Our People
Patron
Governor of Victoria
Committee for Melbourne and Future Focus Group Patron since 2016
On 1 July 2015, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC was sworn in as Victoria’s 29th Governor, the first female in the role, following a distinguished career in commercial litigation and family law.
Governor Dessau has held a broad range of leadership roles in the community, championing judicial education, the arts, social support services, healthcare, and Melbourne’s sporting heritage, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010 for services to family law and the community.
Immediately before her appointment as Governor, Her Excellency was President of the Melbourne Festival, Chair of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Victorian Regional Committee and a national Board member of the Trust, a Commissioner of the Australian Football League, a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria, a Board member and former Chair of AFL Sportsready and Artsready, a Board member of the Unicorn Foundation and a Patron of Sports Connect.
Governor Dessau was named Committee for Melbourne and Future Focus Group Patron in 2016. Her patronage will support the Committee for Melbourne’s ambition to shape a better future for Melbourne.
Board
Mr Scott TannerChair
Chair
Director since 2013
Chair – Nominations Sub-Committee
Scott Tanner is the current Chair of Committee for Melbourne, having been appointed in February 2014.
Scott is Independent Chairman of GrowthOps (ASX:TGO) and Managing Director of SMT Advisory Services, a Corporate Advisory business which he founded in 2018.
Scott is Chairman of rapidly growing non-bank lender PropertyShares and is also Chairman of the Board of Advisors of parking solutions company UbiPark. Scott is a Director of the Melbourne Business School and the Faculty of Business and Economics at Melbourne University. He was previously a Trustee of Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust and a Director of Tennis Australia.
In his corporate career, Scott was most recently Chief Digital Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Westpac Group’s Consumer Bank division. Prior to this Scott was Chief Executive of Bank of Melbourne. After relaunching the Bank in July 2011, he grew its presence throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. It has been heralded a local banking success story.
Before this Scott was a Director at global business consulting firm Bain and Company for 15 years. Scott opened Bain’s Melbourne office in 2000 and led the firm’s Asia Pacific Financial Services Practice for six years.
Scott has an MBA from Melbourne Business School and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mr Gerard DalboscoDeputy Co-Chair
Director since 2013
Deputy Chair since March 2018
Chair – Finance, Audit and Risk Sub-Committee
Gerard has recently retired as a Partner of EY, where he held a number of senior leadership roles, including Asia Pacific Managing Partner – Markets and Deputy CEO where he led EY’s client-serving activities across the Asia-Pacific market; Oceania Managing Partner and CEO where he was responsible for EY’s Oceania business and Oceania Managing Partner of Transaction Advisory Services where he was responsible for EY’s Transaction Advisory Services business across Oceania.
Most recently he held the role of Melbourne Managing Partner, where he led a large team of Partners and staff and was responsible for EY’s go-to-market and client service strategies, as well as its involvement in the broader Melbourne community.
Gerard is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. He is Deputy Chair of the Board and Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee of the Committee for Melbourne; Chairman of the Board of Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak; a member of the Finance Committee at Newman College, Melbourne University; and a Director of the Melbourne Prize Trust. He has previously held roles as the Chairman of the National Gallery of Victoria’s Business Council; Director and Chair of the Finance Committee of Mercy Health & Aged Care; and Director and member of the Finance Committee of Berry Street Victoria.
Professor John Dewar AODirector
Director since February 2019
Professor Dewar is an internationally known family law researcher. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford, taught at the Universities of Lancaster and Warwick, and worked for the London law firms Allen & Overy and Farrer & Co. Professor Dewar came to Australia in 1995, and held leadership positions at Griffith University and the University of Melbourne before joining La Trobe.
Professor Dewar is a Deputy Chair of Universities Australia, UA Lead Vice-Chancellor on Health workforce issues and a member of the AHEIA Executive Committee. He holds a number of other Directorships, including Education Australia Pty Ltd, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, AARNet, the Committee for Melbourne and the Foundation for Australian Studies in China. He is a member of the University of Lincoln’s 21st Century Lab Higher Education Reference Group and a Male Champion of Change.
