ON - Key Persons
Dr Cathy Foley is an Australian physicist with a distinguished career in developing the science and technology of devices, sensors, systems development and materials science. Her most successful project led to the commercialisation of LANDTEM™ that assisted in uncovering billions of dollars of mineral resources. She joined the CSIRO Board after 40 years of service to CSIRO that included roles as Chief of Materials Science and Engineering, Science Director, Deputy Director of Manufacturing , CSIRO Chief Scientist and Australia's Chief Scientist. Dr Foley was instrumental in establishing Australia's quantum industry and led the development of the National Quantum Industry Strategy for the government. Dr Foley is a strong proponent of open access, diversity and inclusion in STEM and trust in science. She is currently Editor-in-Chief of Superconductor Science and Technology; chairs the Government's Methane Measurement Panel; is a Trustee of the Australian Museum and a "Mind in Residence" at Questacon.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive / Dr Doug Hilton AO
- CSIRO Chief Executive
Dr Hilton is a molecular and cellular biologist, and former Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI). At WEHI, his medical research focussed on understanding how blood cells communicate, using this knowledge to improve disease treatments. He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Dr Hilton is also a board member of Australians Investing in Women.
Dr Hilton is a molecular and cellular biologist and previously Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI). At WEHI, his medical research focussed on understanding how blood cells communicate and using this knowledge to improve disease treatments. He and his team held more than 20 patents and translated their research through collaboration with venture capitalists and the biopharmaceutical industry. Through an honorary appointment in the Zoology Department at University of Melbourne, he also studies a family of tiny day-flying moths involved in the pollination of Australian plants.
Beyond research, Dr Hilton has emphasised the importance of strong institutional cultures, and furthered diversity in science including as a member of the Champion of Change Coalition and a board member of Australians Investing in Women.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive and Executive Team
- Executive Director, Future Industries
The Future Industries Sector delivers a portfolio of high impact research and innovation that supports continued growth and sustainability of Australian industries to secure a prosperous, healthy and resilient future for our people, environment, and region. We work with diverse partners to deliver industry innovation that spans scale (start ups, SMEs and national enterprises) and has a national footprint (regional communities and industry centres). Research and research translation achievements help to ensure that agricultural, health and emerging manufacturing sectors are well positioned to compete globally and deliver socioeconomic benefits locally.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director - Environment, Energy and Resources
As Executive Director Environment, Energy and Resources, Dr Peter Mayfield has responsibility for approximately 1400 researchers in Energy, Mineral Resources, and Environment. These researchers provide science and technology solutions that will enhance the value Australia derives from its vast energy and mineral resources while maintaining and enhancing the sustainability of our atmosphere, oceans and continent.
The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP, formerly AAHL) provides Australia's highest level of biocontainment within a purpose-built biosecurity infrastructure.
Through a combination of our world-leading infrastructure, research programs and scientific expertise, the research we enable helps protect Australia's valuable livestock and aquaculture industries, and the community, from exotic and emerging infectious diseases.
Working closely with our colleagues in CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Manufacturing, Data61 and Land & Water, we continue to equip Australia with the capacity to predict, prepare, prevent and respond to disease. We also work to translate the breakthroughs of Australia's veterinary and medical research communities into real-world solutions to our greatest infectious disease challenges.
Marcia Gough was appointed Chief People Officer in April 2024, and oversees CSIRO's full suite of human resources, health, safety and environment, and change management programs. With over 30 years of experience in human resources and culture leadership, Marcia has worked across a number of sectors, including, health, education, manufacturing, consulting, telecommunications and high technology. Before joining CSIRO, Marcia held global HR leadership roles at Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT University, the Leica Group, and most recently, Austin Health. Marcia is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Psychologist, and holds post graduate qualifications in Human Resources and Psychology. Marcia also serves as a non-executive Director on the Board of Mental Health First Aid International.
