MERIDIAN PARK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Chief Operations Officer at DevelopmentWA
Andrew Williams is the Chief Operations Officer at DevelopmentWA. He is responsible for a large team of people to drive commercial and social outcomes across a significant state-wide portfolio of projects.
With more than 20 years' experience in the property development industry, Andrew joined DevelopmentWA in January 2019 as the inaugural General Manager for the newly established Industrial Lands Authority. Previously, Andrew held leadership positions in ASX-listed companies, a state-owned enterprise, a national project management consultancy and a construction contractor.
Having spent the first 10 years of his career as a consultant town planner on a range of master-planned developments and building projects, Andrew then transitioned into project delivery and development management, encompassing the full project lifecycle from feasibility through to marketing and sales.
Andrew holds an MBA as well as tertiary qualifications in urban planning and project management, he is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2021, Darren Cooper has more than 20 years' experience in the property industry. He is currently Managing Director of his own consulting business and holds a number of Board and strategic advisory positions across property, training and labour hire, technology and e-commerce organisations.
He is a Past President and Life Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) in Western Australia and a Past President of UDIA National.
Darren is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Bachelor of Business and Masters of Applied Finance.
Dean is the Chief Executive and an accomplished leader with more than 25 years of experience in the property and construction industry.
Dean has worked across all sectors of the property market in Australia and the UK including Residential, Industrial, Commercial and Hospitality. His experience is diverse and includes senior roles within Mirvac WA prior to his current position.
He is a former Vice President of the Property Council of Australia (WA Division) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dean is responsible for a large team of people to drive commercial and social outcomes across a significant state-wide portfolio of projects. He is passionate about delivering projects that demonstrate innovation and industry best practice.
Appointed to the Board in December 2023, Dean Nalder is also the Chairperson of the Board's Audit and Risk Management Committee. Mr. Nalder was elected in 2013 and served as a member of the WA Parliament for eight years. Elevated as a Minister in 2014, he held a number of high-profile portfolios, including transport, finance and agriculture, and also served as the Shadow Treasurer of WA. As a former Minister for Transport, Mr. Nalder brings to the Board extensive experience along with a unique insight into tackling urban planning issues and the delivery of infrastructure. Prior to entering politics, he held senior corporate roles at the ANZ Banking Group and Australia Post.
Dean holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in economics and financial management from Curtin University and a graduate diploma in applied finance and investments from the Securities Institute of Australia. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Felicity Zimmermann was appointed to the Board on 25 June 2025.
She is a business leader with 25 years international experience including serving in non-executive board roles and brings a broad strategic perspective, gained from a background in law, financial services, risk management, complex transactions, government and not-for-profit businesses. Felicity is a non-executive director at Foundation Housing and has held a range of roles including Chief Risk Officer at Keystart, a State Director at ANZ Bank and Legal Counsel at Barclays London, among other senior leadership roles.
Felicity holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance), Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
With more than 25 years' experience in financial management, Fiona leads the Corporate Services team, driving business improvement at every level.
Her strategic approach ensures the organisation is equipped to respond to emerging land and infrastructure opportunities to realise the potential of our rapidly growing state.
Fiona has an extensive portfolio of responsibilities including financial management, strategy, human resources, information technology, commercial delivery and facilities management.
Prior to joining DevelopmentWA in 2014, she enjoyed a successful commercial career in the mining services, resources and aviation industries, holding a range of senior management positions.
Fiona holds a MBA from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice, a Graduate Diploma in Company Directorship and a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management.
She is a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA), a Chartered Secretary and is currently a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, CPA Australia and The Governance Institute of Australia.
Jo Gaines was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2022 and is the Chair of the Armadale and Bentley Land Redevelopment Committees and a member of the Central Perth Land Redevelopment Committee.
Jo is an experienced organisational leader and strategic policy director operating at the highest level of government in Australia and was the Deputy Chief of Staff to Mark McGowan, the Premier of Western Australia and Leader of the Opposition.
