Executive Staff

Emma Poland is an experienced healthcare executive with more than 20 years’ experience in senior roles across complex health, aged care, disability and community services.

Most recently, Emma was Chief Executive Officer of the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, leading more than 1,300 staff across 17 sites. Before that, she was Chief Operating Officer at Albury Wodonga Health, and she has held leadership roles at Calvary Health Care and St Andrew’s Hospital. Her experience across both public and private health gives her a broad view of how services can work together for the people who use them.

As Novita’s Chief Executive Officer, Emma leads the organisation across all four pillars: therapy, community living, community programs and assistive technology. She is focused on supporting people with disability to participate to their full potential and live the lives they choose, while building on Novita’s 85 years of achievement and delivering the strategy for what comes next.

‘I care about doing work that matters, and I care about delivering impact for the people, families and communities we serve,’ Emma said.

Aapo Hakala is a commercially minded executive with more than 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience across the health, government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Originally from Finland, Aapo has worked throughout Europe and Australia, supporting organisations ranging from global corporations to community-focused services.

Before joining Novita, Aapo served as Chief Financial Officer at Country and Outback Health, an organisation supporting more than 9,000 clients across regional South Australia. His experience spans aged care, mental health, allied health, Aboriginal health, NDIS, and general health services - giving him a deep understanding of sector complexity and community needs.

As Novita’s Chief Financial Officer, Aapo is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for strategic, tactical and operational leadership across finance, business services, IT, business intelligence, plan management, facilities and fleet.

Aapo is passionate about strong financial stewardship and is committed to ensuring Novita’s resources are used in ways that directly enhance outcomes for the people and communities we support.

Scott brings over 30 years of experience in the health and human services sector, with a strong focus on disability, mental health, and aged care. He holds qualifications in Social Work & Social Policy, Psychology, and Health Management.

Scott began his career in Queensland as a social worker, supporting people in the areas of mental health and disability. Over the past 15 years, he has held a range of senior executive roles, including Chief Operating Officer at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (SA Health), General Manager Innovation & Business Development at ECH, and Executive Director Client Services at Minda. In each of these positions, Scott has led major service portfolios, driven innovation, and implemented effective governance and engagement strategies.

His leadership has included the introduction of a dedicated client support unit, significant improvements in clinical governance, and oversight of key corporate services such as people and culture, IT, engineering, and food services.

At Novita, Scott oversees all areas of client delivery across our four pillars. He is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services and ensuring our teams are supported to do their best work.

With a global career spanning the UK, US and Australia, Nikki is an experienced strategy and business development specialist, with a passion for finding creative solutions that drive growth in the marketplace and deliver quantifiable results.

At Novita, Nikki is responsible for strategic development, overseeing tenders and assisting the organisation navigate and respond to external opportunities and challenges, which will increase as the reforms from the NDIS gather pace and new foundational supports emerge.

With a younger sister with a profound disability, Nikki understands how important it is to truly support individuals and their families and to advocate for a more inclusive society.

Nikki holds a Master of Marketing and Bachelor of Commerce.

Elli is an experienced and people-focused HR leader with a strong background in shaping workplace culture, capability, and performance across the not-for-profit, disability and community sectors. Joining Novita in 2025, she leads our People portfolio with a focus on building an engaged, supported and high-performing workforce.

Before Novita, Elli held senior people and culture roles at Lighthouse Disability, Menz Confectionery, Scouts SA and Bene Aged Care, where she delivered key initiatives in workforce development, safety, wellbeing and organisational capability.

Elli is passionate about creating inclusive, positive workplaces where people feel valued and empowered - ensuring our teams are equipped to deliver the best outcomes for the people we support.