Australian Public Health Conference 2025

Professor Caroline Miller is the Director of the Health Policy Centre at SAHMRI. She is also an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow 2 at the University of Adelaide. Caroline is qualified in Psychology, Economics and Public Health. Caroline has specialised in preventive health for over 25 years. She was one of a select group of scientists advising the Australian Government on world-leading tobacco plain packaging laws. She established and leads the Tobacco Control Research & Evaluation program which undertakes population monitoring, research and evaluation in all aspects of tobacco control, including vaping. Caroline leads an NHMRC-funded program of public health research in obesity prevention, with a specialist focus on ultra-processed foods and beverages. She has specialist expertise in public health communication, social marketing and consumer labelling. She advises governments locally and internationally. Caroline is President of the Public Health Association of Australia, Board Member of Obesity Australia, member of the NHMRC – MRFF Public Health and Health Systems Committee and past Council Member of Australian New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS), and the Preventive Health SA Establishment Advisory Council.

Kate McBride is Associate Professor in Population Health at the School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, and holds an Honorary position at Charles Sturt University. As an epidemiologist and mixed methods researcher, Kate specialises in chronic disease prevention, with a particular focus on obesity as well as cancer screening. Kate works with policymakers, consumers, healthcare providers, and NGOs to facilitate translation of research into effective prevention strategies and system-level advocacy for improved health outcomes among people who experience inequitable outcomes. Kate is originally from the UK where she worked in operations in the private sector before she moved to Australia. She completed her Master of Public Health (Hons) and PhD (Epidemiology) through the University of Sydney and more recently her Grad Cert in Health Economics (Deakin University). She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, NSW Branch President of the Public Health Association of Australia and is a on the Council of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society.

Hannah is an Associate Professor in Public health at Health and Education Faculty and a senior researcher at the Centre for Healthy Sustainable Development, Torrens University Australia. Her research projects focus on inequities, inequality and accessibility among disadvantage populations, specifically culturally and linguistically diverse populations; non-communicable disease prevention; health behaviour; health service; digital health innovation; and climate change. Her dedicated contributions in these areas for more than a decade as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion and has been recognised by the 2024 Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award (Public Health Association of Australia).

Catherine is a public health academic with over 25 years’ experience in qualitative and mixed methods research focused on social determinants and their impact on health and access to health care. She is particularly interested in women’s experiences of managing risk and accessing preventative and treatment care for sexually transmitted diseases and domestic and family violence. Her current work examines Australian women’s access to pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in the context of eliminating transmission of HIV in Australia.

Andrea is a global One Health practitioner, and convenor of the One Health SIG within PHAA. As founder and director of Ultimate Efficacy Consulting Ltd she works at the human-animal-agriculture and ecosystem interface building capacity to tackle complex health challenges like preventing pandemics, antimicrobial resistance and food security. She has a strong background in Public Health, epidemiology, stakeholder engagement, policy development, zoonotic disease control, antimicrobial resistance, strengthening surveillance systems and laboratory capacity, and cross-sector emergency disease prevention, preparedness and response. With Agriculture, Veterinary Science and Public Health training and extensive international development experience and networks, she is keen to support operationalising One Health and building future One Health workforces.

Dr Summer May Finlay (CSCA, TAE, GC-EDHE, BSocSC, MPHA, and PhD)  is a Yorta Yorta woman and Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong. She has over 20 years of experience working in and with the tertiary sector, state and federal governments, and Indigenous organisations. Over the last 10 years, Finlay has established an extensive and unique research program in Indigenous health. Dr Finlay holds significant positions in key organisations including Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW Ethics Committee, and Chair of Thirrili, Australia’s only Indigenous suicide postvention organisation. Her previous roles include Co-Vice Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations Indigenous Working Group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vice President for the Public Health Association of Australia.

