Council Members

BAppSc (UTS), MMgtTec (Melb), DBA (RMIT), MComLaw (Deakin), FAIDC, FATSE

Term: 3 December 2014 to December 2026

Dr Michele Allan AO is a food industry and agribusiness specialist who has held senior executive and director positions in the food and education sector, and has an academic background in biomedical science, management, and law.  In 2023 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to the agricultural, food production and business sectors, and to tertiary education.

Dr Allan is the current Chair of Wine Australia, Smart Sat CRC, the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL) and Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence CRC. She is also a non-executive director of the CSIRO, the Food Agility CRC, and Diary Food Safety Victoria. In addition to these appointments, Dr Allan is a member of the 2026 Spatial Industry Transformation and Growth Agenda Leadership Group.

Dr Allan has previously served as Chair of Meat and Livestock Australia, Apple and Pear Australia Limited and Nuffield Australia. She has served as a non-executive director of Grain Growers Limited, Tasmanian Irrigation, Innovation and Science Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Callaghan Innovation, Patties Food Limited, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, and Forest and Wood Products Australia.  She has also held various executive roles with Amcor Limited, Kraft Foods, Bonlac Foods Limited, ICI, Tasmania’s Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence, Johnson and Johnson, and Nestle.

In 2013, Dr Allan was appointed by the Commonwealth Minister for Agriculture to chair the Wheat Industry Advisory Taskforce. In 2014, she was appointed by the Federal Government to lead the Tasmanian Fruit and Vegetable Taskforce. In 2016, she was appointed by the Federal Governance to the Expert Panel, Driving Innovation, Fairness and Excellence in Australian Higher Education.

Dr Allan has a Bachelor of Applied Science Major - Biomedical Science - Cytology from University of Technology Sydney, Master of Management (Technology) from the University of Melbourne, Doctor of Business Administration from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

PhD, MComLaw (Deakin), MBus(Mkt) (Csturt), BCom (ANU), FCPA, FAICD, FAMI, CPM, GAIST

Term: 1 March 2021 to 31 December 2025

Dr Saranne Cooke is a professional director and chair with experience on a variety of boards across the education, health, sport, superannuation, and not-for-profit sectors. Dr Cooke is a Racing NSW Board Member, a HESTA Trustee Board member, a Director of Western Health Alliance Ltd (Western NSW Primary Health Network), a Director of Leading Age Services Australia, and the inaugural Chair of the Western Region NSW Committee of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Prior to her career as a professional director, Dr Cooke held a number of senior roles within the energy, banking, and manufacturing industries. Dr Cooke holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Master of Business (Marketing), and a Master of Commercial Law. She is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, a Certified Practising Marketer, and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and has a PhD in Board Governance across the ASX200.

BA, LLB (ANU), LLM (Cambridge)

Term: 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2026

Professor Renée Leon is the University’s fifth Vice-Chancellor and President and commenced in the role on 1 September, 2021.

Prior to commencement as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Leon had extensive senior leadership experience in Commonwealth and State public administration, covering policy, program management and service delivery.

Professor Leon holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University and a Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge, which she attended as a Menzies Foundation Law Scholar.

In 2013, she was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding service to public administration and law in leadership roles in the Australian Capital Territory and the Commonwealth.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and a member of Chief Executive Women Australia.

Professor Leon is honoured to lead Australia’s leading regional university at a time when the regions are playing an increasingly visible and important national role.

BComm (CSU), GAICD

Term: 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026

Mr Benjamin Fry is a Charles Sturt University graduate with a Bachelor of Communications and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Viticulture at Charles Sturt University.

Mr Fry is a media consultant; his production business, WestFilm, operates exclusively in Regional NSW for government, corporate and private clients. WestFilm enables people and organisations to tell their stories to targeted audiences.

Mr Fry is also a business partner at BoxGrove, a Bathurst-based function centre and luxury accommodation retreat. He contributes to the city more broadly as a Councillor on both Bathurst Regional Council and Upper Macquarie County Council.

B.Bus(Acc), MBA, FCPA, GAICD

Term: 1 August 2021 to  31 July 2025

Leanne is an experienced ASX non-executive director and Audit and Risk Committee chair, with broad general management experience gained through an international career in the mining sector, including
10 years with Rio Tinto. Her experience includes strategic marketing, business finance, and compliance and she has led organisational restructures, disposals, and acquisitions. Additionally, she has had significant experience in complex cross-cultural negotiations and international customer and stakeholder
relationship management (including governments, communities, and investment partners).

Leanne holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Charles Sturt University and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of CPA Australia. She is a director and Audit and Risk Committee
Chair of Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE), Symbio Holdings Limited (ASX: SYM); Midway Limited (ASX:MWY) and Quickstep Holdings Limited (ASX: QHL).  She is also a director of Snowy Hydro Limited.

