20 CEOs and Directors Leading NSW Health Systems

Last updated: 12 August 2026

20 CEOs and Directors Leading NSW Health Systems

If you need a quick view of who leads major health systems in New South Wales, start with these 20 CEOs and directors. They lead local health districts, statewide services, specialist networks, emergency care and digital health across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW.

The list is a practical starting point for anyone working with the NSW health system. It is arranged by family name so you can scan it easily, not as a statement about who is better than anyone else. Each entry gives the current leadership role, the organisation and one useful piece of context.

The common thread is the scale and variety of the work. A district chief executive may be responsible for hospitals, community services and rural facilities. A statewide leader may be shaping pathology, cancer control, children’s care, ambulance services or digital systems. Together, these roles show how much leadership happens beyond one hospital building.

What do NSW health system leaders actually lead?

NSW health leadership is distributed across local health districts, statewide services, specialty networks and system agencies. That means the job may involve hospitals, community care, workforce, clinical safety, infrastructure, emergency response, data or research. The people below are useful starting points because their roles sit close to the decisions that shape how care is planned and delivered across NSW.

How should you use this list?

Use the organisation name first. It tells you what part of the system the person leads and whether their work is local, statewide or specialist. Then read the short context line to understand the leadership path or service challenge attached to the role. If you are looking for a current contact, always move from this overview to the organisation’s own leadership page.

1. Brad Astill

Chief Executive, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

Brad has spent about four decades in NSW Health and previously led Far West Local Health District. Brad Astill is part of the wider leadership picture in Western Sydney and Blue Mountains, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

2. Clare Beech

Interim Chief Executive, NSW Ambulance

Clare began as a paramedic in rural and remote Victoria before moving into clinical, operational and executive roles. Clare Beech is part of the wider leadership picture in Statewide NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

3. Margaret Bennett

Chief Executive, Southern NSW Local Health District

Margaret previously led Northeast Health Wangaratta for nine years and earlier united six hospitals and 12 community services in a large regional network. Margaret Bennett is part of the wider leadership picture in Southern NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

4. Cathryn Cox

Chief Executive, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Cathryn was appointed in 2020 after senior Ministry of Health roles and leading the COVID-19 system planning stream. Cathryn Cox is part of the wider leadership picture in Sydney, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

5. Mark Dykgraaf

Chief Executive, Far West Local Health District

Mark began as a registered nurse and has led health and aged care services across regional and remote settings. Mark Dykgraaf is part of the wider leadership picture in Far West NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

6. Emma Field

Chief Executive, Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Emma moved into the top role after leading service delivery, with more than two decades in health and responsibility for more than 5,000 staff. Emma Field is part of the wider leadership picture in Riverina and Murrumbidgee, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

7. Vanessa Janissen

Chief Executive, NSW Health Pathology

Vanessa leads the state’s public pathology, forensic and analytical science service after earlier strategy and transformation roles in NSW Health. Vanessa Janissen is part of the wider leadership picture in Statewide NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

8. Margot Mains

Chief Executive, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District

Margot has led Illawarra Shoalhaven since 2014 and previously held chief executive roles in South Australia, New Zealand and New Zealand’s capital region. Margot Mains is part of the wider leadership picture in Illawarra and Shoalhaven, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

9. Sonia Marshall

Chief Executive, South Western Sydney Local Health District

Sonia began as an intensive care nurse and later established a nursing and midwifery research alliance with the Ingham Institute and seven universities. Sonia Marshall is part of the wider leadership picture in South Western Sydney, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

10. Tracey Maisey

Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District

Tracey has held senior health roles in Australia, the United Kingdom, Qatar and New Zealand, including a district health board chief executive role. Tracey Maisey is part of the wider leadership picture in Northern Rivers, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

11. Tracey McCosker

Chief Executive, Hunter New England Local Health District

Tracey has more than 30 years in public health and previously established an integrated statewide public pathology service as its chief executive. Tracey McCosker is part of the wider leadership picture in Hunter and New England, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

12. Scott McLachlan

Chief Executive, Central Coast Local Health District

Scott has held senior roles in private and public health systems and has worked on digital health strategy and complex partnerships. Scott McLachlan is part of the wider leadership picture in Central Coast, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

13. Tracey O'Brien

NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Institute NSW

Tracey is a paediatric and adolescent oncologist who leads statewide work on prevention, early detection, research and cancer equity. Tracey O'Brien is part of the wider leadership picture in Statewide NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

14. Leisa Rathborne

Chief Executive, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

Leisa brings more than 30 years in clinical, operational and infrastructure leadership and previously led Health Infrastructure during an $18 billion capital program. Leisa Rathborne is part of the wider leadership picture in South Eastern Sydney, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

15. Anthony Schembri

Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District

Anthony joined Northern Sydney in 2023 after nearly a decade as chief executive of St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney. Anthony Schembri is part of the wider leadership picture in Northern Sydney, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

16. Mark Spittal

Chief Executive, Western NSW Local Health District

Mark has more than three decades of leadership experience across the New Zealand and NSW health systems. Mark Spittal is part of the wider leadership picture in Western NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

17. Richard Taggart

Chief Executive and Chief Information Officer, eHealth NSW

Richard combines a clinical pharmacy background with more than 20 years of ICT experience and began as eHealth NSW chief executive in January 2025. Richard Taggart is part of the wider leadership picture in Statewide NSW, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

18. Deb Willcox

Chief Executive, Sydney Local Health District

Deb has led at district and ministry level, began her career in nursing at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and later studied law. Deb Willcox is part of the wider leadership picture in Sydney, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

19. Jill Wong

Chief Executive, Mid North Coast Local Health District

Jill previously led the development of the state’s largest Rural Regional Virtual Urgent Care Service. Jill Wong is part of the wider leadership picture in Mid North Coast, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

20. Alison Zecchin

Chief Executive, Western Sydney Local Health District

Alison brings more than 35 years in NSW Health and previously led Royal North Shore Hospital as its general manager. Alison Zecchin is part of the wider leadership picture in Western Sydney, where system decisions have a direct effect on patients, families, clinicians and communities.

Conclusion

The people in this list lead very different parts of the NSW health system, but the leadership challenge is shared. Each role sits inside a network of hospitals, community services, clinicians, patients, government partners and local communities. The work is not only about setting direction. It is also about making good decisions visible, building trust across professional boundaries and keeping care connected to the people who rely on it.

For boards, partners and emerging health leaders, the useful lesson is that system leadership needs both a wide view and a practical grip on the detail. The strongest leaders can see the whole system while still asking what will change for a patient, a family or a frontline team. That is the standard worth watching as NSW health services keep adapting to changing needs.

If your executive team needs clearer priorities, better alignment and more useful conversations, Jonno White helps leaders turn good intentions into practical action. He works as a leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator. You can explore the leadership resources on Consult Clarity or email jonno@consultclarity.org.