Staff Profiles

Martin Laverty Chief Executive Officer

Martin Laverty commenced as CEO of Catholic Health Australia in May 2008.

Prior to joining CHA, Martin operated his own government policy consultancy advising clients in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates on policy change.

Trained as a lawyer with a Masters in Comparative Constitutional Laws, Martin commenced his career as a Parliamentary adviser in the NSW Parliament. He has worked as the CEO of the NSW Muscular Dystrophy Association, the head of Government at The Smith Family, the Director of Government Relations at the international public affairs consultancy Burson-Marsteller, and as the State Director of the NSW Liberal Party.

Martin is the Chairman of the National Heart Foundation (NSW), and the Chairman of Sunshine, a NSW not-for-profit organisation which provides accommodation, care, and employment to people with disabilities. Martin has also been Chairman of Challenge Southern Highlands, a charity providing supported employment for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Martin lives in southern NSW and is married with two young children.

Richard Gray Director of Aged Care Services

Appointed Director Aged Care Services with CHA in April 1996. In this role Richard represents the views of the owners and operators of Catholic aged care on Government consultative committees and to the relevant Federal Ministers. Board Member Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. Former Manager regional commercial TV station and General Manager commercial radio station in Melbourne.

Former CEO/Company Secretary, Spastic Society of Victoria Former National Executive Director, Aged Care Australia. Former Board member ACROD Ltd, Villaggio Sant’Antonio Ltd, Cerebral Palsy Overseas UK and former Chair of the Victorian Consultative Council on Rehabilitation.

Liz Callaghan Director Strategic Policy

Liz has joined CHA in the capacity of policy analyst. Most recently she was principal consultant for medical workforce issues in the South Australian Department of Health, where she was involved in a statewide review of health services. She has extensive experience in health workforce, acute services and capital planning, as well as rural health policy, safety and quality and community care.

Liz has qualifications in nursing, holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Graduate Diploma in Human Services Research, Monitoring and Evaluation and a Masters Degree in Policy and Management.

Patrick Tobin Director of Policy

Patrick joined the team in 2003 as Director of Policy for CHA. In this role, Patrick's work focusses on issues relating to health policy and finance, private health insurance, health system reform, quality and safety and critical infrastructure protection. Prior to joining CHA, Patrick worked for four years at the Australian Medical Association advising on health policy and finance issues. Patrick has also worked at a senior level in Government advising on workplace relations issues.

Patrick has qualifications in law and economics from Monash University.

Kylie Walker Communications Manager

Kylie Walker is Communications Manager for Catholic Health Australia, coordinating all media activities, publications and communication with members. Joining CHA in late 2008, Kylie brought to the role extensive experience in journalism and media liaison. She has worked as a senior media liaison and communications officer for the Australian Medical Association, and, as a Federal Press Gallery correspondent, covered national health and aged care politics for the newswire service Australian Associated Press. Before moving to Canberra, Kylie enjoyed writing about health and medical news as AAP's National Medical Correspondent. She has also covered industrial, financial and general news for AAP and ABC radio in Sydney, Perth, and a number of major regional centres.

Nick Mersiades Senior Advisor Aged Care

Nick has extensive experience in aged and health care, including 16 years in the Department of Health and Ageing. As well as roles as manager of the Department’s Queensland and New South Wales State Offices, Nick’s most recent role in the Department was as the First Assistant Secretary of the Ageing and Aged Care Division where he was responsible for the development of policy for, and management of, the Australian Government’s residential and community aged care programs. Prior to joining Catholic Health Australia as an aged care consultant in November 2008, Nick had been General Manager of Strategic Policy and Communications in Catholic Healthcare Ltd, the largest Catholic provider of aged care services in Australia.

Angela Zervos Meetings & Events Manager

Angela has been part of the CHA team for ten years, supporting staff in an administrative role. In July 2006 Angela was appointed as Meetings & Events Manager. She is responsible for the operation and management of the annual CHA National Conference as well as the organisation's other meetings and events including forums, seminars, educational events, special interest groups and committees. She is also responsible for the management of membership dues with calculations, processing and distribution of annual membership renewals.

Siobhan Tanzer Personal Assistant to CEO / Office Manager

Siobhan has been part of the CHA team for four years. Siobhan is responsible for two key areas: personal assistant to the CEO and office manager. Prior to coming to CHA Siobhan worked with TRAHCS (Training Health & Community Services) for eight years in the accounts department. Siobhan is married and has three sons and two daughters.

Deborah Reynolds Receptionist and Events Assistant

Deborah is responsible for the daily administrative functioning of the office, including secretarial support to the executive staff. This role is also responsible for assisting the Meetings and Events Manager in the preparation of functions.