PhD (Melb), BE/BSc (Elec) (NICTA/Melb)

Term: 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2026

Dr Kate Cornick is currently the Chief Executive Officer at LaunchVic, which is the Victorian Government’s $60M initiative to accelerate start-ups, drive new ideas and create jobs in Victoria. LaunchVic works in partnership with entrepreneurs, industry, business, the community and educational institutions to strengthen Victoria’s entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem.

Prior to this appointment, Dr Cornick was CEO of ASX listed startup Rision Ltd. Her previous positions include Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement at the University of Melbourne, and the General Manager, Health and Education at NBN Co. Dr Cornick has also held the position of Senior Telecommunications Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, this role entailed advising on the National Broadband Network policy, consumer issues and regional telecommunications.

Dr Cornick serves as a Non-Executive Director on a number of boards, including the Victorian Government Innovation Expert Panel, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the Melbourne Networked Society Institute.

Dr Cornick undertook her PhD in optical telecommunications at the University of Melbourne and, as part of her studies, spent time at AT&T Research Laboratories, USA. She also has a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) and Bachelor of Science (Physics and Philosophy). Dr Cornick is deeply passionate about the role of innovation in our economy and society and has considerable experience in technology innovation and change management across start-ups, academia, corporate and government.

MBA (Columbia), BA, LLB (USyd), Hon LLD (UOW)

Term: 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2027

Philip Marcus Clark AO is a member of the J P Morgan Advisory Council.

Mr Clark has extensive experience, both as an executive and board member, in professional services, investment banking, real estate, innovation, and infrastructure, particularly university and research infrastructure.

He was Managing Partner and CEO of Minter Ellison and worked
with that firm from 1995 until June 2005.

Prior to joining Minter Ellison, Mr Marcus Clark was Director and Head of Corporate with ABN Amro Australia and prior to that he was a Managing Partner of Mallesons Stephen Jaques for 16 years. Earlier in his career, he worked with a Pratt Industries subsidiary and with Shell Australia.

Mr Marcus Clark now serves on boards and advisory boards. His current appointments include listed and private companies:

• Member of the JP Morgan Advisory Council
• Chair, Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group (ASX code SCP)
• Director, Food Agility CRC

Government, university and community, and advisory boards including:

• Chair of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
• Chair, NSW Skills Board
• Chair of Trustees, NSW Public Purpose Fund
• Chair, University of Wollongong, Early Start Advisory Board
• Member, Tennis NSW Corporate Advisory Board

His work in the not-for-profit sector has included serving as a Director of High Resolves Foundation from 2007 to 2016; of Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience Indigenous Corporation (AIME) from 2010 to 2015; of the Garvan Foundation from 2005 to 2008; and of St James Ethics Centre from 2004 to 2013.

Mr Clark has BA, LLB from Sydney University, and an MBA from Columbia University. In 2019 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Wollongong for his services to the University, most notably as Chair of the Early Start Advisory Board, and for his significant leadership and support for research-driven innovation at the national level.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (General Division) in 2007 for his contribution to the development of national law firms and encouraging corporate involvement in community programs.

Mr Clark was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (General Division) in 2019 for distinguished service to education, to research and infrastructure investment, and to the not-for-profit sector.

BA, Dip Ed (USyd), MLitt (UNE), MLib (UC), PhD (UTS), FALIA, GAICD

Term: 10 February 2023 to 31 January 2026

Professor Joyce Kirk’s career in higher education began in Colleges of Advanced Education: Goulburn, Riverina and Kuring-gai. She joined the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) in 1991 as Head of the School of Information Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and was later Associate Dean Coursework Programs (1995-1999) and Dean of the Faculty (2000-2004).

Her senior executive career in universities includes the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) and Vice-President RMIT University (2004-2011) and interim positions as President RMIT Vietnam (2012-2013), Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic and later Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at the University of New England (2016-2017).

Professor Kirk’s expertise in the areas of governance, compliance and quality assurance are focused at both institutional and program levels.  She was a foundation Auditor with AUQA and is currently listed on the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) Register of Experts. She has chaired or been a member of audit and review panels for universities in Australia and overseas and has carried out state-based institutional registration and accreditation reviews in Victoria and New South Wales.

BSc (UNSW), MBA (Macquarie)

Term: 14 October 2019 to 30 June 2027

John Lloyd is the former CEO of Horticulture Innovation Australia/HAL leading both organisations over a nine year period of significant growth, change and transition. He is a current director of Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council, Agribusiness Australia and Menari Business Solutions Pty Ltd. He has been nominated as a director for Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd. After a long corporate career that took him to most parts of Australia, as well as extensive experience overseas, John and his wife now run a small agricultural enterprise at Borenore NSW.

