Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz
Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Nursing (ACN)
Dr Kathryn Zeitz commenced as Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in September 2024, and is an accomplished and respected health executive, academic, researcher, and nursing leader committed to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes through patient-centred care.
Prior to this Kathryn was Deputy CEO, Central Adelaide Local Health Network with the portfolio of Clinical Governance, that saw the successful achievements of two accreditations. She has worked at St Vincent’s in Sydney and held operational leadership roles in mental health, diagnostics and medicine.
Dr Zeitz successfully completed her PhD thesis in clinical nursing at the University of Adelaide in 2003. She has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications from her research interests. Dr Zeitz is an Adjunct Professor at The University of Adelaide and an Adjunct Associate Professor with Flinders University.
Outside of her professional roles, Dr Zeitz’s community service includes a Life Membership of Variety SA and a long-standing volunteer and leader within St John Ambulance Australia, where she is currently a Board Director.
Debate Master Professor Saravana Kumar
Professor in Allied Health and Health Services Research
Professor Saravana Kumar is a leader in allied health research and education at the University of South Australia. With over two decades of academic and professional experience, Professor Kumar has made a significant impact through his teaching and research in evidence-based healthcare, focusing on enhancing the quality, safety, and effectiveness of allied health services.
Professor Kumar’s work is widely regarded for bridging the gap between research and practice, influencing both policy and clinical outcomes. His international standing is reflected in his ranking in the top 1% worldwide as an expert in allied health and evidence-based practice. While his research metrics are impressive—over 200 publications, 125+ presentations, ~AUD $8 million in funding, an H-index of 50, 9,128 citations, and numerous awards —what sets him apart is his solutions-focussed, industry-informed approach.
Professor Kumar’s research responds to real-world challenges from the frontline of allied health practice and policy, making it highly relevant, actionable, and translatable. He has supervised 19 higher degree research students to timely completion and helped grow supervisory capacity by involving novice researchers and providing training to develop their skills. Through these, he has helped shape the next generation of allied health research leaders.
Gabrielle Hummel
Director, Disability Policy and Reform, DHS
Gaby Hummel has worked in human services across the government and
non-government sectors for more than two decades. She has previously
led strategic projects and practice development at the SA Housing Trust,
supported the transition of state disability services through the rollout of
the NDIS, and managed member engagement and strategy at Australia’s
first public sector employee mutual, Kudos Services. As DHS Director
Disability Policy and Reform, Gaby is leading the development of the new
State Disability Inclusion Plan as well as activities across the national
disability reform program, the State Autism Strategy, and disability sector
engagement. Gaby has also worked with the Don Dunstan Foundation, a
thought-leadership organisation driving progressive social policy, and
currently sits on the Board of the Hutt Street Centre.
