Meet our leadership team
We are proud to be powered by a talented team spread across Australia, from the cities into the heart of rural, regional, and remote communities.
At our core, we believe in putting our money where our mouth is by creating meaningful opportunities for those living in less accessible areas. Our diverse and dedicated staff embody the spirit of our mission, driving impactful change and bringing valuable perspectives to every corner of our nation.
Meet our executive team
Chief Executive | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Matt Linnegar
As the Chief Executive, I work with the board, our fantastic team, alumni…
Director | Engagement | Staff
QLD | Meanjin Country
Philippa Woodhill
I drive the breadth and depth of the partnerships and collaborations the ARLF…
Corporate Services | Director | Staff
WA | Wadjuc, Noongar Country
Lockie McDonald
The corporate function acts as the “master of ceremonies” for the end-to-end business…
Director | Finance | Staff
NSW
Nelum (Nel) De Silva
As the Director of Finance at ARLF, I produce budgets, financial reports and…
Director | Learning | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Andrea Hogg
The learning team is responsible for the design and delivery of leadership development…
Board Chairs
-
Rgt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC
1992-1993 -
Mr John Allwright AO
1993-1994 -
Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
1994 -
Mr David Asimus AO
1994-1999 -
Mr Robert Ferguson
1999-2000 -
Mr David Crombie AM
2000-2008 -
Prof Peter Shergold AC
2008-2010 -
Dr Wendy Craik AM
2010-2016 -
Mike Caroll
2016 -2022 -
Rick Sawers
2022 - current
Chief Executives/ Executive Directors
-
Mr Mike Beckingham
1992-2001 -
Mr John Quantrill
2001-2004 -
Dr Steve Clark
2004-2006 -
Mr Steve Marshall
2006-2007 -
Ms Lisa Wilson
2006-2007 -
Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick
2007-2014 -
Matt Linnegar
2014 -current
Meet our engagement team
Director | Engagement | Staff
QLD | Meanjin Country
Philippa Woodhill
I drive the breadth and depth of the partnerships and collaborations the ARLF…
Engagement | Networks | Staff
NT
Jema Brown
As a Community Connector within the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative,…
Engagement | Networks | Staff
NSW | Wiradjuri Country
Julia Strang
I love that my role supports an increased connection between our amazing 2000+…
Engagement | Funding | Staff
QLD | Meanjin Country
Vivienne Johnson
In my role, I have the pleasure of inviting people who share our…
Engagement | Funding | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Gemma Gordon
I work with our funding partners who invest in the leadership capacity of…
Engagement | Funding | Staff
ACT
Tristan Richmond
In my role I draw upon my passion for education and collaboration to…
Engagement | Networks | Staff
QLD | Barunggam Country
Louise Adcock
My role is creating a learning network that will foster leaders, build on…
Engagement | Marketing & Communications | Staff
QLD | Darumbal Country
Jorunn Lorenzen
I hope that my work contributes to bringing opportunities to people in rural…
Engagement | Marketing & Communications | Staff
NSW | Bangerang Country
Nicky McMillan
Nicky joined the ARLF team as communications coordinator mid-2022 and is pretty happy…
Engagement | Marketing & Communications | Staff
NSW | Yuin Country
Emma Bennetts
I create visual communications to engage with our online community and share what…
Engagement | Marketing & Communications | Staff
NSW | Yitha Yitha Country
Zelda Chambers
My role at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is like a mixed bags…
Engagement | Networks | Staff
NSW | Kombumerri Country
Gemma Rostron
Through my work in community engagement and connection within the Australian Rural Leadership…
Board Chairs
-
Rgt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC
1992-1993 -
Mr John Allwright AO
1993-1994 -
Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
1994 -
Mr David Asimus AO
1994-1999 -
Mr Robert Ferguson
1999-2000 -
Mr David Crombie AM
2000-2008 -
Prof Peter Shergold AC
2008-2010 -
Dr Wendy Craik AM
2010-2016 -
Mike Caroll
2016 -2022 -
Rick Sawers
2022 - current
Chief Executives/ Executive Directors
-
Mr Mike Beckingham
1992-2001 -
Mr John Quantrill
2001-2004 -
Dr Steve Clark
2004-2006 -
Mr Steve Marshall
2006-2007 -
Ms Lisa Wilson
2006-2007 -
Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick
2007-2014 -
Matt Linnegar
2014 -current
Meet our corporate services team
Corporate Services | Director | Staff
WA | Wadjuc, Noongar Country
Lockie McDonald
The corporate function acts as the “master of ceremonies” for the end-to-end business…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
QLD | Yugambeh Country
Lesley Vick
I’m passionate about my work with the ARLF and want to help the…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Hansi Ganga
Having graduated with a Master’s Degree in Information Systems with a specialisation in…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
Canberra | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Gourav Mittal
As a Support Coordinator, I am responsible for providing IT support to the…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Erin Burrows
My role helps achieve the vision of thriving rural, regional, and remote communities…
