Professor. Michael WeirChair of Academic Council Biography Michael has broad professional experience as a solicitor in private legal practice in commercial and property law. In his academic career Michael has published extensively on Land Law, Planning Law and Complementary Medicine and the law. He is a co- author of the textbook Real Property Law in Queensland, LBC (4th edition, 2015). Michael has a research interest in Medicine and the Law with a focus on complementary and alternative medicine and law and ethics. This interest is reflected in the textbook Law and Ethics in Complementary Medicine Allen and Unwin (5th edition 2016).
Dr. Rachel CanawayCollaboration and Network Manager, Research, University of Melbourne - External Academic Representative Biography Rachel is a health systems and services researcher interested in policy and health systems development of medical pluralism and the governance of secondary use of health data. She has worked as a naturopath, massage therapist, academic and as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) advising on integration of traditional medicine with national health systems. Rachel is currently involved in increasing capacity for primary care research, including through strengthening VicREN, a practice-based research network based at the Department of General Practice, the University of Melbourne, and she is a long-time member of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia.
Dr. Florin OprescuAssociate Professor in Public Health, Health Promotion, University of the Sunshine Coast - External Academic Representative Biography Dr Florin Oprescu is a health promotion and communication specialist. His formal qualifications include medicine (MD), public health (MPH, PhD), business management (MBA) and education (Grad Cert). He works on initiatives including health promotion education, health communication, injury prevention, and translation of scientific findings into practical and accessible public health content, especially for vulnerable populations and limited resource settings. For example, his doctoral work explored health communication in online communities, including knowledge management and sharing for disability care. A recent health communication research project was in collaboration with the national health promotion charity Hello Sunday Morning led by USC graduate Chris Raine.Florin’s experience encompasses a range of projects across topics and disciplines including medicine, nursing, paramedic science, occupational therapy, information technology, communication and education. He is currently contributing to programs and research designed to enhance teaching and learning in higher education, particularly in health disciplines. Examples include action research, first-year experience, assessment as learning and use of information technology in education. A research project example is Expert in my pocket: A mobile-enabled repository of learning resources for the development of clinical skills in student health professionals.
Sophy AthanChair, Health Issue Centre; Chair, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Community Advisory Committee; Director, Euroforce Music - Community Health Organisation Representative Biography With a strong interest in mental health, disability, the aged and women’s health, Sophy has been an advocate in the health sector for over 13 years. She has presented at conferences and workshops on consumer and carer perspectives. She is also a member of several health service committees and chairs a number of consumer and carer committees.She is the Director of her own company, Euroforce Music. Prior to this, Sophy was a senior public servant in both state and local governments.
Nicole GrundyOperations Director, Clean Health Fitness Institute - VET Advisory Board Chair Biography Formerly the General Manager (VET) for FIAFitnation, Nicole has recently moved into the Operations Director role with Clean Health Fitness Institute. Nicole has worked across the Vocational Education and Training sector for over fifteen years, holding a Chief Operations Officer role for another corporate RTO as well as owning her own RTO back in 2008. Prior to FIAFitnation, Nicole was the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) for the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers and Foundation Education. As CAO, Nicole lead the Academic team, Quality team and the Human Resource team. Responsible for the academic delivery of all courses, implementing best practice across the organisation and ensuring the academic governance and quality is managed across both Registered Training Organisations (RTO).Nicole holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Diploma of Practice Management, Diploma of Training & Assessment, Diploma of VET Registration and Management, Diploma of Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Nicole is also a member of many professional bodies, including the Institute of Managers and Leaders (AIM), Business Chicks, ITECA and VELG.
Ema SounessBachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), Melbourne campus - Student Representative Biography Ema is a third year student of the Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) at Endeavour. She has successfully undertaken a range of subjects through her degree, completing each with distinction or high distinction grades. Ema came to the College after being granted Endeavour’s Academic School Leaver’s Scholarship in 2019, an award granted in respect to outstanding academic performance and demonstrated leadership throughout the duration of her Higher School Certificate studies. Ema believes that, in order to facilitate the ongoing development of outstanding healthcare practitioners, and to support the evolution of highly respected career pathways, it is vital to ensure the highest quality learning standards and diversification of career opportunities for our students. Her positive rapport and dedication to her fellow peers and future coworkers has always been a high priority, driving her involvement in Student Reps since the commencement of her degree. She loves to represent the student voice, and to aid in ensuring the fruition of our professions in allied health.
Bianca PotentaClinic Director & Naturopath, The Health & Wellbeing Studio, Victoria - Alumni Representative Biography Bianca has been in clinical practice for 9 years and is the founder of The Health & Wellbeing Studio, a multidisciplinary Natural Health Clinic with 13 practitioners and staff, who are focused on providing a collaborative and integrative health care model for their patients. Bianca has been a guest speaker and lecturer at a range of Educational Institutions and her patient cases have been published, clinical resources and seminar manuals for Metagenics.Bianca has been on the board of a not for profit organisation, was featured on Industry Leaders on Foxtel in 2016 and Network Ten 2018. Bianca is a so the cofounder of Natural Business Tools, an online resource for practitioners to support them in delivering an exceptional standard of care to their patients. She is an advocate for supporting practitioners in their transition from student to becoming a successful natural healthcare practitioner and has hosted several webinars and mentoring programs both privately and for Endeavour College around this. In 2018 Bianca was nominated for Naturopath of the Year for her work in supporting the profession and was the guest speaker at the Endeavour College Graduation in 2019.
Rolf KrecklenbergManaging Director & CEO Biography Rolf has 30 years’ leadership experience across many industries in the listed and private sector. Starting out in hotel management, he successfully built up the Peppers Hotel Group until it was purchased by an ASX listed investment bank and evolved into the Stella / Mantra Group, where he continued to thrive as the Managing Director. He was then approached to head up an online retail group, which he led through the Global Financial Crisis, before moving on to work with Allegro Funds for the first time as the CEO of Clifford Hallam Healthcare. This was the beginning of a successful partnership, with Allegro asking Rolf to manage and invest in two subsequent acquisitions including Endeavour College. With a personal interest in natural medicine and wellness, Rolf is thrilled to be working with the team at Endeavour to focus on the quality improvement of the high standard education that it is renowned for, and to particularly improve the emphasis on customer (student) satisfaction across their whole time at the College.