Home About us Who we are Meet our Leadership Team Body Our staff are a diverse group of highly skilled, committed and spirited people. Body VicHealth takes pride in being an equal opportunity employer championing equity and diversity in the workplace.We are also committed to fostering a culture that values the importance of a healthy and safe work environment. We abide by the Victorian Government’s public administration values and code of conduct. Title Dr Sandro Demaio Body Chief Executive Officer Dr Sandro Demaio is a globally-renowned public health expert and advocate as well as being a medical doctor – and he has a passion for food, health and wellbeing. Sandro’s extensive background includes being the Medical Officer for non-communicable conditions and nutrition with the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at the World Health Organization, as well as being the CEO of the EAT Foundation, the science-based, global platform for food systems transformation. In his pro bono work, Sandro co-founded NCDFREE, a global social movement against chronic disease. In 2015, he founded festival21, assembling and leading a team of experts to stage a free celebration of community, food, culture and future in his hometown of Melbourne. Sandro has published 30 scientific papers and more than 90 articles along with Doctor’s Diet, a cookbook based on science and inspired by a love of good food. He also co-hosted the ABC television show Ask the Doctor – an innovative and exploratory factual medical series broadcasting across Australia and around the world. He holds a Master of Public Health, a PhD in non-communicable diseases and has held fellowships at both Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Find Sandro on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Title Rebecca Ahern Body Executive Manager Social Marketing and Communications A positive force for change in marketing communications, Bec has spent 15 years in leadership positions in creative communications agencies, managing complex projects and teams. Bec has a deep understanding of the role that effective communication plays in shaping public perceptions to drive social change. With a Business Commerce and Communications degree, Bec is known as a curious and safe pair of hands to deliver impactful communications. Title Padam Chirmurley Body Executive Lead People & Culture Padam Chirmuley is focused on explaining the “why” behind business decisions and people and culture interventions, to build engagement and drive effective execution of strategy. Over a 25-year journey, he has led teams that have focused on building leadership and high-performance capability, as well as delivering an exceptional employee experience. Padam’s extensive professional experience includes supporting organisational change processes and improving efficiencies through implementation of new HR systems. He has worked within the business process outsourcing, credit and collections , and financial services sectors. Padam has completed studies in Industrial Chemistry and Metallurgy and has an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He is also a Chartered Member of the Australian HR Institute. Find Padam on LinkedIn. Title Kristine Cooney Body Executive ManagerPolicy, Strategy & Impact Group Kristine joined VicHealth in August 2021, bringing with her over 20 years’ experience in leadership, strategic customer and operations management in both Australia and the UK. Kristine is an authentic, passionate and values-based leader with a strong track record in driving strategy and building motivated and high performing teams. Kristine holds a Bachelor of Politics and History from Monash University and has qualifications in Executive Leadership and in addition to having served as a Non-Executive Director. Title Michelle Murray Body Executive Manager Health Promotion Systems Michelle is of Maori descent (indigenous to New Zealand) and comes from two Iwi (tribes), Whakatohea and Tuhoe. Michelle has more than a decade of leadership experience with health promotion and primary health organisations, including as a Chief Executive Officer of two entities, and has led transformational programs both nationally and regionally. In her most recent role as Deputy Chief Executive Māori and Equity for Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand, Michelle was responsible for developing and leading the equity strategy whilst supporting the organisation to transform its culture and build capability to more effectively support Māori people and ACC’s other customers from diverse backgrounds and with diverse lived experience. In Michelle’s past roles she has had strong engagement and partnerships with key stakeholders and has comprehensive experience in understanding strategic priorities. Michelle is passionate about the delivery of quality services to reduce inequalities and provide better health. Michelle has an excellent understanding of the machinery of government, health system, legislation and best practice in health promotion. Michelle has a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health, Masters in Business Administration and is undertaking a Doctorate of Health Science.