Jo has led significant policy development affecting the economic and social fabric of Western Australia and has extensive experience in intergovernmental negotiations and stakeholder engagement. This includes in a diverse range of fields including job creation, economic diversification, energy, training, child protection, health, contracting and procurement, and climate change.
Jo is the Chair of GESB and Executive Director of Gaines Advisory. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Chairman
- Member of the Board
Len joined the Board on 21 August 2023, bringing three decades of experience and expertise in Urban and Regional Planning and Local Government from across Western Australia in multiple senior leadership roles, including as a former Local Government Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer, and Planning Director.
As Co-Founder and Director of specialist consulting firm LK Advisory, Len now serves as a trusted advisor to government and private clients locally and nationally.
Len is the Chairperson of DevelopmentWA's Subiaco Land Redevelopment Committee, a member of the Midland and Bentley Land Redevelopment Committees and a member of the Governance and Remuneration Committee. His recent past, long-term roles as a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission's Statutory Planning Committee; Swan Valley Statutory Planning Committee; Executive, Finance & Property Committee; and Deputy Chairperson of the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage's Audit and Risk Management Committee contribute to Len's extensive knowledge and insights of the Western Australian planning system.
Len holds a Bachelor and Honours in Urban and Regional Planning, is a Graduate and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a member of the Planning Institute of Australia.
Job Titles:
- Executive General Manager of Strategy
- Executive General Manager, Strategy, Engagement and Business Development
Lorissa is the executive general manager of Strategy, Engagement and Business Development, and is responsible for strategic and business planning, pursuit of new business opportunities, disposal of surplus government assets, advisory services to government and marketing and communication activity.
She has a wealth of experience in a diverse range of areas such as legislation development, property acquisition and operations, public policy, strategic planning, public relations, crisis communications and stakeholder management.
Before joining DevelopmentWA in January 2022, Lorissa spent six years at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as an Assistant Director General in Business and Corporate Services, then Strategy and Engagement. Lorissa has previously been seconded from the public service to work as Chief of Staff for the former Minister for Planning, where she had involvement with key projects including the new museum, Perth City Link and Elizabeth Quay.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours) from Curtin University and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia New Zealand School of Government.
Job Titles:
- Executive General Manager, Planning and Assets
As Executive General Manager, Planning and Assets, Matt plays a central role in the transformation and renewal of metropolitan Perth. Matt oversees planning of urban regeneration projects including Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link, Yagan Square and the Scarborough foreshore along with the continued redevelopment of East Perth, Midland and Armadale.
Prior to joining DevelopmentWA in January 2021, Matt had extensive experience in progressing complex land, planning and property matters with roles as Director - Government Relations; Director - Land Use Management within the Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage. He also spent time as the Principal Policy Advisor to the Minister of Lands.
Matt has a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Curtin University.
Rebecca Field was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018 and was appointed Deputy Chairperson on 16 October 2019. Rebecca is the Chairperson of the Board's Governance and Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
She is a partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Known for her combination of excellent technical ability, good commercial sense and strategic thinking, Rebecca advises clients on the legal, strategic and risk management issues associated with property development and redevelopment projects and the sale, acquisition and leasing of large commercial, retail, industrial, pastoral, agricultural and tourism assets. Rebecca also has many years' experience in property and development finance, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ryan Hall was appointed to the Board on 3 December 2024. He serves as a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Chairperson of the Central Perth and Midland Land Redevelopment Committees and is a member of the Armadale and Subiaco Land Redevelopment Committees.
Currently a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission, Ryan brings extensive expertise spanning both metropolitan and regional areas. His focus on inclusivity and innovation ensures that development initiatives address the diverse needs of Western Australia's communities. Ryan is committed to enhancing liveability, sustainability, and economic activation through strategic planning, creating thriving places where people want to live, work, and invest.
Ryan holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Social Science. He is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Life Member of the Local Government Planners Association.