UQ Business School Advisory Board

UQ Business School aims to create an environment where the disciplines of research give students the skills to find the knowledge they need, where good ideas are tested and polished to become great ideas, where rigorous analysis is celebrated and collaboration is valued.

Goals of the Advisory board

Advisory Board members are leaders in business, government or the wider community who seek to facilitate the achievement of UQ Business School’s objectives by leveraging their professional networks, profile, reputation, experience and influence to:

• Serve as a source of independent advice to the Dean and UQ Business School’s Executive Team with regard to strategy and external engagement;
• Increase two-way engagement with business, government and the wider community;
• Increase the relevance of curriculum;
• Build links between UQ Business School and its stakeholders;
• Raise the profile of, and build, UQ Business School brand and reputation; and
• Engage with students and alumni.

Mode of Operation

The Advisory Board meets twice per year and may break into ad hoc committees and working parties as required from time to time. These smaller committees play a more ‘hands-on’ role with strategy formulation.

Board members may be asked to participate in one or more of the following activities:

• Direct engagement with UQ Business School’s student body (either in the classroom or in other fora);
• Participating on curriculum review panels which provide advice on enhancing the business relevance of UQ Business School programs;
• Serving on a task force or working party to examine a specific issue;
• Recruitment of future students or executive education clients;
• Developing and hosting events such as symposia, fora, conferences, alumni networking and professional development events; and
• Participating in fundraising and sponsorship activities. 

Membership

There are up to twelve external members of the Advisory Board plus the Dean, who serves as Chair, the Deputy Heads of School and Director of Executive Education.  Advisory Board members are appointed by the Dean of UQ Business Schoolin consultation with the Executive Dean, Faculty Business, Economic and Law. Although Board members may be alumni, this is not a prerequisite for nomination. Members are appointed for three-year terms, which may be renewed. The Chair oversees the organisation and affairs of the Board and is responsible for keeping the Board informed on all relevant matters.

Current Advisory Board Members

Ms Susan Buckley
Managing Director, Funding & Markets, Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC)

Susan Buckley was appointed to the Executive Leadership Team of Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) in September 2023, bringing to the role extensive experience as a group executive and over 35 years’ experience in financial markets and investment management.  As Managing Director, Susan leads the Funding and Markets Division responsible for the State’s funding program in global capital markets to deliver sustainable and cost-effective borrowings for the Queensland Government, local governments and other related entities, as well as provide liquidity, cash, foreign exchange and other risk management services.

Prior to QTC, Susan was Executive and Managing Director, Liquid Markets Group at Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) where she led the Fixed Income and Liquid Markets Group, growing assets under management from $6bn in 2001 to near $30bn by 2022 and managed over $100bn in asset (derivative) overlays. 

Before joining QIC, Susan held positions as Head of Strategy for NRMA Asset Management, Senior Vice President at Bankers Trust (BT) Funds Management and Manager, Fixed Interest at Suncorp Investment Management. She also worked as an economist for National Australia Bank and was Director, Foreign Exchange Services with Syntec Economic Services.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Economics (University of Queensland), Graduate Diploma Economics (University of Melbourne) and MBA (University of Queensland).

Susan is a Member of Chief Executive Women (CEW) and Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Susan is Chair, RBWH Foundation (2021- ) having been appointed to the Board since 2018.

Professor Brett Heyward
Industry Professor, The University of Queensland

Brett is an experienced CEO, senior executive, consultant and academic. He has led large organisations, creating significant gains in terms of economic performance, employee engagement and stakeholder relations. 

Brett's advice on business improvement and policy is sought after in the tertiary education sector, resources, construction and agricultural sectors, along with sporting organisations and the not-for-profit sector. 

Brett was the former Director-General of Natural Resources and Mines in Queensland, and has served in a number of executive positions, including the Executive Director of Local Government and Sport. He has worked as a senior executive in a large, multi-national consulting firm, and General Manager-level roles in manufacturing businesses. 

Currently, Brett has focused his attention on helping others gain from his experience and knowledge. Recognising his career focus, Brett was appointed as an Industry Professor at The University of Queensland where his research and teaching interests are focused on personal and organisational leadership, as well as strategy and performance. 

Qualifications and Credentials: 

• PhD (Collaboration Processes for Economic Gain) - JCU
• Master of Administration (Change Management) - Griffith University
• Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Human Resource Management) - USQ
• Associate Diploma (Environmental Health) - QUT
• Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Fellow of the Association for Coaching
• The Leadership Circle (TLC) Accredited
• DiSC Accredited
• Art of Facilitation Accredited

Mr Richard Howes
Chief Executive, Distribution, Product & Marketing Challenger Ltd

• Bachelor of Economics (1993)
• Bachelor of Commerce Honnours (1992)
• The Dean's Society (BEL) Bronze Circle

Mr Ian Learmonth
Chief Executive Officer, Clean Finance Energy Corporation

Mr Learmonth has more than 30 years’ experience as a financier and investor, having worked in Australia, Asia and Europe across asset finance, clean energy and major infrastructure projects, as well as pioneering Australian social impact investing.

Prior to his appointment as CEO for the CEFC in 2017, Mr Learmonth established Social Ventures Australia’s Impact Investing business, which included raising venture capital and affordable housing funds as well as launching Australia’s first Social Impact Bond in 2013.

Previously an Executive Director of Macquarie Group for 12 years, Mr Learmonth has extensive global investment banking experience establishing various Macquarie businesses, notably European renewable energy and carbon credit investing as well as cross-border asset and structured finance and securitisation in Asia and Europe.

