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CMA Board Members

   

    CMA Board Members

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The CMA Board comprises a blend of experience, skills and vision necessary to ensure the success of the complementary healthcare industry.

Annual Directors Report 2022

We are pleased to present CMA’s Director’s Report for 2022. It highlights the organisation's achievements and activities across the key areas outlined in the organisation's Strategic Plan: Healthy People, Healthy Future 2020-2025, with a fresh approach that will protect, campaign for and grow our industry.

Click here to view the report



Andrew O’Keefe, President

Andrew boasts over two decades of expertise in the complementary medicine and pharmaceutical industries and is currently the accomplished Managing Director for Vita Life Sciences, a prominent entity listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. As the head of this multinational healthcare company, Andrew orchestrates formulating and distributing a diverse range of vitamins and supplements, including renowned brands like Herbs of Gold and VitaHealth, across Australia and Southeast Asia.

His illustrious career includes a notable stint as the CEO of Go Vita Distributors, the largest health food distributor and retailer in Australia. Prior roles encompass a five-year tenure as Blackmores State Manager and a decade-long dedication to senior management and operational positions at Sigma Pharmaceuticals. Andrew brings extensive national and international experience in sales, marketing, and distribution, consistently steering robust business performances. His leadership is characterised by an inclusive and performance-driven management style, marking him as a stalwart figure in the industry.




Rachel Carter, Vice President

An inclusive leader delivering success through people and teams with a passion for holistic living and health.  Rachel has over 25 years of experience in Sales and Marketing and has combined this with her natural approach to health and lifestyle whilst becoming an advocate for complementary medicines.  Rachel has depth and experience in contract manufacturing, product development, and brand management across the APAC region. 

Rachel started her career after studying Sales and Marketing in retail, where she was the organisation's youngest manager at 19.  She then went on to follow her business-to-business ambitions in FMCG, where she enjoyed ten wonderful years, moving through the ranks from Sales Representative to Marketing Manager before becoming a mother to two beautiful girls.

Rachel is an authentic, inclusive leader who supports diversity and always considers the people's voices and opinions.  Rachel consistently seeks innovative ways to approach challenges and thrives in an environment of change. 

She is studying for her MBA to enhance her commercial and business acumen, further reflecting Rachel's growth and learning mindset.

Rachel has been a CMA board member for three years, leading the Marketing and Communications Team, the Practitioner Committee, the Membership Committee and most recently, as our interim VP.










Heidi Roscher, Treasurer

Heidi is a Chartered Accountant with 20+ years experience, she commenced her career with KPMG Brisbane, working across multiple SME businesses and industries. With over 17+ years in the complementary medicine industry, Heidi has strong industry knowledge and has a passion for providing Healthcare Practitioners with innovative efficacious natural medicines to deliver best in class preventative health care.

Heidi is currently the CFO and Director of Integria Healthcare with responsibilities spanning across Finance, Information Technology and Human Resources. Heidi has been instrumental in systems and process improvements, ensuring proper governance and oversight, and is seen as the company’s conscience. Heidi is a well-respected, grounded, personable leader within all organisations she has worked for and with.

Heidi has a young family who enjoy spending time at the beach, especially North Stradbroke Island; she has been a volunteer with management responsibilities for Point Lookout SLSC for 20+ years.



Zephanie Jordan, Chief R&D and Quality Officer at Pharmacare Laboratories

Zephanie has worked in the Consumer Healthcare industry for more than 25 years in Australia and overseas. She has experience leading and balancing regulatory compliance, innovation and policy influence in healthcare, food, cosmetic and chemical companies.

She has worked for RB, J&J, GSK, Boots Healthcare, Faulding and P&G. She has also worked for ASMI (now CHPA) as Scientific Director and it was during this time that she collaborated with the former Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC) on a range of issues.She has worked for RB, J&J, GSK, Boots Healthcare, Faulding and P&G. She has also worked for ASMI (now CHPA) as Scientific Director and it was during this time that she collaborated with the former Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC) on a range of issues. 

In 2004-5 she was an independent consultant and was contracted by the TGA to work on the Complementary Medicines Evidence Guidelines.Zephanie holds qualifications in Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science and Wine Science. She is an advocate for self-care, championing policy reform to drive proportionate regulation and incentives for innovation.




CMA CEO, John O'Doherty

John commenced as CEO of Complementary Medicines Australia in July 2023. He is an experienced business leader, with a wealth of experience across Public Affairs, Government Relations,

Corporate Affairs, media communications, and law, finance and governance.

John is passionate about natural health and has worked in the complementary medicines sector

since 2018, including as a CMA Board Director since early 2020. He has served as the Chair of

the CMA Political Committee, showcasing his strong advocacy capabilities and commitment to advancing the interests of the sector.

John was previously Head of Public Affairs at Blackmores Group and has served in a Senior

Adviser capacity for the Australian Government across the Health, Industry/Innovation/Science

and Environment portfolios.

Prior to this, John worked in media and financial consulting. He has a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Journalism, Diploma of Financial Services and a Graduate Certificate of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management.

John is a graduate of the Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the Australian

Institute of Company Directors.



Ann Cattelan, CEO of Go Vita Group Limited

Ann boasts an impressive 37-year career in natural health. As the CEO of Go Vita Group Limited, Australia's premier health food retail chain, she guides a well-established cooperative through nearly four decades of operation. Ann is dedicated to propelling Go Vita's growth and market position through innovative strategies, drawing on her robust academic background in biochemistry, nutritional medicine, and marketing.

