Our Board and staff

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bridgit is the Chief 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 CEO 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 CEO, Bridgit has supported AMTA’s Board to strengthen its strategic planning, advocacy, administration and 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.

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.

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.

Jackie’s experience expands across allied health clinical, managerial, project management, policy & advocacy, research and consultancy positions. Jackie’s unique blend of skills facilitate the holistic and practical perspective she brings to health service policy, design, regulation, development and delivery. Jackie has a clinical background in Prosthetics and Orthotics, a Master of Health Service Management and lives with Type 1 diabetes. Her years of clinical experience and as a consumer of health services ensures she has a deep understanding of policy at the implementation and user level. Jackie has experience as Manager of Policy and Advocacy at the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association and has been the Project Lead for AHPA’s digital health projects prior to influencing digital health strategy and policy with this detailed practical knowledge. Email: jackie.oconnor@ahpa.com.au

Kathleen has experience as a senior level Executive Assistant, an understanding of business bookkeeping, worked in Commercial Operations of biomedical supply chain logistics, owns a small business with a focus on sales, marketing, team building and business development. Email: office@ahpa.com.au

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.                          Email: ceo@ahpa.com.au          

Leo has experience in research and advisory from previous roles in corporate, academic and government organisations. He is also a practising registered osteopath. Leo has worked as an osteopath in aged care across several locations. He has also been in private practice in Queensland and Victoria. He is passionate about the benefits allied health professionals contribute to diverse healthcare environments.              Email: policyofficer@ahpa.com.au

Chris has an extensive background as a community sector advocate, including Senior Policy Advisor with Victoria’s peak body for community legal centres. She has also been a social science academic, and most recently a personal injury lawyer representing survivors of institutional child abuse. Chris has an abiding passion for equity and fairness for all Australians. Email: policy@ahpa.com.au

Suzie has a background in communications and design across a range of health and not-for-profit organisations most recently at Speech Pathology Australia.  She has experience in media, communications and graphic design focusing on awareness campaigns, engagement and marketing. Email: communications@ahpa.com.au

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. Email: admin@ahpa.com.au