Board of Directors

• ANMAC Member organisations:
  • Australian College of Midwives (ACM)
  • Australian College of Nursing (ACN)
  • Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
  • Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM)
  • Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand) (CDNM)
• ANMAC's Board of Directors consists of:

      (a)  up to five (5) Member Nominated Directors; and

      (b)  up to four (4) Appointed Directors appointed

and the Company intends that the Board, to the extent possible, includes:

      (a)  at least two (2) Registered Nurses;

      (b)  at least two (2) Midwives; and

      (c)  at least two (2) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons. 

and will comprise a majority of Practitioners (defined as an RN, EN or Midwife).

The ANMAC Director Selection and Appointment process follows best governance practices and the Corporations Act, guided by the ANMAC Board Skills and Diversity Matrix to ensure a diverse range of skills and expertise.

Professor Roianne West - Chair 

PhD, MMHN, RN BN, PFHEA, GAICD 

Roianne West is a descendent of the Kalkadunga and Djkunde Peoples. A strategy and leadership consultant with over 25 years’ experience in Aboriginal Health Nursing and Midwifery 15 years of which have been in Executive leadership positions at local, state and national levels. Roianne West is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Consulting.

Roianne West holds a PhD which developed a model of excellence to increase Aboriginal Nurses Nationally and is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in recognition of her distinguishable contribution and achievement of significant influence and enhancement of learning and teaching in higher education through the promotion of professional standards.

Professor Joanne Gray - Deputy Chair

RM, RN, PhD, FACM

Professor Joanne Gray is a leading midwifery academic, and she has been involved in midwifery education in the higher education sector for many years. Joanne’s current role is Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Joanne has worked as a midwife in both rural and metropolitan New South Wales and has played a key role in the development and implementation of midwifery curricula, including the first distance education midwifery program for Registered Nurses (Charles Sturt University, 1990) and the first Bachelor of Midwifery to be offered in NSW (UTS, 2005). Joanne has had several academic leadership positions including as Director of Studies and Course Coordinator for the Graduate Diploma and Bachelor of Midwifery programs and as Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Health at UTS. Joanne has been active in several governance roles including as Chair of the UTS Academic Board (2015-20), as a member and then Chair, Midwifery Accreditation Committee with ANMAC, as a health practitioner member of the NSW Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (2017 – 20) and President and Director, Australian College of Midwives (2020 – 23). 

Deb Blow - Board Director

RN, BN, Grad Dip Crit Care, Grad Dip FET, GAICD

Deb Blow has worked in the health industry for over 35 years.  Over this time, Deb worked as an aged care worker before going on to become an Enrolled Nurse and then a Registered Nurse. Deb has worked in a diverse range of areas including; aged care, surgical, emergency, peri-operative and critical care in public, private and rural / remote settings prior to transitioning to the university and then VET sector.

Deb is the Director of Faculty and Executive leader in Health and Nursing with TAFE Queensland. Her expertise and focus has been on supporting organisations ‘grow their own workforce’ through tailored delivery partnerships. As the Product Lead for delivery of Health and Nursing Training across TAFE Queensland, Deb oversees the development and management of TAFE Queensland Master Product.

Deb holds roles on National committees such as the Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Reference Group, established to provide comment and advice to the Department of Health and the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO); and the National Enrolled Nurse Advisory Council (NENAC), a peak body representing the TAFE Sector within Australia.  Deb has also represented TAFE Directors Australia in Commonwealth appointed expert advisory groups in the health, aged care and nursing industry.

Deb is the recipient for the 2020 National Achievement Award through the Australian Training Awards. 

Annie Butler - Board Director

RN, BSc, MSc

Annie Butler is the Federal Secretary for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Annie was formally appointed to the role in June 2018, having served as the Assistant Federal Secretary since March 2014, and following years of experience in the clinical, professional and industrial areas of nursing.

Annie is a Registered Nurse with more than a decade’s experience working in public hospitals, the community and on health education projects, and a further decade working in research and education.

She worked for the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association, for a further decade, as a professional officer, organiser and lead organiser, prior to moving to the national position of Assistant Federal Secretary and now holding the position of Federal Secretary.

Annie believes that we must fight to maintain the professions of nursing and midwifery in Australia and ensure their advancement. She is passionate about improving Australia’s system of health and aged care and the critical role nurses and midwives have to play in the future of our health system. Annie is particularly keen to see nurses drive change for improvements in Australia’s aged care sector. 

Aswin Kumar - Board Director

CA, CIA, CISA, GAICD

Aswin is a seasoned financial and audit expert with expertise in the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) space, bringing 25 years of experience and thought leadership to the boardroom. With a proven track record of driving innovation and best practices in GRC, he is dedicated to guiding organizations towards sustainable growth and resilience in today's complex business environment.

Aswin is a chartered accountant, a Graduate AICD, and a certified internal and information systems auditor. His professional career spans three continents, and he brings his wealth of international and cross-cultural experience to his role as Chair/member of Audit and Risk Committees and Boards.

