The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is led by a visionary Executive Leadership Team and a highly experienced Board of Directors. Their combined expertise, passion, and dedication drive ACN’s mission to elevate the nursing profession and improve health care across Australia.

Board of Directors

ACN is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors, comprising Directors elected by ACN members and two independent Directors appointed by the Board. The Board oversees ACN’s corporate governance, growth, and alignment with our mission and constitution, guided by the ACN Governance Charter (available upon request from the Company Secretary).

David Plunkett

Adjunct Professor David Plunkett FACN GAICD MBA RN
President

Donna L Waters

Professor Donna L Waters FACN
Vice President

Professor Georgina Willetts FACN CMgr FIML
Board Director

Ross M Lewin B.Com CA F.FIN
Independent Director

Michael V Ryan B.Com LLB LLM
Independent Director

Adjunct Professor Chris Raftery FACN
Board Director

Kath Stein

Kath Stein FACN
Board Director

Sue Hawes

Adjunct Professor Sue Hawes FACN
Board Director

Heather Keighley BN, MIHM, FACN, FCRANA, GAICD 
Board Director

Executive

Our Executive team contributes a wealth of expertise, experience, passion, and unwavering commitment to passionately drive ACN’s direction.

Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz PhD FACN
Chief Executive Officer

Richard Goldman
Chief Financial Officer

Yvonne McKinlay FACN
National Director, Education

Karen Grace

Karen Grace MACN
National Director, Professional Practice

Governance and structure

ACN’s governance structure comprises various committees, Faculties, Regions, and expert groups, each playing a pivotal role in advancing nursing and health care through specialised focus and expertise.

The Academic Council supports ACN’s Board in academic governance, ensuring compliance with TEQSA standards through governance frameworks, quality oversight, benchmarking, and advising on academic matters.

The Finance Audit Risk and Investments Committee ensures compliance with regulatory and ethical standards in Australia for finance, audit, and business functions.

The Governance and Scholarship Committee advises on compliance with the constitution, policies, laws, and oversees scholarship awards to Members and Fellows for the Board.

ACN’s Faculties connect nurses who share similar areas of practice, providing updates on news, research, best practices, and policy developments relevant to their interests and fostering professional connections.

The list of Faculties can be found here.

ACN’s Regions enable members who are located in the same geographical area to network, discuss regional/state issues related to health and nursing, and facilitate CPD opportunities for members locally.

The list of Regions can be found here.

ACN has formed a number of expert groups to advocate and drive change on vital issues affecting nursing and health care.

Corporate documents

At the Australian College of Nursing our customers include our Fellows, Members, Students, Scholars, Affiliates, and the nursing profession of Australia.

Our Customer Experience Charter outlines our commitment to the nursing community and what you can expect from our dedicated team. It also sets out your responsibilities and how you can give us feedback on any aspect of our service.

View Customer Experience Charter