Nurse Executive Leadership Program and Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program participants during the June 2021 masterclasses
Participants of the Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) Nurse Executive Leadership Program commencing in October 2021 will have the opportunity to learn from some of the brightest executive minds in the Australian health care system.
The program is the only of its kind in Australia and will develop those in, or those aspiring to, nurse executive roles with the capabilities required to meet the future social, political and economic challenges in health and aged care.
The program is structured to meet the requirements of the Nurse Executive Capability Framework and supports participants to navigate the current health care landscape and strengthen their knowledge and influence in their existing and future roles.
To learn more about the high-calibre speaker lineup for the October 2021 masterclass, check-out the speaker bios below.
Head to the Nurse Executive Leadership Program page to find out more or apply now to secure one of the limited places for the October 2021 program intake.
Professor Christine Duffield FACN
Christine Duffield FACN is an internationally renowned nurse who has worked tirelessly across direct care, consultancy, academia, research and in leadership roles to spearhead the advancement of the nursing profession in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and Australia for over 40 years. She is a Professor of Nursing and Health Services Management at Edith Cowan University, Perth; Emeritus Professor University of Technology Sydney and President/Chair Australian College of Nursing. Learn more about Professor Duffield on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN is a renowned leader and a passionate CEO who has shaped the Australian College of Nursing to become a prominent and influential professional organisation. As well as leading a strong and collective voice for the nursing profession to improve patient outcomes and the social determinants of health for all Australians, Kylie is also driven to improve gender equality and diversity as well as promoting the importance of women in leadership roles both nationally and internationally. Learn more about Adjunct Professor Ward on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Professor Mary Chiarella AM FACN
Professor Mary Chiarella’s AM FACN career spans 40 years both in the United Kingdom and Australia. She is Professor Emerita, Susan Wakil School of Nursing at the University of Sydney. In 2003/04 she was the Chief Nursing Officer, NSW Health Department and prior to that was the Foundation Professor of Nursing in Corrections Health, with the University of Technology, Sydney. Learn more about Professor Chiarella on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN
Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN is the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS), Australia’s largest hospital and health service, Board Member of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Foundation and Deputy Chair of the RBWH Alumni. Alanna has been the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, MNHHS for six years, during four of these years she held the role of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and Director of Nursing RBWH. Learn more about Adjunct Professor Geary on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Mark Kearin FACN
Mark Kearin FACN is the Manager, Membership Organising Team at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and has over 25 years’ experience in senior nursing and heath executive roles in major health services in New South Wales and Queensland. Mark is also a Non-Executive Director on the Nurses and Midwives Health Insurance Board and a Council Member of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Learn more about Mark Kearin on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Professor Leanne Boyd MACN
Professor Leanne Boyd MACN joined the Eastern Health Executive as Executive Director Learning and Teaching / Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) in November 2019. Prior to this appointment she was Group Executive Director of Clinical Education, Research and Nursing at Cabrini. She has a clinical background in critical care and over 30 years’ experience in health professional education. Learn more about Professor Boyd on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan MACN
Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan MACN was appointed the Commonwealth Government Department of Health’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in November 2019. A registered nurse, she holds a Bachelor Degree in Education, a Master of Business Administration and in 2009 received a National Emergency Medal in recognition of service following the Victorian Bushfires. Learn more about Adjunct Professor (Practice) McMillan by visiting our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Deb Pittam MACN
Deb Pittam MACN has been a nurse for more than 30 years and specialises in the areas of community health, sexual health, population health, health promotion, custodial health, practice development and leadership and leadership development. Her passions include women’s health, women in leadership and wellbeing at work. Learn more about Deb Pittam on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Angela Ryan MACN
Angela Ryan MACN is the Australian Digital Health Agency’s Chief Clinical Information Officer and General Manager, Workforce & Education. Angela is a clinical leadership and health informatics professional with 30 years’ experience in hospitals and public sector organisations and more than two decades’ experience as a paediatric and adult intensive care nurse. Learn more about Angela Ryan on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Glenys Beauchamp PSM
Glenys Beauchamp PSM has had more than 35 years’ experience in the public service – more than 20 years in the Australian Public Service and about 13 years in the ACT Public Service. She was Secretary in the Australian Public Service for nearly 10 years, leading three departments with a variety of functions. She established and led the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport following the 2010 Federal election and later headed up the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the Department of Health. Learn more about Glenys Beauchamp on our Nurse Executive Leadership Program Speaker Page.

Secure your spot in the Nurse Executive Leadership Program
If you would like to have the unique opportunity to receive direct access to these high-profile thought leaders during a five-day face-to-face masterclass, followed by learning sets and mentoring with C-Suite Executives, apply now to secure one of our limited places for the 2021 program intake.
NOTE: This article has been edited to reflect changes to the speaker line-up.