20 NSW Health System Chief Executives and Leaders

20 NSW Health System Chief Executives and Leaders

Last updated: 12 August 2026

New South Wales health systems are large, diverse and deeply connected to the communities they serve. The people leading them work across hospitals, community care, digital health, pathology, infrastructure, cancer control and clinical improvement. This listicle profiles 20 current chief executives and health system leaders with a clear public role in NSW health. It is a practical starting point for people who want to understand the leadership landscape, follow the work of these organisations or find thoughtful voices in health leadership. For a practical look at the pressures health leaders carry, explore these nursing leadership workshop strategies.

1. Tracey McCosker PSM, Chief Executive, Hunter New England Local Health District

Tracey McCosker PSM is the Chief Executive of Hunter New England Local Health District. Tracey brings more than 30 years in the NSW public health system and led the establishment of an integrated statewide public pathology service as Chief Executive of NSW Health Pathology. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

2. Alison Zecchin, Chief Executive, Western Sydney Local Health District

Alison Zecchin is the Chief Executive of Western Sydney Local Health District. She commenced as Chief Executive in June 2026 after more than 35 years in NSW Health, including eight years as General Manager of Royal North Shore Hospital. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

3. Brad Astill, Chief Executive, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

Brad Astill is the Chief Executive of Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District. Brad joined Nepean Blue Mountains LHD as Chief Executive in January 2025 after serving as Chief Executive of Far West LHD. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

4. Mark Spittal, Chief Executive, Western NSW Local Health District

Mark Spittal is the Chief Executive of Western NSW Local Health District. Mark brings more than three decades of health leadership experience across Australia and overseas, leading services across one of NSW’s most geographically dispersed districts. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

5. Mark Dykgraaf, Chief Executive, Far West Local Health District

Mark Dykgraaf is the Chief Executive of Far West Local Health District. Mark began as a registered nurse and has held senior executive roles across regional and remote health, aged care, Calvary and Canberra Hospital and Health Services. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

6. Emma Field, Chief Executive, Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Emma Field is the Chief Executive of Murrumbidgee Local Health District. Emma became Chief Executive in May 2026 after serving as Executive Director Service Delivery, bringing more than two decades of health experience. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

7. Margaret Bennett OAM, Chief Executive, Southern NSW Local Health District

Margaret Bennett OAM is the Chief Executive of Southern NSW Local Health District. Margaret joined Southern NSW LHD in March 2020 after nine years as CEO of Northeast Health Wangaratta, and has led complex regional health transformations. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

8. Leisa Rathborne, Chief Executive, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

Leisa Rathborne is the Chief Executive of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Leisa brings more than 30 years in NSW Health and previously led major statewide health infrastructure work. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

9. Deb Willcox AM, Chief Executive, Sydney Local Health District

Deb Willcox AM is the Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District. Deb previously served as Deputy Secretary for Health System Strategy and Patient Experience, Chief Executive of Northern Sydney LHD, and General Manager of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

10. Jill Wong, Chief Executive, Mid North Coast Local Health District

Jill Wong is the Chief Executive of Mid North Coast Local Health District. Jill brings more than 17 years across legal, social work and health leadership, including work that established the Mid North Coast Virtual Care Service. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

11. Tracey Maisey, Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District

Tracey Maisey is the Chief Executive of Northern NSW Local Health District. Tracey joined Northern NSW LHD in August 2023 after executive health roles in Australia, the United Kingdom, Qatar and New Zealand, including a district health board CEO role. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

12. Anthony Schembri AM, Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District

Anthony Schembri AM is the Chief Executive of Northern Sydney Local Health District. Anthony commenced as Chief Executive in July 2023 and leads services for nearly one million people with a workforce of about 12,000. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

13. Margaret Martin, Acting Chief Executive, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District

Margaret Martin is listed as Acting Chief Executive of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District on the organisation’s current executive team page. That makes her a useful current addition to a snapshot of the people leading NSW health systems, while the acting title keeps the wording precise. Current role information.

14. Scott McLachlan, Chief Executive, Central Coast Local Health District

Scott McLachlan is the Chief Executive of Central Coast Local Health District. Scott has led across private and public health systems for more than two decades and has worked on digital health strategy and system partnerships. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

15. Cathryn Cox PSM, Chief Executive, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network

Cathryn Cox PSM is the Chief Executive of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Cathryn has been Chief Executive since August 2020 and leads a statewide paediatric network whose 2024-25 annual review recorded more than 168,000 children cared for. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

16. Sonia Marshall PSM, Chief Executive, South Western Sydney Local Health District

Sonia Marshall PSM is the Chief Executive of South Western Sydney Local Health District. Sonia’s 30-year NSW Health career began in intensive care nursing, and she led the district’s COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre as Incident Controller. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

17. Vanessa Janissen, Chief Executive, NSW Health Pathology

Vanessa Janissen is the Chief Executive of NSW Health Pathology. Vanessa is listed as Chief Executive of NSW Health Pathology in the organisation’s current leadership information and 2026 strategic plan. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

18. Richard Taggart, Chief Executive and Chief Information Officer, eHealth NSW

Richard Taggart is the Chief Executive and Chief Information Officer of eHealth NSW. Richard started as eHealth NSW Chief Executive in January 2025 after more than 20 years in digital health and a clinical background in pharmacy. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

19. Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque, Deputy Secretary, Clinical Innovation and Research, and Chief Executive, Agency for Clinical Innovation

Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque is the Deputy Secretary, Clinical Innovation and Research, and Chief Executive of Agency for Clinical Innovation. Jean-Frédéric co-chairs the NSW Health AI Taskforce with Richard Taggart and leads the Agency for Clinical Innovation. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

20. Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Institute NSW

Professor Tracey O’Brien AM is the NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Institute NSW. Tracey brings more than 25 years across clinical care, research and health system leadership, and leads statewide cancer control strategies. Current role information and supporting evidence are available from the organisation’s published pages.

About the author

Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. He writes and speaks about practical leadership, culture and healthy organisations.

If you are planning leadership development for a health organisation, get a written proposal from Consult Clarity. The work is practical rather than motivational, with something leaders can use on Monday morning.