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Meet the Team

The team of the James Martin Institute comprises public policy professionals and experts from across a wide range of disciplines. For enquiries, please contact [email protected].

Board

The James Martin Institute benefits from having an outstanding Board of Directors, who bring considerable expertise, experience and networks across a range of public policy areas relevant to the Institute. 

Board

Professor Peter Shergold AC

Professor Peter Shergold AC

Chair | Independent

The Hon. Prof. Verity Firth AM

The Hon. Prof. Verity Firth AM

Deputy Chair | University-Appointed

Professor Emma Johnston

Professor Emma Johnston

University-Appointed

Joseph Rizk AM

Joseph Rizk AM

Independent

Jillian Kilby

Jillian Kilby

Independent (Government-Appointed)

Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic

Scientia Professor Vlado Perkovic

University-Appointed

JMI Team

Our staff are experienced public policy professionals and experts in their fields. 

Staff

Libby Hackett

Libby Hackett

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Vafa Ghazavi

Dr Vafa Ghazavi

Executive Director, Research & Policy

Anthony Dursi

Anthony Dursi

Executive Director, External Affairs

Jo Attwooll

Jo Attwooll

Senior Manager, Grants

Andreas Kaufmann

Andreas Kaufmann

Senior Manager, Communications & Engagement

Yvonne Lui

Yvonne Lui

Head of Operations & Executive Officer

Peta Leigh

Peta Leigh

Senior Manager, Research & Policy

Simona Tomevska

Simona Tomevska

Senior Manager, Research & Policy

Hannah Lobb

Hannah Lobb

Senior Policy Analyst

Jordan Taylor

Jordan Taylor

Senior Policy Analyst

Hugh Piper

Hugh Piper

Deputy Editor, The Policymaker

Lori Gunewardene

Lori Gunewardene

Project Coordinator & Senior Administrator

Lara Bate

Lara Bate

External Affairs Associate

Suzanne Hauser

Suzanne Hauser

Events Coordinator

Professor Brenton Prosser

Professor Brenton Prosser

Senior Associate

Jack Isherwood

Jack Isherwood

Research & Policy Associate

Dr Sophie-May Kerr

Dr Sophie-May Kerr

Policy Fellow (Academic Stream)

Associate Professor Dilupa Nakandala

Associate Professor Dilupa Nakandala

Research Fellow

Research Advisory Group

Our Research Advisory Group provides expert advice regarding our research activities.  

Research Advisory Group

Professor Margaret Harding

Professor Margaret Harding

Independent Chair of the RAG

Anne Hampshire

Anne Hampshire

Independent RAG member

Professor Mark Evans

Professor Mark Evans

University RAG Member

Nathan Martin

Nathan Martin

Government RAG member

Tim McMinn

Tim McMinn

Government RAG member

Associate Professor Philip Oldfield

Associate Professor Philip Oldfield

University RAG Member

Eamon Ritchie

Eamon Ritchie

Independent RAG member

Dr Aruna Sathanapally

Dr Aruna Sathanapally

Government RAG member

Professor Karen Soldatic

Professor Karen Soldatic

University RAG member

University Key Contacts

Our University Key Contacts are the central points of contact for assistance and advice in navigating our member universities. 

University Key Contacts

Rhonda O'Brien

Rhonda O'Brien

Charles Sturt University Key Contact

Nerida Dalton

Nerida Dalton

UNSW Key Contact

Fiona Versey

Fiona Versey

UTS Key Contact

Kim Pascoe

Kim Pascoe

University of Sydney Key Contact

Dr Annette McLaren

Dr Annette McLaren

Western Sydney University Key Contact