John’s career has spanned most parts of the Australian agribusiness sector with senior leadership positions including Managing Director Case IH/New Holland ANZ; General Manager Commercial Incitec Pivot; and General Manager Merchandise Wesfarmers Dalgety. John started his career at a trainee for Farmers and Graziers Ltd.

More recently John has lead a significant restructure of the research corporation for the $12 Billion horticulture sector, creating new funding models that have catered for its longer term strategic issues as well as accessing broader and non-traditional sources of
investment. These issues include Asian export markets, biosecurity, health and nutrition, pollination, fruit fly, intensive farming systems and urban greening.

John has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wool and Pastoral) from the University of NSW as well as an MBA from Macquarie University.

Term: 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2025

Dr Williams is a General Practitioner (GP) and hospital Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at Molong and Yeoval, and Chair of the Western NSW Primary Health Network. Dr Williams emigrated to Australia in 1997 settling as a GP in Gulgong. He was Chairman of the Dubbo/Plains Division of General Practice from 2000 to 2016. He has also served as a Director and past Chair of the NSW Rural Doctors Network. Dr Williams was the Chair of the Western NSW Local Health District Board until his term finished at the end of 2016, and was also a member of the NSW Ministerial Advisory Committee on Rural Health. He has been a GP VMO at Molong Health Service and Yeoval UPA since 2007 and is a Clinical Lecturer for the School of Rural Health, University of Sydney. Dr Williams holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of London, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He resides in Central West NSW.

Term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2027

After completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) at the University of Queensland and a PhD in solar photovoltaics at the University of New South Wales, Bruce’s career has been built in business, innovation investment and technology development fields. He has focused on the advancement and commercialisation of technologies (particularly, but not solely, new energy technologies), investment readiness of technologies, products and companies, and innovation policy and investment programs.

In addition to his full-time management, technical and consulting roles since 1980, Bruce has been a member of assessment committees for numerous Commonwealth and Victorian government R&D, innovation and deployment support programs. He understands well the opportunities and challenges for developers and suppliers of new technologies, products and services that are used in or could penetrate supply chains in Australia and overseas.

A Fellow of the Academy of Technology & Engineering, he was a Director and Vice-President Diversity of it (2016-21). He has chaired Expert Working Groups for the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) on Delivering Sustainable Urban Mobility (2015) and on Energy Storage (2017). He is a Director of the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre.

Term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2027

Dr Kyle Turner is originally from Dubbo in rural New South Wales, his family’s Wiradjuri country, and now resides in Melbourne.

Dr Turner founded Pearlii in 2019, a for-profit social enterprise that uses world-first AI technology to scan teeth and gums for common dental problems, bringing free dental check-ups and free oral health education to the world.

Dr Turner has published widely on the burden of chronic disease - with a heavy focus on prevention - with a demonstrated passion for improving health outcomes for First Nation peoples as well as other disadvantaged groups, such as prisoners.

BA LLB (Adelaide) PhD (Cambridge)

Term: 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2027

Roy is Emeritus Professor and Special Innovation Advisor at the University of Technology Sydney, where he was Dean of the UTS Business School. He gained his undergraduate degrees from the University of Adelaide and a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge. Roy has published widely in the areas of innovation, industry and regional development, including projects with the OECD and European Commission. He is a Fellow of the RSA, Royal Society of NSW and the Centre for Policy Development.

Roy has led and participated in numerous public inquiries and reviews, and he chaired the Australian Government’s Innovative Regions Centre, CSIRO Manufacturing Sector Advisory Council, NSW Manufacturing Industries Advisory Council and Queensland Competition Authority. He was also a member of the Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Taskforce and a board director of the Innovative Manufacturing CRC.

Currently Roy chairs the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub, Food Innovation & Agribusiness Ltd (FIAL) Industry Growth Centre and the Port of Newcastle, and he is a board director of the SmartSat CRC and a member of the Australian Design Council and NSW Modern Manufacturing Taskforce.

Term: 7 November to  31 December 2025

Kristal is a proud Aboriginal woman, a descendant of both Jawoyn and Wiradjuri nations. Kristal has more than 18 years experience in education and training, organisational workforce development and supplier diversity working across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

Kristal is a well-know Aboriginal businesswoman and entrepreneur, she has worked nationally across Australia and is highly regarded as a skilled facilitator, expert in stakeholder engagement and project management.

Kristal is a  Director of Uniting NSW/ACT, Director Many Rivers , member of Woolworths Group First Nation Advisory Board. She is also an Advisory Committee Member of Family Friendly Workplaces and NSW Governments Women's Entrepreneurship Industry Reference Group.

