The AAA Team
Frances M. CassidyPresident
frances.cassidy@aaanyc.org
Frances Cassidy is the President of the American Australian Association. Frances has been CEO of Meat and Livestock Australia, Ltd., previously the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, since 1990 and a Director of the Association since 1997. Frances is an Australian and has had a distinguished career in business and government which has focused on the development of American – Australian trade and business relationships. She was the First Assistant Secretary with the Department of Primary Industry in Canberra. She has spent the last 18 years in the United States, first as Minister-Counselor for Agriculture at the Australian Embassy in Washington, and then, as CEO with Meat and Livestock Australia. Frances received a BA from the Australian National University in Economics and Political Science. Ms. Cassidy joined the Association as President in 2002.
Diane SinclairVice President
diane.sinclair@aaanyc.org
Diane is a Global Communications, Marketing and Brand Executive with an international law background. She leads the Association’s Education, Fundraising and Communications initiatives - building profitability through innovative strategic development of programs and communications emphasizing advanced technologies. Recent initiatives include planning and implementing migration of the Association’s website, database, event management and communications to an interactive multi-functional web platform. Past initiatives include establishment of the Association’s corporate presence in Australia and development of underlying proposal and RFP for United States Studies Centre. Diane has also led the Association’s annual US Biotechnology conference showcasing top Australian biotech companies. Her previous experience in the US focused on marketing, communications and strategic business development - spearheading double digit annual growth for Australian lamb imports. Diane also developed intranet communications for Philip Morris undertaking strategic development of five websites advising on information technologies and marketing and communications strategies. Diane has an Arts/Law degree from Australia and a Masters of Law in the US from Georgetown University and practiced commercial and corporate law specializing in international trade contracts.
Debbie ChappelDirector of Corporate Relations & Development
debbie.chappel@aaanyc.org
Debbie joined the Association’s corporate arm in March 2008, after moving to New York with her husband in November 2007. Prior to arriving in New York, Debbie lived and worked in Australia and the Russian Federation. Debbie has held positions in the offices of senior Australian Cabinet Ministers, including the former Federal Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello and former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer. Most recently Debbie worked on strategy development and policy formulation for a national liaison network within the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Debbie holds a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Political Science from the Australian National University and a Bachelors degree in Arts (Government and Public Policy) from the University of Queensland.
Clair Ingleton
Director of Social and Cultural Programs
Clair Ingleton joined the Association's staff as a contractor in August 2006. In January 2007 Clair assumed the position of Director of Operations and then in January 2008, Clair took over as Director of Social and Cultural Programs. Prior to joining the Association, Clair worked as an executive assistant at an Australian investment bank in New York. Before Clair moved to New York in early 2004, she was working as a recruitment consultant in the banking and finance sectors in Sydney. Clair grew up in Melbourne and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) from LaTrobe University Melbourne and a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney.
Aurora Aquino
Communications and Technology Associate
aurora.aquino@aaanyc.org
Aurora Aquino is a specialist in database management, data architecture and enrichment. Aurora joined the AAA as Communications and Technology Associate, signing up for the Association’s website and database migration project. Prior to this, she was working on upgrading software systems for CDS, an established art gallery on the Upper East Side. Before relocating to the United States with her husband, Aurora resided in Manila, Philippines, where she gained three years of valuable experience as a specialist with the IBM ASEAN Business Information Center team. Aurora holds a BS in Applied Economics and a BS in Management of Financial Institutions from De La Salle University, Manila.
James Stevens
Aurora AquinoCommunications and Technology Associate
aurora.aquino@aaanyc.org
Aurora Aquino is a specialist in database management, data architecture and enrichment. Aurora joined the AAA as Communications and Technology Associate, signing up for the Association’s website and database migration project. Prior to this, she was working on upgrading software systems for CDS, an established art gallery on the Upper East Side. Before relocating to the United States with her husband, Aurora resided in Manila, Philippines, where she gained three years of valuable experience as a specialist with the IBM ASEAN Business Information Center team. Aurora holds a BS in Applied Economics and a BS in Management of Financial Institutions from De La Salle University, Manila.
James Stevens Education Associate
james.stevens@aaanyc.org
James joined the Association as an Education Associate in May 2008. He previously lived and studied in Melbourne, Australia. He holds Bachelor degrees in Commerce (International Management) & Arts (International Politics) from Monash University.
james.stevens@aaanyc.org
James joined the Association as an Education Associate in May 2008. He previously lived and studied in Melbourne, Australia. He holds Bachelor degrees in Commerce (International Management) & Arts (International Politics) from Monash University.
Sherita joined the Association in February 2008. Prior to becoming the Finance Manger, she was a Finance Associate and Accounts Payable Specialist at The Telx Group, Inc. in New York and also worked in Human Resources Abercrombie and Fitch. Before moving to New York in 2006, Sherita studied Finance and International Business at Loyola University Chicago.
Dan LevekDan served as Interim Executive Director and Communications Director for two and a half years for the American Academy of HIV Medicine. In 2005, He co-founded a successful event production company and leading its business operations. He also has a background in public relations and has represented top brands including: Walt Disney, Amazon.com, Nintendo, Toyota, Coca-Cola and the Guggenheim. Dan graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. Through exchange programs, Dan has lived in Sydney, Australia and Pukekohe, New Zealand. He is originally from St. Louis, MO and moved to Los Angeles from Orlando, FL in 2000.
Katie TamIntern
Katie has been interning at the Association in New York since April 2008. She graduated from Boston University's School of Management with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and concentrations in operations management, entrepreneurship, and finance. Katie grew up in Auckland, New Zealand.
Internships
The Association also offers a 1-3 month long, unpaid (except for daily travel commutation charges) year round internship program positions for recent graduates and 3rd/4th year students from accredited institutions in the United States, Australia and New Zealand - please contact the Director of Operations for the application information sheet. Three letters of references must be provided along with a cover letter and your most recent resume.