Kalena Smitham has been appointed as Executive Group Manager People & Culture with Canberra Health Services

Kalena brings a wealth of senior executive experience in leadership and commercial operations management gained within government, not for profit and the private sector.

Kalena has a passion for the health and community services sector, as well as for achieving high employee engagement and high performance.  Kalena is highly experienced working with government agencies and has been part of a policy team for the NSW State Government Attorney General and Minister for Justice, as well as holding an advisory role in government lobbying and investor relations for the private sector.

Kalena currently holds the position of Executive Director People & Culture with NSW Ambulance where she leads a team of 150 staff to deliver services in a complex multi-side multi service.

Previously as General Manager People, Culture and Communications (NSW & ACT) with Southern Cross Care Kalena was responsible for workforce planning, talent acquisition, development and management programs, building organisational performance as well as create and implement HR and marketing strategic plans, and work with industrial and union relations.

In her earlier role with MTC as General Manager – People & Culture, Risk & Quality, Kalena designed and implemented a leadership development program including full performance management system to change the culture to be performance and KPI driven, and engagement survey.  She was responsible for the implementation of a new payroll system.