AMI CEO Bronwyn Heys exits as Kathryn Illy steps in as acting chief

The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) is undergoing a leadership change, with CEO Bronwyn Heys stepping down and board member Kathryn Illy appointed acting chief executive.

Heys is leaving the organisation to take on a new chief marketing officer role, according to AMI.

Illy will step away from her position on the national board to take on the acting CEO role, overseeing the organisation’s operations during the transition.

She brings experience across roles at Destination NSW, PwC, Macquarie Group and Commonwealth Bank, spanning customer strategy, stakeholder engagement and digital transformation.

AMI chair Kristie Atkins said the appointment is intended to ensure continuity as the organisation enters its next phase.

“On behalf of the AMI Board and our members, thank you Bronwyn,” she said.

Illy said her focus will be on maintaining delivery across the institute’s key programs and member offerings.

“Across the next period, I will be focused on ensuring the big value items for our members are on track to deliver,” she said.

The institute said operations will continue under Illy’s leadership with support from the national board while a longer-term CEO decision is considered.