On this page: Board of Directors | Executive Leadership Team | Governance and structure | Corporate documents
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is led by a visionary Executive Leadership Team and a highly experienced Board of Directors. Their combined expertise, passion, and dedication drive ACN’s mission to elevate the nursing profession and improve health care across Australia.
Board of Directors
ACN is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors, comprising Directors elected by ACN members and two independent Directors appointed by the Board. To Board oversees ACN’s corporate governance, growth, and alignment with our mission and constitution, guided by the ACN Governance Charter (available upon request from the Company Secretary).
Adjunct Professor David Plunkett FACN GAICD MBA RN
President
Professor Donna L Waters FACN
Vice President
Professor Georgina Willetts FACN CMgr FIML
Board Director
Ross M Lewin B.Com CA F.FIN
Independent Director
Michael V Ryan B.Com LLB LLM
Independent Director
Adjunct Professor Chris Raftery FACN
Board Director
Kath Stein FACN
Board Director
Adjunct Professor Sue Hawes FACN
Board Director
Heather Keighley MIHM FACN AFACHSM CHM
Board Director
Executive Leadership Team
Our Executive Leadership Team, consisting of a Chief Executive Officer and four National Directors, contributes a wealth of expertise, experience, passion, and unwavering commitment to passionately drive ACN’s direction.
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
Chief Executive Officer
Policy Reformer. Nurse. For-Purpose Leader. Equality Warrior. Adjunct Professor. Transformation Specialist.
Kylie is the CEO of Australian College of Nursing. She has led a program of transformation at ACN, which has now become Australia’s beacon for Nurse Leadership. She is a major policy influencer, advocate for women, children and equality.
Neil Haynes FACN (Hon)
Chief Operating Officer
Yvonne McKinlay FACN
National Director, Education
Karoline Dawe FACN (HON)
National Director, Partnerships
Karen Grace
National Director, Professional Practice
Governance and structure
ACN’s governance structure comprises various committees, Faculties, Regions, and expert groups, each playing a pivotal role in advancing nursing and health care through specialised focus and expertise.
The Academic Council supports ACN’s Board in academic governance, ensuring compliance with TEQSA standards through governance frameworks, quality oversight, benchmarking, and advising on academic matters.
The Finance Audit Risk and Investments Committee ensures compliance with regulatory and ethical standards in Australia for finance, audit, and business functions.
The Governance and Scholarship Committee advises on compliance with the constitution, policies, laws, and oversees scholarship awards to Members and Fellows for the Board.
ACN’s Faculties connect nurses who share similar areas of practice, providing updates on news, research, best practices, and policy developments relevant to their interests and fostering professional connections.
The list of Faculties can be found here.
ACN’s Regions enable members who are located in the same geographical area to network, discuss regional/state issues related to health and nursing, and facilitate CPD opportunities for members locally.
The list of Regions can be found here.
ACN has formed a number of expert groups to advocate and drive change on vital issues affecting nursing and health care.
Corporate documents
At the Australian College of Nursing our customers include our Fellows, Members, Students, Scholars, Affiliates, and the nursing profession of Australia.
Our Customer Experience Charter outlines our commitment to the nursing community and what you can expect from our dedicated team. It also sets out your responsibilities and how you can give us feedback on any aspect of our service.