Executive TeamMeet our Executive Team.
KINNECT’s leaders have created an industry-leading workplace culture, inspire excellence in customer service and foster the best outcomes for our clients across Australia.
The people guiding KINNECT.
From our Chairman and CEO through to our General and Regional Managers, our leaders bring deep experience in occupational health, allied health and commercial operations.
Executive Leadership
Kevin Conlon
Chairman
Kevin Conlon is the Founder and Chairman of KINNECT, with 30 years of experience across occupational health, workplace rehabilitation, exercise physiology and business leadership.
Kevin founded KINNECT in 1996 as a newly graduated Exercise Physiologist from Queensland University of Technology. From its beginnings as a small occupational health business, he led KINNECT through decades of growth, helping build the organisation into a national provider supporting employers and workers across Australia.
Kevin served as KINNECT’s Chief Executive Officer until 2024, when Dave Hughes transitioned into the role. He now serves as Chairman of the Board and is also Chief Executive Officer of Carelever, another company within the KINNECT Group, where he continues to focus on using technology and innovation to improve the delivery of occupational health services.
Kevin is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, a Fellow of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and a member of YPO.
Throughout KINNECT’s history, Kevin’s focus has remained centred on helping people. Whether supporting injured or ill workers, helping clients achieve better workplace health outcomes, or creating opportunities for KINNECT’s own team, this philosophy has been a consistent part of the organisation’s purpose and growth.
Dave Hughes
Chief Executive Officer
Dave Hughes is KINNECT’s Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than 23 years of experience across occupational health, workplace rehabilitation, injury management and executive leadership.
Dave’s career with KINNECT began in 2003, when he joined as an Exercise Physiologist following a practicum placement during his final year of university. He later broadened his industry experience through clinical, consulting and leadership roles with CBI Health, The Interact Group and Aurizon.
At The Interact Group, Dave progressed from Business Manager and Rehabilitation Consultant to General Manager, leading regional teams and supporting the delivery of workplace rehabilitation services across state, federal and other personal injury schemes. His responsibilities included strategic planning, business growth, contract performance and service delivery across the personal injury and disability employment markets.
Dave also worked on the employer side as Senior Work & Rehabilitation Advisor with Aurizon, where he managed a complex portfolio of workplace injuries across multiple state and territory legislative frameworks. This experience provided him with a valuable perspective on the operational, financial and human impacts of workplace injury management.
Dave returned to KINNECT in 2019 as Chief Operating Officer, leading the organisation’s operational performance and supporting its continued national growth. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in July 2024.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies) from Queensland University of Technology, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
As Chief Executive Officer, Dave leads KINNECT’s strategic direction, growth and organisational performance. His combination of clinical, employer, rehabilitation and executive leadership experience provides a broad understanding of the challenges faced by workers, employers and organisations managing workplace health and injury.
Jess Hopley
Chief Financial Officer
As a qualified Accountant, Jess brings a strong commercial focus to KINNECT’s leadership team as the only member who is not from an allied health background. Jess provides momentum on KINNECT’s continued growth strategy as she oversees the financial and commercial aspects of the business.
Ashley Brett
Chief People Officer
Ashley Brett is KINNECT’s Chief People Officer, bringing more than 25 years of experience across people leadership, insurance, mining, oil and gas, and safety-critical industries.
Before joining KINNECT in February 2025, Ashley held senior people and human resources leadership roles with organisations including Downer Mining and Weatherford International. This included a decade with Downer Mining and senior HR Director roles with Weatherford International in both Brisbane and Dubai, providing extensive experience leading people functions within complex, operational and geographically diverse organisations.
Earlier in Ashley’s career, a foundation in Exercise Physiology led to a decade with WorkCover Queensland, where Ashley held leadership roles across claims management and Medical and Allied Health advisory functions. This experience provided a strong understanding of workplace health, injury management, insurance and the important connection between employee wellbeing and organisational performance.
Ashley holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Master of Insurance (Risk Management) from Deakin University, and a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from QUT. Ashley also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies) from QUT.
