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. Plus the latest executive recruitment opportunities.
Tumby Bay council appoints CEO
Darren Keenan has been appointed as CEO of the District of Tumby Bay Council.
Darren Keenan
Keenan will start in May and takes over from Rebecca Hayes, who is moving to the City of Adelaide as associate director of governance and strategy.
Tumby Bay council said Keenan has extensive leadership experience in regional communities, as well as in management and finance in the health and not-for-profit sectors.
Keenan joins the council from Rural Business Support, where he was programs manager and acting CEO.
He has also been executive for Agriculture Kangaroo Island, as well as general manager of communications, engagement and marketing and community engagement and marketing manager at Kangaroo Island Council.
“Darren has proven experience as a community builder and local government executive, and I have no doubt he will apply his skills and knowledge to positive effect in our communities,” said Tumby Bay mayor Geoff Churchett.
“Daren has proven experience as a community builder and local government executive, and I have no doubt he will apply his skills and knowledge to positive effect in our communities.
“He has a strong connection with Tumby Bay and surrounds and understands the opportunities and challenges facing us.”
Human resources head starts at SA Water after international search
Debbie Kirby has joined SA Water as general manager of people and safety.
Debbie Kirby
SA Water said Kirby has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and was chosen for the role after an extensive international recruitment campaign.
Kirby has relocated from Wellington, NZ to SA to take up the role and previously spent nearly 16 years at integrated service provider Downer, where she was most recently executive general manager of people and culture in its transport and infrastructure department for Australia and New Zealand.
SA Water said she joins at a time when there is an “unprecedented” work schedule to deliver “critical” water and wastewater to housing developments across the state.
“It’s so exciting having Debbie here at SA Water as we look to develop innovative workforce strategies, enhance employee engagement and foster a strong, values-driven culture, said SA Water CEO David Ryan.
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Reconciliation Australia co-chair joins SAFC in newly created role
The South Australian Film Corporation has announced the appointment of Kirstie Parker as the agency’s inaugural head of First Nations.
Kirstie Parker
In this role, Parker will build on the corporation’s commitment to showcase First Nations voices and stories, create new opportunities for First Nations screen creatives and crew and foster a representative and inclusive screen culture and industry in SA, said SAFC CEO Kate Croser.
Parker is a Yuwaalaraay Aboriginal woman from northwestern NSW who now lives in Adelaide.
SAFC said she has 25 years of experience in community, not-for-profit and government settings areas such as First Nations advocacy, policy development, journalism, tourism and the arts.
She is currently co-chair of Reconciliation Australia, where she has been a non-executive director since May 2010.
She also runs her own First Nations consultancy, Kirstie Parker Consulting.
Parker was previously a strategic advisor to the Uluru Dialogue, director of Aboriginal affairs and reconciliation with the SA government, CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, editor of the nationwide Indigenous newspaper The Koori Mail and director of Tandanya – National Cultural Institute in Adelaide.
She was also a past co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and was a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017.
“Kirstie brings to the agency impressive experience, a wealth of knowledge and deep networks locally and beyond,” said Croser.
“The SAFC Team and I look forward to working with Kirstie to shape and drive the next exciting chapter of the SAFC’s First Nations Screen Strategy.”
IT expert moves from DPC to SA Power Networks
Dr Eva Balan-Vnuk has been appointed as chief digital officer at SA Power Networks.
Eva Balan-Vnuk
Balan-Vnuk joins the company from the public service, having been chief information officer in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet since 2018.
Before this, she was state director for South Australia at Microsoft and also founded the not-for-profit HerTechPath.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eva to SA Power Networks,” said CEO Andrew Bills.
“Her expertise and passion for technology and innovation will be instrumental in driving our digital strategy and enhancing the services we provide to South Australians.”
Fuller gains new creative director
Independent brand creative agency Fuller has welcomed Niccola Phillips into its fold in the position of creative director.
