ACO appoints Kylie Harris as Director of Operations

Kylie Harris has been appointed the Director of Operations at the Australian College of Optometry (ACO).

She is the successful candidate following an extensive recruitment process which included an international field of exceptionally high-calibre candidates.

Kylie has held numerous leadership positions throughout her remarkable career. From 2016 to 2020, she served on the Optometry Australia board, during which she was appointed Deputy President in 2018. Prior to her term at Optometry Australia, Kylie served two separate terms on the Optometry Victoria board, and notably held the position of President for the state organisation from 2013 to 2016. She currently holds the position of Sight for All Vice Chair.

In this new role, Kylie will lead and support ACO staff in the development of sustainable, progressive operating models which ensure the efficient running of the organisation. Her broad portfolio of responsibilities includes the ACO’s clinical networks, facilities, infrastructure, procurement, IT and organisation risk.

Kylie joins the ACO with extensive, broad-based experience in eye health. Following 15 years as a clinical optometrist, she transitioned into senior and executive roles in business development, operations, and communications with Vision Group Holdings, Ortho Group Limited, Vision Eye Institute and, most recently, Nexus Hospitals.

Kylie is respected for her collegiality, acumen, sector knowledge, project management skills, clinical experience and patient focus. She is well known for her capacity to enhance positive workplace cultures. These attributes and skills, combined with a genuine commitment to transparency and excellence, show her to be an ideal match for this challenging, critical role.

Kylie’s appointment completes the recruitment of the reimagined ACO Executive Team, following the confirmation of Tim Fricke as the ACO’s new Director of Research and Education in June. Tim will work to drive success within the reimagined research, education, teaching and training functions of the ACO and NVRI.

Tim and Kylie will join existing staff members Renaldo Tomasiello (CFO) and Chelsey Seamer (General Manager of People and Culture) on the Executive Team, while Pete Haydon continues as CEO.