Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia
South Australia’s premier executive appointments column tracking the movements of those driving the state’s public and private sectors.
A brand new look for Brand SA board
Trade Minister Joe Szakacs has revealed a new look on the Brand SA board, with the addition of new members Jennie Zeiher, Pauly Vandenbergh and Kirsty Balnaves.
Jessie Zeiher
Zeiher is president of visual effects company Rising Sun Pictures, which is seen in the credits of Hollywood blockbusters Harry Potter and Game of Thrones.
Meanwhile, Vandenbergh is the co-founder and director of the Tjindu Foundation, as well as director of Indigenous-owned and operated tuna fishing business Wanna Mar and Munda Wines.
Paul Vandenbergh
He is also the national diversity talent manager with the Australian Football League.
Balnaves is president of the South Australian Wine Industry Association and has been director of her family’s business Balnaves of Coonawarra for more than 30 years.
Zeiher, Vandenbergh and Balnaves join current board members Rebecca Morse, Franklin Dos Santos and George Geordiadis, as well as chair Jane Jeffreys AM.
Kirsty Balnaves
Szakacs said the new members would boost regional representation on the Brand SA board.
“I welcome Jennie, Pauly and Kirsty to the board. They will provide highly valuable experience and insights to maximise our impact at home, and overseas,” said Trade Minister Szakacs.
“I thank our outgoing board members Jade Torres and Callum Hann for their outstanding service, and ongoing commitment to South Australia’s success.”
SA’s commissioner for children and young people says farewell
Helen Connolly, South Australia’s inaugural commissioner for children and young people, has announced that she is approaching the end of her term.
Helen Connolly
Connolly began as commissioner in April 2017 and will soon finish after eight years in the role.
As commissioner, Connolly has promoted and advocated for the rights, development and well-being of children and young people in South Australia.
Before becoming commissioner, she spent close to four years as executive director of the Australian Red Cross.
“I am a respected strategist and leader who advocates successfully for local action and social change,” said Connolly.
“Using my established networks and relationships I am passionate about working with children and young people to find new and different ways of increasing opportunities for engagement and participation alongside systematic advocacy to place children and young people at the centre of our thoughts and actions.”
Leadership change at Uniting Communities
Uniting Communities has a new chief executive, with the appointment of Jeremy Brown, while Orla Matthews has been appointed to the newly-created role of senior manager of community services.
Brown has more than 20 years of experience in the community, social and for-purpose sectors, Uniting Communities said, and will start his position of June 23.
Jeremy Brown
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He has spent the past eight years as chief operating officer at South Australian disability service organisation Novita and before this, he spent four and a half years in a similar role at Baptist Care (SA) Inc.
“Jeremy’s strong alignment with our values, strategic mindset, and experience in service innovation will support Uniting Communities as we continue to evolve,” said Uniting Communities chair Nigel Hall.
Uniting Communities said that Matthews brings extensive experience in the homelessness, youth, family and disability services.
Orla Matthews
Since 2021, she has been the alliance senior manager for the Adelaide North West Homeless Alliance.
Before this, she spent more than eight years in various roles at Hutt St Centre, including most recently as team leader of the Aspire Program’s Social Impact Bond.
“Orla aligns with our leadership on all key points,” said Cheryl Lierton, who is the executive manager of community services a Uniting Communities.
“She has a passion for quality service delivery, she holds a strong belief in social justice and is a bold advocate for change.”
Uniting Communities said it is “an inclusive not-for-profit organisation working alongside more than 80,000 South Australians each year as they strive for bright futures and great lives”.
McMahon Services gets a CEO
David Sims has officially started as CEO of McMahon Services.
David Sims
Sims has more than 30 years of experience in the engineering and construction sectors, bringing expertise in strategy, business development, tendering and large-scale project management.
He has collectively spent around 10 and a half years at John Holland in various managerial roles.