He is an Honorary Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford, an Adjunct Professor in the Melbourne Law School and the La Trobe Law School, and a Visiting Professor at the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University.
Mr Danny EliaDirector
Director since September 2019
Danny is Head of Global Asset Management for Infrastructure at IFM Investors. Danny leads the asset management strategy for IFM’s Australian and Global Infrastructure investments.
He has over 27 years of executive experience in finance, governance and business operations across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, energy, renewables, construction, transport, public-private partnerships, pharmaceuticals, retail and FMCG gained through senior executive positions with Ausgrid, Pacific Hydro, Transurban, CPB (formerly Leighton) Contractors, Linfox, Coles-Myer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Unilever, General Mills.
Danny is also a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (operator of Melbourne and Launceston Airports) and previously served as a Non-Executive Director on other Boards, including Southern Cross Station and Praeco Pty Ltd (operator of Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command in Bungendore NSW).
Ms Dale FisherDirector
Director since 2013
In December 2018, Dale Fisher was appointed CE of Silver Chain Group, a national provider of home-based health and aged care. Prior to joining Silver Chain, Dale was the CE of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) for five years where she led the relocation of Peter Mac’s East Melbourne site to its new home in Parkville in 2016 as part of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Prior to her role at Peter Mac, Dale was CEO of Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital for nine years.
Dale qualified as a Registered Nurse before completing a Bachelor of Business and subsequently, her MBA. Dale was appointed as Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine at Monash University in 2016 and honorary Professor in Public Health at Swinburne University in 2018. Recognition for Dale’s significant community contribution includes as a Fellow of Monash University (2018); the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence list (2013); the Victorian Honour Roll for Women (2011); and Telstra Business Woman of the Year finalist (Victoria, 2002 and 2007).
Dale has participated in several international trade and investment missions on behalf of the Australian Government.
Ms Jane HodderDeputy Co-Chair
Director since November 2017
Member – Membership Services and Growth Sub-Committee
Jane is a partner at the global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and specialises in property and infrastructure projects across a variety of industry sectors.
Jane is the Chair of the Board of the Centre for Contemporary Photography in Melbourne, Chair of the board of St Catherine’s School Toorak, member of the Queen Victoria Market Board and member of the External Professional Advisory Committee to the Dean of Monash Law School. Previous roles include being a member of the Freehills’ national board and Herbert Smith Freehills global board, Herbert Smith Freehills Co-Partner Head of Diversity and Inclusion and Chair of the Monash Law School foundation board.
Mr Tony MacveanDirector
Director since November 2013
Member – Finance, Audit and Risk Sub-Committee
Tony is the Managing Partner of Hall & Wilcox Lawyers where he is responsible for driving the firm’s strategy, leading the firm’s people, managing the firm’s relationships with its key clients and representing the firm publicly. During his time as Managing Partner, Tony has led the transformation of Hall & Wilcox into a leading national firm.
Prior to and during his time as Managing Partner, Tony has represented clients on a number of substantial merger and acquisition, capital markets and corporate transactions.
Tony also is the Chair of Australian Business Community Network (ABCN).
Mr Ishaan NangiaDirector
Director since 2020
Ishaan is a Partner in McKinsey & Company’s Melbourne office. He leads McKinsey’s Infrastructure and Real Estate practice in Australia and New Zealand.
Ishaan chairs the Committee for Melbourne Transport Taskforce and has led a number of research initiatives on transport and infrastructure.
Ms Jacqueline SavageDirector
Director since March 2017
Founder and CEO, MedCorp Technologies
Jacqueline Savage is the Founder and CEO of MedCorp Technologies – a digital health company developing wearable technologies and devices for the healthcare industry.
Jacqueline maintains an active role in innovation, healthcare and education issues. In addition to her duties as CEO, Jacqueline advises nationally and internationally in both the private and government sectors, including: Advisory board member of Swinburne University of Technology’s Innovation Precinct; the Bachelor of Engineering Practice and the Engineering Practice Academy’s advisory course committee.
