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

Samantha Hunter
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.

Skye Cappuccio
Deputy Chair
Member, Finance and Audit Committee

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.

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.

Fiona Allen (Independent Director)
Member, Finance and Audit Committee

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. 

Dr Sarah Quinn
Member, Governance and Risk Committee

Dr Sara Quinn is President of the Australian Psychological Society, a Clinical Psychologist, a senior allied health leader with a PhD in Clinical Psychology from ANU, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She brings expertise in clinical reform, national health strategy, and policy, having led major programs in the Federal Government.

Actively engaged in research, supervision, and education, she ensures policy remains grounded in practice. Sara is a collaborative leader and advocate for the allied health workforce, committed to equitable, person-centred care and to supporting the vital role of allied health across Australia's healthcare system.

Hilary Shelton
Member, Governance and Risk Committee

Hilary Shelton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Podiatry Association. She has a diverse background in education, physical activity, sport, health, and marketing. Before joining the Australian Podiatry Association, Hilary served as the Acting CEO at School Sport Victoria and the CEO of The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) Victoria.

Hilary holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Biology and a Graduate Diploma in Education, which have been instrumental in shaping her leadership and strategic vision. Additionally, Hilary and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), further enhancing her governance and leadership capabilities.

Danielle Smith

Danielle Smith is the CEO of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), the national peak body representing over 10,000 university-qualified accredited professionals in exercise physiology, exercise science, sports science and high-performance managers who support Australians in achieving their health and performance goals.

Danielle brings more than 25 years of experience across diverse sectors including elite sport, major events, disability and inclusion, management consulting, consumer products, chartered accounting, and more recently, the allied health sector. Danielle is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors program (GAICD), a chartered accountant (CA) with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Monash University.

Headshot of Katherine Utry.

Katherine Utry

Katherine is an experienced health sector professional with extensive background across government, private health insurance, hospital and community settings. She is recognised as an accomplished leader who utilises vision, intellect, strategy and strong people skills to influence systems change through thought leadership, collaborative partnerships and capacity building.

Her clinical background in physiotherapy and insights from her postgraduate studies in public health consistently inform her role as General Manager of Policy and Government Relations for the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Katherine is also a Non-Executive Director of Sustain: the Australian Food Network.

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.