Rebecca Murray

Heather Watson FCA

Dr James Johnson

Dr James Johnson has more than 35 years’ experience in the geoscience sector, including almost two decades as the former CEO of Geoscience Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) and represents ATSE on the SAGE Board.

Dr Johnson’s significant contributions to Geoscience Australia include overseeing the development of the current $100 million Exploring for the Future Programme. He also shepherded the Onshore Energy Security Program (2006-2011).

He has also personally championed Geoscience Australia’s inclusive culture initiatives, seeking to make Geoscience Australia a place where everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress.

Recipient of the 2021 AHRI CEO Diversity Champion award

Boards and Committees:
Geoscience Australia Executive Board, 2006 – 2025
Department of Industry Innovation and Science Executive Board, 2017-19
National Computational Infrastructure Advisory Board, 2017 – present
CO2CRC Board, 2014-2019
CRC Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration (CRC LEME) Board, 2006- 2008

Australian Antarctic Science Council, 2019 – present
Australian Climate Service Program Control Group, 2020 – present
Space and Spatial 2030 Roadmap Steering Committee, 2020 – present
CSIRO Mineral Resources Advisory Council, 2017 – present
Champions of Change Coalition STEM Group, 2018 -present

Professor Katherine Belov

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Research Engagement) at the University of Sydney, Professor Belov has responsibility for pivotal areas of the University’s Research Portfolio related to academic research partnerships, centres and institutes. She leads the Office of Global Engagement, oversees the University’s multidisciplinary initiatives and stewards relations and agreements with the University’s affiliated research institutes. She also focuses on developing the University’s national and international partnerships to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Professor Belov is one of Australia’s leading geneticists and leads a team of researchers using immunogenetics to study immunity and health in Australia’s native wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, koalas, wallabies, platypus and other species.

In recognition of her research discoveries, she is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of NSW. She was awarded the Fenner Medal by the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2014, the Crozier Medal by the Genetics Society of Australasia (2013) and the MJD White Medal by the Genetics Society of Australasia (2021).

She is a member of the NSW Koala Expert Advisory Group and serves on scientific advisory boards at Taronga Zoo and the Ramaciotti Centre. She is co-chair of the International Policy Advisory Committee of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and a trustee of the Australian Museum, where she chairs the Science Advisory Board. Kathy is also on the Council of the Royal Society of NSW and is a past president of the Genetics Society of Australasia.

Kathy is also passionate about mentoring others and has supervised 11 postdocs, 20 PhD students, 13 masters and 29 honours students.

Julie Tickle

Julie Tickle is Chief People Officer at TAFE NSW, where she leads workforce strategy for Australia’s largest registered training organisation. She brings over 20 years’ experience across the education and training sector, with deep expertise in workplace culture, organisational development and large-scale transformation.

Julie has a strong track record in aligning people strategy with organisational performance, leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives spanning workforce planning, leadership capability and operating model reform. She brings particular expertise in guiding organisations through periods of significant change, with a focus on resilience, sustainability and long-term value creation.

A committed advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, Julie has driven systemic approaches that embed inclusive leadership, strengthen workforce participation and deliver measurable cultural and performance outcomes. She is an active contributor to sector and national conversations on workforce, skills and leadership, and is committed to creating pathways that enable people, particularly those in regional communities—to reach their full potential.

Drawing on her background from regional NSW to executive leadership, Julie brings a values-led perspective grounded in connection, trust and human insight. She has a particular interest in the intersection of workforce equity, with lifelong learning and organisational performance.

Kit McMahon

Kit McMahon is CEO of Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE), a place-based, intersectional primary prevention organisation operating across Victoria’s Southern Metropolitan Region. She brings over 25 years of executive leadership across gender equity, vocational education and training, social policy, and government relations. 

At WHISE, Kit has led the organisation’s transformation into a recognised leader in intersectional prevention, overseeing programs spanning workplace gendered violence prevention, women’s economic participation, sexual and reproductive health, and primary prevention practice. 

Kit is a nationally recognised voice on gender equity in vocational education and training. As National Convenor of Women in Adult and Vocational Education (WAVE), she led advocacy that contributed to the federal government’s $45–$60 million Building Women’s Careers Program. She is Co-Chair of the Independent Collective of Survivors (ICOS) and a past Chair of Tradeswomen Australia, and has served on advisory bodies to Jobs and Skills Australia and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. 

Kit is a PhD candidate at Griffith University researching gender segregation in Australian VET through an intersectional feminist lens, and has published and presented her research nationally and internationally. She holds an MBA, a Master of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), and has completed the AICD Company Directors Course. 

Khaled Chakli

Khaled Chakli is an experienced executive, board director and strategic adviser with a background spanning health and medical science, public policy, advocacy, governance and community leadership. 

He is Deputy CEO, Director of Policy and Director of Communications at the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, where he leads national policy, communications and stakeholder engagement across government and the health and medical research sector. He previously served as Interim CEO of the Academy, overseeing organisational reform, strategic positioning and major national policy engagement. 

Khaled brings strong governance experience, including as Treasurer and Board Director of Banksia Gardens Community Services, where he chairs the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. In this role, he has contributed to financial stewardship, organisational sustainability, risk oversight and long-term strategic planning for a community-based organisation working at the intersection of education, equity and social inclusion. 

His professional background includes senior roles as a Ministerial Advisor at the state and federal levels, in strategic communications, advocacy, and in stakeholder relations. He has worked across government, not-for-profit and research sectors, with a focus on building institutional influence, translating evidence into policy, and positioning organisations for impact. 

Khaled is committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across the health and medical sciences. At the Academy, he led the development of the health and medical research sector’s first decadal plan for women in health and medical sciences, establishing a national framework to address structural barriers and support the recognition, advancement and retention of women across the sector.