Her unique blend of scientific expertise and business acumen sets her apart in the health and wellness industry. Ann's strategic leadership, rooted in evidence-based practices, ensures Go Vita remains a trailblazer in industry developments and trends.

Ann has steadfastly promoted natural health and wellness, holding leadership roles with renowned brands such as Blackmores. Her collaborative leadership style harnesses collective expertise for ongoing success, reflected in Go Vita's comprehensive approach to individual and environmental well-being.Ann has steadfastly promoted natural health and wellness, holding leadership roles with renowned brands such as Blackmores. Her collaborative leadership style harnesses collective expertise for ongoing success, reflected in Go Vita's comprehensive approach to individual and environmental well-being.

Ann's commitment to authenticity, integrity, and dedication has garnered respect from peers and customers. A recipient of the Lady Cilento Award in 2010 for outstanding contributions and service, Ann is a passionate industry contributor who embodies a holistic perspective on health and drives Go Vita's policies and initiatives.



Gulhan Demirci - Innovation and NPD Manager at NutriSmart Australia

Senior Manager in the areas of Product Development, Compliance and Regulations. With over 22 years of industry experience in a variety of R&D and commercialisation areas mainly focused on Pharmaceuticals and Complementary Medicines.

Primary strengths are with compliance within the TGA environment, GMP manufacturing and operations encompassing the requirements of TGA and FSANZ. One of the key managers who are responsible for the manufacturing and marketing of Natural Health products in Consumer Healthcare. To date she has launched over 250 Listed Medicines with the TGA and 8 Supplemented Sports Foods/Medical Foods under the requirements of FSANZ.


Dr Michael Osiecki, PhD, BBE (Chemical), BBiotech (Hons)

Dr Michael is the Managing Director and owner of Bio Concepts. With scientific prowess and a passion for the industry, Dr Michael is at the forefront of education in nutritional medicine. 

Michael was awarded the inaugural CMA Young Achiever of the Year in 2021, representing a person under 35 with outstanding contributions and vision to the complementary medicine industry. 



Nick Mann: Regional CEO Asia + ANZ and Rotating Group CEO: H&H Group (Swisse Wellness)

Nick is the Regional CEO of ASIA + ANZ and Rotating Global CEO, for the Health & Happiness Group (H&H Group) where Nick has worked since 2017.  Head-quartered in Hong Kong and London, the Health & Happiness Group owns brands including Swisse Wellness, Biostime and Zesty Paws. 

Nick joined H&H Group / Swisse as Director of Sales for ANZ and re-energised the sales team, bringing a new sense of purpose and vibrancy. Nick was promoted to ANZ Managing Director in September 2019 and Regional CEO of ANZ + Asia in March 2022. Nick’s most recent promotion (November 2023) sees his scope increase to incorporate global Rotating Group CEO into his remit.

Prior to H&H Group, Nick held senior leadership positions in a variety of industries including FMCG/CPG, technology, and alcohol, across Asia, Nth. America and ANZ. 



Alastair Symington (Blackmores Group)

Alastair is the Group CEO and Managing Director of Blackmores Group, having joined in 2019. Alastair is a global business leader and brand builder with over +25 years in consumer health and beauty across multiple geographies. Alastair has held global leadership roles across China, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

Alastair has a Bachelor of Economics and a Post-Graduate Diploma in International Business from Monash University and studied Mandarin while living and working in Shanghai. Being CEO of a company rooted in the foundations of naturopathy, Alastair is very passionate about the role traditional and complementary medicines play in providing holistic health solutions to people worldwide.

Alastair is a proud member of the Climate Leaders Coalition, reflecting Blackmore’s ambition for a world where people and nature thrive together.

Alastair is based in Sydney, Australia.



Natasha Flynn (Lavida Pharmaceuticals)

Natasha is a positively driven professional with an upbeat spirit. Describing herself as phenomenally lucky and perspicacious, she boasts a rich history in the complementary healthcare industry dating back to the mid 90s. Throughout her journey as a National Sales Manager, Herbalist, Trainer, Mentor, and public speaker, Natasha has been surrounded by incredible individuals, gaining mentors, friends, and wisdom.

Her extensive experience spans the entire complementary medicine (CM) landscape, from retail pharmacy and health food store management to New Product Development (NPD), manufacturing, training, and successfully implementing product launches. Natasha is well- versed in executing  advertising plans to propel sales growth across diverse distribution   channels, including MLM, pharmacy, and health foods.



Gladys Peters (Sanofi Consumer Healthcare)

A distinguished global business leader and seasoned brand builder, boasting a 20-year career with industry giants such as Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Sanofi, and The Coca-Cola Company. Renowned for success across diverse categories, including Vitamins and supplements, OTC, personal & skincare, food & beverage, and telecommunications in emerging and developed markets.

Gladys is passionate about igniting a positive organisational culture and strategically reinvigorating growth in businesses. Beyond corporate roles, she brings additional expertise from two years of full-time MBA studies at Australia's top-ranked Australian Graduate School of Management, where she engaged in corporate strategy consulting. 

Key areas of expertise encompass cross-cultural leadership, business and strategic planning, brand and marketing strategy, consumer insights, competitive strategy, and innovation management. Gladys is a visionary leader.

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