Zee is a proud Truwulway woman from Lutruwita (Tasmania) and a Project Coordinator within the First Nations Collective at PHAA. She is dedicated to advancing public health initiatives that center First Nations voices, advocating for policies that support holistic health and well-being. She also contributes to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), focusing on Traditional Medicines, and works as a research assistant at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University. Her research explores First Nations health, including eating disorders, palliative care, and caring for Country. Passionate about social and emotional well-being, she champions neurodiversity and the inclusion of First Peoples’ Cultural Medicines in mainstream healthcare. With a strong interest in public policy, she strives to influence systemic change that upholds the rights and well-being of First Nations communities.

Nadia Neal is a Wodi Wodi Dharawal woman from the five islands dreaming. As an academic at the University of Wollongong her teaching focus is primarily in Aboriginal health, racism and cultural determinants. Nadia also works within schools as a consultant and cultural educator reviewing and developing anti-racism policies, progressing school Reconciliation Action Plans and embedding First Nations culture and knowledges within schools.The driving force behind all of Nadia's work is one that is decolonising, justice orientated and centred around community. Ensuring our younger generations are continuing culture.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) from the University of South Australia, a Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion from La Trobe University, and a Master of Science (Research) from the University of Wollongong. With over 25 years of experience in health promotion, she has worked across the not-for-profit and government sectors in chronic disease prevention, community development, social and health policy, and advocacy. Kelly also spent 15 years as a researcher in the university sector, specializing in social marketing and public health research on topics including alcohol and junk food advertising, asthma self-management, organ and blood donation, mental health, and dementia. Currently, she is the CEO of Healthy Cities Illawarra, a regional not-for-profit charity established in 1987 as part of the World Health Organization’s Healthy Cities movement. She also serves as a Steering Committee Member of the Alliance for Healthy Cities, advocating for health equity through systemic change.

Tina has a strong interest in public health and health promotion, which led her to complete a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Public Health. She has used her skills and knowledge when volunteering in several non-government organisations to gain an understanding of ground-level public health and health promotion. Along with her background in general practice, specialists, and clinical trials, Tina now works as a policy officer at the Department of Health and Aged Care to help build better public health policies.

A trailblazer in global mental health, Tasdik merges digital innovation with advocacy to amplify marginalized voices. Recognized by Canada’s Mental Health Commission, he co-develops tools for Bangladesh’s deaf communities. With over 100 publications, he bridges research, mentorship, and policy to promote inclusive well-being. An award-winning advocate, he champions mental health equity for vulnerable populations worldwide.

Alecia Brooks is the Manager of the Tobacco Control Unit at Cancer Council NSW and Chair of Cancer Council Australia's Tobacco Issues Committee. The CCNSW unit collaborates to reduce tobacco impact through evidence-based policies and programs in NSW. Alecia has been working in cancer prevention for over 15 years and with two young children is passionate in creating and advocating for supportive environments and policy to create healthy lifestyles particularly for our younger generations. Alecia is dedicated to creating healthy lifestyles for younger generations, she has extensive experience in health promotion, leading public health campaigns and communications. For over 8 years, she led, managed, taught and presented on social marketing campaigns, contributing to the reputation of the Cancer Institute NSW as a leader in social marketing activity not only nationally but internationally. In her current role, Alecia focuses on numerous partnerships with government and academic partners, including the Generation Vape project and the nib foundation vaping cessation project for young people.

Mr Malcolm Baalman was appointed manager in January 2025. He was most recently the association's Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser. He has a diverse public policy background covering parliamentary and electoral matters, health, transport and infrastructure, and law.

Ms Anne Brown has been with the PHAA team since April 2011. Anne has over 30 years' experience in finance and administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Anne holds qualifications in finance, business administration, leadership and management. Anne is well known for her emphasis on teamwork and so-operation, and has recently completed a Master in Business Administration.

Cal has over 20 years of experience in events, gained in corporate, private, and non-profit organisations across London, Melbourne, and Brisbane. In January 2022 she completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences, majoring in public health, and thus brings both her academic and professional career experience to this role.

Anise joined the PHAA events team in 2023. She has over 20 years of experience working in events, facilitation and public policy, and more recently as an allied health practitioner. She has a passion for health, healing, and wellbeing, and supporting this sector’s many wonderful individuals and organisations in their endeavours.