AVA welcomes Melissa King as Chief Executive Officer

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa King as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the AVA, the peak body for Australia’s veterinarians. Melissa will succeed Acting CEO Michael Ghattas from Monday 25 March 2024.

The AVA Board appointed Ms King following an extensive search by recruitment firm Brown & Chase.

The former CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia and FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Organising Committee, Ms King brings 25+ years of global senior executive experience to the AVA. A leader with extensive transformation, commercial and communications experience, Ms King has also held senior executive roles with the Sydney Opera House and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ms King is a former Independent Director for the United Nations Association of Australia. Currently, she serves as a Non-Executive Director for CHOICE, NSW Institute of Sport and WhiteHawk Inc.

Ms King has an MBA in International Business and Marketing from the University of New England, Australia, a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University, Australia, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

AVA President Dr Diana Barker warmly welcomed Ms King, saying, “It is a pleasure to welcome Melissa to the AVA as Chief Executive Officer. Her impressive leadership credentials will ensure the AVA continues to be a respected voice and powerful advocate for Australia’s veterinarians. The AVA Board has a clear vision to build a stronger, more effective AVA and we are delighted to have a CEO of Melissa’s calibre to drive this vision and improve outcomes for the veterinary sector.

“The AVA Board would also like to thank Acting CEO Michael Ghattas, who has been an outstanding leader during this interim period. We are pleased Michael will continue in his substantive role on the AVA’s Executive Leadership Team as Head of Corporate Services,” said Dr Barker.

Ms King said, “I am honoured to step into the role of CEO at the AVA. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated Board, membership and AVA team to continue advocating for Australia's veterinary professionals and amplifying their invaluable contributions to society.”