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Our Staff

The Secretariat at the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) is responsible for delivering the Board's strategic priorities and is dedicated to working proactively and constructively with governments, industry, community groups and the media to improve appreciation of the contribution of, and issues faced by, private hospitals across Australia.

Brett Heffernan

Brett was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the APHA in October 2024. Previously he was CEO at Gas Energy Australia over 2022-24, where he was also a Board member of the Australian Gas Industry Trust.

Over 2020-22 he consulted with various groups to assist in bringing together their government relations, media and communications, membership and third-party advocacy agendas.

From 2017-20 Brett was CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia, as well as a Director of the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code and a Council Member of Alcohol Beverages Australia. He was Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code during 2017-18. In November 2019, he was appointed to the Executive Committee of Alcohol Beverages Australia.

Over 2011-16 Brett was Senior Press Secretary to the Leader of The Nationals and then-Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon. Warren Truss MP. Following the September 2013 federal election, he was re-appointed Senior Press Secretary to Mr Truss as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

Early in his career Brett amassed extensive experience across a variety of fields, including as a metropolitan journalist in Melbourne before first foray into politics as Media and Political Advisor to a string of federal MPs. He then made the switch to industry strategy, advocacy, government relations and communications, with roles as General Manager - Public Affairs for the National Farmers' Federation (2006-11), Public Affairs Manager for the APHA (2002-06) and Media and Communications Manager for the National Health and Medical Research Council (2000-02).

Over this industry period Brett won 13 state and national Awards for Excellence under the Public Relations Institute of Australia's annual Golden Target Awards, orchestrating highly successful national policy and issues-based campaigns.

He holds a Bachelor's degree from Deakin University with a double major in Journalism and Political Science, as well as sub-majors in International Relations, Economic and Social Studies, Policy Studies and History.

Ruth McGorman Mann

Ruth has been the APHA's Director, Finance and Administration since 2013.

She has over two decades of not-for-profit financial management and corporate services experience. Her role at APHA has oversight of finance, risk, ICT, facilities, HR, administration and corporate governance.

Prior to joining APHA, Ruth held senior finance and corporate services roles within the community services and independent education sectors.

Ruth is a Chartered Accountant and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds a Master of Commerce and diplomas in project management and financial planning.

Beyond her professional roles, Ruth has actively contributed to charities through a range of voluntary positions, including board roles in community services, education and animal welfare organisations.

Lilly Tawadros

Lilly leads the Public Affairs, Partnerships and Events portfolio with a strategic focus on building strong stakeholder relationships, elevating brand visibility, and driving engagement across key sectors. With a passion for clear communication and collaborative impact, Lilly brings a proactive approach to advocacy, partnerships, and high-level event delivery.

Since joining the APHA in 2018, Lilly has played a key role in strengthening the organisation's external presence and member engagement. Prior to this, she worked for one of Australia's largest conference and event companies, where she led multi-million dollar events for some of the world's largest corporations. Her diverse background also includes experience across hotels and venues, as well as both the private and public sectors.

Lilly holds formal qualifications in arts, events, tourism, and social media, and is known for her professionalism, creativity and relationship-first mindset. She is committed to creating meaningful connections that advance both organisational and community goals.

Takudzwa Gandanhamo

As Director, Policy and Research, Takudzwa oversees all areas of policy development, data analysis and national reporting. He represents APHA on federal government committees, manages implementation of key APHA initiatives, such as the Private Psychiatric Hospitals Data Reporting and Analysis Service, and the National Procedure Banding Schedule.

He drives technical content for APHA communications and is the APHA's principal technical advisor, data custodian, and liaison with government agencies and consultancy firms.

Takudzwa's previous roles include, Senior Project Officer in the Population Health Branch of Services Australia and Evaluator at the Therapeutic Goods Administration, providing technical support on projects relating to the supply and quality of pharmaceutical goods sold in Australia.

Having worked full-time as a pharmacist for several years, he has extensive experience in healthcare delivery. He continues to practise pharmacy alongside his main responsibilities in health policy. Takudzwa holds a Master of Business of Administration from the University of Edinburgh and has an interest in the economic dynamics that influence access to hospital treatment in both the public and private sectors.

Riyan Aggarwal

Riyan joined APHA as Manager, Policy and Analysis having worked across both government and the private sector, contributing to subject matters of international and national significance.

His experience in government and subsequent expertise has involved government reform and regulation in emerging and critical sectors. He holds formal qualifications in law and international relations from the Australian National University.

Leanne Cabrera

Leanne is a highly experienced administrative and membership professional with over 15 years supporting industry associations and not-for-profit organizations. As Membership Manager for the APHA, Leanne leads member engagement strategies, supports stakeholder communications, and ensures the smooth delivery of member services.

Her background spans aviation and infrastructure. with previous roles at the Australian Airports Association where she managed education content, national events, and member communications and Recreational Aviation Australia, where she coordinated airworthiness operations and compliance support.

Leanne holds certifications in Safety and Lead Auditing, Project Management, and Business Administration & IT. She is known for her reliability, attention to detail, and collaborative approach, and is passionate about helping associations achieve operational excellence.

Lisa Smith

Lisa brings nearly two decades of experience in finance, administration, and office management to her role as APHA Finance Officer. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to accuracy, efficiency, and professionalism in financial operations.

For over 19 years, Lisa has managed the day-to-day financial and administrative functions of an electrical contracting business, where she was responsible for payroll, HR, accounts payable and receivable, and compliance reporting. Her expertise spans multiple key financial software platforms and she is known for her meticulous approach to financial data entry, reconciliation, and reporting. Lisa's ability to manage complex administrative tasks while supporting a team of up to 20 staff highlights her initiative and organisational strengths.

Before transitioning into the role of finance/office manager, Lisa spent a decade at the Commonwealth Bank, where she gained valuable experience in customer service, loan documentation, and banking operations. This early foundation in financial services helped shape her understanding of client needs and regulatory requirements.

Julie Abou Shaer

Julie took on the Events and Marketing Assistant role with the APHA in 2025, supporting the delivery of impactful events that connect healthcare professionals, stakeholders, and community organisations.

Her responsibilities span a wide range of event coordination and marketing tasks, including the creation of promotional materials, managing targeted mailing lists, and distributing invitations, manages logistical elements such as venue bookings and catering. Julie oversees event bookings and ensures smooth communication before and after each event to enhance attendee engagement.

Eager to grow her expertise in marketing and event management, Julie brings creativity, reliability, and a collaborative spirit to every project she supports.