Read about updates from the ESSA National Board
Dr Brendan Joss
President
Dr Brendan Joss is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), ESSA Fellow and Managing Director at HFRC. HFRC is an Exercise Physiology-led allied health clinic focusing on rehabilitation in complex orthopaedic surgery to optimise recovery. Brendan has worked as an AEP since 2001 at HFRC where he also completed a PhD in the Clinical and Biomechanical Comparison of Fixed vs. Mobile Bearing Unicondylar Knee Replacement in 2006. Subsequently, he undertook a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Queens University, Canada. In conjunction with his clinical work, Brendan continues to be involved in applied research to develop evidence-based treatment models for orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions. He also holds an adjunct Assoc. Professor position at the University of Western Australia.
From 2009 to 2014 Brendan served as a Director and Vice-President of the ESSA Board, in addition to WA State Chapter Chair. In 2016 Brendan became a member of the ESSA scientific conference organising committee, and in 2017 the Chair of the organising committee for the ESSA Business Forum. Having returned to the ESSA Board in 2017, Brendan has been successful in contributing to the positive future direction of ESSA and its members.
Associate Professor Emma Beckman
Vice-President
Dr Emma Beckman is an Associate Professor in clinical exercise physiology at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Queensland, Australia. Emma is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and an Accredited Sport Scientist (AES) (Level 2), with a special interest in para-sport.
Emma is an Accredited Paralympic Athletics Classifier both nationally and internationally. She uses her accreditation to volunteer for Athletics Australia and World Para Athletics in this capacity, having classified at two Paralympic Games and three World Championships. In 2019 Emma was recognised as a Female Leader in exercise and sports science by Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA). She has a keen interest in inter-professional practice and collaboration and also undertakes research to help develop student competencies working in teams.
Emma is currently on secondment to the Queensland Academy of Sport and Paralympics Australia in the role of Para Sport High Performance Manager.
Having served as a QLD State Chapter Chair for ESSA for a number of years, Emma has been able to apply her experience and successfully contribute to the National Board.
Distinguished Professor Aaron Coutts
Elected Director
Aaron is a Distinguished Professor and Head of School at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He is also the Director of the Human Performance Research Centre at UTS. Aaron has published more than 250 scientific articles that have focused on developing evidence-based methods for improving athletes’ health and performance. Further to his academic work, Aaron also provides sport science advice to several leading national and international sporting organisations.
Aaron has also been the recipient of an Australian Teaching and Learning Citation for outstanding contributions to student learning in sport and exercise sciences. Aaron is an Accredited Sport Scientist and has been a Director of ESSA since 2013.
Associate Professor Steve Fraser
Elected Director
Associate Professor Steve Fraser has held various leadership positions in the profession including ESSA Accreditation Council 2017-2021 (Chair 2019-20), ESSA Vic Director: Continuing Education 2011-2014, ESSA Liaison Officer for Deakin University 2010-2015, Chair Victorian Clinical Exercise Educators Group 2018 to present and Vice President, Council of Heads of Exercise, Sport & Movement Sciences (CHESMS) 2016-2021.
Steve was recognised in 2019 as an ESSA Fellow. His current position is Discipline Lead: Clinical Exercise in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University, and he is also Director of Deakin’s Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. He has previously been Course Coordinator for Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at RMIT University between 2004-2007. He is Co-Lead for the Exercise and Nutrition for Cancer Research Group in the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University.
Steve’s career has been research-focused on integrating Accredited Exercise Physiology (AEP) led exercise in clinical settings to improve health outcomes in people with chronic disease. He has a particular interest in exercise (and nutrition) for cancer patients including prostate, breast, lung, adolescent and young adult cancers, as well as haematological cancers.
Dr Niamh Mundell
Elected Director
Dr Niamh Mundell is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with a background in private practice and hospital-based practice. Niamh currently works as a practitioner and as a Senior Lecturer for the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Deakin University.
