Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia
South Australia’s premier executive appointments column tracking the movements of those driving the state’s public and private sectors. Plus, the latest executive recruitment opportunities.
Passing on the reins at Elders
Ian Wilton will retire as chair of Elders Limited on October 31 and will step down as a non-executive director at this year’s AGM.
Corporate lawyer Glenn Davis will succeed Wilton as chair-elect on November 1.
Elders said Wilton’s leadership has been central to its success, providing a strong focus on operational performance and effective capital management, as well as leading the business through multiple divestments and acquisitions.
“On behalf of the Elders Board and management, I would like to thank Ian for his many years of dedicated service. His experience and support have been invaluable to me and the rest of the Board. I wish him well and look forward to working with Glenn as Chair,” said Elders managing director and CEO Mark Allison.
Davis has been a non-executive director at Elders since September 2024.
He is currently a corporate lawyer at DMAW Lawyers and chair of radiator supplier ADRAD Group and iTech Minerals.
He previously spent 11 and a half years as chair of Beach Energy Ltd.
“I am honoured to succeed Ian Wilton as Chair of Elders Limited. His leadership has ensured Elders is well-positioned for the future. As incoming Chair, I am committed to creating long-term value for our stakeholders. I look forward to seeing our Company and the communities in which we operate continue to prosper,” said Davis.
In addition, Stephanie Nixon has been appointed as a non-executive director on the Elders board, effective October 1.
Nixon previously held senior executive positions with Compass Group Australia and Lion Pty Ltd.
She is a fellow Certified Practicing Accountant and holds both a master of management from Macquarie University Graduate School and a bachelor of business with credit from the University of Technology in Sydney. She is also a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Elders said she brings to the board experience in strategy, mergers and acquisitions, financial and operational governance, risk management, cyber security and remuneration.
Leadership change at Flinders University
Flinders University has announced the appointment of former student Leanne Liddle as its new deputy chancellor.
Liddle takes over from former Adelaide Festival Centre CEO Douglas Gautier AM, who has stepped down and will relocate to Saudi Arabia to become CEO of the Royal Arts Complex at King Salman Park in Riyadh.
Flinders University said Liddle has dedicated her career to advancing the principles of equity, justice and access, with a career spanning justice, policy and health.
Liddle, who holds academic qualifications in science and law management, is currently the executive director for community resilience and engagement command with the Northern Territory Police as well as a board member of the NT/SA Central Royal Flying Doctor Service.
She previously spent eight years at the Northern Territory government’s Department of the Attorney-General and Justice, firstly as principal legal and policy officer and then as director of the Aboriginal justice unit.
She has also been deputy chair for the Menzies School of Health Research and a senior policy officer with the Northern Council in the Northern Territory.
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Prior to relocating to the Northern Territory, Liddle was manager of APY and West Coast at the South Australia’s Department of Premier and Cabinet and spent more than 12 years as a police officer in the South Australian Police.
“Leanne Liddle is a trailblazer whose leadership and policy acumen are invaluable to Flinders as we deepen our presence across northern Australia and work to improve lives through education, research and health services,” Flinders University chancellor John Hood said.
“She brings to the Deputy Chancellor role not only exceptional professional credentials, but also a genuine alignment with the values and mission of Flinders University.”
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Principal for ELC-12 co-ed Lutheran school, Navigator College, located in Port Lincoln in the heart of one of South Australia’s most beautiful regional settings. This role will drive strategic initiatives and contribute to a flourishing education entity with over 500 students, including a boarding program, serving students and families across the Eyre Peninsula. Registrar (CEO) for the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia. This is a pivotal opportunity focused on enhancing professional standards of education for children and young people and ensuring their welfare through regulation of the teaching profession in SA. Director, Early Learning Centre for Woodcroft College, a highly regarded independent co-educational ELC-12 Anglican school located in Morphett Vale, south of Adelaide. Applications are encouraged from experienced early childhood educators aspiring and ready to, or already experienced in leading an ELC operation. Two experienced and highly Independent Board Members to join the transition Board of the new Adelaide University Student Association. Candidates with extensive expertise in finance and legal disciplines, and highly developed board governance experience with no material connection to the founding universities, are sought. These are unique opportunities to guide the establishment of a new association in representing the interests of thousands of student members through a significant merger process. |
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Centennial Park appoints CEO
Centennial Park has announced the appointment of Nadia Andjelkovic as its new CEO, following what it said was a comprehensive and competitive recruitment process.