Aswin has had an illustrious career as Director of an International professional accounting firm for over 10 years and excelled as an International Quality Assurance reviewer for the firm across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. His earlier roles were as Head of Finance for a listed group, international banking, and consulting in the GRC space for many iconic Australian organisations in the health, NFP, government, and local government sectors.

Aswin has a proven track record of working collaboratively with senior management and board members to establish effective governance frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and ethical practices. Aswin is passionate about improving governance and risk culture in organisations and the opportunity to contribute to the board and the organisation's success. He leverages his skills and experience to help identify opportunities for growth, manage risks effectively, and enhance stakeholder value.

Aswin brings his unique perspectives and depth of knowledge in finance and GRC to the boardroom. His strategic oversight and commitment to sound governance principles ensure that the organisations remain resilient in the face of evolving risks and challenges. 

Professor Kathleen Baird - Board Director

RM, PhD, MA Ed, Grad Dip HE, BSc (Hons), HDE, SFHEA  

Dr. Kathleen Baird is the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney. With an impressive career spanning both the United Kingdom and Australia, Dr. Baird has established herself as a leader in midwifery and education. Her dedication to excellence in education is recognised by her a Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Authority (SFHEA). Over the years, she has collaborated with notable government organisations like the UK’s Home Office and the Department of Health, as well as key professional bodies such as the UK Royal College of Midwives and the Australian College of Midwives.

Professor Baird’s expertise in research and policy, has been by her Premier appointments as Deputy Chair for the Queensland Death and Homicide Review Board and as a key member of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council (2016–2023). In addition, Professor Baird was a member of the ANMAC Midwifery Accreditation Committee, serving as a member and later Chair (2020–2023)

Professor Baird holds several academic and policy key roles, including Chair of the Midwifery Advisory Group and Board Member for the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, Co-Assistant Secretary General of the Global Network of World Health Organisation Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery and Executive member of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Clinical Trials Network.

Reece Griffin - Board Director

BN, GradDipPubHlth, Dip Ldrshp & Mgt, DipATSIPriHlthCare 

Reece Griffin is a dedicated and experienced Registered Nurse with a strong background in clinical management and public health. With a Diploma of Leadership and Management, a Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, and a Graduate Diploma of Public Health, Reece has extensive experience overseeing two medical centres that serve a diverse and vibrant community. Reece is responsible for leading doctors, nurses, midwives, social workers, allied health specialists, and administrative staff in delivering high-quality, culturally appropriate care.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, Reece is deeply involved in community engagement initiatives, including organising events like Men's Health Day, 715 Health Assessment Days and, promoting health awareness, and improving facilities for community use. Passionate about education and mentorship, Reece also contributes to higher education as a trainer, tutor, and research collaborator, supporting the development of future healthcare professionals.

An Aboriginal man from Awabakal country on his mother’s side, Reece brings a valuable perspective on Indigenous health to every role. He is committed to improving health outcomes, fostering cultural safety in healthcare, and serving as an advocate for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. 

Karen Grace - Board Director

RN, RM, BHSc, MHA, MACN, GAICD

Karen Grace is the National Director of Professional Practice at the Australian College of Nursing.  She is a Registered Nurse and Midwife with forty years’ experience in healthcare.  She holds a Master of Health Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Karen has extensive healthcare leadership experience in executive roles, including as interim Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer of the ACT in 2019.  She has led the development of new infrastructure, innovative new services, contemporary models of care, and systems innovation across a broad range of settings and is passionate about the significant role nurses and midwives play in the delivery of high-quality healthcare.    

She is committed to supporting the future of the nursing profession through a focus on policy, influence, and advocacy.  She believes that there is a need for strong nursing leadership at every decision-making table and is committed to supporting the profession to achieve this.     

Elizabeth Grinston - Board Director

BA, LLB, GAICD

Elizabeth is an accomplished, highly experienced commercial and litigation lawyer who has held Executive, Board and Board Committee roles in very diverse, complex organisations. Elizabeth’s legal career spans senior private practice roles, including as a partner of Freehills (now Herbert Smith Freehills) and Special Counsel at Gilbert + Tobin,  Federal and State Tribunal appointments and General Counsel roles. Elizabeth has worked extensively within the Commonwealth governance, performance and accountability environment through her roles as General Counsel of two Commonwealth corporate entities. Currently, Elizabeth is a Senior Member of the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal.

Elizabeth has significant expertise in governance, risk and compliance, coupled with extensive experience of decision-making and advising in highly regulated service delivery environments including medical research and clinical services, disability support, financial services, and aviation.   Through her role as General Counsel of the University of New South Wales, Elizabeth gained a deep understanding of the higher education environment including as it relates to the delivery of medical and allied health education programs, accreditation processes, academic assessment and integrity mechanisms.

In addition to her role on the ANMAC Board,  Elizabeth is currently a non-executive Director of OXFAM Australia, Black Dog Institute and Woodville Alliance.  Elizabeth is also a member of the Human Research Ethics Committee of Family Planning Australia.  

Board Committees

Technical Advisory Committees