Niamh has also served on the ESSA Standards Council, and for several years on the ESSA Victoria Chapter. Niamh was recognised as an ESSA Fellow in 2022. Niamh aims to conduct research which increases the evidence base to support expanding recognition and opportunities for exercise professionals. Her research spans the role of AEPs and exercise in managing chronic diseases, cancer recovery, mental illness, cognition, and persistent pain. She was recently awarded her PhD on investigating the benefits of multimodal exercise for cognitive function and mood in men treated with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.
Ms Katie Lyndon
Elected Director
Katie Lyndon is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) with 17 years of health sector experience spanning health advisory consulting, senior-level allied health association leadership, establishment of private practice and delivery of transformation and operational improvement projects across the health system.
Katie is currently Director of Health Service Strategy and Planning within the Queensland Department of Health - providing leadership and delivery of transformation and strategic projects across the health system. Katie has previously worked within the Deloitte Health Advisory practice and in an advisory role at Queensland Treasury Corporation, partnering with Hospital and Health Services in the delivery of financial sustainability, operational improvement and transformation programs of work. Katie has a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the exercise and sports science sector, through her previous roles as ESSA National Manager for Policy and Advocacy and ESSA Standards Council member. Katie’s commitment to improving the health system to deliver better and more sustainable outcomes was acknowledged through her awards as 2022 Australian Allied Health Awards: Leadership & Management Excellence and Exercise Physiologist of the year, and also through her appointment as an ESSA Fellow in 2023.
Mr Steve Telburn
Appointed Director
Steve Telburn is an experienced CEO and director of technology companies. He currently provides innovation, strategy and growth advisory services to small and mid-market companies, including many in the sports science and healthcare sectors. Steve’s previous Board appointments include a mid-sized aged care provider and Innovation and Science Australia, a statutory board that advises the Australian government on emerging technologies, innovation and venture capital. Steve holds a BSc (Pharmacology, Psychology), an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Steve was the founder/CEO of five high-growth technology companies, all based on science developed within Australian research institutes. The companies developed products including artificial intelligence platforms, customer service solutions and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Steve secured investors and partners for each company, enabling growth into international markets. He also led the creation and management of a venture capital investment fund for an ASX-listed company, investing in IT, life-sciences and engineering companies.
Dr Matthew Fisher
Appointed Director
Adjunct Associate Professor Matthew Fisher joined the ESSA Board in April 2022 and brings broad experience in healthcare associations and tertiary education both as a CEO and as a director. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours), PhD and Graduate Diploma of Dietetics from Deakin University. Matthew was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Health Studies by Charles Sturt University in recognition of his contribution to the development of the University and in improving regional health services. Matthew has attended Harvard and London Business Schools to explore leadership potential and its application in business.
Matthew is an astute and transformational leader of people and organisations, having an ability to enhance an organisational vision and outcomes by bringing people along a journey of collective and individual achievement. Matthew was appointed the CEO of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists in April 2022 and was appointed as a non-executive director of Doctor Portal Learning in September 2023. He has been working closely with ESSA to help achieve its vision.
Dr Tracie Edmondson
Appointed Director
Dr Tracie Edmondson is an esteemed sports communication strategist and senior executive, boasting nearly four decades of experience in the media-sports realm. With an impressive portfolio spanning diverse sports such as National Ruby League, Women’s Hockey Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, she’s also contributed her expertise to major state, national, and global events – including five Olympic Games, Rugby League World Cups, the AFC Asian Cup and the Invictus Games.
Tracie started her career as a print journalist specialising in sports coverage before transitioning into sport communication management and public relations. Presently, she holds the position of Head of Communication and Community Engagement at NSW Rugby League.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tracie holds a PhD in Communication (2022), a Graduate Diploma in Professional Communication (with a focus on Public Relations) and a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Journalism and Human Movement. She’s a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Director of Sport NSW since 2015.
Tracie is also a certified personal trainer and holds the NSW state masters records for 10km, half marathon, and marathon events.