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Esteemed Presenters

Meet our presenters

At the ACN Institute of Leadership, we provide exceptional nurse leadership education. We connect you with experienced nursing professionals, mentors, and a supportive community to help transform your career.

Why learn from our presenters?

Access to expertise

Our presenters include some of the most respected leaders in nursing, offering insights and knowledge that can help you grow as a leader.

Mentorship and guidance

We believe in the power of mentorship. Our presenters are not just teachers; they are mentors who are committed to helping you succeed.

Community and support

Join a community of like-minded professionals who are passionate about nursing and leadership. Our programs offer opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.

Learn more about being a mentor in 2024

Meet our presenters

We are proud to feature a diverse group of nursing professionals who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our programs. See below our upcoming presenters, here to guide, mentor, and inspire you.

Adjunct Professor David Plunkett FACN

Chief Executive, Eastern Health Australia

Emeritus Professor Leanne Boyd FACN

Interim Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Nursing

Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan MACN

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Commonwealth Government Department of Health

Dr Jennifer Bichel-Findlay FACN

Honorary Associate, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney and Secretary and Director, Australasian Institute of Digital Health

Nalani Cox MACN

Program Manager (ADON) - Referral Strategy and Performance

Dr Lynette Cusack MACN

Outgoing Chair, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

Linda Davidson FACN

Former Executive Director Professional Practice, Australian College of Nursing

Adjunct Associate Professor Naomi Dobroff FACN

Interim Executive Director Digital Health, Monash Health

Dr Bernadette Eather FACN

Chief Nurse and Clinical Services Director and Head of Clinical Governance, Ramsay Health Care Australia

John Flannery

Director of Government Relations, Australian College of Nursing

Karen Grace MACN

National Director, Professional Practice, Australian College of Nursing

Paul Grimmond MACN

General Manager, Opal HealthCare

Peta Harbour MACN

Senior Nurse Advisor, Australian College of Nursing

Jennifer Harland MACN

Director Institute of Leadership, Australian College of Nursing

Associate Professor Bernie Harrison MACN (Assoc)

Associate Professor University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Director of the ACHS Improvement Academy

Adjunct Professor Sue Hawes FACN

General Manager, Operations for Healthdirect

Siobhan Hooper MACN

Senior Nurse Advisor, Australian College of Nursing

Mark Kearin FACN

Consultant, Nursing and Healthcare Management

Frances Rice MACN

Senior Nursing Advisor, Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Department of Health and Aged Care

Adjunct Associate Professor Jo Schlieff FACN

Director of Nursing and Midwifery Workforce, Eastern Health

Adjunct Professor Debra Thoms FACN DLF

Kath Stein FACN

Board Director, Australian College of Nursing

Karen Tuqiri FACN

Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Prince of Wales Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates FACN

Executive Dean, Queensland University of Technology

Hear from our past students

Ashlie

Crockett

NM
Hear my story

Stephanie

Rackemann

MACN
Hear my story

Claire

Rankin

MACN
Hear my story

Abi

Davis

MACN
Hear my story

Amy

Cowan

MACN
Hear my story

Rachel

Fishlock

MACN
Hear my story
Explore more student stories

This program has opened my eyes to a world of nursing I didn't know I existed. I have been exposed to many amazing opportunities and had the chance to network with my ENL peers and the nursing profession from all over Australia. I have felt embraced into this professional family and have found my passion and inspiration through completing this program.

Joceline

Turner

MACN

Whilst I knew the kind of leader I didn't want to be, I did not have a clear definition of the leader I aspired to become. This program helped me define that leadership philosophy.

Nike

Aina

MACN

Productive, interactive, challenging, inspiring, energetic. High calibre speakers delivered informative, engaging and entertaining presentations. The skills and strategies I have learnt during this program are invaluable to my current role, career progression and guide my part in promoting the profession of nursing.

Louise

Cook

What an amazing opportunity to think about nursing and nursing leadership for a week. I am so grateful for the international and national colleagues who were in the group who were so generous in sharing their knowledge and wisdom. The speakers were generous with their time and experience.

Vicki

Green

A excellent, enlightening, empowering and engaging program that encouraged self reflection. This was more than I could have asked for both personally and professionally. The course content encouraged participants to grasp the concepts provided and conceptualise the practical applications in our own fields.

Sarah-Kathleen

Colliss

I thought this was another leadership course but it wasn’t. The time, effort and eye for detail that has gone into curating the course is incredible. The speakers are so generous with their knowledge. I would definitely recommend this program to nurse leaders, this really enlightened me to the diverse contributions we can make as nurses across healthcare.

Alex

Slattery

See all Success Stories

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?

Apply now to join our programs and learn from the best in nursing.

Apply now

Become a mentor

A mentor is someone capable of guiding and supporting students, but at the Institute of Leadership, we are looking for mentors who are passionate about the next generation of nurse leaders.

We are looking for mentors who can help to transform nurse leadership to empower the profession to change how health care and systems are designed and delivered.

You will be a leader who is confident, who has experience and knowledge to support their expertise and who stays up-to-date with the latest research in the field.

Does that sound like you?

Apply today

Meet our mentors

Mentor 1

Mentor 2

Mentor 3

Mentor 4

Types of mentors

Throughout the program, each participant is supported by an experienced Research Mentor. Among others, mentors provide guidance for the development of a manuscript to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Prospective mentors are expected to demonstrate expertise and active engagement in the research field. Ideal candidates will meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Academic excellence: Holding a PhD
  • Proven research experience: A track record of research publications, project completions, and successful grant applications.
  • Active involvement in research, demonstrated by a recent or ongoing project.
  • At least two peer-reviewed journal publications in the last 12 months.
  • Commitment to mentoring: Ability to maintain regular meetings with mentee (e.g. every three/three weeks).

How to apply

Interested in making a difference?

Please express your interest by sending your CV along with an overview of your mentoring philosophy, expectations of the mentor-mentee partnership, and your capacity to commit to this role.

Submit your application to leadership@acn.edu.au by Friday 8 December 2023.

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