The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chair and three new directors to the NAC Board, following a number of previous Board members serving for a maximum fixed term.
National Asthma Council Australia CEO Rhonda Cleveland said all bring vast experience and exciting ideas for the future of the NAC.
“They will be joining a dedicated board, supported by a team of expert committees, networks and staff that together contribute to the achievement of the NAC’s mission,” she said.
The new appointments include:
Chair – Ms Janelle Reid BComm (Finance), BLaws(Hons), GAICD
Independent Director
Janelle is an accomplished governance and legal leader with over 15 years’ experience across national health, legal and community sectors.
Former General Counsel for a $1.2 billion Commonwealth statutory corporation and with a decade at top-tier law firm Clayton Utz, Janelle offers deep expertise in governance, risk and regulatory compliance. She has served on high-profile boards including Palliative Care Australia, Youturn (Headspace), Meals on Wheels, Little Athletics Australia and more.
Across these roles, she had board-level responsibility for the development of national clinical standards, strengthening clinical governance and quality systems supporting patient services and guiding digital transformation and risk frameworks in regulated health environments. Janelle is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also holds executive certifications from Harvard University and Oxford.
Ms Mia Dhillon BScN, GradCertComm, MPA
Nominee Director
Mia’s professional experience spans over two decades in the health industries of Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, with a strong emphasis on the primary health care sector. She has held senior and executive level positions in not-for-profit organisations and professional associations, with a focus on data-driven health systems transformation.
Mia brings governance and strategic oversight experience, having guided multi-million dollar national and state-level initiatives, shaped policy and fostered partnerships to achieve organisational objectives. Her clinical nursing background and academic qualifications in clinical, business and management studies informs her decision-making, understanding of complex systems and commercial acumen.
Dr Amanda Cross BPharm(Hons), GradCert (PharmPrac), PhD, GAICD, FPS CredPharm (MMR)
Nominee Director
Amanda is a clinical pharmacist and senior research fellow at the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University. She has clinical and research experience across a range of diverse practice settings, including community pharmacy, medication reviews and aged care.
She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a current national board director for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Mr Zion Shane Abatayo FGIA, FRM, CPRM, MAICD, PGDip Mgmt Independent Director
Zion is an experienced risk and investments advisory professional. His experience spans financial risk, compliance, and operational risk management across a diverse range of industries, including financial services, energy transition, entertainment, and the non-profit sector.
He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), a Chartered Financial Risk Manager (FRM), and a Certified Practicing Risk Manager (CPRM). In addition to his role on the NAC Board, Zion is a member of the Board Finance, Risk, and Investment Committee for Western Chances.
Ms Cleveland said, “On behalf of the NAC, I am delighted to welcome our new board members and we are looking forward to them joining us for what will be an exceptional year ahead.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to NAC Board members who are stepping down from their years of dedication, contribution and commitment to the NAC.
“Immense gratitude goes to Board Chair Dr Joanna Wriedt who served on the NAC Board for 12 years, first as a director and then Chair. Dr Wriedt has been instrumental in the NAC’s strategic direction, providing exceptional leadership and guidance over the years.
We also want to express our deepest thanks to Julianne Badenoch, who served as the nominee director on behalf of APNA for 12 years, as well as Mr Rob Farrier, who served as the nominee director on behalf of PSA for six years and Ben Gargett, who served as an independent director with the NAC for two years,” she said.
For further information or an interview with a NAC spokesperson, please contact: Donna Le Page, Le Page PR, Mobile: 0429 825 703 or Email: [email protected]
About the NAC Board
The National Asthma Council Australia is a collaboration of four member organisations, representatives of which comprise the NAC Board alongside our independent directors. We are able to carry out our important work thanks to the generosity of our board, member organisations, advisory groups and committees and other valued supporters. The NAC's four member organisations are:
Read about our board members and member organisations.
