National Advisory Board for Employment

The AAoA has formally launched a National Advisory Board for Employment (NABE). The prime purpose of the NABE is to focus on providing strategic direction on behalf of industry on all recruitment, retention and education matters within the Australian accommodation and hospitality industry. The NABE functions as an oversight advisory board of the AAoA Academy to execute a number of key employment initiatives to support the industry requirements. The Board has been formed with well-regarded industry leaders with suitable capabilities, expertise and knowledge to deliver on tangible employment outcomes.

The Board

Natasha Larkin

Global People & Culture Expert, Accor


Michelle Bevan

Director of Human Resources - TFE Hotels


Michelle has more than 20 years experience in customer service and human resource management, having held senior management roles in the Hospitality, Information Technology and Financial Services sectors.

Michelle has a breadth of experience from undertaking both specialist and general human resource management roles and combines this with general management experience where she transformed and built customer service teams and business units.

Michelle  was appointed Director of Human Resources for TFE Hotels in 2014, with responsibility for human resources strategy and practice including service culture development, learning and organisational development, talent and career development, attraction and selection, rewards and recognition and employment policy.

She has been part of many business change projects and cross functional team to drive improved customer experience, finance transformation, systems implementations and preparation for and delivery of new hotel openings.

Natasha Rasheed

Senior Director of Human Resources - Australia, New Zealand & Pacific, Marriott


Joyce Broomhead

Senior HR Operations Director – Australasia & Pacific IHG ® Hotels & Resorts


Stephanie Lopesi

Regional Head of Human Resources – Australasia Hilton


Helen Wood

Executive Manager, Client Relationships and New Business, HostPlus


Helen has almost 30 years’ experience working within the superannuation sector, predominantly in leadership, consultancy and client facing roles both in the UK and Australia. Helen joined the national Industry Fund for those who live and love Hospitality, Tourism, Recreation and Sport and aligned sectors, Hostplus, 7 years ago and currently leads the national employer and member facing teams in her role as Executive Manager Client Relationships and New Business.

Helen is passionate about championing consumer access to meaningful financial education, guidance and advice to support the achievement of retirement goals and to improve financial literacy. Her passion for the Hospitality and Tourism sector is born from a family history of ownership of travel and hospitality businesses.

Outside of work Helen enjoys family and friend time, good food and wine, travel, walking and tennis.

James Goodwin

Chief Executive Officer


A dynamic and strategic leader with experience as an Executive and Non-Executive Director. A skilled communicator with a background in media, communications, government relations, public policy and corporate affairs. A history of working in the transport, infrastructure, tourism, travel, aviation, automotive and education sectors.

James joined Accommodation Australia as their new CEO in September 2024 and looks forward to nurturing and building on the strong relationships already created with key stakeholders, both in government and accommodation industry leaders. 

Prior to his role with the AA, Mr Goodwin was the CEO of the Australian Airports Association (AAA) for more than four years and before that was Chief Executive of Australia’s leading vehicle safety advocate, the ANCAP Safety from 2015 to 2020.  James has held senior government relations, communications and stakeholder relations roles at industry associations and government agencies following a career as a journalist, including in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery.

He has served on a number of Boards and is currently Chair of St John Ambulance ACT and a Board Director with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Solutions.