ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Chartered Accountant
• Member of the Board

Donald Luscombe is a practising Chartered Accountant with over 55 years' experience and operates a professional practice from Springwood in the lower Blue Mountains, NSW. Don joins EDA with strong financial and governance knowledge and a passion for local economic development. Donald was the Chair of Blue Mountains Economic Development, the peak economic development agency for the Blue Mountains from 2012-2020. Donald has served as a Board member (current Chair) of DARE Disability Service since 1992. Donald maintains his role as a Group Captain (Retired) of the NSW Rural Fire Service, was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in the 2007 Australia Day Awards and is a Founder and Director of the Coffee for Kids Foundation.

Job Titles:

• Member of the EDA Team
• Membership and Administration Coordinator

Emilie enjoys being immersed in growing, purpose driven businesses, having worked across a range of not-for-profits and charitable organisations such as Reconciliation SA, the Don Dunstan Foundation and CanTeen. Across the past 8 years, Emilie has managed back-to-back projects, events and conferences whilst building volunteer/student programs and developing processes and systems in fast paced environments. Emilie also runs a small business with her partner in the Adelaide Hills and is passionate about learning and personal growth.

Job Titles:

• Economist
• Member Appointed

Erin is an economist with experience working in both New Zealand and Australian local government; developing policy, devising and monitoring development strategies and providing economic analysis for decision makers. Since 2013 her work has focussed on the areas of local economic development, city shaping and infrastructure investment. A passionate advocate of economic empowerment, Erin brings a dynamic combination of analytical, creative and interpersonal skills to her economic development practise. Prior to gaining her Bachelor of Applied Economics, Erin freelanced in the performing arts sector, managing operations, venues and technical aspects of production. This early introduction to the ‘gig economy' focussed Erin's interest in business and economic forces that influence business decision making, success and failures. Her current interests lie in the use of ‘big data' and analytics as a tool for understanding the functioning of city economies and to identify opportunities to increase productivity through innovation, while still ensuring citizen's prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Job Titles:

• Member Appointed
• Queensland Based Economic Development Executive

Greg Bowden is a regional Queensland based economic development executive and brings a diverse range of experience in Economic Development, Local Government, Stakeholder Engagement, Resources and Energy Infrastructure, Agriculture, Mediation and Negotiation. He has spent the past 20 years working in public and private sector engagement focused upon the economic development of cities and regions. Greg has a particular focus on the progression of the economic development profession, building regional economic growth and increasing the social and economic contribution for communities across Australia. This follows a career in procurement, supply chain, logistics and negotiation in resources and infrastructure development. Greg has held roles that have seen him lead highly dedicated teams of economic development professionals focused upon industry development, investment attraction, major event attraction, tourism, destination marketing and communications in metropolitan and regional Queensland. Greg also has a keen interest in sustainable global supply chains, the circular economy and future energy projects and he is lucky enough to spend his working life using his skills to bolster and grow the economic contribution from Regional Australia.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Member of the EDA Team
• Specialist and CEO

Jacqueline Brinkman is an economic development specialist and CEO of Economic Development Australia (EDA), the national peak body for economic development. Jacqueline's leadership of EDA commenced in 2017 and since that time, EDA's membership has more than tripled and revenue has increased by over 370%. Jacqueline was responsible for the development and launch of the highly successful National Economic Development Education and Training Program in 2020. This program has proven to be a step change in career development for Australian Economic Development profession. Jacqueline is also leading a range of research and advocacy projects with the aim to raise awareness of the impact of the Australian economic development sector. Through a career spanning 20+ years, Jacqueline is recognised as one of Australia's most experienced industry cluster managers, and has facilitated industry development and investment across a range of sectors. Her advocacy and lobbying has resulted in legislative change at a Local, State and Federal Government level. Jacqueline has held Chief Executive roles across a range of sectors in QLD and NSW, is an award-winning copy writer and an experienced company director having Board positions on a range of Government bodies and NFP organisations. Jacqueline is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Economics Director, Hatch Urban Solutions

A highly experienced economic development professional with a mission to partner with communities, organisations and agencies who wish to be brave, bold and prepared in a rapidly changing world. A strong focus on building relationships, structures and systems required for projects to succeed. Jason has diverse experience across large and small business, local economic development, and social sector business development and operations throughout Australia and South East Asia. Jason is Chair of Economic Development Australia (Australia's peak body for economic development professionals), and sits on the Foundation for Regional Renewal and Recovery's Western Australian Advisory Board, and Minister for Innovation's Regional Innovation Working Group.

