Speakers

THE HON. MEREDITH HAMMAT MLA

Meredith Hammat MLA was appointed to one of the most significant portfolios in the State Government in March 2025.

Initially elected to the WA Parliament in 2021 as the Member for Mirrabooka in March 2021, she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests in December 2022, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Tourism in June 2023.

Meredith has held several positions on WA Government boards and advisory committees, a diverse portfolio including the State Training Board, the Sustainable Health Review, My Leave (the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Fund) and the LNG Jobs Taskforce.

ANDREW NGEOW

Andrew is President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch and Convener of the Pharmacy WA Forum. With nearly 30 years’ experience in community pharmacy across Australia and the UK, he owns Pharmacy 777 Midland and has operated several successful pharmacies, including the award-winning Pharmacy 777 Nollamara. A passionate advocate for the evolving role of pharmacists, Andrew is dedicated to advancing the profession, improving patient access to care, and unlocking the full value of pharmacist training across the community pharmacy network.

KAREN TIGHE

Karen Tighe is one of Australia’s most respected and recognisable sports broadcasters, bringing warmth, professionalism, and a wealth of experience to every stage she steps onto. With a celebrated career at the ABC spanning more than three decades, Karen has covered some of the world’s biggest sporting events including the Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games.

A skilled presenter and communicator, Karen is returning once again as host of the Pharmacy WA Forum, bringing her trademark energy to guide delegates through the program.

MONIQUE RICHARDSON

Monique Richardson is a global authority in Service Leadership and Customer Service. With over 23 years of experience, she has delivered high-energy keynotes and training programs to more than 50,000 individuals worldwide. Monique is the author of They Serve Like We Lead and Managing Difficult Customer Behaviour, and her insights have been featured on Sky News, Sunrise, CEO World, and The CEO Institute.

JUSTIN KABBANI

Justin Kabbani is one of Australia’s most in-demand AI trainers and keynote speakers, known for making AI feel simple, powerful, and immediately useful. His signature Prime, Prompt, Produce framework has transformed how business leaders, executive assistants, marketers, and teams think, work, and communicate with AI, without needing to be “tech people.”

JULIA EWERT

Julia Ewert is a leading authority in high-stakes negotiation, with over 25 years of experience helping businesses win more deals through world-class, evidence-based strategies. Trained by some of the FBI’s top hostage and crisis negotiators, Julia applies elite-level techniques to commercial environments - equipping companies with powerful tools to succeed in complex sales and negotiation scenarios.

TRENT TWOMEY

Professor Trent Twomey is the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and a practicing community pharmacist. He co-owns the Alive Pharmacy Warehouse group in North Queensland and has been a driving force in shaping national pharmacy policy, including leading negotiations for the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement. A passionate advocate for accessible, community-based healthcare, Trent brings deep expertise in strategic health leadership and the future of pharmacy practice in Australia.

ANTHONY TASSONE

Anthony Tassone is a community pharmacist, pharmacy owner, and National Vice President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Anthony played a key role in negotiating the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement. He is a strong advocate for expanding pharmacists' scope of practice, including immunisation and prescribing services. His pharmacies have been recognised for excellence in customer service and community engagement.

GERARD BENEDET

Gerard Benedet is the Executive Director of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, appointed in November 2023. Previously, he served as the Guild's Queensland Branch Director from 2019, where he collaborated with the Queensland Government to implement primary healthcare reforms, including the North Queensland Scope of Practice Pilot and the Community Pharmacy UTI Health Service. With a background in senior roles across government and industry, Gerard brings extensive experience in strategic leadership and public policy.

CATE WHALAN

Cate Whalan is a National Councillor of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and is in her fourth term on the Guild’s Queensland Branch Committee. Cate registered in 1995 to be appointed as a pharmacist in the Australian Army. She was part of the first tranche of pharmacists to undergo training and education for the Queensland scope of practice pilot.

NATALIE WILLIS

Natalie Willis is the Senior Vice President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch and a National Councillor. A registered pharmacist since 1996, she entered pharmacy ownership in 1999, the same year she was elected to the WA Branch Committee, a position she continues to hold. Natalie also chairs the Guild’s Clinical Governance Committee and served on the 8CPA negotiating team. She is a strong advocate for expanding the role of community pharmacy in primary healthcare.

MATT WILSON

Matt Willson is the Chief Resilience Officer at The Up Next Company and a specialist in business improvement, systems engineering, and innovative facilitation. With over 21 years of experience in engineering and strategy, Matt helps professionals across STEM and healthcare rethink challenges and design practical, future-ready solutions.
 
He is a Certified Facilitator of LEGO® Serious Play® and the world’s only SUPERCONNECT® Certified Practitioner—a science-based method designed to foster better collaboration, clearer thinking, and strategic planning.

KEVIN TYMENSEN

With over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working for both Suppliers & Wholesalers and specialising in dispensary products, Kevin leads API’s Dispensary Buying & CSO Teams. Kevin is passionate about advocating for access to medicines for all Australians. 

CHRIS SWIFTE

With over 20 years of experience in the pharmacy industry, Chris Swifte is a nationally awarded business broker and licensed real estate agent specialising in the sale and strategic growth of pharmacy businesses across Australia. Known for navigating complex transactions and delivering outstanding outcomes, Chris was named REIV Business Broker of the Year in 2024 and REIA National Business Broker of the Year in 2025.

PRIYA NARSING

With over 18 years of experience in pharmacy accounting, Priya Narsing brings extensive industry insight and a strong focus on building trusted client relationships. She understands that true success comes from aligning both business and personal goals, an approach that has helped her support pharmacy owners at every stage of their journey.

DUNG TRUONG

Dung Truong is a pharmacist with over twenty years’ experience in Western Australia. With a profound understanding of community pharmacy, Dung is dedicated to exploring how MedAdvisor can improve patient outcomes and enhance operational efficiency. His keynote presentation will focus on practical approaches for pharmacists to optimise consultations and demonstrate the integration of AI tools to streamline pharmacy workflows.

VICTORIA CASWELL

Victoria is a naturopath with 30 years’ experience in the natural medicine industry. Currently based in Perth, Victoria has worked across retail and clinical environments in both Australia and the USA. Victoria is a Naturopathic Educator with the Blackmores Group and spends most of her time educating healthcare professionals about the unlimited potential of complementary medicine. 

KATE HALL

Kate Hall is the Industrial Relations Officer at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch. With a strong background in employment law and workplace relations, she provides expert support to pharmacy owners and managers across Western Australia. Kate advises on matters including award compliance, workplace disputes, performance management, and workplace relations best practices, ensuring members navigate their obligations with confidence and clarity.

ANNA GEHA

With over 31 years of experience as a pharmacist and the past 6 years supporting members at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch, Anna brings a wealth of practical knowledge and pharmacy insight to her role as a Business Support Pharmacist.

She works closely with pharmacy owners and teams across WA, providing guidance on a wide range of operational, clinical and business matters. 

MELISSA BENSON

With over 15 years of experience as a pharmacist and the past 5 years dedicated to supporting Guild members as a Business Support Pharmacist with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch, Melissa brings deep practical insight to her role. She is passionate about helping busy pharmacists navigate challenges, whether clinical, business or operational - by offering quick, tailored advice and support when it’s needed most.