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Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line, our national team of advocates is available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
1800 700 600

Senior Leadership Team

Craig Gear CEO

Craig Gear OAM

Chief Executive Officer

Craig Gear OAM was appointed CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network in 2018, after serving as its chairperson. Craig has extensive experience in health service management and health consulting and is responsible for leadership of the organisation’s Senior Leadership Team and supporting the implementation of OPAN Board’s strategic directions. 

Craig works to collaboratively with member CEO colleagues to enable a flourishing and dynamic network. He is also responsible for managing external government and stakeholder relationships.

Karen Doyle

Karen Doyle

Director Operations

Karen has worked with not-for-profits for over 25 years, with the past seven years in the community services sector.

Karen oversees internal operations of OPAN, including marketing, communications, learning and development, business operations, data and NACAP Expansion projects. She coordinates the implementation of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program and OPAN Board work plans and leads contract reporting, while supporting the CEO with network management, OPAN Board and governance committee operations.

Samantha Edmonds

Samantha Edmonds

Director, Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy

Sam has extensive knowledge and experience in policy, advocacy, human rights, and a strong commitment to inclusive aged care.

Sam is on the Board of the International Federation of Ageing, Chairs the DoHAC Diversity Consultative Committee and is a distinguished member of the Australian Association of Gerontology.

In her role, Sam ensures the consumer voice and the rights of older people remain at the centre of the work we do. She leads OPAN’s Policy and Systemic Advocacy Team, building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and developing responses to systemic issues through position papers, submissions and consultations. Sam also leads OPAN’s Policy and Systemic Advocacy Advisory Group.

Anna Harrington

Anna Harrington

Manager | Advocacy Practice

Anna has worked in the aged care sector for close to 20 years. Her experience includes working in policy and project positions within peak organisations representing both providers and professionals and as an Aged Care Advocate for OPAN’s Queensland Network Member, Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia.

Anna leads the Advocacy Practice Team in working towards nationally consistency and best practice in the delivery of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program.
Catherine Drinkwater

Catherine Drinkwater

Manager | Finance

Catherine is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience in financial management and reporting in the private sector and not-for-profit organisations.

Catherine leads the financial operations to ensure accurate and timely financial information and reporting to support decision making. She also oversees financial controls and governance practices, ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, audit, and funding contractual obligations.
Anita Martin

Anita Martin

Manager | Education Program

Anita is a Certified Practicing Project Director and has over 25 years of experience delivering programs and projects for government, private industry, and not-for-profit organisations.

Anita manages the OPAN Education Team, who are responsible for planning and delivering the education strategy, external education, diversity education and other Aged Care Provider education projects. These focus on providing high impact adult learning experiences for targeted external audiences to promote the rights of older people.
Diana Vizard

Diana Vizard

Manager | Communications and Engagement

Diana leads OPAN’s Marketing, Communications and Engagement team and manages the organisation’s relationship with key sector stakeholders and allied peaks.

She is responsible for the creation and implementation of OPAN’s Engagement Plan, which aims to increase the profile of the organisation, network members and the work we do. Diana also oversees production on OPAN webinars and other awareness-raising events.

Emily Cornes

Emily Cornes

Manager | Data and Technology

Emily leads the team responsible for improving the quality and consistency of the network’s data as well as its data analytics capabilities.

In her role, Emily leads the development and implementation of measures of advocacy outcomes to demonstrate the value and impact of OPAN’s advocacy work. She also oversees the strengthening of OPAN’s cyber security posture and is a key member of the Data Governance Steering Committee, Salesforce Community of Practice and Advocacy and the Operations and Practice Group.

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