Gerard Benedet is the Executive Director of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia — the national industry body representing community pharmacy. Since his appointment in November 2023, he has led the organisation through a pivotal period of sector reform, policy advancement and strategic growth, positioning community pharmacy as an increasingly integral component of Australia’s primary healthcare system - including securing landmark outcomes including the $26 billion Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement and driving the continued expansion of pharmacist scope of practice nationally underpinned by the Guild’s Towards 2035 strategy.

Gerard brings a career defined by getting things done. Before joining the Guild initially as Branch Director of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Queensland), he held senior roles at News Corp Australia and the National Rugby League, and served as Chief of Staff to both the Queensland Treasurer and the Leader of the Opposition.  This diverse career has provided him with extensive expertise in public policy, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and organisational leadership. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Gerard brings significant governance, strategy and public affairs expertise to his leadership roles. He also serves on a number of boards and advisory bodies, including as a Non-Executive Director of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, reflecting his commitment to strong governance, industry reform and public service.

Last year, he swapped strategy sessions for the heat of the kitchen at OzHarvest's inaugural Canberra CEO CookOff - and helped generate more than 16,000 meals for Canberrans doing it tough. This year, he's back. And this time, he's aiming higher.

Every dollar Gerard raises goes directly to OzHarvest's work in Canberra - funding free deliveries of rescued food to 64 local charities, every single week, for the people in our community who need it most. Back him in the kitchen.