Chief Executive Officer

The Organisation

The Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB) serves as the professional association for dentists across Victoria, boasting nearly a century of history since its formation in 1928. The organisation is dedicated to improving the dental health of all Victorians, promoting the highest standards of professional dental care, and enhancing the professional lives of its members.

ADAVB plays a vital role in supporting and advocating on behalf of Victorian dentists. The organization builds a stronger voice for the profession by listening to dentists’ concerns, monitoring the impact on the field, and prioritizing the needs identified by its members.

Objectives of the ADAVB

• Enhancing Public Health: The ADAVB is committed to improving the oral and general health of the Victorian public.
• Promoting Excellence: The organization actively promotes the art and science of dentistry, supporting the provision of safe, high-quality oral health care for the community.
• Upholding Ethical Standards: ADAVB establishes and encourages a code of ethics that members are expected to observe in their professional conduct.
• Continuing Professional Development: The ADAVB advises on, participates in, and promotes continuing professional development for dentists and others engaged in the practice of dentistry.
• Aligning with National Initiatives: The ADAVB furthers the interests and objectives of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and participates in programs or activities sponsored by the ADA.

Advocating for the Profession: The organization advances and safeguards the general and social interests of the dental profession in Victoria.

The brief

For over 25 years, the Victorian Branch of the ADA was led by Garry Pearson, whose tenure as Chief Executive Officer shaped the organisation significantly. Upon Garry’s departure, an externally facilitated executive search by Brooker Consulting was conducted, leading to the appointment of Dr. Matthew Hopcraft as CEO in 2017.

As Dr. Hopcraft’s contract nears its conclusion, the ADAVB Council has decided to initiate a market search to identify the next Chief Executive. The ADAVB President invited Brooker Consulting to submit a proposal for conducting a comprehensive executive search process to appoint the new leader of the Victorian Branch.

The outcome

After a rigorous and multilayered interview and selection process, the ADAVB appointed Ilsa Hampton to the role.

Ilsa is an experienced health sector leader who has held senior executive and CEO roles across multiple member associations. Ilsa is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the School of Midwifery and Nursing at La Trobe University and Chair of the Victorian Executive Committee of the Australian Association of Gerontology. Ilsa commenced with the ADAVB on Monday 29 January, 2024.