Centennial Park said Andjelkovic is a highly accomplished and strategic executive with a proven track record of leading its corporate services and ICT teams.
Andjelkovic has been at Centennial Park for nearly seven years, including the past eight months as acting CEO. Before this, she spent six years as Centennial Park’s chief financial officer (CFO).
Andjelkovic has previously been a CFO at Alwyndor and DW Fox Tucker Lawyers, as well as a senior finance manager at Perks Integrated Business Services.
“The Centennial Park Board is delighted with Nadia’s appointment and is excited to work closely with her to support Centennial Park’s ongoing success as South Australia’s premier cemetery and memorial park,” said Todd Davies, who is chair of the Centennial Park board.
New leadership takes root at charity
Trees For Life SA has announced the appointment of Jessica McKelson as its new CEO, taking over from Natasha Davis, who led the charity for the past ten years.
McKelson will join Trees For Life SA in mid-November from Phillip Island Nature Parks in Victoria, where she has been for the past eight years, firstly as conservation manager and for the past two years as general manager of conservation.
She has also been a mentor in her program for aspiring female leaders, The Jungle Sistas, for the past nine years and eight months.
McKelson was also CEO of Raw Wildlife Encounters from 2009 until July 2020 and was the founder of the Sumatran Dog Health Program.
She has previously been manager of the Orangutan Quarantine Facility at the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme in Indonesia, trustee of the Orangutan Land Trust in Melbourne, supervisor of primates at Zoos Victoria, and a volunteer consultant at Borneo Orangutan Survival and Fauna & Flora International.
“Jess shares a deep alignment with the values of Trees For Life,” said Trees For Life board president Dr John Virtue.
Making a difference at MNDSA
MNDSA has announced the appointment of Dr Samantha Mead as its new CEO.
MNDSA said Mead has more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, working for health-based organisations in the not-for-profit sector, with extensive experience in advocacy, partnerships and stakeholder relations.
This includes being executive director of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, CEO of the Australian Medical Association, CEO of South Australian charity SIDS and Kids and a senior executive officer in SA Health, as well as working for the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC.
Mead completed a PhD in health research at Flinders University and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
She also holds a Diploma of Management from the Australian Institute of Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mead said she is honoured to join MNDSA and to contribute to the vital work being done to support individuals and families affected by motor neurone disease.
A new face at Papyrus
Patricia Vanni has started as the new company secretary of Papyrus Australia Limited, taking over from Vince Rigano, who has retired from the role but will remain as company director.
Papyrus said Vanni is a dual-qualified lawyer with more than 20 years of professional experience spanning corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contracts and compliance, as well as company secretarial services for ASX-listed, private and not-for-profit companies.
Vanni joins from the financial services and technology company Automic Group, where she spent the past year, firstly as company secretary and then as a senior company secretary.
Vanni has previously been a company secretary at Source, Judo Australia, VISTRA, Leydin Freyer Corp Pty Ltd, Rosalie Gutman & Associates and a legal assistant at Rosalie Gutman & Associates.
She was also a senior corporate counsel at Sete Brasil Particacoes S. A. an associate as Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados and Leite, Tosto e Barros Advogados, a junior associate at Demarest Advogados and did a law clerkship at Veirano Advogados in her native Brazil.
WGA welcomes joint regional manager for SA
Adelaide-based multi-disciplinary engineering firm WGA has announced the appointment of Alex Lloyd as joint regional manager for South Australia, joining current regional manager Carmen Selway.
WGA said Lloyd has extensive experience in civil engineering and leadership.
Lloyd has spent nearly 18 years at WGA and previously spent 17 years and nine months as a senior civil engineer there.
Before this, he was a civil engineer at global engineering services and nuclear organisation AtkinsRéalis (formerly Atkins).
In his new role, Lloyd will work closely with teams across South Australia to drive delivery excellence, support client partnerships and champion innovation in infrastructure solutions.
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Creative agency to expand into SA
Creative agency Bursty will expand its presence in Adelaide with the appointment of Matt Hagias as general manager of earned (PR and social).
