonderful! Supportive, encouraging, practically helpful and readily available. I even dropped her a little gift to say thank you for how much she helped me secure a great job. She really went above and beyond. "

"Michelle and the Gembridge team's deep experience saw them quickly nail the brief and identify a number of highly qualified candidates for our EO role. Our new hire is an absolute gem."

"It was a pleasure partnering with Michelle and the team to land a key executive hire for us."

"Dawn always communicated where we were at in the process and gave timely feedback. She was always easy to get hold of, even with a time difference!"

"Michelle goes that extra mile to find the best short-list of candidates. Michelle delivers results, has integrity and keeps me informed across the entire recruitment assignment. Here extensive knowledge and networks across the not-for-profit sector clearly play a role in her success."

"Michelle has been amazing to work with! She has been professional and warm throughout the recruitment process - she communicated regularly and offered valuable feedback at key points. My experience with Gembridge has been outstanding and I can't recommend Michelle and her team highly enough!"

Dawn Patrick

Lisa Krishtul

Troy Varcoe

Lauren Taylor

Ready to partner with Gembridge?

Finding Gems. Connecting People