A multi-award winning and widely celebrated businessperson, Jacqueline has won numerous awards including: 2016 Telstra Victorian Entrepreneur of the Year Award and 2016 Emerging Women in Leadership Award, BioMelbourne Network.
Voted Top 100 Global Engineering Innovations of 2014 (NASA Tech Briefs), Jacqueline’s success has been celebrated through her multiple achievements and her continuing desire to create lifesaving technologies.
Mr Craig ShuteDirector
Director since 2020
Craig is the Managing Director of JLL’s business in Victoria and has over 25 years’ experience in the commercial property sector. Craig has also held Managing Director positions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, San Diego, Las Vegas and Adelaide.
Property plays an integral role in our city’s progression. Having held board positions overseeing operations throughout Asia Pacific and the West Coast of America, Craig brings a unique perspective, insight and value to benefit the Committee for Melbourne.
Mr Roland Van BentenDirector
Director Since 2020
Roland leads development origination projects at Dexus in Victoria.
Prior to joining Dexus, Roland held several senior project roles at Lendlease including Development Executive where he was responsible for the urban regeneration and standalone commercial development opportunities.
Roland’s extensive experience with major Urban regeneration projects gives him unique insights into how property can play a significant role in the evolution of the city.
Mr Michael WandmakerDirector
Director since May 2015
Member – Finance, Audit and Risk Sub-Committee
Michael Wandmaker was appointed Managing Director of Melbourne Water on 22 September 2014.
After a long military career, Michael developed extensive senior leadership experience across several industries, both in Australia and internationally. This includes electrical and mechanical engineering, energy, oil, gas, mining and water, having worked at Sydney Water in the mid-2000s.
Michael was previously global President of FT Services out of Nth America, Vice President at Siemens Canada, General Manager in charge of five Tyco Services companies, CEO of Silcar Maintenance Services and various executive positions at Transfield Holdings. Before coming to Melbourne Water, Michael was Group President and acting CEO of UGL Limited’s an ASX listed engineering, construction and maintenance company.
Michael has a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), Mechanical and Computing
Mr Kee WongDirector
Director since March 2017
Member – Membership Services and Growth Sub-Committee
Kee Wong is a successful entrepreneur and Managing Principal/Director of e‐Centric Innovations, a business he founded in 1999. e-Centric Innovations is an IT/Management consulting firm operating in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore, serving large multinational enterprises and governments.
Kee is a leader and advisor to the ICT industry in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore and has good working relationships with industries in the UK, US, Canada and Vietnam. He is also an advisor to universities linking industry and commerce with academia and R&D activities.
Kee has founded several businesses and has made investments across a number of industries which include technology, services, retail, food and beverage, trading and property. He also invests in startups and established businesses locally as well as globally (Malaysia, Singapore, China and the Silicon Valley).
Kee is a Board member of Carsales.com, an ASX100 company listed on the Australian stock exchange.
He is also the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Australian Information Industry Association and currently Deputy Chairman of Asialink, member of the Board of Directors of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Metro Trains Melbourne Strategic Advisory Committee.
Previously, Kee was a Council Member of Victoria University, a Director of LaunchVic (a Victorian Government Innovation/Startup fund); the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Services Roundtable, Federation Square and Foundation of the National Gallery of Victoria.
Kee is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Adjunct Professor of Engineering and IT at La Trobe University.
He was made a Fellow of Monash University in 2010 and Distinguished Alumni in 2014.
Ms Martine LettsChief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer, appointed March 2016
Company Secretary
Martine is an experienced executive within the government, non-profit and international policy sectors, providing high-level expertise in public policy development, formulation, and promotion in Australia and internationally.
Prior to her appointment as CEO, Martine served as Chief Executive Officer of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), where she led the development of the organisation’s national strategy, and prior to that as Deputy Director of the Lowy Institute for International Policy. From 2001-2004 she was Secretary-General (CEO) of the Australian Red Cross.