Niccola Phillips
Fuller said Phillips has extensive experience with global brands, campaigns and markets, as well as in shaping brands, mentoring talent and championing innovation.
Phillips joins Fuller from advertising agency M&C Saatchi, where she has been for the past 12 years, firstly as head of art and most recently as creative director.
Fuller said she has led campaigns for some of Australia’s biggest brands, including Commonwealth Bank and Woolworths Group, as well as global clients, including Mastercard, AMEX, Toyota, Audi and Volkswagen.
“We’ve always believed that great brands are built by great people. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to announce the appointment of Niccola Phillips to a senior leadership position within our agency – bringing deep expertise, a global perspective, and a passion for creative excellence,” said Fuller’s managing director, Will Fuller.
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IT service provider to expand in SA
IT service provider Interactive has appointed Darren Broadbent to the newly created role of sales lead for South Australia.
Darren Broadbent
In this role, Broadbent will be responsible for driving the company’s growth in SA, as well as forging strategic partnerships.
Interactive said Broadbent has more than 20 years of experience in business development and customer engagement.
He was previously team leader and maintenance services and account executive at Data#3, as well as business development executive and cybersecurity practice lead at Duco Limited.
Leading SA construction and litigation lawyer joins DMAW Lawyers
South Australian commercial law firm DMAW Lawyers has welcomed Patrick Kerin as a principal in its disputes team.
Patrick Kerin
Kerin joins DMAW Lawyers from Lynch Meyer Lawyers, where he spent more than five years in various roles, including most recently as a partner.
Kerin was named a leading construction and litigation lawyer for SA by Doyles in 2025, which ranks lawyers, law firms and barristers across Asia-Pacific, the UK and the UAE.
“Patrick is highly respected and trusted by his clients for his prudent advice and successful outcomes in both dispute resolution and litigation proceedings,” said Bernice Witkowski, who is CEO at DMAW Lawyers.
“His significant experience in complex civil construction and infrastructure matters and his pivotal roles advising on large-scale projects and multi-million-dollar claims certainly complement our team.
“Patrick’s appointment strengthens the firm’s offering for our building and construction industry clients, particularly in what are both exciting and challenging times for that sector throughout South Australia and nationally.”
Franchising law specialist joins DW Fox Tucker Lawyers
Franchising law specialist Cristina Cecere has joined DW Fox Tucker Lawyers as a director.
Cristina Cecere
DW Fox Tucker Lawyers said that Cecere has more than 20 years of experience working in franchising, property and commercial law.
For the past 10 years, she ran her own law firm, CCR Legal, which specialised in franchising and property law.
She was also head of legal and compliance at V.I.P Home Services from 2016 to 2024.
Before this, she spent nearly a year as general manager of risk and compliance at Discovery Holiday Parks and around 12 and a half years as a senior associate at Piper Alderman.
“Cristina is a very well-respected franchising lawyer in Adelaide,” said Narelle Lee, who is CEO of DW Fox Tucker Lawyers.
AADC co-president joins SA State Theatre foundation board
Paul Kitching has been appointed to the State Theatre Company South Australia Foundation board.
Paul Kitching
Kitching’s appointment comes after he recently retired as long-term chair of the Salvation Army’s media advisory group.
Kitching will remain co-president of the Adelaide Advertising & Design Club as well as business development manager at independent brand creative agency Fuller, where he has been for the past 10 years.
The professional theatre company said its foundation was established in 2014 and “has a vision to enable State Theatre Company South Australia to thrive over the long term”.
Experienced planner appointed to West Beach Trust board
Elinor Walker
The West Beach Trust has announced the appointment of Elinor Walker to its board.
Walker joins Bruce Djite, Rebecca Abley and Adrian Ralph, who have been reappointed to the board.
West Beach Trust said Walker has 25 years of experience in strategic, statutory and environmental planning in the public and private sectors in South Australia and Victoria.
Walker is currently head of the Housing Infrastructure Planning Development Unit and was previously a member of the State Planning Commission and SA president of the Planning Institute of Australia.
