Chief Executive Officer

The organisation

The Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA) served as the peak professional body representing dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists across Australia. Dedicated to supporting the continuing development of these vital oral health professions and promoting preventive models of care, the DHAA provided crucial support and advice to its members. The organisation collaborated extensively with other health professional groups and stakeholders, striving for better access to and optimal oral health care for all Australians.  

The DHAA played a key role in advocating for the interests of its members, working to elevate the profile and establish a unified voice for preventive oral health. It provided evidence-based professional development opportunities, ensuring members remained at the forefront of advancements in oral health care. The DHAA also sets high-quality, evidence-based standards for the profession, promoting the delivery of safe and effective care. Furthermore, the association actively collaborated with other health bodies to improve oral health outcomes and offered comprehensive communication and support to its membership on matters of professional practice, career development, and ethical considerations. Members of the DHAA were registered dental practitioners with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), providing a broad range of oral health services across both private and public sectors.  

In late 2024, a significant development occurred with the merger of the DHAA and the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association Ltd (ADOHTA). This strategic amalgamation resulted in the formation of a new peak professional association: the Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA). The primary aim of this merger was to create a stronger and more unified voice for all oral health professionals in Australia.

The brief

Recognising the pivotal moment in the establishment of the OHAA, the newly formed Council invited Brooker Consulting to submit a proposal outlining our approach to leading an executive search for their inaugural Chief Executive Officer. The Council understood the critical importance of this appointment in shaping the future direction and ensuring the success of the newly merged organisation. They sought a leader with a deep understanding of the Australian oral health landscape, coupled with exceptional leadership, change management, and communication skills to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities inherent in leading a newly formed association. Brooker Consulting was identified as a partner with a strong understanding of member-based organisations and a proven track record in executive search within the healthcare sector. 

The process

• Discovery and Definition: Initial meetings with the OHAA Council to deeply understand their vision, strategic objectives, organisational culture, and the specific requirements and expectations for the inaugural CEO role. This involved detailed discussions about the challenges and opportunities of the merger and the desired leadership qualities for the new CEO.
• Targeted Search Strategy: Development of a comprehensive search strategy leveraging Brooker Consulting’s extensive network within the healthcare and association sectors. This involved identifying potential candidates through direct sourcing, database searches, and industry contacts, focusing on individuals with experience in leading member organisations, navigating mergers or significant organisational change, and possessing a strong understanding of the oral health or broader healthcare landscape.
• Candidate Assessment: A rigorous and multi-stage assessment process to evaluate candidates against the agreed-upon criteria. This involved in-depth interviews and potentially presentations to gauge their leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, communication skills, and understanding of the complexities of the sector.
• Shortlisting and Presentation: Presentation of a carefully selected shortlist of highly qualified candidates to the OHAA Council, providing detailed profiles and verbal assessment summaries for each individual.
• Interview and Selection: Facilitation of interviews between the shortlisted candidates and the OHAA Council, providing guidance and support throughout the process.
• Reference Checking: Conduct thorough background and reference checks on the preferred candidate(s).
• Offer Negotiation and Placement: Assisting the OHAA in negotiating the terms of employment and successfully placing the inaugural CEO.

The outcome

Nathan Clarke was appointed as the inaugural CEO of the Oral Health Association of Australia. The OHAA will take over from the ADOHTA and DHAA and commence operations from 1 July 2025.

Nathan is an accomplished executive and not-for-profit leader with over 30 years of experience driving innovation, strategic growth, and organisational success. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA) since 2016, Nathan has spearheaded a remarkable turnaround, significantly increasing membership and value for the workplace rehabilitation industry. His career highlights also include being the founding CEO of the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF), establishing it as Australia’s foremost provider of education and capability development for the personal injury and disability insurance sectors. With academic credentials including a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Business (Economics), he brings a strong blend of business acumen, policy expertise, and stakeholder engagement to the OHAA.

Beyond his executive leadership, Nathan has demonstrated a passion for community-building initiatives, notably founding and managing the successful Hot & Steamy Festival in Port Douglas, which achieved record levels of participant satisfaction and strong tourism growth. His board involvement on the Mossman Botanic Garden further showcases his commitment to social impact and environmental sustainability. Known for his consultative leadership style, strategic foresight, and ability to drive complex, nationally distributed organisations, Nathan will continue to influence positive change across allied health, disability, education, and community sectors in Australia.