Our Board and staff

Gail Mulcair is the Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary of Speech Pathology Australia. Gail originally trained as a speech pathologist and practised extensively in the field of adult rehabilitation. In her current role with Speech Pathology Australia, Gail combines her commitment to the needs of those with communication and swallowing difficulties, alongside skills in governance, strategic planning, member services, government relations and advocacy, and provides leadership and oversight to all functions of the Association. Gail's qualifications include a Master of Business, Graduate Diploma of Management, Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) and Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Director of Professions Australia and the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP). Gail’s previous association management roles include holding executive positions with Breastfeeding Australia and the Podiatry Association (Victoria).

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.

Anita is the Chief Executive Officer of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA). She has been in a leadership role within the organisation since 2006. Anita has had many years of experience as a director sitting on National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions, Gymnastics Australia Board and the Gymnastics Queensland Board. She is also the Company Secretary for ESSA.

Leigh is the Executive Officer of the Australian Orthotic/Prosthetic Association. Leigh has a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours) Masters in Public Health. Leigh has experience in a range of non-government organisation and hospital clinical roles through which she has gained expertise in neuromuscular orthotic management, post-operative prosthetic management and assistive technology more broadly. Since being appointed as the Executive Officer for AOPA, Leigh has worked to extend the presence of orthotist/prosthetists in the allied health space and strengthen AOPA’s self-regulatory role. In 2012 she initiated a project to develop AOPA’s Competency Standards, through a process which has been peer review published and received international awards through the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Bridgit is the Executive Officer of The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and has held this leadership role since 2015. She has Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music Therapy from the University of Melbourne. Prior to her Executive Officer appointment with AMTA, Bridgit worked at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem for 18 years as its Head of Music Therapy Dept followed by Allied Health Manager. She has extensive clinical experience and has presented and published nationally and internationally on music therapy in palliative care. Bridgit is the recipient of esteemed industry awards for presenting on her music therapy research and has served on numerous professional standards committees for AMTA. As its Executive Officer, Bridgit has supported AMTA’s Board to strengthen its governance structure to be more responsive to the present and future needs of the organisation, and advance music therapy's presence in an evolving and modernising allied health landscape.

Sally is the Chief Executive of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT).  She has had a long and varied career in the health sector, including time spent at the National Heart Foundation (NHF), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Medical Indemnity Protection Society (MIPS) and most latterly General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA).  The vision of ASMIRT 'empowering medical radiation practitioners for the health of all Australians' marries closely with that of AHPA 'delivering the right service by the right practitioner in the right place at the right time' and Sally hopes that by working together across allied health, we can provide a strong and unified voice to fulfil those two visions.

Nello has been Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Podiatry Association (formerly Australasian Podiatry Council) since January 2017. He has spent over 25 years in program and senior management roles across the health, sport and fitness industries. This most notably includes seven years as CEO of Sports Medicine Australia. Nello’s academic background is in exercise science and marketing and he has served on numerous not for profit and university Boards and committees.

Starting his career as a Physiotherapist, Craig moved to banking, with leadership roles at UBS, Westpac and NAB over an extensive career involving, Line Management, Change Programs, Sales and Performance Projects and Industry Specialisation strategy, where he was responsible for credit and product policy, marketing and distribution strategy, banker CPD and Board submissions pertaining to the Industry. His passion has always been for the development of effective and productive customer/member focused business practices and development. Craig is a B.App.Sc., Dip FBMM and has an extensive background in commercial management, banking and finance and consulting

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.

Claire  joined AHPA in 2018 after previously holding the role of CEO of the Dietitians Association of Australia in addition to roles as a DAA Board Director and on the NSW Branch Executive. Claire has had many years of experience as a practising Dietitian in clinical, food service, community and public health nutrition, diabetes education and private practice and in various aspects of health service management mostly in rural areas.

Melanie has a background spanning across the health, not-for-profit/ community and corporate sectors. She has dual responsibilities as the Company Secretary for AHPA, along with her management responsibilities. Melanie manages the governance and financial aspects of the business, general operations and member services.

Philipp has a background in communications and policy and has worked across a range of health organisations. Philipp is responsible for overseeing all policy and communications activities including the development of advocacy materials and submissions. Philipp also represents the organisation in its work around digital health.

Karen Farrar has a PhD in cardiovascular physiology and worked for 20 years in cardiology services as a cardiac physiologist and accredited sonographer. After leaving the clinical setting, she joined the Australasian Sonographers Association, first as Policy and Advocacy Officer, then as Managing Editor of its communications and publications. More recently, Karen has worked as a consultant and has written and edited health-related material for government and corporate clients as well as individual health professionals.  She has a particular interest in, and has presented on, the concept of professional identity including its role in advocacy.

Belinda has a background in administration and member engagement working in both a volunteer and employee capacity to always provide excellent service and support. She has most recently worked with a national peak association in the healthcare sector on membership engagement, resources, and growth.