Kristal is passionate about creating lasting pathways and growing the capabilities of Indigenous businesses and individuals. She contributes at the interface of Aboriginal business  development and government business procurement.

Term: 6 May 2024 to 31 December 2025

Professor Wilma Vialle joined CSU in May 2024 as Chair of the Academic Senate and brings over 30 years’ experience in the Australian university sector, with outstanding achievements across Teaching and Learning, Research, and Governance and Service.

Prior to embarking on her academic career, Wilma was a high school teacher of English and Drama for several years and completed her PhD in the United States, specialising in Educational Psychology. She joined the University of Wollongong in 1993 as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education. Her research interests are predominantly concerned with giftedness and excellence and she is particularly interested in issues of social justice. She is on the editorial board of several international journals, has published extensively in the fields of giftedness and talent development, and supervised over 35 higher degree research students.

Wilma is passionate about enhancing our capacity to support the development of excellence and, to this end, has worked extensively with educators and families to advocate for appropriate resources and ongoing teacher training. In 2006 she was awarded the Eminent Australian award by the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT) for her contributions to gifted education.

Wilma held a number of key governance positions at the University of Wollongong, including 12 years as an Associate Dean with responsibilities for graduate teaching and internationalisation. In 2014 she was elected to the position of Chair of the University’s Academic Senate, a role she held for six years; this included a number of years as the Chair of the NSW and Territories Committee of Chairs of Academic Boards and Senates. Wilma then served as Pro Vice-Chancellor Global at the University of Wollongong (2020-2023) and in this role chaired the academic boards of its three offshore campuses.

Term: 01 July 2024 to 30 June 2026

Melanie Rumball is the University’s Ombudsman where she collaborates with academic and professional staff to ensure the fair and prompt resolution of complaints, prioritising positive staff and student experience. With a focus on institutional improvement, Melanie actively identifies and addresses systemic issues, ensuring meaningful corrective actions. Melanie is also the University’s Privacy Officer, Right to Information Officer and manages Public Interest Disclosures.

Prior to joining the University, Melanie held the position of Director, Ethics & Compliance at Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR) leading the ethics and compliance program for the Australasia region. In this capacity, she conducted complex investigations, developed, and delivered staff training, led the enterprise and compliance risk assessment program, and provided legal advice specialising in contract drafting, review and negotiation, and legal research.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Charles Darwin University, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law, is a Nationally Accredited Mediator and an Accredited Mental Health First Aider.

Melanie received a 2023 Charles Sturt University Excellence Award that recognised her work in making an outstanding and significant contribution to delivering excellence to students.

Professor Julian Grant, Elected (Academic Staff) Member

Term: 01 July 2024 to 30 June 2026

Professor Julian Grant is Associate Dean Research for the Faculty of Science and Health at Charles Sturt University. She lives and works primarily on Wiradjuri land. Having worked as a child health nurse across rural, remote and metropolitan Australia for 18 years, Julian is passionate about access and equity in health and education across the regions.

Julian’s research focusses on addressing health inequities experienced by children and families, particularly as they relate to the intersections of race, gender, class, and exposure to abuse or neglect. In her research leadership she strives to create a progressive culture to improve the health, wellbeing and sustainability of regional people, communities, and environments.

Julian has broad governance experience, including non-executive and executive positions on national professional and health boards, Flinders University and Charles Sturt Academic Senate, and a Ministerial appointment to the NHMRC Health Research Impact Committee.

Julian is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a PhD on intercultural communication in child health, A Bachelor of Nursing (Hons 1A), and Graduate Certificates in Paediatric Nursing and Community Child Health nursing.

FGIA, FACS, FCPA, GAICD, MBA(Exec), BBus

Term: 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2025

Michelle Beveridge is a proud Charles Sturt University graduate from the mid-1990's, studying Business via distance education. She is now a Non-executive Director with noteworthy experience in the superannuation, technology, ESG, travel and education industries. Agile, pragmatic, curious and with a bias for action, Michelle brings digital insight and governance expertise to grow organisations through transformation focused on customer engagement, optimising work systems, risk management and achieving purpose and profit.

In her prior executive capacity as Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer in diverse industries, Michelle designed, implemented and sustained digital strategies that contributed to double digit growth and EBITDA improvements, and provided leadership to diverse international teams. She was listed in the Australian CIO50 as one of the top Chief Information Officers in 2016 and 2018. Michelle’s current board and committee roles include REI Superannuation Fund Ltd, Leukaemia Foundation, Essential Services Commission (Vic), EPA Victoria and Melbourne Forum.