About Me
My Expertise
I am a certified health executive with over 30 years’ experience leading complex reform and growth across health, aged care, community care, disability, dental and governance sectors. With a strong commercial lens, I’ve delivered results as CEO and board director in not-for-profit, public, private, and private equity-backed organisations—rural, remote, and metropolitan. I’m driven to improve health, social, and economic outcomes through practical, performance-focused leadership.
Current Roles
Michele Smith consulting - Health care consultant and interim executive.
The inaugural Governing Board Chair of the largest geographic Local Health Network in South Australia. Reporting directly to the Minister, Michele co-designs Government policy at the highest levels of the South Australian Health System.
Member of the State-wide Clinical Support Services Committee, a subsidiary of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Board (RAH) which was set up to govern the state-wide services of SA Pathology, SA Medical Imaging, Breast screen SA, SA Dental Service and SA Pharmacy.
Non-Executive Director of Unity Housing Company. Unity housing has a long and strong history of providing housing to some of the most vulnerable people in South Australia.
Member SA’s Inaugural Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Review Board. Michele is charged with overseeing the momentous change to ensure the VAD Bill is delivered with compassion, expertise, and experience for the safe operation of voluntary assisted dying.
Non-Executive Director of Ochre Health and Ochre Recruitment – Ochre Health is a leading facilitator of healthcare to rural, regional and urban communities around Australia. We operate a network of over 65 medical centres across five states and territories and we are a service provider to more than 450 doctors.
Past Roles
Non-Executive Director - The Healthy Communities Foundation Australia – ended December 2023
Non-Executive Director - CARA Disability – ended September 2023
Was the transformational CEO of the North Eastern Community Hospital, a private Hospital and Aged Care facility in metropolitan Adelaide's Northern suburbs - ended August 2022.
Professional Memberships & Awards
Certified Chair
Advisory Board Centre's Certified Chair Executive Program - 2023 - Present
Fellow
Australian Institute Company Directors 2018 – Present
Fellow
Australasian College of Health Service Managers 2008 – Present
AHPRA Registered Nurse – Division 1
Nursing and Midwifery Board of South Australia 1986 – Present
Certified Chair Aged Care
Advisory Board Centre's Certified Chair Executive Program - 2023 - Present
Order of Australia Medal (OAM)
Issued by Governor General · Jun 2023
SA Woman leadership awards Finalist
Issued by SA Woman · Jun 2022
Finalist in “Leadership” category Healthcare Hero
Issued by HELP awards · Jan 2021
SA Health Supplier Innovation Finalist
Issued by SA Health · Nov 2019
CEO of the Year Finalist
Issued by The CEO Magazine · Sep 2019
Health & Pharmaceutical Executive of the year Finalist
Issued by The CEO Magazine · Sep 2019
SA Health Award - Mid-Eyre Medical Model - Finalist
Issued by SA Health · Jun 2015
Premiers Nursing Scholarship - Awarded
Issued by Premier of South Australia · Jun 2001
SA Health award - Winner
Ceduna Meningococcal W community vaccination response · Jun 2000