Chief Executive Officer
Sam has led OTA as Chief Executive Officer for over four years, commencing in September 2018, and was appointed by the Board to steer and position OTA to represent, support, strengthen and resource the continually evolving occupational therapy profession.
Chief of Staff, A/General Manager corporate services
Commencing with OTA in 2016, Lea Rawlings is experienced across the association with roles as WA Divisional Manager, Special Project Manager, and General Manager, Divisions. Currently as Chief of Staff in the Office of the CEO, Lea works closely with CEO Samantha Hunter, the Office of the CEO team members and Senior Leadership teams to represent and collaborate with the portfolios to ensure delivery of the current Strategic Plan and supporting the development of our next strategy. Lea plays a key role in embedding organisational strategies into the day-to-day operations of OTA, including the Reconciliation Action Plan and the OTs in Action social justice groups.
General Manager, Government & Stakeholder Relations
Alissa holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) degree and has extensive experience as a senior lawyer and policy advisor across a range of government, health and insurance settings. She has over 20 years' experience across the health portfolio gained through working in a diverse range of clinical and government sectors. Prior to joining OTA, Alissa worked with Alex to lead the government relations team at the Environment Protection Authority and was an advisor in external affairs and health policy at WorkSafe Victoria.
General Manager, Government & Stakeholder Relations
Alex worked in Victorian state government for nearly 20 years and brings a wealth of experience in government relations and communications. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts/Commerce (Hons) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Communications and Media Studies. Before working at OTA, Alex worked with Alissa to manage the government relations team at the Environment Protection Authority. Before that, Alex worked in government relations at WorkSafe Victoria for several years, where she worked on many complex and controversial policy and stakeholder issues.
General Manager, Occupational Therapy
Erin is an experienced occupational therapist who has worked across a range of health areas including public health, community practice and private practice. Erin's clinical experience is predominately in the area of spinal cord injury, in both adult and paediatric settings. Erin has been involved in several research activities and publications, and holds a Master of Advanced Occupational Therapy, as well as a Master of Business Administration.
Executive Advisor
Brooke is experienced across many areas of business and has worked across a range of industries in Australia and the UK. Initially starting her career in nutrition, Brooke has since focussed her energy on contributing to initiatives that improve health and wellbeing for people and organisations.
General Manager, Membership & Engagement
Rebecca joined OTA in 2014 as National Manager, Conference Events and Business Development, setting up the inaugural team that brought management of OTA's national conference, sponsorship and advertising in-house.
Chief Executive Officer
Sam was appointed to the role of CEO by the Board of Directors in September 2018 and given the mandate to drive transformation and growth in the association to ensure longevity, ongoing contemporary relevance and increased influence through representation and advocacy.
Over the past four years Sam has led, developed and grown a highly skilled team who have successfully achieved solid growth and increased awareness and representation of the profession with key stakeholders, agencies and government agencies and ministerial portfolios.
Sam has over 25 years of experience as both a senior leaders and Board Director working across corporate, professional services and not for profit organisations. She has a breadth of experience collaborating with multi disciplinary teams across sectors and understands the nuances of complex and competing political environments. Sam strives to work with members, government and stakeholders to create collaborative solutions for an engaged and resilient profession.
Sam is a natural communicator with high level business development skills demonstrating consistently strong growth, with a strong focus and belief in continual learning and development and looks for opportunities to develop her team to be inspired leaders and to be at the forefront of innovation in their sectors.
In her spare time Sam is an enthusiastic but inconsistent golfer, sings in a choir, collects art and has her hand full wrangling office dog Rosie, the wild dog Poppy, and the real boss Kitty. She is the very proud mum of Tom.
Chief of Staff, Executive Advisor
Commencing with OTA in 2016, Lea Rawlings is experienced across the association with roles as WA Divisional Manager, Special Project Manager, and General Manager, Divisions. Currently as Chief of Staff in the Office of the CEO, Lea works closely with CEO Samantha Hunter, the Office of the CEO team members and Senior Leadership teams to represent and collaborate with the portfolios to ensure delivery of the current Strategic Plan and supporting the development of our next strategy. Lea plays a key role in embedding organisational strategies into the day-to-day operations of OTA, including the Reconciliation Action Plan and the OTs in Action social justice groups.
With a bachelor's degree in Health Science and qualifications in Workplace Training and Assessment combined with Lea's 20 years of experience, particularly in public health settings, high level stakeholder management, membership and project management, she ensures that OTA is always performing optimally and serving our members, stakeholders and profession with utmost care and professionalism.
When Lea is not juggling kids sport and dog walks, she likes to get on the tools and enjoys a hands-on approach to home renovating.
General Manager of Government and Stakeholder Relations
As General Managers of Government and Stakeholder Relations, job share partners Alex Eather and Alissa Fotiades work in collaboration with the CEO and the Senior Leadership team to lead OTA’s engagement with its key stakeholders and advocating for its members. Alex and Alissa’s goal is to make sure that OTA is talking to the right people at the right level on the right issues to get the greatest impact for OTA members and the profession. They enjoy working with members and stakeholders to understand the complex challenges the sector faces and leading their team to develop policy and advocacy solutions.
Alissa holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) degree and has extensive experience as a senior lawyer and policy advisor across a range of government, health and insurance settings. She has over 20 years’ experience across the health portfolio gained through working in a diverse range of clinical and government sectors. Prior to joining OTA, Alissa worked with Alex to lead the government relations team at the Environment Protection Authority and was an advisor in external affairs and health policy at WorkSafe Victoria.
