Keynote speakers
Howard Catton
Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Nurses
Howard was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in February 2019. He is committed to ensure that ICN effectively represents nursing worldwide, advances the nursing profession, promotes the wellbeing of nurses and advocates for health in all policies.
Throughout his career Howard has worked and written extensively on issues relating to the Nursing and Healthcare Workforce and he co-chaired the first ever State of the World’s Nursing Report. He has led ICN’s work to respond to and support nurses globally during the pandemic and has been at the forefront of advocating for the protection of and investment in the nursing profession.
Howard joined ICN in April 2016 as the Director, Nursing, Policy and Programmes. His team led the development of ICN policy and position statements. He also co-ordinated ICN Programmes and projects and oversaw the development of scientific programmes for ICN events.
Howard qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1988 and held a variety of nursing posts in England and the United States and worked for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation. He studied Social Policy at Cardiff University (BSc Econ Hons) and Industrial Relations at Warwick University (MA) and then worked as a Personnel and Organisational Change Manager in the National Health Service in the UK. For 10 years Howard was Head of Policy & International Affairs at the Royal College of Nursing in the UK.
Nadine Gray
Chief Nursing Officer, Māori Health Authority
Akatū Aki Hauora Matua: Tapuhi | Te Aka Whai Ora
Ko Matītī te Maunga
Ko Waiōweka te Awa
Ko Ngāti Ira te Hapū
Ko Ōpeke te Marae
Ko Te Whakatōhea te Iwi
Ko Nadine Gray tōku ingoa
Nadine Gray hails from the small coastal town of Ōpōtiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa New Zealand. She grew up amongst a whānau (family) of nurses and teachers, including her mother who was the first Māori Nurse Practitioner in Aotearoa, Janet Maloney-Moni.
Nadine is a registered comprehensive nurse of more than 20 years with advanced practice in adult emergency nursing, and most recently clinical nurse specialist supporting whānau Māori in cancer care pathways. Her nursing career also includes nursing education, Māori health strategy and policy in central Government, and Māori nursing workforce development.
Nadine was appointed to the new role of Chief Nursing Officer Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) in March 2023. Te Aka Whai Ora, an independent statutory entity, was established on July 1 2022 as part of the New Zealand health system reforms. Te Aka Whai Ora works with Iwi (tribal)-Māori Partnership Boards, Māori health providers and professionals, iwi, hapū (sub-tribes) and Māori communities to understand Māori health needs and aspirations across New Zealand. It then ensures this is reflected in the priorities and plans of the health system, and how services are designed and delivered to meet those needs, including through the use of kaupapa Māori models and the application of mātauranga (knowledge and practices) Māori in the system.
Prior to commencing this role, Nadine was Clinical Chief Advisor Nursing at Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health). Nadine is passionate about enabling strategies and quality initiatives that prioritise and lead change towards future-focused models of care that ensure Māori health needs are met. Further, to grow the capacity and capability of advanced nursing practice led by Māori nurses.
Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu
Chief Nursing Officer, World Health Organization
Amelia was the first female Minister for Health for the Kingdom of Tonga. She led Tonga’s response to both the measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that she was the national Chief Nursing Officer.
Amelia was a member of the WHO Executive Board and WHO EB Rapporteur in 2020. Amelia was decorated with the Knight Grand Cross: Royal Order of the Crown by His Majesty King Tupou VI. Amelia has been awarded Adjunct Professor by the University of Sydney and Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Amelia is committed to championing Nursing and Midwifery to transform health systems to promote health and well- being, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.
Dr Aletha Ward
First Nations Research Alliance, Centre of Health Research, University of Southern Queensland
PhD., MBA., BNurs., R.N., GAICD. FACN. MAPNA.
Dr Aletha Ward is a climate health researcher and policy specialist, leading the national nursing policy response in climate health. Aletha is the climate health representative for APNA, and chair of the Climate Health Faculty for the Australian College of Nursing (ACN). Aletha co-founded and served as the inaugural chair of Climate Action Nurses and received Fellowship from the ACN in 2023 for her contribution to climate health. Aletha was called as an expert witness in a senate hearing on climate change and intergenerational equity in 2024. Aletha is passionate about raising the voice of nurses and midwives across Australia, driving impactful change.
Dr Zoe Bradfield
Associate Professor of Midwifery, Curtin University
Dr Zoe Bradfield is an Associate Professor of Midwifery with a joint appointment between Curtin University and the Women and Newborn Health Service in Western Australia; she also holds an Honorary Appointment at the Burnet Institute in Victoria and the University of Western Australia. Zoe has worked as a nurse and a midwife across a variety of rural and metropolitan settings for over 20 years; and as an academic for the last 11 years. Her research focuses on clinical care and health systems innovations to improve outcomes for women, their families, and society. Her translational and transformational programs have received several high-impact awards. Zoe is the President of the Australian College of Midwives, the peak professional body for midwifery in Australia.
