Professor Karen Strickland is the Executive Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Edith Cowan University, Perth Western Australia, elected Chair of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand) and holds a current Ministerial appointment for the Board of the Western Australia Child and Adolescent Health Service. Professor Strickland is an experienced academic nurse leader with significant clinical, academic and research experience across the health, higher education, and social service sectors. Recognized as an expert in the field of cancer, palliative and aged care through various appointments. Professor Strickland holds a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) from University of Abertay, Scotland, a Master of Science (Nursing) from Manchester University, a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education from Edinburgh Napier University and a Doctor of Philosophy from Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and the European Academy of Nursing Science and member of the Australian College of Nursing.

Nicolette (Ngāpuhi, Te Hikutu, Te Māhurehure, Ngāti Pākau, Ngāti Rauwawe) has a PhD and Master of Public Health from the University of Auckland. She is a registered nurse with more than 40 years in clinical practice, research, and education. Nicolette is a member of the Massey University Academic Board and Māori Professoriate and was appointed the first associate dean equity in health at the University of Auckland. She has led or been co-investigator in more than 40 research projects, including recently leading a national study of general practice reporting on patient outcomes, especially for Māori and Pacific peoples, with researchers from three countries and five universities; she has over 100 publications. Nicolette has chaired government advisory groups, Health Research Council funding panels, been a member of the scientific committee for the World Congress on Integrated Care and a member of the Medical Deans (Australia & NZ) Education Committee on Inherent Requirements for medical education. She is an industry monitor for nursing programmes, including wānanga-based programmes and is a member of the NCNZ Education Advisory Group reviewing nursing education in Aotearoa.

Dr Kathleen Baird is a Professor of Midwifery and Head of School Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney. She has clinical and academic experience in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Her work includes contributions to teaching and learning, and educational innovation. Professor Baird conducts research focusing on models of midwifery care, perinatal mental health, birth trauma, and domestic and family violence. From 2016 to 2023, she served as Deputy Chair for the Queensland Death and Homicide Review Board and was a member of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council from 2016 to 2022. She is currently an executive member of the Australasian Nursing and Midwifery Clinical Trials Network, Co-Assistant Secretary General of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery, a Board member of the Council of Deans Nursing and Midwifery, Chair of the Midwifery Advisory Committee for the Council of Deans Nursing and Midwifery, and a Board member of ANMAC.

Lorraine Hetaraka is the Chief Nurse at the Ministry of Health, Manatū Hauora, where she leads national nursing policy, provides expert advice to government, and champions professional leadership for nurses across Aotearoa New Zealand. With a career spanning over two decades, Lorraine is widely recognised for her commitment to advancing Nursing practice and driving equitable health outcomes for all communities. Lorraine began her nursing career in 1997 as a RN in a dementia facility then secured the role as the first Māori new graduate at Tauranga Hospital. Her early experiences, shaped by her upbringing in a military family as well as witnessing health inequities within her whānau, and community inspired her lifelong dedication to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her career trajectory includes significant leadership roles: • Chief Executive of Te Arawa Whānau Ora, working with governmental, and Community agencies to support a collective of Māori providers to deliver integrated health and social services for vulnerable populations within Te Arawa. • Primary Care Nursing Leadership, including quality and safety, workforce development and implementing models care. She has extensive experience having worked at the National Hauora Coalition, ProCare Health, and Homecare Medical (now Whakarongorau), where she developed improvement programmes, delivered Education and lead innovative programmes for whānau wellbeing. • Associate Director of Nursing at Auckland District Health Board and the University of Auckland, where she championed workforce development for Māori nurses and led the Nursing Entry to Practice Programme (Primary Healthcare), Post Graduate and undergraduate support programmes and rangatahi-focused health career programmes. Lorraine holds a Master’s degree with first-class honours from the University of Auckland. Her thesis, He Ope Awhi, explored best practices for recruiting Māori new graduate nurses, leading to a successful pilot that saw the highest-ever employment of Māori graduates in primary care in Counties Manukau. Throughout her career, Lorraine has demonstrated expertise in strategic leadership, policy, governance, and workforce planning. She is committed to supporting and empowering nursing leadership, with a focus on ensuring equitable, culturally safe care for all New Zealanders. Lorraine is affiliated with Ngāti Kahu, Tapuika, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāiterangi, and Ngāti Ranginui. Her vision is to empower nurses to lead transformative action towards a healthier, more equitable future for Aotearoa New Zealand.

As the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison leads, influences, and collaborates in the development and implementation of policy and programs relating to nursing and midwifery, health and aged care systems, and workforce. Alison has been a Registered Nurse for more than 40 years, she has a Critical Care Nursing Certificate, a Bachelor Degree in Education, and a Master of Business Administration. Alison has held senior executive roles in government and health services within Victoria including the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience and Director of Health Emergency Management. She has received a number of awards including a Public Service Medal in June 2021 for outstanding public service to driving the Government's national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a National Emergency Medal in recognition of service following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires and, in 2021, a Humanitarian Overseas Medal.

Nadine has a proven track record of strategic leadership, clinical expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing Māori health outcomes. Her previous role was as Chief Nursing Officer at Māori Health Authority. The primary purpose of the National Chief Nurse role is to provide strong professional leadership for our highly valued nurses across the system, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality care. This includes developing and maintaining the nursing workforce as well as increasing the proportion of Māori and Pacific nurses. As a member of the National Clinical Leadership Team, Nadine will help ensure that clinical advice and expertise underpins our strategic decisions, especially for service design and delivery. Nadine’s previous experience includes roles as Clinical Chief Advisor Nursing at Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health, and as Māori Clinical Nurse Specialist in Cancer Care at Capital & Coast DHB, supporting whānau Māori in cancer care pathways. She holds a Master of Health Sciences with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Nursing and is currently an adjunct teaching fellow at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice at Victoria University of Wellington.