The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) today announced the appointment of Natalia Centellas as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Natalia will commence with NATA on August 25, 2026, succeeding Jennifer Evans, who retires after 39 years of service to the organisation and the broader accreditation community.
NATA Chair Dr Sanmarié Schlebusch said Natalia’s appointment followed an extensive executive search and reflected the Board’s confidence in her leadership, governance experience and ability to guide complex national organisations.
“On behalf of the NATA Board, I am delighted to welcome Natalia Centellas as NATA’s next Chief Executive Officer,” Dr Schlebusch said.
“Natalia brings a strong record of leading major national organisations through transformation, growth and renewal. She has demonstrated the calm, pragmatic and values-led leadership needed to support NATA’s public-interest role and to strengthen confidence in the systems that underpin quality, safety, trade and technical competence across Australia.
“As NATA approaches its 80th year in 2027, Natalia’s appointment marks an important next chapter. The Board is confident she will work closely with our members, technical assessors, staff, government, regulators and other stakeholders to build on NATA’s strong foundations and support the continued relevance and value of accreditation.”
Natalia comes to NATA from the Australian Medical Association, the national peak body representing doctors, where she held the position of Secretary General and Group Chief Executive Officer. In that role, she led a federated, multi-entity organisation spanning advocacy, publishing, health services and charitable activities, while guiding major governance reform, mergers, digital transformation and complex stakeholder negotiations.
Prior to joining the AMA, Natalia was Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, a bi-national medical college representing clinical radiologists and radiation oncologists.
Natalia said she was pleased to join NATA at an important point in its development.
“NATA is a trusted national institution with a critical role in supporting confidence in the testing, inspection and technical services that underpin Australia’s health system, industry, consumer protection and international trade,” Ms Centellas said.
“I am excited by NATA’s strong membership reach and technical capability, its public-interest purpose and the importance of its work to the Australian economy and community.
“I look forward to working with the Board, Executive team, staff, members, technical assessors and stakeholders to build on NATA’s strong foundations, strengthen its performance and future relevance, and ensure it continues to evolve without compromising the trust and technical credibility at the heart of the organisation.”
Dr Schlebusch also acknowledged outgoing CEO Jennifer Evans for her exceptional contribution to NATA.
“Jennifer has given 39 years of service to NATA, including 14 as Chief Executive Officer. Her leadership, commitment and advocacy for accreditation have made a lasting contribution to NATA and to Australia’s quality infrastructure,” Dr Schlebusch said.
“We thank Jennifer sincerely for her service and recognise her contribution as she concludes her time with NATA.
“Natalia’s appointment will ensure continuity of governance for NATA.”
Natalia holds a Master of Social Development from UNSW and a Bachelor of Business Management from Western Sydney University. She has also completed executive and governance education with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Stanford Graduate School of Business and IMD.
About NATA
The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) provides accreditation for laboratories to ensure testing results can be relied on and trusted. As the world’s oldest accreditation body, NATA’s role is to uphold the national standards of technical competence for those delivering products or services to the general public. Through its extensive network, NATA provides accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies which facilitate stakeholders having confidence in testing, inspection, calibration and thus enabling them to gain national and international acceptance of their products and services.
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