Karen Cook

Master of Ceremonies

A registered nurse for over 40 years Karen currently works in the Nursing Taskforce in the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care where her role includes providing strategic policy advice and stakeholder engagement.

Over her nursing career she has worked in many areas including as a surgical nurse, in aged care, hospital administration, regulation and policy. She has post graduate qualifications in Gerontological Nursing, Health Administration and Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Her previous roles include Senior Nursing Advisor to the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Nursing Advisor at Health Workforce Australia and CEO of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council – the precursor to ANMAC.

In her spare time Karen is a marriage and funeral celebrant, event MC, chorister, and grandmother.