1:30min
Kirsty Machon
______________________________
By Sandra Shaw
National Communications Manager
The national board of Optometry Australia has appointed Kirsty Machon to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer while the recruitment of a CEO is underway.
Kirsty will be familiar to Victorian members as former Policy and Member Services Manager at Optometry Victoria, a role she held from 2007 until 2015. She has a background as a journalist and health policy analyst, and has worked extensively on professional and consumer health issues.
She has served on the national Governing Committee of the Consumers Health Forum, and was the first female president of the Victorian AIDS Council. Kirsty has since worked as a consultant on projects in mental health and post- and antenatal depression, while completing doctoral studies in the history and philosophy of science.
She has been Acting National Policy Manager of Optometry Australia since May 2016.
National Marketing and Brand Manager, Kerry I’Anson, has also become Acting Chief Operations Officer.
Kerry has been with Optometry Australia since November 2013. She played an integral role in recalibrating the organisation’s business strategy to lead, engage and promote optometry, optometrists and community eye health, achieving this through the rebranding of the federated organisation in 2014.
Kerry delivered the marketing strategy which led to the launch of the Good vision for life campaign, and finalised a membership strategy which identifies challenges and opportunities the organisation faces within a rapidly changing business environment.
Prior to Optometry Australia, Kerry was the CEO of Daylesford & Macedon Ranges Regional Tourism Board.
The National President of Optometry Australia, Andrew Hogan said: ‘The National Board is pleased that Kirsty Machon can step into the role, ably assisted by Kerry I’Anson and other staff members who have also taken on additional responsibilities in the interim.
‘The recruitment of a new CEO is well underway. Under Kirsty’s guidance, we are confident that Optometry Australia can continue to service its members and lead the profession until a permanent appointment is made.’