Meet our Team

Our strength is in the excellence of our people

We are a small and passionate team dedicated to helping you.

With a focus on our members and supporting the audiology profession, we work across the strategic priorities of member services, professional development, policy and advocacy, and marketing and communications.

Chief Executive Officer

Leanne Emerson

Chief executive Officer

Leanne has a background in Organisational and Applied Psychology & Counselling, and extensive leadership experience across the ‘for purpose’ sector. With a passion for balancing analytical with creative solutions, her career has focused on achieving improved health outcomes for the community. As AudA CEO, she brings a unique perspective to the role, drawing on 35 years of executive and senior management experience spanning strategic and service design, governance, innovation, education and accredited training, and leading large national teams. Previously Director of Services at Dementia Australia, Leanne has held many senior leadership roles at Dementia Australia and across the aged care sector.

Leadership team

Elissa Campbell

ADVOCACY AND POLICY MANAGER

Elissa has an extensive background working in health law and policy for a variety of not-for-profit organisations. As AudA’s Advocacy and Policy Manager, she is responsible for the development of policy documents on issues relevant to the audiology profession and hearing health care. Elissa is passionate about making a difference and using policy and advocacy to improve health outcomes for all Australians.

Alison Jack

Events and Education Manager

Alison brings over 20 years’ experience in the events industry to Audiology Australia, covering events from just 10 people to over 35,000 attendees. Dedicated to the non-profit space, she has been recognised at state and national level with accolades including National Cause Related Event of the Year, NSW Winner for Event Legacy and the National Event Manager of the Year in 2021.

David Rischbieth

Finance Manager

David is the chief number-cruncher at Audiology Australia which sees him manage all things finance, including budgeting, monthly management and board financial reporting, as well as annual financial statements. He brings over 30 years of finance experience to Audiology Australia, with past roles including research institutes, local government and professional associations.

Shudipta Saha

Membership Manager

Shudipta has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and an MBA. Prior to joining Audiology Australia she has had extensive experience working at The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Independent Schools Victoria, TNT logistics, etc. She is responsible for managing all aspects of the Membership, CPD program, Internship, Examinations, etc. and is very passionate about her role.

Laura Watson

Communications and Public Relations Manager

Laura is a Media and Communications specialist with proven success driving high impact integrated digital and print campaigns and building brands including within the not-for-profit, government, education, and health sectors. A content and PR strategist, before joining AudA she led national and international media engagement and communications for the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute including Choose Maths and the APR.Intern program.

Sarah Cole

Events and Education Manager (On Maternity Leave)

Sarah has over ten years’ experience in event management, working alongside many associations before joining Audiology Australia in 2019. She is responsible for managing the overall education and events program delivered by Audiology Australia and is passionate about creating experiences that help upskill and support the profession.

Staff

Georgie Bodman

Standards and Competencies Manager

Georgie manages various projects to develop or review standards and competencies, including those within accreditation of the Masters programs in audiology, within the Clinical Internship and those being developed for the audiology profession more widely. She has previously worked with a registered profession in reviewing their standards and competencies, and has a background in education in a variety of contexts.

Nicole Chai

Membership and Internship Officer

Nicole joins the team with extensive administration support experience, working in Membership and Student services. At Audiology Australia, she is responsible for managing the lifecycle of each internship, processing CPD for endorsed programs and assisting in membership related enquiries. Nicole is passionate about supporting members to achieve their professional goals, gaining their accreditation and maintaining their accreditation requirements.

Chris Edmonds

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Project Officer

Chris’s role is to support the development and delivery of AudA’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Over the past ten years Chris has worked in the primary health sector to improve access and health outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Chris is committed to reconciliation and improving the health inequality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous Australians.

Cynthia Estibeiro-Rathod

Standards and Competencies Officer

Cynthia provides support on a range of projects related to review of standards and competencies, university accreditation and committee work, ensuring to promote best practices for the profession. Her past experience includes working with accreditation councils and universities. She is passionate to create a positive impact on the organisation and its stakeholders.

Daniel Jauk

Communications Officer

Daniel is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional and a Bachelor of Arts graduate, with ten years’ communications and marketing experience. He delivers a variety of member communications and manages the Career Connect job portal. Daniel is passionate about connecting with members and partners, and raising awareness of hearing care.

Paul Manning

Project Manager

Paul has significant experience as an Executive Manager of various organisations, including managing multiple projects and deliverables. He has a passion for driving change with the goal of improving business processes, automation and customer service.

Angela Marshall

CPD Endorsement Officer

Angela lectured in Audiology at the University of Melbourne for more than 35 years before joining the Audiology Australia team in 2015. Her current role mainly involves member services administration relating to CPD endorsement. Angela strives to ensure that members have access to a wide range of high-quality professional development activities.

Megan O’Rorke

Events Officer

Megan is responsible for the delivery of Audiology Australia’s chapter events and webinars. With a Bachelor’s degree in Event Management and experience coordinating a range of events, Megan thrives on working behind the scenes to deliver enriching and valuable events for members.

Stacey Rocco

Sponsorship and Event Officer

Stacey has extensive events and marketing experience in membership and not-for-profit organisations. She has a Bachelor of Business majoring in marketing and advertising and works in the events and education team to coordinate event partnership opportunities and chapter events. Stacey enjoys connecting with people and looks forward to welcoming you at our next event.

Sejal Shah

Accounts and Payroll Officer

Sejal is responsible for accounts payable, receivable and payroll. Sejal has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Commerce and has worked in various sales, marketing and communications roles, before changing her focus to accounts and payroll.

Jenny Smith

Editorial Manager

Jenny began working for Audiology Australia in 2006, before taking an international role based in Denmark. Upon her return to Australia in 2013, Jenny found her way back to Audiology Australia and re-engaged with members on local issues as editor of Audiology Now. Jenny loves crafting words and continuing to learn and grow professionally, even after 40 years in the audiology profession.

Feiya Zhang

Policy Officer

Feiya worked in the Australian Government Department of Health prior to joining the Audiology Australia team in 2019. Her current role includes preparing submissions to government on a range of issues to support the audiology profession and hearing health care in Australia. Feiya holds a Bachelor of Medical Science and has a long-standing interest in the areas of health and technology.

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Meet our Board

The Audiology Australia Board of Directors sets our mission, vision, values and strategic direction.

Learn about the Board