Executive team
Sarah McCann-Bartlett MAHRI, FAICD
Sarah McCann-Bartlett is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Australian HR Institute. She has global experience in membership and trade bodies and has held senior roles across a variety of sectors in Australia, the UK and the USA.
Previously, Sarah held the roles of Director General of the British Constructional Steelwork Association, Deputy Commissioner of the Victorian Building and Plumbing Commissions, and President and Group Manager, Americas at the Woolmark Company.
Sarah holds Commerce and Arts degrees from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from Monash University, and postgraduate qualifications in marketing. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michelle Coleman MAHRI GAICD
Michelle is passionate about leveraging organisations’ unique strengths to fuel their growth. She has held leadership positions in a wide variety of private, public and not-for-profit organisations. Recent roles include Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at GPEx, a provider of innovative healthcare solutions, Head of Marketing and Customer Service at OET, a global edtech company ranked by the AFR in 2020 as Australia’s 38th fastest growing company, and Online Content Manager at professional accounting body CPA Australia.
Michelle consistently puts members and customers first, whether it’s focusing marketing campaigns on member needs, understanding partners’ objectives to craft effective sales solutions or ensuring all stakeholders enjoy an exceptional experience at AHRI events.
She holds a Master of Marketing from Monash University and had a successful earlier career in journalism and publishing.
Matt Connell FCPHR
Matt Connell is the General Manager, People & Culture of the Australian HR Institute. Matt has worked in senior HR/People Culture roles in various values-based industries. He has an MBA majoring in Strategic HR Management and has worked in several start-ups and merging organisations and has developed and implemented people & culture functions leading highly engaged teams to manage complex IR/ER issues in challenging industries and environments. He is an AHRI Fellow Certified HR Practitioner.
Matt is a passionate advocate for the HR industry and about developing constructive leadership capabilities in others so they may better empower, engage and enhance performance in their own team members.
Before stepping into an executive role with AHRI, Matt held various volunteer positions, including the Victorian state councillor and was the Victorian State President from 2019 – 2025. He joined AHRI’s Board as a State Director in 2022, was a member of AHRI’s Finance, Audit, and Risk Management Committee (FARM) and Chair of the National Certifications Council (NCC) during his time on AHRI’s Board.
Phillip Harris MAHRI
Phill has a master’s in business administration and has held various senior production and technology roles within Corporate and Government organisations including:
- The Seven and Nine Television Networks
- Telstra
- Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO)
- Box Hill Institute
He has also held senior technology roles in several “for purpose” associations within the Health, and Membership sectors.
Kate Ruddell
As the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at AHRI, Kate oversees all financial management activities, including strategic analysis, financial planning, risk management, and reporting. She ensures financial collaboration and alignment across key organisational initiatives.
With a distinguished career in finance and operations, Kate brings a wealth of experience in driving revenue and profitability across various sectors. She is a Chartered Accountant with deep operational and commercial leadership skills, known for her collaborative and values-driven approach. Before joining AHRI, Kate held senior roles across a variety of industries. She has a proven track record of managing high-value projects and driving organisational growth.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) with Distinction from RMIT and is a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Robin Shepherd MAHRI CAE
Robin is an experienced and certified association executive (AuSAE CAE) with over 17 years in the association and membership sector through a variety of NFP organisations.
Her experience building membership and supporting volunteers, along with her track-record in driving innovation through the effective use of technology, are invaluable skills to have contributing to AHRI. Robin excels in adapting member services to fast-evolving member needs and building growth through identifying key issues affecting members and devising impactful solutions. Her passion for membership, whether acquisition, retention or engagement, remains at the heart of everything she does. Robin understands the importance of thinking strategically about member experience and embedding it into all aspects of the business.
Sarah Tedesco
Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working in Australia and internationally across a range of industries in listed, public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Over her career Sarah has worked in organisational psychology, leadership development, talent management, learning, education, recruitment, employee welfare and wellness, and cultural transformation. Sarah has also held roles as a Chief Operations Officer and Operations and Corporate Services Director giving her broad business experience.
Having worked in a similar role in three other institutes – the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Actuaries Institute of Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, Sarah brings a deep understanding of member experience and the importance of providing relevant and insightful content and services.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) and a Masters of Business (Sport Management).