Sims has also held manager roles at McConnell Dowell, Tenix Defence, Lockheed Martin and RLM Systems.
Sims started his career as a nuclear physicist and lecturer at Lund University in Sweden and then as a research and development engineer at the CSIRO.
“The decision to appoint a CEO marks an important milestone for McMahon Services, ensuring we are well-positioned to manage our ongoing expansion and industry leadership,” said McMahon managing director David McMahon.
Jive Bar owner joins Australian Music Venue Foundation as founding board member
Jive Bar owner Tamara Boakes will be one of four founding board members of the Australian Music Venue Foundation (ALMBC).
Boakes joins alongside Moshtix managing director and CEO Harley Evans, Australian Live Music Business Council chair Howard Adams and Mardi Caught, who is head of the talent agency, The Annex.
Tamara Boakes
Boakes has been proprietor of Jive since it opened in 2003, and has also been bar manager of The Garden of Unearthly Delights for the past 11 years.
“There’s been much discourse over recent years about the need of Grassroots Venues and the necessity to focus on supporting them,” said Boakes.
“I’m excited that the AMVF will give all venue owners and operators the opportunity to consolidate efforts on what their real needs are alongside additional industry bodies to make real change.”
Former RAA chair and president retires, while experienced defence executive joins board
Former RAA chair and president Peter Seibels has retired from the insurer after 17 years on its board, with Christine Zeitz joining to fill a casual vacancy created by his departure.
Peter Siebels
Siebels, who joined the board in 2008, stepped down in February.
Current chair Kathy Gramp thanked Siebels and said he guided the RAA through a period of immense change, including a partnership between RAA Insurance and Allianz.
“Peter began the journey to modernise RAA’s governance, including our move to a Company Limited by Guarantee which comes into effect later this year,” she said.
Christine Zeitz
“He has always been passionate about bringing RAA’s values to life – as the largest mutual (membership) organisation in the State – to create lasting positive social impact, particularly in the areas of inclusion, diversity and reconciliation.”
Siebels’s successor Zeitz is currently deputy chair of SBS, as well as chair of Defence Trailblazer.
She is also currently a board member of Nova Systems Australia and New Zealand and the Port Adelaide Football Club, where she is also a committee member of AFLW.
Zeitz is a former chief executive of Leidos Australia, and vice president and managing director of Australia and Asia Pacific at Lockheed Martin, while she also spent 25 years at BAE systems, including as president of North East Asia.
She will serve the remainder of Siebel’s term on the board and will be eligible to stand for election by a vote of members at the 2026 annual general meeting.
Sparc Technologies appoints chair
Simon Kidston has been appointed as chair of Sparc Technologies Limited after the retirement of Stephen Hunt, who co-founded the company in 2018.
Simon Kidston
Kidston joined the Sparc Technologies board in December 2024 as a non-executive director.
He is the co-founder and former executive director of Genex Power Limited.
Sparc Technologies said Kidston is a seasoned company director and chair with experience in renewable energy, finance and project development.
The company hopes to draw on his experience for its next generation green hydrogen technology and to bring its graphene additive product portfolio to commercialisation.
“Working with Simon as a Non-Executive Director since December has highlighted the depth of experience and network that he brings, and the board is delighted to be able to secure his services as Chairman upon Stephen’s retirement,” said Sparc Technologies’ managing director Nick O’Loughlin.
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Former Sammy D Foundation CEO joins Young Carers SA
Brigid Koenig has been announced as the inaugural general manager of Young Carers SA, which is a program run by Carer & Community SA.
Brigid Koenig
Since November 2024, Koenig has been running her own consultancy business, The Purpose Driven Leader, whose services have recently been used by Young Carers SA.
Before this, she spent six and a half years at violence prevention charity the Sammy D Foundation, firstly as general manager and then as CEO.
Young Carers SA said that Koenig will oversee the development of services and programs, forge partnerships and build foundational supports for the organisation.
