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Our Team
Emeritus Professor Joanne Gray AM
Board Chair, HESAEmeritus Professor Joanne Gray AM is an experienced academic leader and registered nurse and midwife, she has more than four decades of experience across clinical practice, higher education, research, governance and professional regulation.
Joanne held a wide range of senior leadership roles at the University of Technology Sydney, including Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, Acting Deputy Vice‑Chancellor Education and Students, Head of the Graduate School of Health, and Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Health. She was elected for three consecutive terms as Chair of the UTS Academic Board and served as an ex‑officio member of UTS Council. Her leadership was central to significant curriculum reform, academic quality and integrity initiatives, and large‑scale organisational change.
Joanne has been active in several governance roles including as Chair of the UTS Academic Board (2015-2020), 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 (2017-2020) and President and Director, Australian College of Midwives (2020-2023).
She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 for services to midwifery education and leadership.
Ian Frank AM
Board Director, HESAIan Frank is an experienced chief executive with expertise in strategic analysis, operational planning, implementation and management in health education and regulatory environments nationally and internationally. Formerly Chief Executive Officer Australian Medical Council (1991-2017) Ian has 30 years’ experience in the design and delivery of high stakes screening examinations for International Medical Graduates seeking registration in Australia. He has been involved in the development and implementation of major innovations in medical assessment, including computer-adaptive examinations, the application of advanced technology to high fidelity clinical assessment and the development of performance assessment tools, including work-place based assessment.
In relation to educational standards, Ian led the team at the AMC to produce the first accreditation program for basic (university) medical education in Australia and New Zealand and the development accreditation processes for specialist education and a national accreditation system for intern training in Australia. Innovations in medical education have included the establishment of 11 new medical courses in Australia, the development of multiple pathways leading to registration, including graduate entry and MD programs and the provision of Australian medical courses in the USA, Malaysia and India.
Karen Grace
Board Director, HESAKaren Grace 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, HESAElizabeth 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.
STAFF
Kath Baird
Executive Lead
e. kath.baird@hesa.com.au
Dr Lauren Bulfin
Program Director
e. lauren.bulfin@hesa.com.au
Dr Pammie Ellem
Associate Director
e. pammie.ellem@hesa.com.au
Taryn Simpson
Administration Officer
e. taryn.simpson@hesa.com.au
Jigar Shah
Company Secretary
e. jigar.shah@hesa.com.au