Karen Booth is the Chief Clinical Adviser (Nursing) for the Australian Digital Health Agency, and is the immediate past president of the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA). She has worked as a primary health care nurse and manager in general practice since 1998, which included acute and preventative health care, chronic disease management, care coordination, data management, accreditation, administration, staff training and mentoring. Karen is an influential leader who has been advocating for the role of nurses in digital health for many years. She has been a key contributor to the advancement of digital health in the nursing profession and played a pivotal role in the future of the Australian healthcare system as a member of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce She has participated in numerous Australian Government Department of Health national health policy advisory groups, including several Ministerial appointments, providing advice to the Primary Health Care Advisory Group, the MBS review and Primary Health Reform Steering Group for the National Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan. Karen has more than 10 years’ experience in corporate governance and has held several board director positions. Karen is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

A/Prof Michael Clements is an experienced Townsville based General Practitioner and multi-site practice owner with a background in health leadership and clinical and corporate governance. A/Prof Clements has accrued a wide variety of skills and special interests in his time with the Royal Australian Air Force and then with QLD Health as Director of Medical Services at Ingham Hospital before opening his private practices in Townsville while concurrently working for the QLD Rural Generalist Training Pathway as an advisor. Having worked in rural, remote and overseas clinical environments during and after his fellowship training Michael now gets his ‘rural fix’ by flying himself and other clinicians to remote towns in the Gulf of Carpentaria delivering GP clinics. Michael continues to work with the QLD Rural Generalist Pathway and is on the Board of RACGP as the Rural Chair.

John Harper OAM is a passionate mental health advocate and the founder of Mate Helping Mate, a grassroots initiative dedicated to improving mental wellbeing in rural and remote communities. A retired wheat and sheep farmer from the Riverina, John understands firsthand the wellbeing and health challenges faced by people living regionally in Australia. Mate Helping Mate encourages, awareness, prevention, and early intervention for mental health issues through peer support via the actioning of Australian mateship and community spirit. Recognised by Paul Harris Fellowships, a Pride of Australia Medal and awarded in 2024 the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to community health and wellbeing, John remains deeply committed to his mission. He is proud to be “an ordinary Aussie bloke from the bush” who simply wants to make a positive difference. John’s expertise is widely respected. He has collaborated with leading mental health organisations Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute, Lifeline, and Suicide Prevention Australia, and advised State and Federal Governments through various initiatives such as the National Drought Taskforce. His advocacy champions lived experience, the value of grassroots knowledge, community-driven solutions and ensuring that rural and remote voices are heard in national mental health strategies.