HG Learning Sets

Paul Ingle is the Chief Executive Officer of HG. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he conducts senior executive and board recruitment assignments and facilitates HG’s Executive Learning Sets. Paul has been a Chief Executive in both the public and private sector for over 20 years, having worked in New Zealand, the UK and Australia. He brings a wealth of experience in supporting organisational leadership, reform, employee wellbeing, and cultural transformation. 

Christine Leahy is a seasoned executive Human Resources specialist with over 25 years of experience in prestigious national and international corporations. Armed with a Bachelor of Commerce, she has played pivotal roles in HR, aiding companies in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent, thereby enhancing organizational culture and business performance. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Christine conducts senior executive recruitment assignments and facilitates HG’s Executive Learning Sets.

Dr. John Wakefield is a highly accomplished and influential leader in the public healthcare system in Australia. With a distinguished career spanning various leadership roles in both clinical and executive capacities, he has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving patient safety, clinical quality, and health service management. As a respected medical professional, educator, researcher, John’s contributions have left a lasting impact on healthcare organizations at national and international levels.

Dr Kevin Snee has an extensive leadership and governance career spanning 30+ years in the UK and New Zealand. He is a public health physician and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. He is distinguished by his proven ability to lead organisations through complex transitions, including clinical and financial turnarounds.

David Price is the National Manager of HG New Zealand. He is an internationally experienced senior leader and healthcare innovator known for pioneering system design, co-design, and patient experience reform across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. 

With over 30 years’ experience in health and human services and working with government, Geoff has an extensive executive leadership background. Geoff facilitates a number of HG Executive Learning Sets and he designs and conducts leadership development programs for HG clients in the public and NFP sectors. In addition, Geoff works as an independent consultant in health and human services, providing management advisory services, particularly focused on policy and strategy in the public and not-for profit sectors.

Stephen Hunter has deep expertise in public sector corporate leadership and governance with particular policy knowledge and experience in agriculture, water, the environment, natural resource management and research governance. He has developed these skills over a lengthy and diverse career in government and the private sector including a decade as Deputy Secretary with three Australian.

Senior Health Executive with over 30 years as a Senior Manager and 20 of those years as a CEO across a range of Health providers and purchasers from Secondary/Tertiary providers with large rural and indigenous populations to major Quaternary Teaching facilities.

Kathryn Cook is a highly regarded leader committed to making a significant contribution to the health of individuals and communities by playing a key leadership role, supporting collaboration and cohesion, fostering innovation and quality, and ensuring a commitment to the most effective use of resources. Kath has over 40 years of leadership in the health sector. During that time, she has worked in a variety of settings, providing her with a diverse breadth and depth of experience. She is a skilled strategist, change agent and people leader.

Karen Roach has extensive experience as a senior executive in both public and private environments across Australia and New Zealand. She has been both a chief executive and chief operating officer, navigating public health, regulatory and community facing roles. Karen has experience across regional Queensland and understands medium large scale complex organisations.

Professor Gerry O’Callaghan is a distinguished intensivist and healthcare leader with extensive experience in medical services, clinical governance, and health system reform. He specialises in patient-centered care, interprofessional education, and policy development, driving improvements in healthcare efficiency and safety.

An experienced leader and BoardDirector in health, home andaged care, government policyand directions, and large-scaleprecinct infrastructuredevelopments. Alex commenced her psychiatrycareer as a Consultation andLiaison Psychiatry with aninterest in mood and anxietydisorders. In early 2021, shecompleted a two-yearappointment as a Commissionerto the Royal Commission intoVictoria’s Mental Health Systemwhich created a transformativevision for the mental healthservice system and continues toprovide advice to governmentand industry.

Fiona Michel has extensive executive leadership experience across public and private sectors, specialising in governance, transformation, and human resources. She has worked within technology, banking, insurance, health, and utilities sectors in New Zealand and internationally.

Fiona has led award-winning strategic change programs to deliver business, cultural, and workforce transformation, particularly within highly regulated organisations.

Felicity Topp is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 35 years of experience leading public health organisations. Known for her expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, and digital health, Felicity has a strong track record of driving cultural change, improving performance, and enhancing service delivery across complex health services.

Scott Williams is an accomplished healthcare executive and experienced board director with a career spanning over 30 years in health and community services across Australia and the UK. As CEO of Police Health Ltd, Scott leads one of Australia’s most trusted private health insurers. He brings deep expertise in governance, cultural reform, clinical excellence, and financial performance, supporting both executive and board leadership with vision and accountability.

Sabrina Walsh brings over 30 years of experience in senior leadership within the health industry, excelling in both operational and digital transformation roles.

Her strategic leadership has driven impactful reforms in health service management and digital health initiatives across multiple regions. Her expertise lies in strategic digital health planning, governance, and helping organisations optimise digital initiatives for better business outcomes.

With over 30 years’ experience across government, private and not-for-profit health care organisations, Karen brings to her consulting role a robust focus on strategy, governance, risk and organisational culture with a passion for helping leaders deliver with impact in dynamic and complex environments.

Karen has substantial executive-level operational experience with a number of large health care organisations, is a Fellow and Certified Health Executive with the Australasian College of Health Service Management and experienced non-executive Board Director.

Kate MacRae is a highly experienced Chief Executive Officer and Non-Executive Director with more than 30 years of leadership across the health, disability, and community sectors. She is recognised for leading large organisations through significant growth, reform, and transformation, with a strong focus on social impact, inclusion, and community outcomes.

Kate brings extensive executive and governance experience, having led major national organisations and served on multiple boards across the health and disability sectors. Her leadership is grounded in values-based decision making, stakeholder engagement, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for individuals and communities.

Maree Geraghty is a highly experienced health service executive with extensive leadership experience across large and complex healthcare organisations in Australia. She has held Chief Executive roles across major health services and brings deep expertise in health system operations, service delivery, organisational performance, and strategic transformation. She is known for leading large workforces and complex health systems while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centred care, quality, and service improvement.

Dr Mark Waters OAM is one of Australia’s most experienced healthcare executives, bringing more than four decades of leadership across public and private health services, government, clinical practice, and healthcare reform.

A medical practitioner by background, Mark has built an exceptional career leading large and complex health organisations, driving service transformation, workforce reform, clinical governance, and system-wide improvement.