Alissa enjoys going on family holidays and lunching with friends. On the weekend, she enjoys watching junior sport and in the summer, she can be often found on a beach ignoring everything but her book.
General Manager of Government and Stakeholder Relations
As General Managers of Government and Stakeholder Relations, job share partners Alex Eather and Alissa Fotiades work in collaboration with the CEO and the Senior Leadership team to lead OTA’s engagement with its key stakeholders and advocating for its members. Alex and Alissa’s goal is to make sure that OTA is talking to the right people at the right level on the right issues to get the greatest impact for OTA members and the profession. They enjoy working with members and stakeholders to understand the complex challenges the sector faces and leading their team to develop policy and advocacy solutions.
Alex worked in Victorian state government for nearly 20 years and brings a wealth of experience in government relations and communications. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts/ Commerce (Hons) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Communications and Media Studies. Before working at OTA, Alex worked with Alissa to manage the government relations team at the Environment Protection Authority. Before that, Alex worked in government relations at WorkSafe Victoria for several years, where she worked on many complex and controversial policy and stakeholder issues.
Alex enjoys baking cakes and reading cake recipe books, sewing and drawing. She is learning French in hopes of visiting Paris soon. She is usually reading a hardcopy novel and a couple of audiobooks at any one time.
General Manager, Occupational Therapy
Erin is an experienced occupational therapist who has worked across a range of health areas including public health, community practice and private practice. Erin's clinical experience is predominately in the area of spinal cord injury, in both adult and paediatric settings. Erin has been involved in several research activities and publications, and holds a Master of Advanced Occupational Therapy, as well as a Master of Business Administration.
Erin is the lead clinical expert at Occupational Therapy Australia, leading a team responsible for the provision of clinical oversight of professional practice for occupational therapists including practice scope and standards, and learning and development.
Erin is an experienced leader, having held a number of senior management positions at major public hospitals, following a solid grounding in various clinical roles.
Outside of work, Erin loves trail running (and traveling to different places to run!), food and family. Erin has lived overseas and speaks two languages.
Executive Advisor
Brooke is experienced across many areas of business and has worked across a range of industries in Australia and the UK. Initially starting her career in nutrition, Brooke has since focussed her energy on contributing to initiatives that improve health and wellbeing for people and organisations. Brooke holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise & Nutrition) and a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Relations) and has completed foundational training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. This has enabled Brooke to work in a variety of roles and membership associations where she has focussed on developing trusted relationships with stakeholders, improving people, culture & organisational governance and advocating on behalf of the communities she serves.
Brooke joined the OTA team in February 2020 as Divisional Manager Queensland and spent two years navigating practice & policy issues and responding to opportunities for occupational therapists in Queensland before stepping into a leadership role as General Manager Divisions. As OTA has continued to evolve, Brooke’s focus has always been people-first and centred around ensuring the association can achieve maximum impact for occupational therapists and create a thriving environment for staff along the way. In her current role as Executive Advisor, Brooke contributes to OTA’s strategy and program planning by providing strategic advice and stakeholder management support to the CEO.
Originally from New Zealand, Brooke now lives in Queensland and spends most of her spare time at the beach, in the backyard tinkering with the veggie garden, undertaking creative pursuits, or exploring local places on the Sunshine Coast.
General Manager, Membership and Engagement
Rebecca joined OTA in 2014 as National Manager, Conference Events and Business Development, setting up the inaugural team that brought management of OTA’s national conference, sponsorship and advertising in-house.
Her role developed in 2019 to Head of Events and Business Development and again in 2021 to General Manager of Events and Business Development. In July 2022, Rebecca’s role was further expanded to General Manager of Membership, Marketing/Communications, Events and Business Development.
Leading a team of 15, Rebecca has accountability for strategy, structure, communications, budget, stakeholders and ensuring the teams operational plans are aligned to the OTA Strategic Plan, while working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership team.
Rebecca is a strong business professional with a Bachelor of Business Management from La Trobe University. Prior to joining OTA, Rebecca had over 15 years of experience working in Australia and overseas in event and conference management, including national conference meetings and large, complex projects.
Rebecca has developed a thorough and detailed understanding of the association and her passion, enthusiasm and attention to detail drive her to bring innovative growth to OTA.
Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys running, baking sweet treats, solving Sudoku puzzles and beach time with family.
General Manager, Corporate Services
As a qualified Company Secretary, Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Erin brings to OTA a wealth of knowledge in connecting governance processes and improving procedures. Erin has developed sophisticated governance frameworks and clear business plans for organisations in the tertiary, public and not-for-profit sectors.
In her previous role at the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Erin led the HR function supporting the CEO to ensure impact and outcomes for the organisation. She also led a digital transformation of data management, marketing and fundraising capability. At the CFA, Erin gained expertise in identifying potential conflict situations, connecting executives on cross directorate issues and developing solutions to progress key outcomes.
Erin is a member of the AICD Not-for-Profit Committee and a Director of Flemington Financial Services Ltd and has held roles as Company Secretary for the Melbourne Women in Film Festival and Flemington Association. She also provides her services to smaller charities and consults for larger organisations.
Erin has a keen interest in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. She has volunteered for organisations such as Foundation House and completed an honours thesis in communicating risk to CALD communities. As a bit of an Italophile, Erin enjoys returning to Italy to brush up on her language skills.
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