OUR board
BOARD
Our board of directors are leaders in their field and bring a wealth of industry and sector expertise. They are responsible for leading the governance of the organisation and setting its strategic direction.
Graeme Russell
Independent Chair
Graeme has extensive experience in governance, strategy and management, investment, and education and training. Graeme is former CEO of industry funds Media Super and First Super, and was an Independent Director of Media Super, TISS and JUST Super.
He was an industry and international partnerships executive at Melbourne and Monash Universities, and a consultant to universities and TAFE institutes. Graeme has executive management experience across companies in the financial services, business services and media industries.
He commenced professional life as a Chartered Accountant in practice and has held senior community leadership roles, including as a Councillor and Mayor.
Graeme holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Rhyll Gardner
Independent Director
Rhyll is a non-executive director with deep finance and financial expertise, along with broad experience across governance, marketing, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, digitisation and people and culture.
Over a 35-year career in financial services, Rhyll filled CEO and general management roles in treasury, risk and compliance, marketing, corporate banking, retail banking and group strategy. She has led teams of up to 1000 through turnaround, growth and integration. Rhyll is currently a non-executive director of Identitii Ltd, InterFinancial Ltd and Foodbank (Qld) Ltd.
She is a past director of Foresters Community Finance Ltd, Social Investments Australia Ltd, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and the YWCA.
Rhyll holds a Global Executive Masters of Business Administration from (INSEAD), a Masters in Applied Finance, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Economics. She is a Fellow of FINSIA and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).
Anne Younger
Employer Nominated Director
Anne is the General Manager, Policy and Projects within the Centre for Education and Training at the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) where she is responsible for policy development and major projects addressing education and training issues for member companies.
At Ai Group, Anne previously worked as an Economist within the Economics Team, managed a national team of skills advisers assisting with workforce development in companies, and managed a national team of business advisers charged with helping small–medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve productivity.
Before joining Ai Group, Anne worked for over 25 years within TAFE institutes and government agencies in the VET sector across a range of management roles involving policy, planning, research and continuous improvement.
Anne holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Management). She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Chris Walton
Independent Director
Chris has extensive experience in workforce development, industry strategy, governance and leadership and education and training.
He is CEO of the Union Innovation Hub and was CEO of Professionals Australia for 11 years. Prior to that, he worked at the Australian Council of Trades Unions (ACTU) for 14 years, including as ACTU Assistant Secretary from 2002–2008.
Chris has run the education arm of the ACTU and been a Director of Chifley Business School. He is currently a Director of Coassemble, a learning management system.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Graduate Diploma in Labour Law and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Susan Petrellis
Independent Director
Susan is an experienced non-executive director and Managing Director of Bounce Partners, advising in sustainable corporate and systemic innovation.
She has international experience in senior executive and CEO roles in start-up to multinational agrifood, pharmaceutical, med/biotech and consumer tech businesses, and public sector economic development, working in trade and investment, regional and industry precinct development, and workforce skills development.
Susan has developed her non-executive experience with innovation-led statutory authorities, public and private unlisted entities, and subcommittees including Audit & Risk and Nominations. These have included Governor-General appointments to national innovation system boards, Innovation Australia and Innovation & Science Australia, and board/advisory appointments to Agrifutures Australia, National Computational Infrastructure, Plant Health Australia and Food Frontier.
Susan offers qualifications in science and business (MBA), and executive education in corporate governance (GAICD), human centred design, ESG governance and operations.
Kellie Northwood
Employer Nominated Director
Kellie is Chief Executive Officer of the Visual Media Association. She is an experienced chief executive and strong business development professional, with over twenty years of industry experience.
Kellie has held industry association positions for the past twelve years, originally leading Two Sides Australia, before taking on the CEO role for the Australian Catalogue Association, then the executive director role of the Australasian Paper Industry Association, and most recently the CEO role for The Real Media Collective.
Prior to leading industry bodies, Kellie worked across strategic sales, governance and sustainability roles with Moore Business Systems, Finsbury Green and Geon.
Kellie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), Post Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Education and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Paul Baxter
Employee Nominated Director
Paul is the National Skills and Training Coordinator for Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and has extensive VET experience in training, assessment, governance, and compliance. Paul has represented the AMWU on regulatory, training advisory and training package development bodies for the last 15 years.
Paul is a qualified Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic, Mechanical Fitter and holds various trade and post trade industry qualifications, including a Certificate IV Engineering and Certificate IV Training and Assessment.
AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE
The Audit and Risk Committee considers and recommends measures to ensure:
- the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls.
- the oversight of all financial matters, including investments and financial reporting.
- an effective independent audit process, including approving the appointment and assessing the performance of the external auditor.
- the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management framework.
Rhyll Gardner
Chair
Graeme Russell
Committee Member
Anne Younger
Committee Member
Susan Petrellis
Committee Member
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The Nominations Committee considers and recommends measures to ensure:
- the Board has the effective composition, size and commitment to adequately discharge its responsibilities and duties.
- that all Directors meet the eligibility requirements prescribed in the Constitution.
- Board induction and succession plans are in place to maintain the required competencies, number and profiles of Board members.
- regularly monitor Board membership and structure and oversee the Board Skills Matrix to ensure that there is appropriate representation of skills and sectors on the Board.
Graeme Russell
Chair
Anne Younger
Committee Member
Kellie Northwood
Committee Member
Chris Walton
Committee Member
OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
MEMBER ORGANISATIONS
Foundation Members
Ordinary Members
- AMROBA – Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association
- Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association
- Australian Workers Union
- Baking Association of Australia
- Caravan Industry Association of Australia
- Clean Energy Council
- Composites Australia
- Medicines Australia
- Plastics Industry Manufacturers of Australia
- Qantas Group
- United Workers Union
- Visual Media Association