As Chief People Officer, Ashley leads KINNECT’s national people function and works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Advisory Board on workforce strategy, organisational culture and capability. Ashley brings a broad combination of operational, people, health and risk expertise to supporting KINNECT’s continued growth and creating an environment where its people can perform at their best.
Courtney Hargrave
Head of AI, Innovation and Efficiency
Courtney Hargrave is KINNECT’s Head of AI, Innovation and Efficiency, bringing more than 15 years of experience across occupational health, business development, marketing, technology and service innovation.
Courtney began working in the occupational health industry in 2010, initially with another large occupational health service provider, before joining KINNECT in 2012. Since then, Courtney has held a diverse range of leadership roles across the business, including Health and Medical Services Manager, Business Development Manager and Marketing Manager.
This broad experience across clinical services, operations, customer growth and marketing has provided Courtney with a deep understanding of KINNECT’s services, clients and operational environment, and how technology can be used to improve both customer and employee experiences.
Courtney holds a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science, a Graduate Diploma of Clinical Exercise Physiology and a Master of Human Nutrition.
In the role of Head of AI, Innovation and Efficiency, Courtney is responsible for leading KINNECT’s adoption of artificial intelligence and identifying opportunities to leverage technology, automation and innovation across the organisation. The focus is on improving efficiency, simplifying processes and developing smarter ways of working that support KINNECT’s continued growth while improving the experience for clients, candidates and KINNECT team members.
Val Geraghty
Head of Customers & Growth
Val Geraghty is KINNECT’s Head of Customers & Growth, leading the organisation’s national Customer & Growth function and overseeing a team of Business Development Managers and Key Client Partners across Australia.
Val brings more than 20 years of experience across corporate health and occupational health services, including previous roles with major healthcare organisations such as Bupa and the Mayne Group. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive experience in business development, customer strategy, relationship management and commercial growth.
Val works closely with organisations to understand their needs, identify opportunities and solve complex challenges. Her approach combines strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of customer priorities, helping KINNECT build long-term partnerships that deliver value for both clients and the business.
Working across KINNECT’s national footprint, Val partners with clients and internal teams throughout Australia to strengthen customer relationships, support business performance and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
Outside of KINNECT, Val is a keen theatre-goer, enjoys travelling to new places and is an avid reader of biographies, reflecting her curiosity about people, their experiences and the stories behind their lives.
Luke Manning
General Manager, Workplace Rehabilitation
Luke Manning is KINNECT’s General Manager, Workplace Rehabilitation, bringing more than 25 years of experience across insurance, personal injury, legal services, professional services and executive leadership.
Before joining KINNECT in August 2026, Luke held senior leadership roles with organisations including Suncorp, KPMG and WorkCover Queensland. At Suncorp, he led the organisation’s outsourced workers’ compensation claims management business, overseeing the management of more than 10,000 workers’ compensation claims across multiple locations. He also led Suncorp’s Policy & Regulatory team supporting its Workers’ Compensation and CTP insurance businesses.
Earlier in his career, Luke spent more than 11 years with KPMG in senior leadership roles spanning strategy, business development, marketing and operations. He also practised as a lawyer specialising in insurance litigation, workers’ compensation, CTP and personal injury matters.
Luke holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies) from Griffith University. He is also admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.
Luke brings a valuable combination of insurer, legal, commercial and operational experience to KINNECT. He is passionate about helping people recover from injury and return to meaningful work, while delivering strong outcomes for employers, insurers and scheme stakeholders. His broad perspective enables him to understand workplace rehabilitation from the viewpoints of the worker, employer, insurer and service provider.
Meisha Kershaw
General Manager, Occupational Health
Meisha leads KINNECT’s Occupational Health services, supporting the delivery of consistent, high-quality workforce health services across Australia.
Regional Leadership
Matt Waide
Regional Manager | SE QLD
Matthew Waide is KINNECT’s Regional Manager for South East Queensland, bringing around 20 years of experience across workplace rehabilitation, occupational health, clinical service delivery and operational leadership.