Martine was a senior Australian diplomat for 17 years and an adviser to Foreign Minister Evans from 1992 to 1994. She is a non-executive Director on the board of AVI (Australian Volunteers International) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Team
Tilley ByrneMembership & Engagement Coordinator
Tilley is responsible for the committee’s membership retention, acquisition, and event coordination. In her role, she reports to the Director, Engagement to help strengthen and develop our membership initiatives, requisition operations, and events.
Tilley joins us from a state and federal government background with work in the private sector, she has recently worked on the 2016 and 2019 campaigns.
Nikki ChamberlainEvents Coordinator
Nikki is responsible for the Committee’s event coordination. In her role, she reports to the Manager of Communications, Events and Engagement and the Director of Engagement to help strengthen engagement with members and the Committee’s advocacy priorities through live and digital events.
Nikki joins us from the government agency, Melbourne Water, where she produced and delivered events, communications and engagement for projects, plans and strategies that contribute to enhancing life and liveability across Greater Melbourne, such as the Healthy Waterways Strategy, Yarra Strategic Plan and the Enhancing our Dandenong Creek program.
Nikki has worked in events, communications and engagement in both private, education and government sectors including RMIT and many other major events as a contractor. She has qualifications and training in Graphic Design, Events and PR, and Engagement.
Joanna CiminoFinance Manager
Joanna Cimino manages the Committee’s accounts and payroll. In addition, she ensures the Committee’s legal obligations to the Australian Taxation Office are met and prepares financial reports and budgets for the Board.
Joanna has many years’ experience in financial management roles and concurrently holds the position of Finance Manager for other not-for-profit organisations in Melbourne.
Clive DwyerDirector, Engagement
Clive Dwyer has over 30 years’ experience in strategy and business development for major government projects, destination management, project advocacy and complex stakeholder engagement.
Clive joined the Committee in 2017 and is responsible for strengthening the Committee’s membership, stakeholder engagement and supporting the Committee’s thought leadership and advocacy work.
He recently returned to Melbourne from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he was Executive Director of Destination Yas Island and Executive Director, Destination Management at Miral Asset Management. Reporting to the Abu Dhabi Government Executive Affairs Authority, he was responsible for establishing the Yas Island Destination Management Strategy as well as stakeholder engagement, product development, global marketing, communications, infrastructure planning, major events and visitor services program.
Prior to his time in the UAE, Clive was Director of Business Development for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, relaunching the largest combined convention and exhibition centre in Australia. During this time, he was Director of the Club Melbourne Ambassador program, which has delivered over 100 international conferences worth over $590 million to become the world’s most influential Ambassador Program.
Before this he directed the international marketing, industry engagement and visitor services for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Other career highlights include the development of Melbourne’s annual International Mining and Resources Conference and the delivery of the globally acclaimed ‘Jigsaw’ campaign for Tourism Victoria. Clive has also held a range of industry and non-executive board positions in Melbourne.
Leanne EdwardsDirector, Policy & Research
Leanne Edwards joined the Committee for Melbourne in July 2019. Leanne’s role at the Committee spans issues that contribute to the future of Melbourne such as skills, artificial intelligence, transport, arts and culture, affordable housing and planning.
Leanne is a marketing, policy and communications specialist, having come from Master Builders Association of Victoria where her role of General Manager in each of those disciplines spanned topics ranging from training, building and planning regulation to insurance and industrial relations. During her time at the Master Builders, Leanne rebranded the 140-year-old organisation, implemented successful branding and sales campaigns and saw the introduction of the trades registration Bill into Parliament.
Leanne has also worked as a Senior Brand and Strategy Manager at Coles supermarkets; Assistant Director – Regulatory Affairs at the Business Council of Australia; and as a corporate lawyer at law firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Arnold Bloch Leibler. Leanne is very interested in arts and culture and currently sits on the Board of Gasworks Arts Park, where she is Company Secretary and sits on the Finance and Strategy committees.
Leanne holds a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School majoring in strategy and marketing. Leanne also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Law (Hons) from Melbourne University and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. Leanne likes to travel and completed a semester of her MBA in New York at Stern Business School (NYU) and a semester of her undergraduate degree in Ireland at University College Dublin.