Job Titles:

• Deputy Chair

Jennifer has extensive experience in government policy and advocacy, having served for over 9 years as the Director General of the Department of Local Government in Western Australia. Under her leadership, the agency introduced a new integrated planning and reporting framework for local governments in Western Australia, underpinned by strategic planning and community engagement. As Director General of the Department of Local Government and Communities, Jennifer focussed on building collaboration between the local government and not for profit sectors to strengthen service delivery outcomes within local communities. Jennifer has specialist expertise in international trade and diplomacy, having served as a Diplomat and Trade Commissioner in South East Asia. Jennifer was First Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta before taking up senior roles in WA as State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and State Manager of the Australian Investment and Trade Commission (Austrade). She has also worked as a lawyer and business consultant in Indonesia and is proficient in both Indonesian and Thai languages. With this background, Jennifer has worked actively to support trade and economic development outcomes at the commonwealth, state and local government level. She undertook her tertiary studies in Law and Indonesian studies at the University of Melbourne.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director Growth & Strategy at the Lower Eyre Council
• Member Appointed

Matt is an experienced economic development professional employed by local government authorities over the past 15 years across capital city, metropolitan and regional settings to research, devise, develop and implement programs and activities that grow local economies. Matt has undertaken tertiary studies in Management, International Politics and Urban Geography with his principal areas of expertise and interest being business and investment attraction, international relations, marketing, digital strategy and transformation, retail analysis, placemaking, and event and activation strategies. He has a strong interest in embracing the digital and virtual economy and its practical application to improve the community's standard of living and wellbeing. Matt is the Executive Director Growth & Strategy at the Lower Eyre Council, South Australia. Spanning an area of 4,771 km² diverse in environment and industry and with over 700km of the most pristine coastline on Eyre peninsula, the Lower Eyre Council is in an exciting period of transformation and continuous improvement inspired by its purpose to strengthen rural and coastal communities. Matt leads the development of strategies that support this transformation including the development of a Growth Plan for the region that considers opportunities for sustainable Economic Development through new, and existing, industries and working with Council to establish the best governance and operational management structures for the Port Lincoln Airport that drive economic benefit to the local community and broader state.

Job Titles:

• Member Appointed
• Member of the Executive Team at Acusensus

Shaun Miller has developed strong advocacy and lobbying skills across private, government and educational sectors with more than 15 years experience in commercial and government roles both in Australia and overseas. He has a proven track record of political and business outcomes supporting and leading start-ups, Fortune 500 companies and government at local, state and federal levels. Shaun has a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Griffith University) and is currently studying a Masters of Global Development (Griffith University) which looks to address the world's most pressing challenges - including ending poverty and bringing economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and peace and good governance to all countries and all people by 2030. Shaun is currently a member of the executive team at Acusensus and Head of Customer Engagement.

Job Titles:

• Member of the EDA Team
• National Events Officer

Shelley has been immersed in the world of event planning and management for over 12 years, a journey fueled by an authentic excitement and passion for crafting engaging, impactful experiences, finding joy in coordinating first-class events that go above and beyond. Her background spans various sectors over 20+ years, including education, private enterprise, and multinational corporations, where she held roles in administration, business management, executive support, OHS management and training. Throughout her career, she orchestrated a diverse array of events, ranging from local gatherings to international conferences.

Job Titles:

• Member Appointed

Simon Massey has significant professional experience across both state and local governments. Simon is currently the Executive Manager City Futures at Georges River Council where he leads a diverse portfolio including economic development, advocacy, city marketing, communications and community engagement. Simon holds a First Class Honours degree in Economics and a Masters in Public Administration, which was supported by a NSW Public Sector Commission leadership scholarship. His research has largely been in the field of demography, where he has analysed the contribution of international migrants to regional Australia. Simon also completed a Churchill Fellowship in 2022 where he travelled to North America and Europe. His Churchill Fellowship investigated the data, processes and systems that help cities to make smart school and social infrastructure planning decisions that provide the greatest benefit to their citizens and future generations.

Job Titles:

• CEO of Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay

Sorita is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman living and working in the City of Moreton Bay. A passionate Economic Development Professional, Sorita is committed to the growth of local business, First Nations Economic Participation and Regional Development.

Job Titles:

• Member of the EDA Team
• National Training Officer

Trudy joins the EDA team with many year's experience in education and training. Most recently, Trudy was the Learner Support Lead for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Trudy is adept at facilitating and moderating workshops, and has planned and coordinated many workshops, training and engagement events. Throughout her career she has always worked in customer service and consumer engagement including owning her own business. She takes pride in her work and her very strong ability to build rapport and excellent relationships. She has a great understanding of the importance of continued professional development and really enjoys working with people to reach their goals. Trudy has completed TAE40116 Cert IV Training and Assessment.