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.
Alice MountDirector of Corporate Relations and Development
alice.mount@aaanyc.org
Alice joined the Association as Director of Corporate Relations and Development in June 2008. Prior to joining the Association, Alice spent more than eleven years with British American Business Inc of New York (formerly The British-American Chamber of Commerce) covering a wide range of association roles. As their Senior Manager of Special Events and Services, she was responsible for the development, marketing and implementation of a range of event programs each year including the Transatlantic Business Awards Dinner, Annual Christmas Luncheon, Annual Golf Tournaments, Winston Churchill Lecture, Ambassadorial briefings, and various business seminars and panel discussions with leading industry experts. Alice managed many corporate relationships, and administered their Exchange Visitor Program for several years. Alice is originally from England, and has lived in America since 1996 when she began a Mountbatten Internship.
Camille CasselDirector of Social and Cultural Programs
Camille joined the Association as Director of Social and Cultural in May 2008, having moved to New York City in August 2007. Prior to joining the Association, Camille worked with leading New York event design and production company McNabb Roick Events. Before moving to New York, Camille worked for five years with The Walt Disney Company, responsible for promoting and marketing their worldwide Disney Destinations throughout Australia and New Zealand within the travel trade industry. Camille’s major event experience includes the televised broadcast of the MusicOz Awards, Disneyland’s 50th Birthday Celebrations, Layne Beachley’s Aim for the Stars, David Koch’s Australian My Business Awards, the Victor Chang Royal Ball for HRH Princess Mary of Denmark and the McDonald’s Christmas Spectacular.
Debbie ChappelDirector of Operations
debbie.chappel@aaanyc.org
Debbie joined the Association 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.
Aurora A
quinoCommunications and Technology
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 Rankins
Finance Manager
sherita.rankins@aaanyc.org
Finance Manager
sherita.rankins@aaanyc.org
Sherita joined the Association in February 2008. Prior to becoming the Finance Manager, 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.
Katie TamDevelopment Associate
Katie joined the Association in 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.
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.
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.