Talking Performance

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.

In April 2024 David was announced as the Chief Executive of the newly created Department for Housing and Urban Development. David is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the State Government’s commitment to addressing the State’s housing crisis by focusing on the delivery of services and policy that allow additional homes to be constructed as quickly as possible. David also develops strategy to ensure the management of the State’s Planning System to support our growing population to maintain our lifestyle.

In July 2024 until April 2025 David was appointed as the Chief Executive of the SA Housing Trust while concurrently leading the Department for Housing and Urban Development. Whilst leading the SA Housing Trust David was integral to addressing housing needs for those most in need in our community.

David has a demonstrated record of success in policy advice, financial management, and developing strong relationships across government, industry and community sector organisations.

David was the Chief Executive of the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI) from 2022 to 2024. He drove business investment in the state and facilitated trade in goods and services interstate and internationally.

Prior to 2022 David had a lengthy career in the Department of Treasury and Finance including the last 8 years as its Chief Executive. That role included managing the state economy and budget through the global pandemic while continuing to invest in infrastructure and managing the state’s credit rating.

David completed a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Adelaide and in 2022 was awarded a Public Sector Medal for his outstanding contributions to economic and financial policy in South Australia. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

David is a passionate South Australian driven by helping to grow the South Australian economy through leading and collaborating both within government and with the private sector.

Awards:
Public Service Medal
Distinguished Alumni, University of Adelaide

Jay Weatherill AO is the Director of Development at Minderoo Foundation and has run the Thrive by Five campaign since 2020.

Jay Weatherill was South Australia's 45th Premier. He was Premier of South Australia from 2011 until 2018. In 2021 was awarded an Office of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the people and parliament of South Australia and to early childhood and tertiary education.

Jay was born and educated in Adelaide's western suburbs, completing his secondary education at Henley High School.

He has held a range of portfolios including Environment and Conservation, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management, Families and Communities, Housing, Ageing, Disability, Urban Development and Planning, Administrative Services, Local Government and Gambling. He is a member of the South Australian Executive Council.

Jay and his wife Melissa have two young daughters, Lucinda and Alice.

Eva Balan-Vnuk is based in the Microsoft office in Adelaide, and with her team works with SA Government agencies to help them gain business value from technology. Eva has an undergraduate degree in international management and marketing from the University of South Australia, and prior to this role spent nine years working for Microsoft in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, in a variety of sales and strategy roles. She then completed a PhD in innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Adelaide, where she is a Visiting Research Fellow. Eva is passionate about helping the SA Government to identify ways to become more innovative, and to assist in the transformation of business strategies and practices.