Associations Forum National Conference


30 April - 1 May 2025, CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park

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Speakers

Natalia Centellas

Secretary General and Group Chief Executive Officer, Australian Medical Association

Natalia Centellas (née Vukolova) is the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Medical Association, a peak professional body for doctors that promotes and protects the interests of doctors and the healthcare needs of patients and communities.Natalia has extensive leadership experience and knowledge in the spheres of healthcare, specialist education, health technology assessment and funding, policy, government relationsand organisational development. She previously led the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists as CEO for nearly eight years. Natalia has been on the Board of Trustees of Western Sydney University since 2021 and held Board positions with ANTaR NSW and ATN. She has degrees in management and social development from WSU and UNSW.She is passionate about good governance, leveraging talented people and technologies to transform organisations, and sound financial stewardship.

James Goodwin

Chief Executive Officer, Accommodation Australia

James Goodwin is an experienced executive and non-executive director with a background in media, corporate affairs, and public policy, focusing on tourism, transport, and education. Appointed Chief Executive of Accommodation Australia (AA) in September 2024 following the merger of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association of Australia, he advocates for national policies benefiting over 3,000 members and 100,000 accommodation rooms.Previously, James served as CEO of the Australian Airports Association during the COVID-19 pandemic and led recovery efforts. He was also Chief Executive of ANCAP and held senior roles at the Australian Automobile Association and AirServices Australia. James chairs St John Ambulance ACT and is a Board Member of CIT Solutions, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Politics.

Leanne Boase

Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Nurse Practitioners

Adj. A/Prof Leanne Boase BN MN(NP), MHSc(Ed), MAICD, FACNP is the CEO of theAustralianCollege of Nurse Practitioners, and Executive Director of Clinical Services for Luminar Health and Fullarton Clinic. She has over 25 years’ experience working in awide range of hospital and private health settings, including metropolitan and regional areas, and primary care. Leanne is a practising Nurse Practitioner, endorsed since 2009, working in her own primary care practice, and is a past President of The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners. She has set up and operated her own successful primary care clinic, specialist centre and general practice and has consulted ona wide range of greenfield and existing health related projects. Leanne's extensive experience working with Commonwealth and State Governments, Health Professionals, Professional Associations and key Stakeholders, with a focus on improving health care, and the role of the nurse practitioner.

Adrian Armitage

Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses

Adrian is the Chief Executive Officer for the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, representing 25,000 Mental Health Nurses nationally. ACMHN manages the Credentialed Mental Health Nurse register, collaborating with the Department of Health and Aging and relevant Ministers across Australia.Previously, Adrian led the Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA), overseeing 350 volunteers and engaging with organizations like the AMA and WHO. He spent over seven years at the Australian Computer Society (ACS), focusing on Federal Government engagement and serving on boards, including CSIRO and Google.Adrian also worked as the Global Marketing Manager for IELTS, managing 120 countries and over 500 test centers, growing annual tests from 500,000 to 1.4 million. He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and serves on multiple boards.

Jane Siebum

Chief Executive Officer, Freshcare

Jane’s commitment to exploring emerging technologies which help all Australian producers meet Freshcare certification. Supported through Jane’s leadership, Freshcare Certification Standards are now globally recognised in domestic and international supply chains as evidence that products are produced in a safe, sustainable manner. Jane is passionate about training and providing people with the knowledge and skills to achieve their best goals. Leading by example, Jane completed an MBA in 2016 at the Australian Institute of Business and continues to provide mentorship to business students at Macquarie University Sydney. As a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Jane is focused on best business practice and governance in all her leadership positions. A former rural business owner and President of Bowen Pastoral Agricultural Association, Jane’s diverse experience has given her empathetic insight into the valuable contribution farming families provide to regional communities and she is passionate about sharing these values throughout the fresh produce supply chain.

Greg Harford

Chief Executive, Canberra Business Chamber

Greg Harford is the Chief Executive of the Canberra Business Chamber, the peak body for business in the ACT. Previously, he was the Chief Executive of Retail NZ, the peak body for New Zealand’s retail sector, and brings a unique perspective of leadership across the associations sector in both countries. 

Gretchen Irvine

National Partnerships and Events Manager, Palliative Care Australia

Gretchen is the National Partnerships and Events Manager at Palliative Care Australia. Her career in event management, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement spans 30 years, across the for-purpose and government sectors. Gretchen’s expertise is in design and delivery of successful events that are more than just people coming together. A skilled communicator who creates and delivers challenging messages in an informative and engaging way, Gretchen firmly believes in the power of business events to bring about change, create legacy and deliver strategic outcomes. Driven by a passion for the events industry and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Gretchen dedicated to elevating standards and fostering growth. She is determined to leave a lasting impact, both through her work and by empowering emerging talents in the field with knowledge and opportunities for professional development. She loves that her work allows her to take a tiny idea and turn it into something that can make a positive difference in the world.

Helen Dehen

Director, Hydora Lane Communications

Helen Dehen is a communications strategist and writer working with non-profits, NGOs and government agencies. Prior to moving into communications, she was a TV journalist and producer for more than 15 years. She has worked at SBS World News, 7 News Sydney, the BBC in London, and Sky News. Helen began Hydora Lane Communications in 2023 and has worked with clients including Australia for UNHCR, the Green Building Council of Australia, and the national regulator for the VET Sector, ASQA.

Karyn Duance

Manager Professional Education, Speech Pathology Australia

Karyn Duance is a seasoned leader in continuing professional education, with over 15 years of experience across nonprofits, higher education, and associations, and delivering across multiple discipline areas. As the current driving force behind educational strategy and delivery at Speech Pathology Australia, Karyn manages a diverse portfolio that includes conferences, online learning, and podcasts.  Committed to excellence and customer service, Karyn's leadership fosters a culture of continuous professional development, advancing the careers of association members and redefining standards in the educational landscape.

Andrew Gosbell

Associations Advisor, Associations Forum

Andrew Gosbell (PhD, GAICD, BAppSc) is based in Melbourne and provides a range of advisory services for Associations Forum based on his broad experience in governance, change management, leadership development, government relations and policy development, risk management, strategic planning, negotiation and partnership development.
Andrew has over 15 years senior executive experience working in medical colleges and associations, including successful tenures as CEO of General Practice Registrars Australia and Deputy CEO at the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. He has a track record of working collaboratively with volunteers, association members and office bearers, and professional staff to successfully deliver a range of strategic initiatives at both national and state levels. He has well-developed networks in the health and associations sectors. Andrew also has governance experience as a non-executive director and currently holds a number of Board and Committee positions in the NFP and tertiary-education sectors.

Kathy Nguyen

Senior Lawyer, Governology

Kathy has extensive experience working with associations both nationally and in the Asia-Pacific, on association structure, operations and governance. She has reviewed hundreds of constitutions, and regularly presents to organisations on membership, governance and events. Kathy has worked for Associations Forum, the Governance Institute of Australia, Ernst & Young, the Trade Association Forum in London and for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Kathy holds Bachelors of Laws & Business.