Governance & Leadership

Dr Leena Vuorinen has served as a Council Member since 2011 and as Chair since 2021. She holds a PhD and Master of Social Sciences, both of which focus on social gerontology. Her research interests include ageing in various settings, the quality of life and lifestyles among older adults, and the social problems that vulnerable older people may face in society today.

Dr Vuorinen’s career in aged care spans more than 30 years. She has worked across service design and development, quality and continuous improvement, policy development, training and education, case coordination and care management, in both the aged care and community care sectors.

Dr Vuorinen is General Manager, Ageing Well at Deaf Connect, overseeing in-home services for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing older people in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.

Andrew Spyropoulos has served as a Council Member and Vice Chair since 2019. He is a mediator, facilitator and conflict and dispute resolution practitioner. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership, leading and influencing change in real estate and business management.

Mr Spyropoulos has served as a member of several committees within the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, including the District Church Board, Constitution Committee and Risk, Audit and Finance Committee.

He has more than 25 years of board-level experience across the public, commercial and not-for-profit sectors, with particular experience in the professional services, hospitality and fast-moving consumer goods industries.

Jennifer Danslow has served as a Council Member since 2013 and as Secretary since 2019. She is currently a Senior Consultant and Lead Process Engineer with Advisian, part of the Worley Group.

Ms Danslow holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from University of Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (with Distinction) from Queensland University of Technology.

She has a wealth of experience gained in employment, governance and community roles with a range of organisations and committees, including St Peter’s Lutheran College Council, Scouts Queensland and Queensland University of Technology.

Pastor Mark Brinkmann has served as a Council Member since 2019. Ordained in 1993, he holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Graduate Diploma in Ministry. He has served in parishes in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, and as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Congregation since 2015.

Pastor Brinkmann is also involved in other councils within the Lutheran Church, as well as inter-church committees, and has served on the District Church Board of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District. He previously worked in the banking sector.

Cheryl Steinhardt has served as a Council Member since 2019. She has provided continuous service on the District Church Board of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District, since 2010.

Ms Steinhardt is a company director of several businesses in the Lockyer Valley. She also serves in executive roles on several committees, with her local congregation, parish and the wider community.

Ms Steinhardt holds qualifications in management and has completed studies in governance. She continues to build her knowledge of aged care and her commitment to the work of the Lutheran Church in service and mission.

Lyn Schultz was elected as a Council Member in 2021. She brings a wealth of experience in health and community services in regional Australia, as well as academic and theological work.

In Central Australia, Ms Schultz served as a District Synod Delegate and member of the pastoral care team for the Alice Springs Lutheran Church congregation, providing cross-cultural support for disadvantaged people with multiple health issues. She has also volunteered for Lutheran Community Care in Central Australia and facilitated District welfare projects.

A resident of Dalby for more than 20 years, Ms Schultz was a longstanding supporter of clients at Waminda Services, a disability services provider. Living in Oakey today, she is an active member in a community of many ageing residents.

Theresa Stolz was elected as a Council Member in 2021. She has previously served on the District Church Board of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District.

Ms Stolz is an accredited social worker within Queensland, and is currently working in the health sector. She is passionate about her work, as is reflected in her ongoing contribution to research and training for people who have experienced domestic and family violence and sexual abuse.

Ms Stolz is also a congregational member of St Peters Lutheran Church in Indooroopilly.