Hearing Practitioner Australia’s bi-monthly People on the Move bulletin keeps the Australian hearing sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes, nationally and globally.
SOPHIE CARSON IS NEW COMPANY SECRETARY FOR COUNTRY HEARING CARE
Ms Sophie Carson joined Country Hearing Care (CHC) as project manager in 2024 to support its re-visioning of the future. In 2025, she steps into the role of company secretary, focusing on governance while upholding the values, impact, and integrity of the company. Her focus is aimed at helping CHC achieve its vision of helping more people hear better. Carson has more than 18 years in industry-based associations and training. She thrives on helping businesses create meaningful cultural change. Skilled in governance, compliance, and strategic problem-solving, she loves bringing innovative solutions to life.
NT HEARING SERVICES ROLE FOR SHILP PATEL
Mr Shilp Patel has started work as a graduate clinical audiologist at NT Hearing Services, working in paediatric diagnostics at NT Health, delivering tailored and culturally safe audiological care. PateI completed a Master of Clinical Audiology studies at Charles Darwin University. During his studies, he went on an outreach trip to the remote community of Bulman in the Northern Territory where he provided audiological services at the local health clinic. Patel has a background in health sciences and research and holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. He gained valuable experience as a research assistant, including in stem cell research, which deepened his understanding of evidence-based healthcare.
NEW SPECSAVERS HR ROLE FOR RHEANNON SANTAMARIA
Ms Rheannon Santamaria has taken an expanded role as Head of Human Resources – Audiology and Finance at Specsavers. She joins Ms Jaselle Muscat and Mr Luke Caputo as combined Heads of Human Resources to drive Specsavers’ people initiatives forward. She works closely with the People Director and is responsible for leading and managing the people plans for the ANZ Specsavers Audiology business and finance function, attracting and retaining talent. Part of Specsavers for almost five years, Santamaria brings a wealth of experience in HR, and has a passion for diversity, inclusion and driving HR strategy and people initiatives that maximise individual potential, drive commercial outcomes and create a positive and equal employee experience.
JASELLE MUSCAT NABS SPECSAVERS RETAIL AND HR POSITION
Ms Jaselle Muscat has taken an expanded role as Head of Human Resources – Retail and Optics at Specsavers. She joins Ms Rheannon Santamaria and Mr Luke Caputo as combined Heads of Human Resources to drive Specsavers’ people initiatives forward. Working closely with the People Director, Muscat’s expanded responsibilities allow her to continue to lead and shape the people plans across Australia and New Zealand to ensure Specsavers remains an employer of choice in the retail and optics landscape. With nearly a decade of experience at Specsavers, she has developed a deep understanding of the organisation and has built strong, collaborative relationships at all levels, enabling her to implement effective HR strategies that drive business success.
HANNAH MCPIERZIE JOINS DEAFNESS FORUM AUSTRALIA BOARD
Ms Hannah McPierzie has been appointed as a non-executive director to Deafness Forum Australia. McPierzie identifies as deafblind and brings this perspective to the board. She is also chairperson of Deafblind West Australians and continually advocates for this vulnerable group. McPierzie has worked in the disability sector as an educator for almost 20 years, and as an education support teacher, she taught students with varieties of intellectual disabilities and complex communication needs. She has been conducting sessions with Master of Audiology students at The University of Melbourne and assists Birmingham City University with its Deafblind Studies course. In 2025 she will also be collaborating with the University of Sydney.
LA TROBE UNIVERSITY ROLE FOR DR EMMA LAIRD
Dr Emma Laird has started a new role as senior lecturer for the Master of Clinical Audiology at La Trobe University. She previously worked at Soundfair as Program and Project Lead and will continue to lead Soundfair’s Hearing Wellbeing research project in a volunteer capacity. After studying a Master of Clinical Audiology at The University of Melbourne, Dr Laird started a PhD while working as an audiologist and clinical educator at Melbourne Hearing Care Clinic, specialising in adult diagnostic, vestibular and electrophysiology testing. She also delivered counselling and wellbeing services. She has worked on research projects with Cochlear, Curtin University, Ida Institute, and Ear Science Institute Australia, and worked at Dizzyology.
Do you have career news to share? Email details to HPA editor Helen Carter at helen.carter@primecreative.com.au to be featured.
More reading
People on the Move – December 2024/January 2025 edition
People on the Move – October-November 2024
