Intentional leadership

Ashley Bacon is Acting Deputy Director-General for Agriculture within the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), leading the development of policies, research, development and extension services that aim to boost Queensland’s primary production output to A$30bn by 2030. He champions initiatives that connect businesses with opportunities for regional and rural growth, bringing to bear more than 20 years’ experience across agriculture, biosecurity, industry and regional development, energy, natural resources and tourism.

Helen Benham leads the strategic translation of research and innovation to improve healthcare access, experience, and outcomes for the community. An experienced rheumatologist, researcher, and clinician, she has an extensive clinical background at Princess Alexandra Hospital alongside senior leadership roles in health and medical research organisations.

Her career includes senior executive positions at the Translational Research Institute and the PA Research Foundation, membership of the Metro South Hospital and Health Board, and service as Board Chair of Arthritis Queensland. Helen holds medical degrees and a PhD, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland.

Professor Mark Blows is Provost and Senior Vice-President at The University of Queensland (UQ). A distinguished leader in research strategy and innovation, Professor Blows is dedicated to advancing UQ’s global reputation for excellence – overseeing transformative initiatives that bridge academia, industry and government; driving impactful discoveries; and fostering collaborations that address complex global changes.

Peta Bryant is Deputy Director-General, Strategy, Policy and Planning Division, Queensland Health (QH), where she leads system-wide policy development and service planning. A senior public sector executive with national and state-level experience, Peta has a strong track record in shaping health and human services policy and intergovernmental agreements.

Deborah Coakley is the Managing Director of Real Estate at Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), shaping real estate investment and business strategies to meet the needs and expectations of our investors, partners, and the communities we serve. Deb is also the Precinct Council Chair for BRIJ.

She has more than 25 years’ experience in management roles gained in organisations such as Dexus, Deloitte, Qantas and Alexander Mann Solutions.

Deb is also a National Vice President of the Property Council of Australia and a member of their Capital Markets Division, and a Non-Executive Director of the Children’s Cancer Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree from University of Technology Sydney (BBus) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Shaun commenced in the role of Deputy Director-General of State Development, in the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning in October 2025 and leads the department’s key industry and economic development functions.

With experience across both the private and public sector, Shaun is a passionate advocate for diversifying Queensland’s economy through growing our regions and industry base, particularly for the Government’s priority industries of biomedical, biofuels and defence, strengthening supply chains, and leveraging the rich natural resource endowment of Queensland.

As part of the King’s Birthday Honours 2024, Shaun was awarded a Public Service Medal in recognition for his outstanding contribution in supporting the Queensland resources industry response to Covid-19.

Shaun holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) from Griffith University.

Professor Maher Gandhi became CEO of the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in 2025, leading 1100 researchers from Queensland’s major institutions. A haematologist and internationally recognised lymphoma specialist, he previously served as Executive Director of Mater Research and Pre-Eminent Senior Staff Specialist at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Maher leads groundbreaking blood cancer research while driving TRI’s translational manufacturing facility development. He champions Queensland’s biotech commercialisation, transforming laboratory discoveries into patient treatments through strategic industry partnerships.

Dr Mark Jacobs leads Queensland’s Science Division within the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), directing science and research that informs critical environmental and natural resource decisions across government. Starting as a research scientist before moving into policy leadership, he partners with the Queensland Chief Scientist to strengthen the state’s science capacity. Mark brings more than 20 years of experience transforming scientific evidence into policy, building high-performing teams and developing programs that tackle Queensland’s environmental challenges.

Dr Peter Mayfield is the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) Executive Director for Environment, Energy and Resources, leading 1,400 researchers tackling global challenges in sustainability. With over 25 years in research and development, including managing BHP Billiton’s Newcastle Technology Centre, he joined CSIRO in 2010. Since then, he’s made significant contributions to Australia’s energy transition. His vision emphasises enabling Australia to sustainably benefit from its energy, minerals, water and marine resources while maintaining environmental integrity through strategic industry-government-academia collaborations.

Professor Trent Munro is General Manager of Boggo Road Innovation Junction (BRIJ) and Director of Innovation in Biotechnology at The University of Queensland. With over 25 years in therapeutic development and life sciences, he previously held executive positions at biopharmaceutical giant Amgen and directed UQ’s COVID-19 vaccine program and National Biologics Facility. Trent has worked across leading research centres in Australia, USA, Germany, India and the UK, advising biotech companies and contributing to government policy.