AuSAE recently concluded voting for elections to the AuSAE Board of Directors and we are delighted to introduce you to our new Board who were announced at the AuSAE Annual General Meeting on Thursday 30 July.

There were four available positions for appointment, and we are delighted to welcome back continuing and re-elected Directors, Damian Mitsch, CEO, Australian Dental Association and Holly Morchat Stanko, General Manager, Association of Consultants & Engineers New Zealand. We are thrilled to also introduce and welcome to the AuSAE Board of Directors; Leigh Catley, General Manager Communications, Federated Farmers and Paula Rowntree, Head of Events & Experience, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

We sat down with Paula this week and in a short interview discussed Paula’s previous experience and history with associations, her passion for the sector and what she is looking forward to as she starts her term with the AuSAE Board. Read the full interview below.

An overview of current role and previous experience

I am the Head of Events & Experience at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and previous to this role I was the National Conference and Events Manager at the RACGP.

I have worked in a variety of events and membership roles in associations including; Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Urban Development Institute of Australia Queensland, and the Law Society of Queensland. I also spent some time at NSW Trade and Investment in the role of Manager for International Missions and Events which gave me great insight and understanding of small business and challenges small businesses face.

I currently sit on the Board of Directors of PCMA, a global association leading social and economic progress, professional and personal development and business growth and organisational success in the business events industry.

How long have you been a member with AuSAE

I have been a member with AuSAE since 2017. The RACGP currently holds an Organisational membership with AuSAE but I also maintain my Individual membership with the organisation. I choose to keep this membership as a personal statement that I believe in and support AuSAE at an individual level as well as contributing from my own organisation.  

How long have you been involved with associations

I have worked in associations and member-based organisations for more than 18 years.  

Why associations, what has kept you in the sector

I like being a part of an organisation where I feel we are trying to make a difference in the world. Associations touch every aspect of people’s lives and collectively contribute to communities globally. They work towards a common goal of creating better economic, operating, business and financial environments for members. By associations providing this support, members are able to operate successfully, remain financially viable and continue to contribute to the community. I am drawn to associations because I feel like I am contributing to the bigger picture.

Three words you would use to describe an Association professional

Community focused  
Selfless  
Adaptive

What are you most looking forward to as you start your term on the AuSAE Board

What I’m most looking forward to is being a voice for members and being someone who the members feel is truly representative of their voice.

I am looking forward to being a part of the continual financial growth of AuSAE. I would like to be someone who contributes thoughts, ideas and innovations that allows AuSAE to be even more financially sustainable and is able to really focus on member value.