Alongside her new role, Koenig will also continue as general manager of her consultancy business.
“With Brigid’s passion, commitment, wealth of knowledge in the not-for-profit sector together and her dedication to youth empowerment, she is the ideal person to take Young Carers SA into its next phase of growth and impact,” said Helen McLean, who is CEO of Carer and Community SA.
Adelaide Lord Mayor announced as patron of Australian Dental Foundation
Adelaide Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith has been announced as the new patron for the Australian Dental Foundation.
Dr Jane Lomax-Smith
In the new role, Lomax-Smith will advocate for good dental care among Australians, as well as affordable access to dentistry.
She will also support the foundation by promoting funding for dental work and supporting events such as the Australian Dental Foundation’s Brush for Good Day in Rundle Mall later this year.
The Australian Dental Foundation said it is Australia’s largest dental charity and treated more than 24,000 people last year, including 15,261 in South Australia.
Barossa Valley winemaker reappointed as chair of region’s development board
Rolf Binder has been re-appointed as chair of Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains (RDABGLAP).
Rolf Binder
Binder was first appointed as chair in January 2021 and is the owner of Rolf Binder Wines in the Barossa Valley.
“Rolf’s ability to bring business, government, and community together has made a real impact in shaping regional priorities,” said RDABGLAP CEO Jennifer Lynch.
“Under his leadership, RDABGLAP has helped support business growth, and drive economic resilience.
“His re-appointment ensures we can continue advocating for the opportunities that will strengthen our region.”
RDABGLAP said it is a non-governmental non-profit organisation focused on growing regional economies and creating more liveable communities.
Some changes for AEDA
The Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) has welcomed three new members to its Advisory Committee.
Jasmin Ilic
Mirella Romano will serve a two-year term, while Jasmin Ilic and Alfredo Cabada will sit on the committee for three years.
They join JamFactory development director Nikki Hamdorf, Perks CEO James Black and GPN Vaccines chief operating officer Lauren Giorgio.
Romano is a fashion stylist and producer who spent 18 years as fashion editor for the Sunday Mail, while Ilic is chief executive of cyber security consultancy CYBR and Cabada is national sales manager at CareWindow, a videophone retailer.
Alfredo Cabada
AEDA said the advisory committee, currently led by McGees Property associate director Tim Pozza, provides valuable guidance to its board.
“Mirella, Alfredo and Jasmin all come highly regarded, and we are eager to see how their expertise will strengthen AEDA’s connections with local businesses and the broader community,” said AEDA chair Steve Maras.
“Fashion, innovation and technology are all strong growth areas propelling Adelaide’s economy, so it is important these areas are all represented by the best in the field.
“The Board looks forward to the contribution the trio will make to the city.
Jumping on board at Access 2 Place
Kate Thiele has been appointed to the board of Access 2 Place (A2P).
Kate Thiele
A2P said Thiele has over 10 years of experience working in the disability sector, as well as experience working on boards in the not-for-profit, private and government sectors.
Thiele was formerly the CEO of Guide Dogs SA/NT, a role she held for seven and a half years.
She is currently chair of the Adelaide Crows foundation, as well as a board member of the Australian Sports Foundation.
A2P said it is a not-for-profit community housing provider that offers accessible and affordable homes for people with disabilities.
A new director at SA IT consultancy
Madeleine Harding has been appointed director at Adelaide-based IT consultancy Hannan & Partners.
Madeleine Harding
Hannan & Partners said she brings extensive experience in governance, risk management, assurance and business process improvement to the role.
Harding is currently the major initiatives portfolio manager at SA Water, where she has been for the past year.
She is also a former manager of technology systems and service contracts at ReturnToWorkSA and was also an associate director with BDO in Australia.
“I’m thrilled to join the Hannan & Partners team, where we will have the opportunity to leverage my knowledge and skills with technology to create tailored solutions that will empower organisations to make informed decisions, enhance business processes, and drive tangible value,” said Harding.
