Pete Haydon’s current role as CEO of the Australian College Optometry began in November 2021. This appointment came after a twenty year career working in management and executive management roles within the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. He has built a reputation as a collegial leader and coalition builder, as well as a pragmatic and strong operational planner.

Following the completion of his Masters-level tertiary qualifications he continued 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 and lifelong commitment to humanitarian principles have a strong alignment with those of the ACO.

phaydon@aco.org.au

Tim Fricke is an optometrist, researcher and international development practitioner. Before returning to the ACO in 2023, Tim has held clinical, teaching, research, management, and leadership roles in private, public, community health, hospital and refugee camp settings, including Director of the Brien Holden Foundation. He has extensive paediatric clinical experience, supervised post-graduate research in paediatric eye care and health economics, has taught undergraduate and post-graduate eye care courses, and provided continuing professional development across Australia as well as overseas. Tim has researched vision development, epidemiology, quality of life and access to eye care and he has also assisted the development of local systems & skills for providing primary and specialised eye care in a range of countries. He is an honorary senior fellow at the University of Melbourne and is completing a PhD in ophthalmic epidemiology at UNSW Sydney.

tfricke@aco.org.au

Starting her healthcare career as an optometrist, Kylie leveraged her strong clinical background to develop a diverse skillset across numerous fields of specialist medicine, focusing on improving patient experience and outcomes. Kylie has held numerous leadership roles within eye health, and is respected for her collegiality, acumen, sector expertise, project management skills, and ability to cultivate positive workplace dynamics.

Joining the ACO in 2023, Kylie is passionate about establishing sustainable and inclusive care models for all Australians. She believes in the transformative power of strong relationships between healthcare providers having personally witnessed how effective communication can reduce patient anxiety and elevate the quality of care.  Guiding the Operations team, Kylie is dedicated to advancing an outstanding workplace environment that forms the bedrock of delivering exceptional, personalised services to our patients.

kharris@aco.org.au

Chelsey Seamer was appointed as General Manager, People and Culture (formally known as Head of People and Culture) in July 2020. Passionate about maximising culture initiatives and enhancing employee relations, Chelsey aims to improve the overall employee experience. With a Diploma in Human Resource Management, Chelsey possesses a comprehensive understanding of the organisation from the ground up, brining valuable insights to her role in People and Culture. Chelsey began at the ACO in 2012, initially in a patient services position, and later transitioning to the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer in 2016.  This diverse background has shaped her unique perspective and approach to work, proving beneficial for both the ACO and its staff.

cseamer@aco.org.au

With over 18 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