Breakthrough Victoria’s inaugural chief executive Grant Dooley has announced his intention to step down after three years in the role.
The organisation, which manages the state government’s $2 billion technology innovation and commercialisation fund, has been criticised for a lack of transparency and running high expenses, which Mr Dooley has defended.
During his tenure, the organisation invested $350 million across 27 companies, one fund, and six university platforms.
Before beginning the role in November 2021, Mr Dooley oversaw management of ARA Infrastructure’s public and private investments in the Asia-Pacific. He was also formerly executive director and head of Asia for Hastings Fund Management.
The outgoing chief executive will remain in the role until a replacement is found. Mr Dooley described he time establishing and leading Breakthrough Victoria as an opportunity he “will cherish forever”.
Victoria’s Treasurer and Economic Growth minister Tim Pallis said Mr Dooley “played a key role in driving Victoria’s innovation and economic growth” overseeing Breakthrough Victoria’s advanced manufacturing and clean energy investments.
Samsara Eco has appointed three members to its scientific advisory board. They are LanzaTech co-founder Dr Sean Simpson, United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory group leader Dr Gregg Beckham, and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology senior vice president for research Professor Sang Yup Lee.
Makenna Ralston has been appointed chief executive of CommBank iQ, a joint venture between the bank and data science business Quantium. She spent more than four and a half years as the chief of staff to Quantium founder and chief executive Adam Driussi.
The director of Innovation at the Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation (JTSI) Charlie Gunningham has stepped down from the role after two and a half years. He also formerly worked as a commercialisation adviser on the federal government’s Entrepreneur’s Programme.
JTSI has also lost its director for biomedical industry Gino Marinucci after a 10-year stint in the state’s public service. Mr Marinucci is now the WA government affairs and partnerships manager for MedTech firm Novartis.
AUCloud has appointed Samantha Maher as its head of government relations. She has spent 30 years in communications and strategic consulting. Last year, she founded advisory firm GovTech Australia and remains a non-executive director.
Andrew Dettmer, the national president of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, will resign at the start of September after 12 years in the role. He also sits on the ministerial advisory board for Jobs and Skills Australia.
Jeewantha Karunarathna has been seconded to Treasury to lead the Front Door Taskforce Branch. While away from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Net Zero Economy Authority, Josh Cosgrave will manage the investment policy branch.
At the Defence Digital Group, Maureen Greet has been promoted to an SES1 role. Defence has also appointed Amelia Charlton to an SES1 role, moving the department from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Victorian government has appointed Tamara Culembourg as the Victorian Rail Advocate and will chair the Rail Industry Development Advisory Committee. Ms Culembourg moves from transport equipment manufacturer Alstom.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s new chief financial officer is Sharon Alley, who has been working in the digital identity team since July 2023.
The former inaugural chief executive of the Tech Council of Australia, Kate Pounder, has been appointed to the board of the Powerhouse Trust, the museum’s governing body. She is also on the advisory panel of the Australian National University Tech Policy Design Centre.
The Tech Council of Australia has appointed Chris O’Connell as its new chief business officer. He has previously worked at hotel commerce platform SiteMinder and Westpac.
Curtin University’s new deputy vice-chancellor for research is neurotrauma Professor Melinda Fitzgerald. She had been acting in the role since June 2023.
The University of New South Wales has appointed Chris Mills as the new director of the UNSW Defence Research Institute. Following a 30-year Army career, Mr Mills moves from EY where he has been since September 2022 consulting on defence, capability management and business transformation.
The Digital Economy Council of Australia, formerly Blockchain Australia, has appointed Alex Staric as head of policy. Mr Staric moves from Commonwealth Bank where he was executive manager for policy governance over the last four years.
Industry group AusBiotech has appointed Rosanne Hyland as deputy chief executive. She was acting chief executive between December 2023 and May 2024, but has spent more than five years at the representative group.
Jana Dore has been appointed as a director of the Queensland Resources Council, an industry representative group. She moves from her role as Origin Energy’s Queensland manager of stakeholder engagement for future fuels.
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