Board Of Directors
Board 2025 – new and returning members
Congratulations to our new and returning members on the Board of Directors.
Dr Cassandra Zaina FACP, GAICD will join our Board in 2026 as a new Director, while Dr Melissa McConaghy FACP, GAICD has been re-elected for another term.
We wish them both great success!
Please take a moment to read their biographies below.
Melissa is a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist (as awarded by the College in 2010). She holds a Master of Health Science (Neurological Physiotherapy) and Graduate Certificate in Public Health, in addition to her BAppSc in Physiotherapy.
Melissa owns and runs Advance Rehab Centre, a multi-site and community neurological rehabilitation service in Sydney, as well as PD Warrior, an education and training program for people living with Parkinson's licensed across 10 countries globally.
Melissa's 24 year career in physiotherapy has been dedicated to community based neurological rehabilitation and up skilling other health professionals here in Australia and in developed and developing countries.
She presents and educates internationally on topics such as Parkinson's, Polio, Stroke and Robotics in Rehab and curates the program for INSIGHT into PD, an annual online conference for people with Parkinson's.
Melissa has been active in the Australia Physiotherapy Association and Australian College of Physiotherapy in many volunteer roles throughout her career.
As well as sitting on the Board of the APA, she is also the President-Elect for the International Neurological Physical Therapy Association (INPA) for World Physiotherapy.
Melissa was awarded Australian Physiotherapist of the year in 2019, Small Business Champions Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020, HESTA Impact Award in 2022 and the INPA Presidents Award in 2024.
With over three decades of experience as a Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist, dual-titled APA Musculoskeletal and Pain Physiotherapist and Telstra Business Women's Award South Australian Finalist, Cassandra brings a wealth of expertise to your Board of Directors.
A graduate of AICD and experienced Non-Executive Director, she excels in strategic planning, governance, advocacy, risk management, finance, business development and leadership.
Cassandra has served on numerous boards and advisory committees across regulatory, corporate, healthcare and community organisations, consistently enhancing healthcare quality and advocating for improved access and equity.
Her international experience covers public and private healthcare systems and corporate sectors across Australia, Canada and England.
Anchored by unwavering integrity, exceptional interpersonal skills and a knack for innovative problem-solving, Cassandra is ready to leverage her extensive expertise in a portfolio board career, propelling businesses to unprecedented growth and success.
