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 - 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 performing arts teacher. She has transitioned into an international-level powerlifter, proudly representing Australia at the Commonwealth and Oceania 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 her previous career as a performing arts teacher, Abbi worked across diverse learning environments, including Special Education programs in NSW Primary Schools, and taught private music and dance classes for students with additional needs.

She has carried this passion into her work in powerlifting, advocating for adaptive athletes to be supported within a fair and inclusive environment in everything the APA does. She is also driving the recognition of the APA as a National Sporting Organisation for people with a disability, alongside its broader recognition as a National Sporting Organisation.

Abbi has taken her commitment to the sport seriously, recently attaining her ASCA Level 1 accreditation and her International Powerlifting Federation Level 2 International Coaching accreditation. Her continued focus on learning is enabling her to develop the skills required to contribute across almost every role within the sport.

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. She has worked with organisations such as Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience and CareerTrackers, and completed an intensive with the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council as part of her MBA studies.

She is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, a proud participant in the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and the founder of the Rainbow Alliance.

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

Tim Martin - 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 some of Australia’s leading companies, BHP and Talison Lithium, 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.

Jonathan Powles - Non-Executive Director

Dan Sketcher - Non-Executive Director

Dan joined the APA Board as a Non-Executive Director in November 2025. He brings over 15 years of senior executive leadership experience in strategy, governance, and organizational transformation to support the APA's journey.

Dan currently serves as Vice President - Payment Gateway Product for Australasia at Mastercard, where he is accountable for product strategy, commercial outcomes, and stakeholder relationships with regulators and industry partners. Prior to this, he held senior leadership positions at Global Payments and founded PaymentHub, a recurring payments business which he successfully scaled and exited. His experience spans strategic planning, P&L management, risk and compliance leadership, and building relationships with key industry bodies and regulators across highly regulated environments.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) from the University of Queensland. Dan competed at 2025 MegaNats, and is inspired by the commitment that competitors, coaches, and volunteers across the sport bring to the APA.

Toby Read - Non-Executive Director

Toby has over 25 years of experience in the commercial office furniture industry, holding senior sales and marketing, management, and board roles across Australian and European markets. Throughout his career, he has led high-performing teams and driven business growth through strategic partnerships and client-focused solutions.

Toby brings extensive expertise in leadership, business development, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong emphasis on governance, collaboration, and integrity. His background gives him a unique insight into organisational strategy, performance, and people skills, which he is keen to contribute to the APA Board.

Toby has been involved in powerlifting for several years and is a passionate competitor and strong advocate for Masters in the sport. With lifelong involvement in sport — including baseball, dance, and martial arts — he has a deep appreciation for discipline, movement, and athletic development. He is dedicated to supporting the continued growth of powerlifting in Australia, particular focus on strengthening the sport’s visibility and professionalism

Emilie Lewis - Company Secretary

Emilie is a commercial and corporate lawyer and advises on corporate structures, governance and mergers and acquisitions. She has advised boards and senior leadership across a range of sectors, including not-for-profit, franchising, and infrastructure. Emilie has experience providing training to large and small businesses on director's duties and regulatory compliance.

Emilie currently serves on the board of Meals on Wheels Tasmania. In this role she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction to ensure the organisation's longevity and future growth. Emilie actively volunteers in the local community and has provided pro-bono legal work to organisation such as the Cancer Council and the Salvation Army.

Emilie has been competing in powerlifting for 5 years and trains out of Hobart, Tasmania.

Emilie holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law with Honours in Law.