IBSA operations are overseen by an experienced, independent board of directors who are leaders in their field.
They bring a wealth of industry and sector expertise to our business activities and are responsible for leading the organisation and setting its strategic direction.
Graeme Russell | Chair
Graeme has extensive experience in governance, strategy and management, investment, and education and training. Graeme is former CEO of industry funds Media Super and First Super, and was an Independent Director of Media Super, TISS and JUST Super.
He was an industry and international partnerships executive at Melbourne and Monash Universities, and a consultant to universities and TAFE institutes. Graeme has executive management experience across companies in the financial services, business services and media industries.
He commenced professional life as a Chartered Accountant in practice and has held senior community leadership roles, including as a Councillor and Mayor.
Graeme holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Rhyll Gardner | Director | Finance Audit & Risk Management Committee Chair
Rhyll Gardner is a non-executive director with deep finance and financial expertise, along with broad experience across governance, marketing, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, digitisation and people and culture.
Over a 35-year career in financial services, Rhyll filled CEO and general management roles in treasury, risk and compliance, marketing, corporate banking, retail banking and group strategy. She has led teams of up to 1000 through turnaround, growth and integration. Rhyll is currently a non-executive director of Identitii Ltd, InterFinancial Ltd and Foodbank (Qld) Ltd.
She is a past director of Foresters Community Finance Ltd, Social Investments Australia Ltd, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and the YWCA.
Rhyll holds a Global Executive Masters of Business Administration from INSEAD), a Masters in Applied Finance, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Economics. She is a Fellow of FINSIA and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Chris Walton | Director
Chris has extensive experience in workforce development, industry strategy, governance and leadership and education and training.
He is CEO of the Union Innovation Hub and was CEO of Professionals Australia for 11 years. Prior to that, he worked at the Australian Council of Trades Unions (ACTU) for 14 years, including as ACTU Assistant Secretary from 2002–2008.
Chris has run the education arm of the ACTU and been a Director of Chifley Business School. He is currently a Director of Coassemble, a learning management system.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Graduate Diploma in Labour Law and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Susan Petrellis | Director
Susan Petrellis is an experienced non-executive director and Managing Director of Bounce Partners, advising in sustainable corporate and systemic innovation.
She has international experience in senior executive and CEO roles in start-up to multinational agrifood, pharmaceutical, med/biotech and consumer tech businesses, and public sector economic development, working in trade and investment, regional and industry precinct development, and workforce skills development.
Susan has developed her non-executive experience with innovation-led statutory authorities, public and private unlisted entities, and subcommittees including Audit & Risk and Nominations. These have included Governor-General appointments to national innovation system boards, Innovation Australia and Innovation & Science Australia, and board/advisory appointments to Agrifutures Australia, National Computational Infrastructure, Plant Health Australia and Food Frontier.
Susan offers qualifications in science and business (MBA), and executive education in corporate governance (GAICD), human centred design, ESG governance and operations.
Anne Younger | Director
Anne is the General Manager, Policy and Projects within the Centre for Education and Training at the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) where she is responsible for policy development and major projects addressing education and training issues for member companies.
At Ai Group, Anne previously worked as an Economist within the Economics Team, managed a national team of skills advisers assisting with workforce development in companies, and managed a national team of business advisers charged with helping small–medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve productivity.
Before joining Ai Group, Anne worked for over 25 years within TAFE institutes and government agencies in the VET sector across a range of management roles involving policy, planning, research and continuous improvement.
Anne holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Management). She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Brenton Cunningham | Director
Brenton Cunningham is co-founder, Managing Director and driving strategic force behind Diverseco Pty Ltd, a leading integrated measurement and automation solutions provider.
A qualified fitter and machinist, Brenton has combined high level leadership training with his technical skills and business acumen to grow Diverseco into a 40-million-dollar turnover business, employing over 140 staff in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Most recently, Brenton led Diverseco’s strategic push and go-to-market strategies across an exciting range of Industrial and Collaborative Robot solutions, including exclusive distribution deals with leading global brands.
His current board roles include Executive Chairman of Diverseco, Chairman of Extreme Land Pty Ltd, Director for IBSA, Strata Chairman at SKE Industrial Strata Units and Advisory Board for Sage Automation Pty Ltd.
Former roles include Chairman of Mollydooker wines, Director of Olympic Fine Foods and The Food Industry Association W.A. He has also represented on Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) member forums.
Brenton is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has also received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.