Job Titles:
- Property Services Manager ( Business & Infrastructure Services )
Job Titles:
- Corporate Affairs
- Manufacturing
Job Titles:
- Communication Manager
- Environment
Mr Terry Moran has extensive experience in the public service, most notably as Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Vic). Mr Moran is former CEO of the Office of the State Training Board (Vic) and the Australian National Training Authority (QLD) and was Queensland's Director-General of Education. Since retirement he has been Chair of the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, the Cranlana Foundation, the Melbourne Theatre Company, and Centre for Policy Development. He has also been Director and Deputy President of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Director of the Menzies Foundation, and National President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
Tom Munyard was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in May 2022 and leads our teams in finance, property, governance, corporate affairs and information management and technology. He is responsible for leading CSIRO's ongoing financial and operational sustainability. Prior to this Tom held the position of Chief Finance Officer from February 2017. Tom is committed to continually improving CSIRO's operations to best support the delivery of science and technology, with a focus on sustainability and best practice governance. Prior to joining CSIRO, Tom was a Senior Executive at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, leading teams responsible for delivering budget, financial accounting and financial policy matters to the Department. Tom's career in Federal Government across 20 years includes a variety of financial roles within the Human Services, Climate Change and Border Protection portfolios. Tom is qualified member of CPA Australia and has a degree of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Canberra.
Job Titles:
- Communication Manager - Mineral Resources Comms
Job Titles:
- Communication Manager, Space, Astronomy and Scientific Computing
Job Titles:
- Communication Manager, Agriculture and Food
Job Titles:
- Communications Manager Data61
- Education & Publishing
As Deputy Chief Executive, Kirsten Rose works closely with the Chief Executive and CSIRO Board on the strategic direction of the organisation. She leads a portfolio of enterprise functions, including strategy, engagement and collaboration, and is co-chair of CSIRO's Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging council. Before taking on this role in May 2024, she was Executive Director, Future Industries where she led the Agriculture and Food, Health and Biosecurity, Manufacturing and Science Connect business units. Kirsten is a respected leader in technology and innovation, with a career spanning 30 years in the US, UK and Australia. Prior to joining CSIRO, she was a Head of Innovation, Sustainable Operations at BHP, where she had global responsibility for bringing together innovation and technology to drive material improvements in key sustainability-related challenges. Her commitment to excellence in a range of areas is highlighted by her leadership in areas beyond CSIRO, including her appointment as a Director on the Pilbara Ports Board and membership of the AmCham Board of Governors.
Job Titles:
- Communication Manager - Education & Publishing
Job Titles:
- Communication Manager - National Collections and Marine Infrastructure ( Corporate Affairs )
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Director
- CSIRO Board Chair
Ms Ming Long has significant experience as a non-executive director and is currently on the Board of Telstra, IFM Investors, QBE Insurance (Auspac) and the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. Ms Long is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of Chief Executive Women. She was formerly Chair of Diversity Council Australia and AMP Capital Funds Management Limited.
Job Titles:
- CSIRO Board Member
- Professor
Professor Alex Brown is an internationally recognised clinician and researcher who has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for his entire career. He is the Professor of Indigenous Genomics at the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian National University. A proud member of the Yuin nation, Professor Brown is the first Indigenous scientist appointed to the CSIRO Board, bringing a wealth of experience in understanding and overcoming health inequalities and bridging connections across science ecosystems.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director - Digital, National Facilities and Collections
- Professor
Professor Huntington leads the data-focused research, development and digital capability of CSIRO, and is a member of the Executive Team. She has stewardship of a range of business lines including Data61, Space and Astronomy, and National Collections and Marine Infrastructure. Prof Huntington also leads major national infrastructure provided by CSIRO on behalf of the scientific community to assist with the delivery of research. Prior to joining CSIRO in November 2021, Elanor was Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the Australian National University (ANU) where she helped bring about significant transformation within the College and sector.
Job Titles:
- CSIRO Board Member
- Professor
Professor Emma Johnston is an authority in marine science and conservation, and an influential figure in the Australian higher education and research sector. Professor Johnston is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research at Sydney University and was previously Dean of Science and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research at the University of New South Wales, and President of Science & Technology Australia. Professor Johnston is a Director on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, governor of the Ian Potter Foundation, and an elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and the Royal Society of New South Wales.
Emeritus Professor Roy Green was previously a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, Dean of UTS Business School, Macquarie Graduate School of Management and Dean and Vice-President for Research at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Professor Green has consulted and published widely in the areas of innovation policy and management and is on the Board of SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and the Australian Design Council. He is also Chair of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub, the Port of Newcastle and a member of the Charles Sturt University Council.