Fit for Purpose. Fit for Future

Dr Kristin Alford is a futurist and the Director of MOD. at the University of South Australia. MOD. is an immersive museum of discovery, a place to be and be inspired. Kristin leads a team dedicated to creating dynamic, changing exhibitions showcasing the edge of knowledge and emerging technologies. MOD. opened in May 2018 to surprise and delight young adults, opening new possibilities and pathways so that we can all live prosperously and sustainably.


Prior to this role, Kristin was the founding director of foresight agency Bridge8, facilitating futures and engagement on water sustainability, nanotechnology, health, advanced manufacturing, clean technologies and climate futures for government, corporates and not-for-profits.


She is a member of the Study Adelaide Board and the Inspiring South Australia Steering Group. She was the inaugural licensee and host of TEDxAdelaide.


Kristin has had various careers in engineering, human resources, strategy and product development for companies including BHP Billiton, Ansett-Air New Zealand, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and Nanotechnology Victoria. She holds a PhD in process engineering and a Masters of Management in Strategic Foresight. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation.

Appointed on 1 July 2014, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri works passionately towards creating a world-leading public sector that serves South Australians well, does what it says it will do, and to which every public servant is proud to belong.

With the role of the public sector being to serve and support South Australia to thrive, Erma leads sector-wide reform to modernise the public sector and continue to build on its value and service to the South Australian community.

Erma has worked for more than 30 years to help organisations optimise productivity and employee wellbeing. She was named a 2014 Telstra Business Woman of the Year as SA Winner of the Telstra Community and Government Award for her role in leading transformational change throughout the public sector.

With a key focus on flexibility, diversity and leadership development to ensure the public sector is positioned as an Employer of Choice, Erma continues to challenge cultural and structural barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the community.

Peter Shergold is now the Chancellor of Western Sydney University. He had a distinguished career in the Australian Public Service, including as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He now serves as a director on the boards of both private and community sector organisations. He also remains active in public administration at both the Commonwealth and State level, including in the areas of higher education, vocational education, public administration, refugee resettlement, Medicare Data and the development of Western Sydney.

Peter Shergold is also former IPAA National President, presiding until 2019.