Invited Speakers

Adjunct Professor Kath Riddell

Adjunct Professor Kath Riddell, is the Executive Director Nursing Services and Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Kath is a highly regarded executive nursing leader who is passionate about improving patient outcomes and experiences of care, supporting transformational change, and advocating for the importance and value of the nursing profession.

Prior to Kath joining the RCH she held senior nursing leadership roles, including Executive Chief Nursing Officer at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) and Executive Director, Learning and Teaching and Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Eastern Health.

At RCH, Kath is the professional lead for all our nurses, including nursing education, research, and workforce. She also holds accountability for Clinical Governance, including the RCH Quality team and systems, and the Infection Prevention and Control service.

On a personal note, she has long standing connection to the RCH through her family’s experience and is a mad Collingwood supporter.

Professor Maria Mackay

Professor Maria Mackay has an extensive clinical background in paediatric nursing and midwifery, which deeply informs her approach to practice, education and leadership. She is a passionate educator and researcher whose teaching philosophy challenges traditional healthcare education by foregrounding the art alongside the science of nursing practice, with a strong commitment to culturally safe, person‑centred care. Maria integrates Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing into pre‑registration nursing curricula, embedding planetary health, relationality, and respect for Country within health professional education. Her scholarly work focuses on culturally responsive and transformational learning that prepares future practitioners to respond ethically to the health needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Professor Tracey Moroney OAM

Professor Tracey Moroney OAM is an accomplished higher-education leader with more than 26 years of experience across the Australian tertiary sector. She currently serves as Dean at ACAP University College. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to transforming learning environments, supporting staff development and advancing professional standards in higher education. Professor Moroney was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her significant service to medical education and the community.