Executive staff

Debra Cerasa        Chief Executive Officer

Debra Cerasa is an experienced senior health executive, having held a management position with International SOS in Indonesia followed by the Chief Nursing/Midwifery Officer and Director of Clinical Services positions with Latrobe Regional Hospital in Victoria. Following her general nurse training at Deniliquin in the 1970s, Debra has since gained a variety of clinical experience as well as certificates in intensive care and midwifery. She has worked in education roles in a number of Melbourne hospitals; has also worked extensively in midwifery in a variety of settings, including her own private practice; and has worked in pre-hospital emergency sector managing and teaching paramedic programs for the Victorian Ambulance Service. Debra’s vision for nursing remains entrenched in the belief that nursing is the profession that weaves healthcare delivery together. She holds a practical, down-to-earth approach to research, professional development and continued improvement which she believes will position her well in representing both RCNA and the greater nursing profession. Debra believes that the unity and professionalism of nursing is the reason that nurses continue to be one of the most trusted, respected and valued professional groups within the healthcare industry. 

Dr Marg McLeod    Director, Research, Faculties & National Activities

Dr Margaret McLeod took up the position of Director, Research, Faculties and National Activities in February 2009, following the merger of Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives and RCNA.  Marg has extensive experience in a number of diverse areas including, general nursing, midwifery, mental health, health service management and academia. She has worked in metropolitan, urban and rural health care environments, incorporating clinical care, executive management, operational roles, teaching and research. Marg’s research interests are broad, although her prime research interest is oral civilian/military nursing history. In this capacity Marg was awarded a Fellowship from the Malaysian Ministry of Education in 2001 and in 2008 she was part of a research team focusing on the contemporary birthing experiences of women living in rural and remote New South Wales. Marg remains committed to pursuing her research and teaching interests, continuing to work in a management role and maintaining her clinical currency.    
                                  
Kathleen McLaughlin Director, Nursing Education, Professional Services & Projects
Kathleen McLaughlin took up the position of Director, Nursing Education, Professional Services and Projects at the College in February 2007. Kathleen is a registered nurse and midwife and has maintained her professional interest in both disciplines. Throughout her career she has worked across the clinical areas, and been involved in workforce development and policy development in both disciplines. She has held positions in clinical management, workforce management, and in a number of government departments where she has worked on nursing, midwifery, and broader health policy issues both here in Australia and overseas. She has undertaken and participated in a number of reviews of health service delivery and the ongoing development of nursing and midwifery roles.

Harphajan Singh   Director, Corporate Services

Harphajan Singh brings extensive financial experience to his role as Director, Finance at RCNA. Harphajan has worked as a Financial Controller in Selangor Economic Development Corporation, one of the largest real estate developers in Malaysia, and as the General Manager of PKNS Federal Furniture International, before migrating to Australia in 1992. Since moving to Australia, Harphajan has worked as a contract Auditor with the Australia National Audit Office, as a contract Internal Auditor with the ACT Government and as a Finance Manager with Aerial Taxis. Harphajan’s wealth of professional experience, both in Australia and overseas, make him a valuable addition to the RCNA team.

Rachel Harrigan     Director, Operations & Support Services

Rachel Harrigan started work at Royal College of Nursing, Australia in 2002. Originally employed as a Project Officer in the Scholarships section, Rachel subsequently moved into the role of Manager, Scholarships and then into a Policy Officer position before taking up her current role of Director, Operations & Support Services. Rachel’s work at RCNA has included lobbying the United Nations to establish a Women’s Agency, and writing to the Libyan Government to ensure the release of five Bulgarian nurses held unjustly. Through such work, Rachel believes that RCNA changes the world! Rachel is a registered psychologist, and worked as a sports psychologist with the Australian Women’s Football Team, The Matildas, at the Sydney Olympics.

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