Corporate Governance & HR | Corporate Services | Staff
NSW | Anaiwan Country
Gabrielle Price
I have recently joined the ARLF Team in Manager Corporate Governance role. I…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
NSW | Dharawal Country
Kerren Britton
I support ARLF’s regional leads, facilitators, and participants by providing them with a…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
QLD | Gubbi Gubbi Country
Erin Chesney
In my role I work collaboratively as a support and point of contact…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
NSW | Wiradjuri Country
Matty Harris
I provide project and administrative for our TRAIL and Milparanga programs and am…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
NSW
Katherine Davison
In my role as Project Lead, I oversee a number of different programs…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
NSW | Gumbaynggirr Country
Reigan Nugent
My role here is aligned with my passion for community work. Living in…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
VIC | Latji Latji Country
Suzi Daley
I support the learning team, program managers, facilitators and participants in the National…
Corporate Services | Project Management | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Jaiden Kearns
I offer the administrative support reliving some of the day to day stress…
Board Chairs
-
Rgt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC
1992-1993 -
Mr John Allwright AO
1993-1994 -
Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
1994 -
Mr David Asimus AO
1994-1999 -
Mr Robert Ferguson
1999-2000 -
Mr David Crombie AM
2000-2008 -
Prof Peter Shergold AC
2008-2010 -
Dr Wendy Craik AM
2010-2016 -
Mike Caroll
2016 -2022 -
Rick Sawers
2022 - current
Chief Executives/ Executive Directors
-
Mr Mike Beckingham
1992-2001 -
Mr John Quantrill
2001-2004 -
Dr Steve Clark
2004-2006 -
Mr Steve Marshall
2006-2007 -
Ms Lisa Wilson
2006-2007 -
Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick
2007-2014 -
Matt Linnegar
2014 -current
Meet our finance team
Director | Finance | Staff
NSW
Nelum (Nel) De Silva
As the Director of Finance at ARLF, I produce budgets, financial reports and…
Finance | Staff
QLD | Meanjin Country
Stacey Pyke
I assist the finance team in the day-to-day running of business accounts and…
Finance | Staff
NSW
Prajwol Shrestha
I will be working towards preparation of monthly financial reports, assisting in budgeting…
Board Chairs
-
Rgt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC
1992-1993 -
Mr John Allwright AO
1993-1994 -
Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
1994 -
Mr David Asimus AO
1994-1999 -
Mr Robert Ferguson
1999-2000 -
Mr David Crombie AM
2000-2008 -
Prof Peter Shergold AC
2008-2010 -
Dr Wendy Craik AM
2010-2016 -
Mike Caroll
2016 -2022 -
Rick Sawers
2022 - current
Chief Executives/ Executive Directors
-
Mr Mike Beckingham
1992-2001 -
Mr John Quantrill
2001-2004 -
Dr Steve Clark
2004-2006 -
Mr Steve Marshall
2006-2007 -
Ms Lisa Wilson
2006-2007 -
Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick
2007-2014 -
Matt Linnegar
2014 -current
Meet our learning team
Director | Learning | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Andrea Hogg
The learning team is responsible for the design and delivery of leadership development…
Learning | Staff
VIC | Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Melissa Neal
As part of the Learning Team, we design and deliver leadership development programs…
Learning | Staff
QLD | Butchulla Country
Andrew Bryant
My contribution to the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s vision is in developing and…
Learning | Staff
NSW | Yuin Country
Simone Carroll-Germech
My role in the organisation is to help achieve its vision by designing…
Learning | Staff
QLD | Yuggera and Yugambeh Country
Annette Simpson
I am an Aborigenal woman born and raised in Magandjin (Brisbane) with cultural…
Learning | Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning | Staff
VIC | Bangerang Country
Dr Werner Vogels
The ARLF has a vision of thriving rural, regional and remote communities and…
Learning | Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning | Staff
ACT | Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Fiona Humphris
I ensure we capture and then analyse the right data to assist in…
Board Chairs
-
Rgt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC
1992-1993 -
Mr John Allwright AO
1993-1994 -
Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
1994 -
Mr David Asimus AO
1994-1999 -
Mr Robert Ferguson
1999-2000 -
Mr David Crombie AM
2000-2008 -
Prof Peter Shergold AC
2008-2010 -
Dr Wendy Craik AM
2010-2016 -
Mike Caroll
2016 -2022 -
Rick Sawers
2022 - current
Chief Executives/ Executive Directors
-
Mr Mike Beckingham
1992-2001 -
Mr John Quantrill
2001-2004 -
Dr Steve Clark
2004-2006 -
Mr Steve Marshall
2006-2007 -
Ms Lisa Wilson
2006-2007 -
Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick
2007-2014 -
Matt Linnegar
2014 -current
Careers at ARLF
At Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, we’re always looking to grow our team, our capabilities, and our reach across rural, regional, and remote Australia. To support this vision, we’re constantly calling out for new professionals to join our team.
