Professional Experience:
Highly experienced independent consultantt, non-executive director and former senior career officer with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with strong leadership, strategy, negotiation, advocacy and representational skills. Diplomatic appointments included Australian Ambassador to Ireland (2013-2016) and Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam (2006-2009), with earlier postings as Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Mexico City, Mexico (1998-2000) and Second Secretary (Political), Australian Embassy, Manila, Philippines (1991-1994).
Current and recent roles include:
Director, Australian-Argentine Business Council - AABC (March 2016 - present)
Honorary Research Fellow, Institute of Latin American Studies, La Trobe University, Melbourne (2016-present)
Member of the Board of Directors of ReachOut.com, Dublin, Ireland (2015-2016)
Honorary Patron, Irish Chapter of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, Dublin, Ireland (2015-2016)
Australian Observer, International Fund for Ireland, Dublin and Belfast (2013-2016)
Member, International Advisory Committee, Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Dublin, Ireland (2013-2016)
Honorary Patron, Carrickmacross Workhouse, County Monaghan, Ireland (2013-2016)
Member, Ethics Committee, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra (2010-2011)
Significant expertise in foreign and trade policy, international relations, international environment issues, political risk, government relations and corporate governance.
Regional expertise in Europe, Latin America and Asia, and fluent in Spanish.
Deep understanding of government and government processes.
Extensive experience working with stakeholders, and negotiating at the highest levels of government.
A strategic leader, with significant experience managing and working with teams and change management.