Thao Pham - Chair, APA Board of Directors

Thao currently serves APA as the Chair of the Board of Directors. She has significant experience at a senior management level within Emeco Holdings Limited, an ASX listed company, where she was directly involved with all aspects of the company’s management, and worked at board level for over 10 years. Her experience includes roles as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Thao has extensive experience in leading a business at a corporate level, and also operationally, including management of the corporate development, finance, legal, risk, commercial, HR, HSE and asset management team.

Thao started chasing PBs over 10 years ago and has been a competitive powerlifter since 2019. She has proudly represented Australia in several IPF international events, including Worlds and is keen to see powerlifting continue to grow in Australia. Prior to this, Thao spent a number of years on the netball courts and touch rugby field.

Thao has a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Commerce (majoring in Accounting and Finance).

Abbi Bosward Fielding - APA Managing Director

Abbi commenced her volunteer role with APA as a Foundation Director in December 2023 is currently the APA Managing Director. Abbi dedicates extensive volunteer hours to support the continued growth of the organisation and to meet the needs of its current and future members.

She also works as a Delivery Lead at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Her experience spans commercial media, government, and non-profit organisations, with a specialisation in large-scale people and technology change initiatives.

In 2024, completed her Master of Business Administration (Executive) at the Australian Graduate School of Management, graduating "with excellence". 

Abbi has a background as a successful performer and dance teacher. She has transitioned into an international-level powerlifter, proudly representing Australia at the Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand and the Commonwealth and World Masters Championships in South Africa. Abbi also serves on the executive of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation, contributing to the governance and development of the sport internationally.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Abbi is deeply committed to youth development and community service. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous youth, and has over two decades of service as a Scout and Guide Leader.

Abbi is dedicated to fostering a democratic federation that empowers athletes of all abilities to reach their full potential.

Cathy Talley - Director and APA Company Secretary

Cathy is an APA Foundation Director and is currently the APA Company Secretary. She has served APA as a volunteer since its inception in December 2023.

Cathy’s past work experience has been in both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and the USA, including, among others, Merck, Mayo Clinic and Johnson & Johnson, where she held senior executive roles in both management and marketing. 

She currently runs her own business helping clients with business strategy and marketing.

Cathy is passionate about seeing APA grow the sport of powerlifting in Australia and is dedicated to working towards the goal of achieving National Sporting Organisation status for APA through recognition from the Australian Sports Commission.

As part of her commitment to professional governance for APA, in 2024, Cathy completed the AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors) Company Directors Course which provides a nationally-recognised qualification in corporate governance (GAICD).

Cathy's interest in powerlifting started in her home gym and has grown as her son has become increasingly involved in the sport over the past several years. 

Cathy holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Science and a Master's degree in Management.

Tim Martin - APA Non-Executive Director

Tim has previously served as a Non-Executive Board Director for the Coburg Football Club (Victorian Football League) as well as for End Homelessness SA. In these roles he brought his skills of corporate governance, strategic oversight, as well as policy development, to ensure the companies were set up for future growth and success. 

Tim has extensive experience in the application of information technology to increase effectiveness and efficiency, and also has significant operational experience in one of Australia’s leading companies, BHP, where he uses his skills to drive strategic business improvements. He has also lived, studied and worked in several countries, including Sweden and China.

Tim has a passion for all sports including, in particular, powerlifting. He currently lives in regional Australia and due to his location’s remote nature, lifts in his home gym. 

Tim holds multiple qualifications at both an undergraduate and masters level in Business and Business Information systems as well as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Tim is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course.

Tim is currently the Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee.

Shaun Mitchell - APA Non-Executive Director

Shaun has been a senior executive for over 22 years and been a CEO for the past 14 years across a variety of industries. These roles have included private and public companies and, most recently, running a global software company supplying training solutions to more than a dozen defence forces.  He has a strong background in technology, including Software Development, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.

Shaun also runs his own consulting business and mentors senior executives as well as provides advice to organisations on creating a strategic vision and delivering on their corporate objectives.  Shaun’s passion is seeing organisations and individuals grow.

While not being an active powerlifting competitor,  Shaun has lifted weights for 35 years. He has a particular passion for long-distance cycling and has completed nine ‘Around the Bay in a Day’ events of around 250km.  Most of his cycling is now done on the comparative safety of a spin bike.

Shaun has a Bachelor of Business in computing and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).