Mr Learmonth has degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a director of venture capital firm Virescent Ventures, a member of the University of Queensland Business School Advisory Board and has been a long-standing director of Sydney’s Belvoir Street theatre company. 

Ms Debbie McNamara
Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Queensland

Debbie was appointed to lead Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) in mid-2021, the Queensland Government’s land use planning and property development agency. EDQ embraces partnerships across government, industry and the community to lead and deliver infrastructure and property projects for Queensland's economic benefit. It delivers across a range of initiatives including large-scale urban renewal, regional residential, enterprise and infrastructure projects.

This role enables her to achieve the principal aim that underlies her career of making a meaningful contribution to the well-being and economic prosperity of her community.

Debbie is a specialist executive leader within the fields of property and infrastructure, delivering large-scale mixed-use developments across the public and private sectors in both Australia and the UK.

With over 25 years’ experience, Debbie has held a range of executive leadership roles across large scale urban regeneration, social infrastructure and economic development activities; underpinned by a fundamental commitment to achieve exceptional outcomes; a values-based approach to leadership and life-long professional development. 

An Adjunct Professor with The University of Queensland, Debbie recently completed an intensive leadership program at the Harvard Kennedy School for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. 

Prior to her return to Australian in 2016, Debbie held Chief Executive and non-Executive Director roles in public private organisations in Scotland. She brings international experience in building lasting partnerships across government, investors, industry and community organisations.

Dr Kerrie Mitchener-Nissen
Executive Director, Global Liquidity JP Morgan Asset Management

• Doctor of Philosophy (2007)
• Bachelor of Economics (1997)
• Alumni Ambassador Council London

Ms Diane Rutter
Practices & Assets Lead, Scyne Advisory

Diane Rutter is the Practices & Assets Lead at Scyne Advisory where she is responsible for ensuring that Scyne has the right people, skills and capabilities to deliver on the strategy and client needs. 

Diane has over 19 years of experience working in management consulting, and has established herself as an expert in partnering with her clients to improve their customer experiences, enabled by data and digital. She has worked extensively across areas such as Social Services, Health, Transport and Justice. 

She is passionate about collaborating with government to rebuild trust and deliver improved social and economic outcomes by putting citizens' needs at the forefront of policy design and service delivery. 

Her mission is to maximise the strengths of everyone's unique differences and support her team to build a work enviornment that is equally represented. 

Mrs Raynuha Sinnathamby
Chief Executive Officer, Springfield City Group

Raynuha Sinnathamby is Springfield City Group’s CEO.

A solicitor by trade, Raynuha holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees and also a Masters in Business Administration.

After practising in property law, Raynuha joined Springfield Land Corporation in 1998 as Director Corporate.

In 2003, Raynuha was appointed CEO of the Springfield City Group.  Over the years, Raynuha has been closely involved in the building of the Springfield City.

Springfield City is an award-winning project encompassing six suburbs and home to over 50,000 people.

Over the years, Greater Springfield has won numerous State, National and international awards. 

As part of her contribution to the property industry, Raynuha served as Vice President (2012), President of the Queensland Division of the Property Council of Australia (2013, 2014) and on the Board of the National Board of the Property Council of Australia.  She currently serves on the Property Council Queensland Division Council and Management Council. 

Raynuha also served on the Premier’s Business Advisory Council (2013-2017), has served on the Queensland Government Multicultural Round Table (2012‑2014) and the Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity.

Mr Jason Titman
Chief Executive Officer, Swyftx

An investor across a global portfolio, who often takes an active ‘fractional’ C-Level Executive, NED/Chair or Board Advisory role in the companies he invests in, focusing on e-Commerce, Fintech and Crypto companies growing at scale and entering international markets.  Jason has a strong technology, transformational growth, M&A and governance focus.  His portfolio experience and career traverses’ startups & global corporations, with channel partnership and go2market experience in the US, Asia, India, EU & other markets.  

His career commenced as a computer and corporate auditor with KPMG.  After spending the first part of his career in practice and commerce in a range of accounting and finance roles, he spent 14 years in the hospitality and property development industry, before moving into SaaS tech companies.  He completed his MBA at UQ in 2004. 

Jason is currently the CEO of Swyftx, a NED with ASX listed Findi Limited (Findi), who own a bespoke payments business in India, Chair of Reshop, a NED with Australian Sports Foundation and on the UQ Senate.

www.linkedin.com/in/jasontitman/

Ms Sophie Usasz
Vice President, Finance SIFMA

• Bachelor of Commerce (2005)
• Alumni Ambassador Council New York

Mr Dave Whimpey
CEO, Surf Live Saving Queensland (SLSQ)

Dave Whimpey is a highly experienced and respected business leader, currently serving as the CEO of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), the peak body for surf lifesaving in Queensland, Australia. 

With over 25 years of experience in senior management and leadership roles with Conrad, Hilton, Tabcorp, Coles/Wesfarmers, Brisbane Racing Club, and KPMG, Dave has an extensive track record of success in both private and public sectors. 

Along with his experience, Dave also Chairs the Emergency Volunteer Advisory Forum (EVAF) and has positions on the SLSQ Board and QTIC Advisory Committee. 

Dave's mantra is strategy, structure, staff, renewal, creativity, and innovation. 

Dave also believes that intuition is no substitute for deep data analysis, and one must have a keen eye on the numbers to understand and drive the future direction of the business.