Kelly Sykes holds advanced degrees in Medicine and Public Health from Arcadia University, obtained between 2009 and 2012. Sykes has extensive experience in the healthcare sector, having served as A/Director of Strategic Policy and Projects at the Victorian Department of Health and as Executive Director of COVID-19 Strategy and Policy. Previous roles include Manager for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Blood Borne Viruses and Senior Project Officer at Safer Care Victoria. Additionally, Sykes was a Project Manager for Health Emergencies at the Burnet Institute and led statewide sepsis improvement initiatives at The Royal Melbourne Hospital & NorthWestern Mental Health. Sykes also has experience as Operations Manager at The Water Well Project, demonstrating a strong commitment to health promotion and policy development.