Season 2, Episode 2

Holly Donaldson

Executive Director, Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA)

Guest biography

Holly Donaldson is the Executive Director of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA), the peak body advancing public health education, research and workforce development. With nearly two decades of experience across health education and IT sectors, Holly also serves on multiple university advisory boards and international networks, including the Global Network for Academic Public Health, and she’s an Associate Fellow at the Australasian College for Health Services Management.

Key concepts mentioned in Holly's interview

AI and digital skills
The growing importance of artificial intelligence and digital literacy in public health practice, including the ability to interpret and validate information from AI tools.

Advocacy in a digital world
Moving beyond traditional lobbying to include social media and other platforms to influence policy and combat misinformation.

Climate health
Recognising the climate crisis as a critical determinant of health and advocating for urgent action at individual, organizational, and governmental levels.

Decolonisation of health systems
Challenging colonial structures in governance and education and being inclusive of Indigenous knowledges.

Commercial determinants of health
A variant on the well-known social determinants of health, these seek to understand the influence of business and economics on health outcomes, and foster collaboration between public health and industry.

Top tips for students

Give it a go – Don’t wait until you meet every selection criterion; apply for roles that interest you.

Listen to your gut – If something feels wrong, trust yourself and move on.

Stay curious – Explore diverse experiences; they will shape your career in unexpected ways.

Quote to live by

“Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade you will never sit.”