Leadership & Governance

AHPA has an important strategic leadership role in the allied health sector. Our work is informed and guided by our experienced Board and supported by a small and dedicated team of staff.

Board of Directors

The AHPA Board has seven Directors nominated from member organisations and subsequently elected, and up to three independent Directors. The Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee make up the ‘executive’ of the Board. The Board meets at least four times a year.

The Board is supported by two sub-committees:

  • Finance and Audit Committee

  • Governance and Risk Committee

Antony Nicholas
Chair

Antony is Chief Executive of Osteopathy Australia and a current Board Director of the International Osteopathic Alliance. Antony studied Biological Sciences at Curtin University of Technology in WA, with further post graduate studies in Education and Natural Resource Management. Antony has a diverse career background in health, health promotion, health-consumer rights, education and dispute resolution, mainly within the not-for-profit sector.

Samantha Hunter
Deputy Chair

Sam has led OTA as Chief Executive Officer for over five years, commencing in September 2018, and was appointed by the Board to steer and position OTA to represent, support, strengthen and resource the continually evolving occupational therapy profession. Sam has over 25 years of experience both as a senior leader and Board Director working across corporate, professional services, and not for profit organisations.

Amy Cooper (Independent Director))
Chair, Finance and Audit Committee

Amy’s experience spans health, aged care, disability, higher education, Commonwealth and State government, community services, the Not-For-Profit and charity sectors. She has held executive positions with national peak bodies, member-based professional associations and health charities. Amy is currently the CEO of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association and a Non-Executive Board Director with AHPA, LiveBetter Community Services and Committee for the Hunter. A graduate of AICD and Harvard University’s Executive Program, she also holds a Masters in Strategic Affairs from ANU, Bachelor of Communications and qualifications in Change Management, Human Resources and Leadership. Amy is passionate about patient-centric care and equitable access to health services.

Annie Hayward (Independent Director)
Chair, Governance and Risk Committee

With more than 25 years advising Boards and C-suites in both ASX-listed companies and the not-for-profit sector, Annie now focuses on public policy, advocacy and digital engagement. A former teacher, journalist, marketing consultant and general manager, she most recently secured major Government funding for unpaid carers and saw the appointment of Victoria’s first Minister for Carers. She is the founding Director of IRS, an investor relations consultancy and has worked with the National Heart Foundation, Bristol Myers Squibb, biotechnology company AMRAD, the Australian Society for Medical Research and Carers Victoria. Annie holds an MBA from RMIT and a Bachelor of Education from University of South Australia.

Kate Dempsey
Member, Finance and Audit Committee

Kate Dempsey (PhD) is Company Secretary and Executive Officer of the Association of Creative Arts Therapists in Australia, New Zealand and Asia (ANZACATA). She has been in this role for three years. She is not a trained Arts Therapist, but is a governance and association expert, having been a consultant for more than two decades in the areas of governance, board relations, strategic planning, advocacy and policy development. She was engaged by ANZACATA to move the Association forward on these matters. She has a BA (Psychology), Grad Dip Education Psych, Grad Dip Comms and a PhD - investigating the spoken and the hidden values of public sector leaders. She is also an Academic teaching mainly in the MBA and Masters of Organisational Leadership arenas. She has published work relating to values at work, women and leadership, the impact of previous work cultures on the present, group dynamics, ethical dilemmas, collaboration and competition, leadership and the ethos of public service. Kate is also an experienced Board contributor, as Chairperson/Director and Executive Director for more than 15 community-based organisations over 20 years.

Fiona Allen (Independent Director)

Fiona is a board director and senior executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across healthcare, human services, financial services, and retail. She has held executive positions with organizations such as GE, Monash IVF, Medibank, and Simplot, specializing in corporate governance, marketing, and business development.

Fiona is currently the Chief Marketing Officer of Monash IVF and Non Executive Director of Monash IVF Western Australia, and a member of various executive committees. 

Fiona is passionate about designing and commercializing patient-led healthcare services that improve access and population outcomes.

A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fiona also holds an MBA and a Degree in Marketing. 

Skye Cappuccio

Skye has a depth of experience in senior management in non-government organisations and close to 20 years’ experience in policy and advocacy roles in peak health bodies. She is currently the CEO of Optometry Australia, and has enjoyed working  with the organisation for over 10 years. Skye holds a BA, PostGradDipPH, GAICD, and is ever so close to (finally!) completing her MBA.

Catriona Davis-McCabe

Catriona is President-Elect of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), a Counselling Psychologist in private practice, and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer/Researcher at Curtin University in Western Australia. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Catriona is passionate about the role of all allied health services in our community, and particularly services related to mental health. She is a strong advocate for person-centred, equitable, and timely access to allied health services for all Australians.

Bronwyn Morris-Donovan
CEO & Company Secretary

Bronwyn is a primary health sector advocate with expertise in policy and advocacy, health sector strategy and service innovation. Bron has a clinical background in podiatry and brings to the role a deep connection to allied health and primary health care. Most recently Bron has held the role of Executive General Manager of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce and General Manager Policy and Advocacy at the APA. Bron has experience across several Australian health peaks including the RACGP, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses, Australian Podiatry Association and the Mental Health Professionals’ Network.