Throughout his career, Matthew has progressed from frontline consultant roles into local and state leadership positions with some of Australia’s largest workplace rehabilitation and occupational health providers. His leadership experience has spanned Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, giving him a broad understanding of delivering services across diverse markets, teams and client environments.
Matthew joined KINNECT six years ago as Regional Manager for South East Queensland before progressing to Queensland State Manager. He has since returned to lead the South East Queensland region, where he is responsible for operational performance, team leadership, client relationships and business growth.
Matthew is a Registered Occupational Therapist and brings a strong clinical foundation to his leadership approach. He has also served as a Queensland Council Member of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA) for approximately eight years, contributing to the development and advancement of the workplace rehabilitation industry.
Matthew combines extensive industry knowledge with practical leadership experience, with a strong focus on supporting high-performing teams, maintaining quality service delivery and achieving strong outcomes for clients across South East Queensland.
Gerald Peterson
Regional Manager | NSW & ACT
Gerald started his career at KINNECT in Queensland as an Exercise Physiologist. He has led the expansion of KINNECT’s service provision to NSW, establishing a brand new team and creating a thriving NSW business.
James Buckley
Regional Manager | VIC
James Buckley is KINNECT’s Regional Manager for Victoria, bringing almost 20 years of experience across occupational rehabilitation, workplace health, injury prevention, service delivery and leadership.
James began his career in occupational rehabilitation in Australia before gaining further experience in the United Kingdom, where he worked with injured workers to coordinate appropriate treatment and support successful return-to-life outcomes. His work involved close collaboration with employers, clients and other stakeholders, building a strong foundation in injury management, rehabilitation service delivery and client relationship management.
James joined KINNECT as a Graduate Consultant delivering workplace rehabilitation services. Following a period working overseas in a similar industry, he returned to KINNECT in a service delivery role before progressing to Projects Lead, where he focused on injury prevention initiatives. He now leads KINNECT’s Victorian operations as Regional Manager, with responsibility for operational performance, team leadership, client relationships and business growth.
James holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) from The University of Queensland and is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA). He also serves on the Executive Committee of the ARPA Victoria Council, contributing to the advancement of best practice across the workplace rehabilitation industry.
James brings extensive clinical, operational and leadership experience to his role, with a strong focus on developing high-performing teams, strengthening client partnerships and delivering consistently strong outcomes for customers across Victoria.
Christie Solway
Regional Manager | SA & WA
With a background in psychology, Christie has more than 15 years of experience in the prevention and management of physical and psychological injuries. She has partnered with employers across a wide range of industries to design and deliver both tailored programs and strategic initiatives that achieve measurable outcomes for workers and businesses alike. At KINNECT, she leads multidisciplinary teams across clinics in Western Australia and South Australia, driving growth through service excellence, productivity, and the development of strong, lasting stakeholder relationships.
Melena Musumeci
Regional Manager | Northern QLD & NT
Melena Musumeci is KINNECT’s Regional Manager for Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, bringing close to 10 years of experience across workplace rehabilitation, occupational therapy, team leadership and service delivery.
Before joining KINNECT, Melena worked as a Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant with IPAR, supporting injured workers through rehabilitation and return-to-work programs. This experience provided a strong foundation in injury management, stakeholder engagement and the coordination of workplace rehabilitation services.
Melena joined KINNECT in May 2020 as Team Manager for Cairns, where she led local service delivery, supported team performance and developed strong client relationships across the region. In December 2025, she was appointed Regional Manager for Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Melena holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
As Regional Manager, Melena is responsible for operational performance, team leadership, client relationships and business growth across Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. She brings a strong clinical and operational perspective to the role, with a focus on supporting high-quality service delivery and strong outcomes for clients and workers across the region.
Talk to KINNECT about your workforce health program.
Our leadership team and consultants partner with employers across Australia to design and deliver occupational health and workplace rehabilitation services that get results.