Matt GaffneyGeneral Manager, Future Focus Group
Matt Gaffney is responsible for the Future Focus Group business leadership program conducted by Committee for Melbourne. His role includes program leadership, design and facilitation of key events, support of project teams as well as interactions with nominators of the participants from within member organisations.
In addition to running his own practice, Matt has over 20 years’ experience with leading international professional services firms.
Chrissie HeynOffice Manager and EA to the CEO & Directors
Chrissie Heyn is the Committee for Melbourne’s Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO and Directors, providing executive-level assistance to the CEO, Directors and Board and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the office.
Chrissie comes to the Committee with a wealth of experience as a senior EA and Office Manager in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. When she is not at work, Chrissie is actively involved in animal welfare and rescue work and volunteers with several charities and local community groups.
Laura Kerr Surah (nee Melvin)Communications, Events & Engagement Manager
Laura Melvin is responsible for Committee for Melbourne’s communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. In her role, she works closely with stakeholders on Presenting Partnerships, sponsorship and networking opportunities. Laura also manages the Committee’s fortnightly eNewsletter – the Committee Communiqué, all other publications, the website and social media.
Laura joined the Committee after successfully launching the Parks Victoria CANOPY Eco Sleeper Pod pilot – an Eco-Tourism initiative developed as a key outcome of the Victorian Visitor Economy Strategy Action Plan 2016-2020.
Laura has worked in marketing and communications in both private and government sectors, including Tennis Australia, Victoria Racing Club and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Laura studied a Bachelor of Commercial Law and Marketing and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors on the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) APAC region, a vibrant global association with thousands of members from around the world, representing many of the Global Fortune 500 companies. Laura is serving as the Partnerships Director for the APAC region.
Claire McLavertyMarketing & Digital Services Coordinator
Claire is responsible for the committee’s marketing collateral and digital services. Reporting to the Communications, Events & Engagement Manager, Claire helps coordinate and implement our communication initiatives, social media and marketing operations.
Claire joins us from the automotive industry, where her 2017/18 campaign was listed as a finalist in the 2018 Australian Marketing Awards for small budget marketing and holds a Bachelor’s degree in marketing and events.
Brett Van DuppenPolicy & Research Officer
Brett Van Duppen provides the Committee with strategic policy development, research and analysis on a wide range of issues that affect the Committee’s agenda for change. Brett is also working on the Committee’s flagship taskforce, Melbourne 4.0.
He joined us from the Whitehorse City Council and has experience in the private and government sectors.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics from Monash University and is studying for a Master of International Business at the same university.
Steering Committee Chairs
Future Skills Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Derek Scott | CEO & Principal | Haileybury
Housing Mix Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Jane Hodder | Partner | Herbert Smith Freehills
Competitive Internet Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Aaron Belbasis | Digital Specialist, Computational Design | Aurecon
Metropolitan Collaboration Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Cr Bernadene Voss | Councillor | City of Port Phillip
Digital Capability Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Scott Tanner | Chair | Committee for Melbourne
Arts & Culture Taskforce
Chair: Martine Letts | Chief Executive Officer | Committee for Melbourne
Not-for-Profit Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Scott Chapman | Chief Executive Officer | Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victoria)
Transport Taskforce
Chair of Steering Committee: Ishaan Nangia | Partner | McKinsey & Company
Life Members
Mr George Pappas AO
Former Chancellor, Victoria University
Mr Roger Poole
Director, Roger Poole Architects
Mr Hugh Morgan AC
Principal, First Charnock Pty Ltd
Dr Janine Kirk AM
Former Chief Executive, The Prince’s Trust Australia
Mr Gary Morgan
Executive Chairman, The Roy Morgan Research Centre
Prof. David Beanland AO
Professor Emeritus, RMIT University
Mr Jack Smorgon AO
Director, Escor Pty Ltd
Mr Bruce Teele
Life Member, Committee for Melbourne
Tom Fricke
Executive Manager, GHD
Mrs Pamela Warrender OAM
Director, Melbourne Prize Trust
Mr David Miles AM
Life Member, Committee for Melbourne