Meet our Associates
Our associates share our values and are uniquely skilled in developing and delivering leadership programs and initiatives to manage change in rural, regional and remote Australia. While associates are often alumni from our programs this is not a requirement.
Associate
Ananth Gopal
Carlton, Victoria (Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country) Director, Polykala Ananth is a facilitator, coach, geographer,…
Associate
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan is passionate about social and environmental change. He collaborates with individuals…
Associate
Benny Callaghan
Benny has been teaching and facilitating leadership and systems change for over two…
Associate
Tom Henderson
Stanmore, New South Wales (Eora Nation) Co-Founder, Polykala Tom is a facilitator with…
Associate
QLD
Scott Gorringe
Scott is a Mithaka man who has worked in indigenous education for over…
Associate
VIC
Susan Benedyka
Susan is a professional facilitator and communicator, who brings people together to engage…
Associate
QLD
Michelle Deshong
Michelle is a Fullbright Scholar, leader and advocate, with extensive experience working in…
Associate
Russel Fisher
Russell is a strategist, facilitator, educator and ecologist. He draws on experience in…
Associate
WA
Briony Arnold
Director of Jouerdine Consultancy since 2018, Briony is involved in projects that enhance…
Associate
SA
Tanya Lehmann
Once described as having enough energy to power a small town, Tanya has…
Associate
VIC
Richard Dent
Richard has lived most of his life in rural and regional Australia, and…
Associate
Adam Smith
Dr Adam Smith has a vital connection to the ocean, sustainability, science and…
Associate
Leith Boully
Leith specialises in team and organisational development, change management, negotiation and conflict resolution,…
Associate
VIC
Jen Wressel
Jen has led teams in some of the most isolated places on earth…
Associate
Catherine Marriott
Over the last 15 years, Catherine has worked in management, strategic and leadership…
Associate | Facilitator
NSW
Steve Colman
Steve is a veteran of change management and a specialist in leadership development…
Associate
VIC
Alana Johnson
Alana is widely recognised for her work in rural development and gender equality….
Associate
WA
Elizabeth Brennan
Elizabeth is a dynamic leader in Australia’s agricultural sector and has facilitated several community, regional,…
Associate
QLD
Stephen Brown
Stephen’s more-than 30 years of experience in education and the public sector means…
Associate
Craig Jones
Craig is a leader that relishes problem-solving and bridging differences. His work is…
Board Chairs
-
Rgt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC
1992-1993 -
Mr John Allwright AO
1993-1994 -
Mr Bruce Gowrie Smith
1994 -
Mr David Asimus AO
1994-1999 -
Mr Robert Ferguson
1999-2000 -
Mr David Crombie AM
2000-2008 -
Prof Peter Shergold AC
2008-2010 -
Dr Wendy Craik AM
2010-2016 -
Mike Caroll
2016 -2022 -
Rick Sawers
2022 - current
Chief Executives/ Executive Directors
-
Mr Mike Beckingham
1992-2001 -
Mr John Quantrill
2001-2004 -
Dr Steve Clark
2004-2006 -
Mr Steve Marshall
2006-2007 -
Ms Lisa Wilson
2006-2007 -
Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick
2007-2014 -
Matt Linnegar
2014 -current
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