(Nominees listed in alphabetical order)

 

Billie-Jo Barbara

Chief Human Resource Officer

Department for Child Protection

(New nominee)

As an outcomes-focused executive and board director with a track record in complex leadership and organisational transformation, my point of difference is the ability to get even the most challenging of team members or director colleagues to align to the vision and accomplish what is required.

Drawing upon almost 20 years of experience across the value chain of HR and business operations, I connect strategy with execution – translating challenging mandates into actionable strategies and initiatives that deliver targeted stakeholder outcomes, often in sensitive and/or legacy landscapes, where a future culture of achievement is needed.

Focused on people, performance (including financial), leadership development and capability, I look across the span of opportunities, whilst appropriately managing quality and risks. I connect stakeholder groups with purpose and the bigger picture, identifying and mapping out tangible pathways and plans to transition into the future. Underpinned by additional skills in organisational-wide workforce planning, proven success in change management, risk and governance, I bring the influence, acumen and credibility needed to deliver on key priorities.

Attributes that Billie-Jo will bring to the Divisional Council:

  • Has chaired two NGO boards and sat as a non-executive director of two NGO boards in total and sat on various executive and oversight committees, including as a current member of the Department for Child Protection’s Senior Executive Group.
  • Experienced in governance, and as a executive within the sector whilst also but also brining a range of other contributing skills such as oversight of corporate services, HR, strategy and business planning functions.

 

Brenton Caffin

Brenton Caffin

Executive Director, Strategy & Policy

Department of the Premier and Cabinet

(Expired Term: Divisional Council Member seeking re-election)

Over 20 years experience of working on and leading innovation and reform initiatives around the world, the last 13 of which as a senior executive in government and not-for-profit organisations. I am a respected leader in the global innovation community and over the last ten years, have advised governments in over 20 countries on ways that they can build an innovation culture and improve outcomes for citizens. I am recognised as an innovative and strategic thinker and I regularly present to and advise national and global audiences on a wide range of issues relating to innovation and reform. I was the co-founder and Executive Director of States of Change, a global not-for-profit organisation committed to building the next generation of public innovation. States of Change was spun out of Nesta, one of the world’s pre-eminent innovation institutions, where I spent over six years as Executive Director of Global Innovation Partnerships and Director of Innovation Skills. I previously established The Australian Centre for Social Innovation in Adelaide and I am currently the Executive Director, Strategy and Policy or Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

Attributes that Brenton will bring to the IPAA SA Divisional Council:

  • Global connections to leading public policy thought leaders and practitioners.
  • A strong understanding of the emerging challenges for public policy.

Natasha Lazic

Business Services Manager

Department for Infrastructure and Transport

(New nominee)

Currently a Business Services Manager at Department for Infrastructure and Transport, I am a driven professional with extensive experience working for the public sector in strategic planning and leadership, change management, business operation management in areas of Finance, Human Resources, WHS, Risk, Contracting and Project Management. I am committed to serving the people of South Australia by contributing to the achievement of public sector’s strategic vision with a leadership style founded by strong values of integrity, respect, compassion and service excellence.

Attributes that Natasha will bring to the Divisional Council:

  • Broad experience working in various government agencies in areas of: leadership, project management, finance, HR and workforce optimisation, strategic business improvement and leadership.

Caroline Mealor FIPAA

Chief Executive

Attorney General’s Department

(Expired Term: Divisional Council Member seeking re-election)

Caroline began her legal career as the Associate to the Hon. Brian Cox QC and the Hon. Bruce Lander QC.

From 1995, she worked as a prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before taking up a position as the Executive Director of the Legal and Legislative Services Division in the Attorney-General’s Department in 2011.

In 2013, she became the Deputy Chief Executive of the Attorney-General’s Department and in April 2018 was appointed as the Chief Executive.

Attributes Caroline will bring to the IPAA SA Divisional Council:

  • Extensive experience in the public sector.
  • Legal and administrative skills.

Rick Persse FIPAA

Under Treasurer

Department of Treasury and Finance

(Expired Term: Divisional Council Member seeking re-election)

Rick was appointed to lead the Department for Treasury and Finance in April 2022.

He joined after 6 successful years as Chief Executive of the Department for Education, and prior to that as Chief Executive of the Attorney-General’s Department for 4 years.

With expertise in policy and strategy development, transformation, public sector reform and project delivery, Rick’s knowledge of public administration comes from an expansive career working as an executive at a variety of South Australian central government agencies.

Prior to being appointed to the role of Chief Executive, Attorney-General’s Department, Rick worked with government and non-government clients as PriceWaterhouseCoopers SA Government and Health Leader.

Rick has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management from Griffith University.

Attributes Rick will bring to the IPAA SA Divisional Council:

  • Experience.
  • Perspective.
  • Vision.

Erma Ranieri PSM FIPAA

Commissioner for Public Sector Employment

Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment

(Expired Term: Divisional Council Member seeking re-election)

Appointed as Commissioner for Public Sector Employment in 2014, Erma Ranieri is driven to create a world-leading public sector that makes a difference for the South Australian community through an agile, flexible, and inclusive workplace.

Throughout her extensive career in the public and private sectors, her dynamic and inclusive leadership style has helped organisations optimise productivity while also enhancing employee wellbeing.

Erma was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2021 Australia Day Honours list, for her long-standing advocacy of gender equality, diversity and disability employment and her commitment to public sector reform.

Attributes Erma will bring to the IPAA SA Divisional Council:

  • Senior leadership in complex Public Administration Policy + Operational settings.
  • Whole of government partnerships.
  • Influence + ethical standards to public administration.

David Reynolds PSM FIPAA

Chief Executive

Department for Trade and Investment

(Expired Term: Divisional Council Member seeking re-election)

David is the Chief Executive of the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI). He drives business investment in the state and facilitates trade in goods and services interstate and internationally. David also develops strategy to ensure the management of the State’s Planning System to support our growing population to maintain our lifestyle.

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 previously the Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance which 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.

Attributes David will bring to the IPAA SA Divisional Council:

  • As a state government executive in a central agency over many years I continually deal within and across governments I will bring sector wide perspectives and experience. Professionally, I bring analytical and financial skills and background.
  • My personal areas of interest are to continue to develop the public sector through its leadership on issues, public policy, analytical skills and community engagement.

Mark Thomson

Partner

Scyne Advisory

(Expired Term: Divisional Council Member seeking re-election)

Mark Thomson is a Partner with Scyne Advisory. As a consulting Partner Mark collaborates with Government, Utility and Mining clients to work smarter and grow faster. He consults to build effective organisations, innovate & grow, reduce costs and manage risk & regulation.

Attributes Mark will bring to the IPAA SA Divisional Council:

  • Diversity – Being a consultant to the public sector means I interact with many of the same matters as public sector employees but from a slightly different perspective. This difference is critical to having diversity within the Council.
  • Strategic, Economic and Commercial acumen – As a public sector employee and as an advisor to the public sector I have applied my strategy, commercial and economic capabilities to public sector issues for over 20 years. These capabilities and public sector knowledge are valuable to both IPAA SA’s activities and the operations of IPAA SA.