Advisory Board

Helen is the Interim Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability for Victoria, an independent statutory role responsible for providing scientific reporting on the condition of the state’s natural environment and ecological sustainable development. Prior to the Commissioner role, Helen was the Victorian Deputy Secretary, Water and Catchments from 2017 to 2023.

Helen is an experienced executive in public policy, service delivery, and regulatory reform, mainly focussed on natural resource and emergency management, providing trusted advice to Ministers and Boards. Helen is a member of the Victorian Government Purchasing Board and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Helen holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) from the Australian National University and received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in policy and program delivery in natural resource management in 2022.

Shaun is the Managing Director of Barwon Water. Barwon Water delivers sustainable, affordable, innovative and reliable water and sewerage services in the Barwon Region of Victoria and in doing so supports the economic, social, cultural and environmental prosperity of the region.

Over a 20-year career in the water industry, Shaun is committed to making a positive impact to the community and environment in a collaborative, commercial and creative way.  Shaun has worked in leadership roles across the public and private sectors and is currently a member of the Water Services Association Australia Board and Deakin Engineering Advisory Board.

Shaun holds a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mechanical Engineer, Thales

Sarah completed her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and finance in 2014 at the University of Adelaide, having undertaken her honours year in 2013.  She researched autonomous underwater vehicles to design a fully agile vessel with six degrees of freedom.

Throughout her studies, Sarah undertook many extracurricular programs, including starting the Adelaide chapter for Robogals, inspiring and teaching young females about engineering, and a career in sciences, technology, engineering and  mathematics (STEM).

In 2015 she started her graduate engineering position with Thales, in protected vehicles.

Manager, Future Network Programs, AusNet Services (Deakin Engineering Graduate Representative)

Managing Director, Lower Murray Water

Paul has extensive experience in service and infrastructure delivery across transport, water, sustainability and related sectors. Prior to leading Lower Murray Water, Paul was Chief, Regional Transport with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, where he led the operation and maintenance of more than 19,000 kilometres of arterial roads and oversaw more than 1,400 regional bus and ferry contracts.

Paul is a trusted and respected advisor to government ministers, boards and executive teams on operational planning, maintenance and infrastructure projects subject to intense public and political scrutiny.

Chartered Engineer

Karen is a dynamic, passionate, influential senior leader with over 20 years' experience in the water, energy and environment sectors in private and public organisations in Australia and the UK. Karen has a proven record in identifying and driving strategic and operational change and process improvement in operations, asset management and contract management and is adept at establishing credibility and building rapport quickly with a range of internal and external stakeholders from board level to front line operations. Being results oriented, Karen delivers outcomes through empowering people, competitive commercial arrangements and setting clear direction. She has extensive commercial, contractual and negotiation experience and is accustomed to working within challenging commercial, political and heavily regulated environments.

Karen’s diverse background spans engineering, operational, commercial, corporate strategy and change management and performance roles across a number of industries and organisations, providing her with a balanced insight to driving successful competitive business outcomes. She brings to her roles a positive outlook, drive and expertise in delivering key business outcomes through aligning people, improving processes and delivering significant performance improvement by developing strong, high performing teams.

Wood Technologist – National R&D AKD Softwoods