Executive council

Mark Birrell AM

President, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Mark is a full-time non-executive director and is currently a member of the boards of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Transurban Limited (ASX:TCL) and the Geneva-based International Organisation of Employers. He was President of the Victorian Chamber from 2013-2016.

Mark has served in leadership roles across the public and private sectors, including as Chairman of Port of Melbourne, Chair of Infrastructure Australia, Chairman of Regis Healthcare Limited (ASX:REG) and National Leader of the Infrastructure Group at Minter Ellison Lawyers. Recently he retired as the Chairman of PostSuper.

He has deep public policy experience through his earlier service as a Cabinet Minister, including as Minister for Industry, Science & Technology and Government Leader in the Victorian Upper House.

In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List, Mark was made a Member of the Order of Australia “for significant service to the infrastructure sector and to business” and in 2014 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Monash University, the university’s highest honour.

Aneetha de Silva

Managing Director – Government, Aurecon

Aneetha de Silva is Managing Director – Government at Aurecon, a global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm. She is President of Roads Australia and sits on the Boards of Aurecon Group, LaunchVic, the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation and the North East Link State Tolling Corporation.

Aneetha is a senior infrastructure executive with over 25 years’ experience across the government and private sectors in Australia, South Africa and the Asia Pacific. She has particular expertise as an advisor, developer and manager of large infrastructure assets and services, especially in transport, telecommunications and property. Aneetha has extensive experience in complex commercial and stakeholder environments and is skilled at aligning government and private sector interests to drive industry, customer and community outcomes. She is an active angel investor and passionate about innovation; especially the potential for new technologies to meet emerging customer needs and transform access to community services.

Aneetha holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, attended the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and is a member of Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Helen Fairclough

Non-Exec Director | Adviser | Consultant | Highly Experienced Global Senior Executive

Helen Fairclough is a highly successful global board director (MAICD), advisor, consultant and mentor with proven success across multiple industries and countries. Skilled in strategy, governance, transformation and people & culture. Diverse expertise across multiple domains and industries, working knowledge of French (English first language) and deep international experience in Australia, Asia, US, UK, France, and Monaco provides her with a global perspective. Experience ranges from start-up to Fortune 500 companies spanning NFP, Government, public and private sector, industry associations, chambers of commerce, professional services, advertising, energy (oil, gas & renewables), gaming, hospitality, tourism, venues, insurance, manufacturing, retail and technology.

Known for innovative leadership, results orientation, professional and influential with an approachable manner, excellent communication skills and proven stakeholder management ability. An effective, coaching-oriented approach to governance and leadership that builds high-performing cultures and delivers sustainable business outcomes.

Helen serves as an executive council member, chamber change champion and former non-executive director of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is a current member of the board of directors for the Australian American Chamber Commerce, San Francisco and non-executive director of the Venue Management Association (Asia Pacific). She is also the Principal of Insightful Advisory (ABN 24 401 571 840) and an Expert Consultant with Beacon Consult Pty Ltd where she provides board and executive advisory expertise and strategic HR consulting & mentoring services.

Helen’s executive experience, which includes roles with international Fortune 500 companies, allows her to bring clarity and direction to individuals and businesses facing pivotal moments of change or opportunity. This experience was gained from leading post-pandemic recovery and economic impact delivery at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition and shaping global HR strategy and talent management for Chevron Corporation in San Ramon, California (where she was located for 5 years). She has directed change initiatives to support technology implementations across Europe, Asia, and the US for clients such as Toyota Motor Corporation, Union Chimique Belge, and United Overseas Bank.

Helen is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), a certified official under the fair work Registered Organisations Act 2009, pursued a masters of entrepreneurship and innovation, holds an advanced certificate of human resource operations from Swinburne and received the Ambassador Bill Lane, Spirit of Australia award for contribution to Australian American relations.

When she’s not attending a board meeting, advising, consulting or mentoring you’ll find her in one of her favourite venues, front row at a gig, exploring Melbourne’s eclectic culinary culture, travelling or showcasing her passion for venues, staging and interior design in her location hire property.

Dan Feldman

Managing Partner, HR Legal

Dan is the Managing Partner of HR Legal, an employment and safety law firm providing human resources solutions, strategies and legal advice to employers Australia-wide for almost 10 years.

