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Professor Sven Rogge

Dean of ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Science

Sven is an internationally recognised expert in condensed matter physics and quantum information science. He has held several research and leadership positions at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç since joining from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands in 2011 including the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Cathy Ma, Chairperson

Senior Technology Lead, Qantas

Cathy Ma is a distinguished ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç alumna with a Bachelor in Aviation (Management) with Distinction and over 13 years of experience in the Aviation industry. Cathy's career began at Qantas through the graduate program, and since then, she has taken on several key roles, leading her to her current position as Senior Technology Lead. In this role, she drives the idetnification, design, and execution of major strategic initiatives within the Technology portfolio, shaping the future of airline operations.

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 ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç 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 ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç 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

Chief Executive, Taronga Conservation Society Australia

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. 

Cameron is a Non-Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation and sits on the Advisory Board for the University of NSW Faculty of Science. Cameron has also held Board Director roles for the Jane Goodall Institute Global Board and was Chair of Ecotourism Australia. While President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia, he oversaw the implementation of an advanced wildlife animal welfare audit and accreditation program for the Oceania region. This methodology has since been adopted for the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums audit process. 

In 2021, Cameron was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to wildlife conservation, to animal science education, and to zoological associations. 

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. She is a Commissioner with the Independent Planning Commission, and a Professor of Practice in Urbanism at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney. 

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. She 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

Investor, Advisor and Director

Paul pursues a range of interests in his areas of deep expertise, Financial Markets and Banking, the Energy Transition, and Government. His executive career was capped with a uniquely rewarding role as the inaugural Chief Executive of AEMO Services Limited (ASL), a corporation he designed, established, and led for the NSW Government and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Under his leadership, ASL played a critical role in managing and incentivizing an efficient energy transition for New South Wales, and subsequently on behalf of the Federal government managing their Capacity Investment Scheme.

Paul’s distinguished career includes key government roles such as Deputy Secretary at the Australian Treasury and General Manager at the Treasury Corporation for NSW. He represented Australia on the G20 Financial Stability Board (FSB), was a member of the Council of Financial Regulators. In his substantive career he held global leadership positions in institutional banking, including Executive Leadership Team roles at WestpacÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýBankers Trust.

Robyn Williams AO

Science Journalist and Broadcaster, ABC

Science journalist and broadcaster Robyn Williams has hosted The Science Show on ABC Radio National for the past 50 years (as of this August 2025) and previously hosted the radio program Ockham's Razor. Early in his career, he made guest appearances in The Goodies, Monty Python's Flying CircusÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýDoctor Who, and stood in for Tom Jones for four months in his TV series. He is the deputy chair of the Australian Science Media Centre, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.