Pete Haydon began working for the ACO in November 2021. His appointment came after a twenty year career working in management and executive management roles within the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Pete’s most recent role was CEO of Optometry Victoria South Australia where he built a solid reputation as a coalition builder, and a pragmatic, collegial leader. As well as Masters-level tertiary qualifications he continues to advance his executive education in governance, strategy, workforce and leadership at some of the world’s most respected business schools. Pete’s personal philosophy, lifelong commitment to humanitarian principles and professional goals are strongly aligned with those embodied by the ACO’s mission and values.
phaydon@aco.org.au

Professor Michael Ibbotson obtained his PhD from the University of London in the field of visual neuroscience before accepting a post-doctoral fellowship at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. In 2011, he departed the ANU while Head of the Visual Sciences Department and took up the position as Director of the NVRI and Professor at the University of Melbourne. In 2013, Michael was part of a major research collaboration to successfully fund the Brain Function Centre of Excellence through the Australian Research Council (ARC) that will run until the end of 2020. Previously he was also a member of other major collaborations including a special ARC fund to develop a bionic eye and the Vision Science Centre of Excellence.
mibbotson@aco.org.au

With over 15 years of Senior Financial  Management and Corporate Services experience, Renaldo brings a fresh approach to the many facets of the Corporate Governance process.  A qualified CPA with an extensive background in Community Health, Aged Care, Disability and the Events Management sectors, Renaldo’s career highlights include the successful rollout of integration of CMS data and accounting systems including the implementation of business intelligence tools for value-added operational and strategic reporting. Driven by the motivation to bring automation and cost efficiencies to back office processes, Renaldo aims to provide business partnering support and added value whilst also maximising the profitability of the organisation.
rtomasiello@aco.org.au

Jane Trevaskis was appointed as Director of Education, Membership and Marketing in early 2020.  She was previously the Head of Teaching and Quality at the ACO for over 10 years.  Jane has over 25 years of experience in education and professional development roles combined with general management experience in the not-for-profit sector.  Jane holds a Bachelor of Education, a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and a Graduate Diploma in Management.
jtrevaskis@aco.org.au

Neville Turner graduated as an optometrist from the University of Melbourne in 1990 and begun work at the (then) Victorian College of Optometry as a Staff Optometrist. Over the years he has worked in many different areas of the organisation including managing a metropolitan clinic, involvement with low vision service provision, lecturing and clinical teaching.  Whilst working at the ACO Neville has completed further post graduate studies including a Certificate for the Rehabilitation of the Partially Sighted, a Post Graduate Diploma of Advanced Clinical Optometry and a Graduate Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics. Over the past 15 years Neville has undertaken various management roles in the ACO including for IT, reception, business, dispensary services and clinic operations.
nturner@aco.org.au

Chelsey Seamer was appointed as Head of People and Culture in July 2020. She is passionate about maximising culture initiatives and employee relations, with a focus on improving the lifecycle and experience of organisation employees.  Chelsey has a Diploma in Human Resource Management and brings to her People and Culture role a broad understanding of the organisation from the ground up.  Chelsey began at the ACO in 2012 in a patient services role and then moved into the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer in 2016.  This has given her a very unique perspective and approach to her work, which the ACO and its staff benefit from.
cseamer@aco.org.au