Richard Holyman

Managing Director, Martin & Pleasance

Richard is the Managing Director of Martin & Pleasance, an Australian made and owned natural remedies company. Based in Melbourne, Martin & Pleasance has provided an extensive range of homeopathic products via manufacturing, importing and exporting for over 150 years.

Jeremy Johnson AM

Immediate Past President, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Jeremy is the Immediate Past President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also chairs the Central Highlands Regional Water Corporation and is a Director/Trustee of CARE Super Pty Ltd. He is a qualified Company Secretary and a Justice of the Peace.

Nerida Kerr (Regional Chairperson - Wodonga)

Executive Officer, AgBiz Assist (RFCS VICTORIA - North East)

Nerida commenced her role as the Executive Officer of AgBiz Assist in 2012. Established by Goulburn Murray Hume Agcare, AgBiz is a social enterprise working to provide rural financial counselling as well as other services such as farm business planning and succession planning to local communities and businesses.

Wendy Killeen

Chief Executive Officer, Stanton & Killeen Wines

Wendy is the Chief Executive of Stanton & Killeen Wines, a leading family business since 1875 and a nationally and internationally recognised winemaker from the Rutherglen region in north east Victoria.

Clare McCartin

National Managing Partner, Davidson Search & Advisory

Clare is the National Managing Partner of the Davidson Search & Advisory team where she leads the Search and Advisory teams in VIC, NSW, QLD & SA. She took on this role in mid-2017. Clare joined Davidson late 2015 as General Manager VIC, she quickly established the Davidson brand and built the Melbourne team. Prior to joining Davidson in 2015, Clare was a Director of a Melbourne based search firm for thirteen years where she conducted hundreds of Chief Executive and Senior searches in the government, health, sporting, and community sectors.

Clare is an active corporate member of IPAA where she established the inaugural Top 50 Women in the Public Sector initiative which has now recognised hundreds of women across NSW and VIC. Clare regularly publishes thought leadership articles in her industry publications including the annual Local Government CEO Index . Clare has completed a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource and she holds a Master of Commerce, majoring in HR and Employee Relations.

Don Rankin

Don has been involved with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2003. Don sat on the Board of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry until 2020 and was its President for three years to 2019. He was one of the founding partners of Pitcher Partners and National Chairman of the Pitcher Partners Association for 11 years.

With over thirty years’ experience advising private and family businesses across a broad range of industries, he specialises particularly in assisting clients in the management, growth and evolution of their business. Don is on the Board of Hansen Technologies Ltd and sits on a number Advisory Boards of large private family businesses.

Elizabeth Rodriquez

Grossi Restaurants

Elizabeth is recognised for steering landmark hospitality venues in Melbourne and building equitable organisational cultures. Elizabeth is Co-Owner of Grossi Restaurants and is responsible for inaugurating The Grossi Florentino Cup Viewing Dinner, which hosts the Melbourne Cup as part of the Melbourne Cup World Tour since 2003. Elizabeth founded and delivered the Melbourne Tomato Festival and increased attendance in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Elizabeth is an appointee of the Victorian Council of the Restaurant and Catering Association and acknowledged as a ‘Champion of Change’ by McAuley Community Services for Women for her contribution to their objective of ending family violence and homelessness for women and children. Elizabeth is a Graduate of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and Co-writer and researcher for Guy Grossi International Specialised Skills Institute Fellowship. 

Karyn Sobels

Past President 

Karyn Sobels was appointed President of the Victorian Chamber on 14 November 2019, following three years as Deputy President. Karyn has more than 30 years’ experience in the Retail, Telecommunications and Banking sectors.

Karyn is a founding Director of the Australian Business Growth Fund and a Board Member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she Chairs the Economics and Industry Committee. Other Directorships include publishing company Riskinfo, the Telstra Licensee Association, University College and business advisors SKS Hub Pty.

As a business owner and Chair of Victorian Chamber’s Small Business Taskforce, she has a significant appreciation for the challenges and opportunities faced by SMEs. Karyn holds a BA, a Masters in Commercial Law and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Peter Valentine (Regional Chairperson - Geelong)

Chief Executive Officer, Geelong Taxi Network

Peter is the Chief Executive Officer of Geelong Taxi Network, Victoria’s largest urban taxi fleet providing extensive services in Geelong and surrounding areas including Torquay, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast region.