Advisory Council

Professor Sven Rogge

Dean of UNSW Science

Sven is an internationally recognised expert in condensed matter physics and quantum information science. He has held several research and leadership positions at UNSW since joining from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands in 2011 including the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Cathy Ma, Chairperson

Head of Cabin Crew Strategic Projects, Qantas

Cathy is a UNSW Alumni with a Bachelor in Aviation (Management) and ten years of experience working within the Aviation industry. She's held several roles at Qantas and, in her current role, she is responsible for identification, design, and delivery of key strategic projects across the cabin crew portfolio.

Dr Juliet Andrews

Partner, EY People Consulting

Juliet is a consulting Partner at EY and is responsible for advising public and private sector clients on workforce development strategy. A registered psychologist, Juliet holds a PhD from UNSW in organisation and management and is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in education and leadership.

Matthew Connell

Principal Curator, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences

Matthew Connell is the Principal Curator at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. He is currently an Adjunct Professor with the UNSW iCinema Centre for Interactive Cinema. Matthew has a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science (Physics) and worked in geophysics, microelectronics research and computing.

Trevor Danos AM

Chairperson, Northern Sydney Local Health District Board

Trevor Danos AM is a lawyer, company director and strategic advisor. He chairs Northern Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Treasury Social Investment Expert Advisory Group. He is a director of Endeavour Energy and is a member of the ANZ Square Kilometre Array Coordination Committee.

Charlotte Guthleben

Manager, Sustainability & Climate Change, Aurecon

Charlotte is a manager in Aurecon’s Sustainability and Climate Change team, with a passion for renewable energy and clean technology. She combines her science and engineering backgrounds to simplify complex concepts and lead impactful projects.

Charlotte has extensive experience across the energy sector, including involvement in the development of Renewable Energy Zones in New South Wales and Victoria. She has also worked on projects related to energy strategy, economics and regulation in electricity networks, and the development of decarbonisation strategies for both clients and Aurecon itself in order to achieve its Net Zero 2025 goals.

Cameron Kerr AO

Director and Chief Executive, Taronga Conservation Society

Cameron commenced his career as an agricultural scientist in animal health then moved into business roles in FMCG and consumer healthcare. He joined the Taronga Conservation Society Australia in 2000 and has held various senior management positions responsible in life sciences, conservation, education, communications and stakeholder management.

Kim McKay AO

Director & CEO of the Australian Museum

As Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, Kim is responsible for strategic planning and management of the nation’s first museum, including a collection of over 18 million natural science and cultural objects. Since being appointed to the Director’s role in April 2014, Kim has initiated an impressive transformation program. 

Dr Emma Mitchell

Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO

Dr Emma Mitchell is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader for Quantum Devices at CSIRO Manufacturing, Lindfield. Her research is focussed on the development of superconducting electronics capability, including the manufacture, characterization, design and development of Josephson junction-based sensors such as Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). Most recently her work has focussed on extending this research to arrays of SQUIDs for applications requiring ultra-sensitive magnetic field detectors in the mineral exploration, defence, medical and aerospace industries. Emma Mitchell received her undergraduate honours degree in physics from Macquarie University in optics and completed her PhD at the University of NSW on low-dimensional semiconductor systems in the quantum limit. She has previously worked on the biophysics of artificial lipid membranes, and the surface physics of emulsions and organic monolayers.

Colm Molloy

Global Leader Natural Assets, Aurecon

Colm is the Global Leader of Aurecon’s Natural Asset team, with more than 30 years’ experience as a Natural Scientist and Chartered Engineer. Colm leads the natural assets capability to facilitate economic analysis, program advisory, community consultation and environmental approvals. Colm is an experienced non-executive director, graduate of the Australian Insititute of Company Directors, and brings a governance lense to harnessing nature and climate risk, green infrastructure, resilience and sustainable business models.

Colm integrates one of the largest multidisciplinary land, water and nature teams in Australia, including environmental markets, soil scientists, hydrogeologists, hydrologists, ecologists, economists, governance, social value and risk management SMEs. He has extensive experience across capital infrastructure programs, energy transition, water security, contamination. Colm has worked in senior leadership and governance roles to develop business streams across environment, climate, water, resources and energy.

Alexandra O’Mara

Director and Founder, Sustainable Solutions Advisory Pty Ltd

Alex is an experienced Board Director, senior executive and leader who has worked across a range of sectors including sustainability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and natural resource management, planning and infrastructure and the built environment, workplace health and safety, culture, place and public space. She has held a range of Senior Executive roles in the NSW Public Sector, including 5 years as a Deputy Secretary. Alex is a Non-Executive Director of Place Management NSW, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, St George Community Housing Limited and Tracey Brunstrom and Hammond Pty Ltd, and the Chair of the White Bay Power Station Adaptive Reuse Committee. Alex is also a Director of Sustainable Solutions Advisory Pty Ltd which provides strategic advisory services with a focus on sustainability and ESG. Alex has a BA/LLB and Masters of Administrative Law and Policy from the University of Sydney and is a GAICD.

Denise Ora

Chief Executive, Metropolian Memorial Parks

Denise is an innovative and solution-driven senior executive with experience working in complex scientific, environmental, commercial, and regulated government cultural institutions of national significance. Successfully leading diverse and challenging projects in high visitation sites to deliver positive transformation and strategic growth.

Denise holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Metropolitan Memorial Parks, where she spearheads the transformation of eight Crown cemeteries. Her leadership focuses on creating a modern, customer-centric organisation that provides empathetic support during life's most vulnerable moments.

Denise excels in building collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including communities and government entities. With a proven track record of driving innovative initiatives, she is dedicated to creating positive societal impact.

Before transitioning to the cemeteries and crematoria sector, Denise led the advancement of the renowned Botanic Gardens of Sydney, advocating for initiatives that promoted scientific discovery, conservation, horticulture, education, and recreation, while addressing critical environmental challenges that impact our planet's delicate ecosystem.

Denise is Chair of the Council Heads of Botanic Gardens Australia. She holds a Master of Business Law, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Graduate Diploma in Marketing and International Communications, Graduate of Cambridge University - Business Sustainability Management Program.

Dr Simone Richter

Group Executive, Nuclear Science & Technology & Landmark Infrastructure, ANSTO

Dr Simone Richter holds a PhD in Physics from the Technical University Darmstadt, Germany, a Master of Management from Malik Management Center and joined the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in February 2016, having built a distinguished career in nuclear and accelerator physics and as a senior science manager driving transformational change.

Paul Verschuer

Former Deputy Secretary, The Treasury 

Paul’s executive career spans 30 years, having commenced with Macquarie Bank. Paul led global financial markets businesses for Bankers Trust, Zurich Capital Markets and Westpac. Paul also has extensive government experience, including as an advisor to the NSW Secretary of the Treasury through his membership of the NSW State ALCO and as General Manager, Financial Markets, for the NSW Treasury Corporation. Paul also serves on the Policy Council of the Banking and Finance Oath.

Robyn Williams AO

Science Journalist and Broadcaster, ABC

Science journalist and broadcaster Robyn Williams presents RN's The Science Show and Ockham's Razor. Early in his career, he made guest appearances in The Goodies, Monty Python's Flying Circus and Doctor Who, and stood in for Tom Jones for four months in his TV series.