Bursty said Hagias has more than 15 years of experience working across various sectors of the media industry, including in PR and social media.
Hagias joins from Fox Sports Australia, where he was head of sports communications.
Before this, he spent five and a half years at the creative communications agency One Green Bean in various roles, including most recently as social and influencer lead.
He previously also spent more than two years as a social media coordinator at GWS Giants and almost three years as a journalist at News Corp.
Hagias studied journalism at the University of South Australia before relocating interstate, but has moved to Adelaide for the new role.
Hagias joins Mitch Anderson and Michaela Berry, who have joined Bursty as senior account directors working with key clients such as Puma, TEG, Mitre 10 and Forty Winks.
Bursty managing director Richie Butterworth said they are excited to welcome Hagias, Anderson and Berry to the team.
“Not just because of the incredible experience and skillset they are bringing to our team and clients, but because it marks a pivotal moment in Bursty’s short history – to be able to attract this senior level of talent is something we are really proud of, and we can’t wait to see what they can create,” he said.
Moving up at Matthews Architects
South Australian architecture firm Matthews Architects has promoted Robert Rattray and Scarlett Marshman to associates and architects, while Kristy Mogridge has been elevated to associate and studio coordinator.
Matthews Architects said Rattray has extensive experience spanning commercial offices, hotels and large-scale hospitality developments.
Rattray joined Matthews Architects in October 2022 as a designer and project leader.
Before this, he spent more than five years at ISA Architecture and Design in his native Scotland, firstly as an architectural assistant and then as an architect.
Matthews Architects said Marshman has more than five years of industry experience in commercial, residential, tourism and hospitality.
Marshman joined Matthews Architects in April 2025 as a project leader.
She is also currently a tutor at the University of South Australia, where she teaches digital representation, digital documentation and design communications.
Before joining Matthews Architects, Marshman spent six years at Beyond Ink, where she began as an intern before being promoted to a graduate of architecture and then joining its leadership team.
Mogridge joined Matthews Architects six years ago as an executive assistant, before being elevated to studio coordinator prior to her most recent promotion.
Mogridge was previously assistant manager and then retirement services administration co-ordinator at Karidis Corporation Limited, property portfolio associate at Toop and Toop and a service coordinator at Ken Hall Plumbers.
Her new role will encompass marketing, finance, administration and overall studio operations.
“I’m proud to recognise the contribution of these three team members. Their appointments are a reflection of their hard work and dedication, and it’s rewarding to see their growth within the practice,” said Matthews Architects managing director and senior architect Gerald Matthews.
“We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the positive impact they have on our team and our projects.”
Jumping on board at Basketball SA
Basketball South Australia has announced the appointment of four new commissioners, with the election of Darren Kasehagen, Sarah Coligan, Emma Grigson and Nadia Andjelkovic.
Basketball South Australia said Kasehagen has a strong background in finance, strategy execution, stakeholder engagement and risk management.
Kasehagen is currently general manager of third-party banking and serves on numerous committees at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, where he has been for the past 18 and a half years.
He is also currently on the Lenders Committee of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia and a Committee Director of Sandhurst Trustees.
Basketball South Australia said Coligan has extensive experience in managing strategic marketing, PR and sponsorship attraction initiatives for organisations across Australia.
She has a background in strategic and crisis communications, brand development, and commercial partnerships.
Coligan has been managing director of Profiler Pr for the past five and a half years.
She is also on the boards of St Dominic’s Priory College Adelaide and Villagehood Australia, as well as an independent member of the governance committee at Yellow Door Care Pty Ltd, an advisory board member and chair of the Adults Siblings Committee at Siblings Australia.
Basketball SA said Grigson is a seasoned governance professional and has a background in defence, with extensive experience in board leadership, strategy and policy development.
She brings expertise in structured governance, stakeholder engagement and strategic oversight to the board.
Basketball SA said Andjelkovic brings extensive executive experience and operational insight to the role.
She was recently appointed CEO of Centennial Park, where she was previously acting CEO and chief financial officer.
“It’s an honour to continue serving as Chair of Basketball SA, and I’m thrilled to welcome Darren, Sarah, Emma and Nadia to the Commission,” said Basketball SA chair James Kitching.
“Their expertise will be instrumental as we continue to grow the game and support our basketball community.”
