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.
Pharmaceutical company announces new CEO
SA headquartered pharmaceutical company Mayne Pharma has announced that Aaron Gray has been appointed CEO following the resignation of Shawn Patrick O’Brien.
Gray is the previous chief financial officer for Mayne Pharma, having held the position since July 2022.
He has more than 20 years’ experience in both finance and leadership roles, having held a role as senior vice president of customer finance for Siemens Medical Solutions in the United States.
Gray was chief financial officer for Siemens Steam Turbine Americas segment where he was responsible for the financial project management and investment strategy for multi-million-dollar steam turbine businesses across North and South America.
O’Brien has stepped down following more than three years in the role and will remain in an advisory role to the board until May 1.
Mayne Pharma chair professor Bruce Robinson thanked the outgoing CEO for his “leadership and contribution” to the company and welcomed Gray’s “strong strategic and operational capability” to the role.
New board director for Real Estate Institute
The Real Estate Institute of South Australia has announced the appointment of Jamie Dreckow as an independent board director and Cain Cooke to resume his role as chair.
Dreckow is a chartered accountant and partner at Nexia Edwards Marshall and has more than 30 years’ experience in accounting and assurance services.
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He has extensive experience as a board adviser and non-executive director, serving as a board member and treasurer of the Adelaide Fringe where he provides financial stewardship and governance oversight.
Dreckow has also been a member of SA Health’s Audit and Risk Committee since 2024, where he has supported effective risk, compliance and assurance frameworks.
Cooke will continue as chair of the REISA board to ensure strong and consistent leadership at a board level.
He has more than 20 years’ experience in business leadership and strategy roles across industries including healthcare, retail, hospitality and tourism.
Cooke is currently the chief executive of electric motorbike company LEKI EV and is deputy chair of the Adelaide Festival Centre.
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Principal for Geelong Lutheran College, an inspiring multi‑campus independent Christian school in one of Victoria’s fastest‑growing regions. This is a rare opportunity to shape the next strategic era of a thriving ELC–12 community, driving educational excellence, culture, faith formation, innovation and strong stakeholder engagement across the College. With a committed team, supportive governance and state‑of‑the‑art facilities, the new Principal will lead with vision, relational strength and contemporary educational insight to ensure Geelong Lutheran College continues to grow its impact and reputation. Two Board Members with St Mark’s College, Adelaide’s first university residential college with a vibrant community of 250 students. As the College continues to evolve, the Board plays a central role in strengthening governance, strategic direction and long‑term sustainability. Profiles sought include a finance and risk governance leader (ideally CA/CPA) with strong capability in financial stewardship, long‑term asset strategy and oversight of risk, including future leadership of the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee. The second profile is for a senior and highly connected and credible tertiary education professional with the networks and capacity to bring contemporary insight into student pathways, academic environments and the evolving role of residential colleges within higher education. Both appointments require appropriately qualified and experienced non‑executive directors committed to contributing to a respected and mission‑driven academic community. |
Leaders Institute of SA appoints new chair
Julianne Parkinson has been appointed as new board chair for the Leaders Institute of SA.
Parkinson has more than 20 years’ experience in leadership roles across business, government and research institutions.
She is the managing director of Activare International where she partners with government and organisation leaders to provide strategic advisory services to drive positive economic growth and social impact.
Parkinson has held senior roles with international consulting firms including as executive director of the Office of the Economic Development Board of SA and CEO of the Global Centre for Modern Ageing.
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“The Leaders Institute of South Australia plays an important role in developing leadership capability that enables individuals, organisations and communities to thrive,” Parkinson said.
Engineering firm welcomes new director
Engineering firm gama consulting has welcomed Adam Trzesinski to the team of directors as the firm looks to establish a new building services arm.
Trzesinski is an experienced director with more than 20 years leading teams in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and fire engineering services globally across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
He had previously served as the state director engineering service NDY, where he was responsible for the SA operations and profitability of the business.
As director of civil engineering company Meinhardt Group, he led the delivery of building services designs across the state.
“The opportunity to establish and lead the Building Services arm within a growing national consultancy was incredibly compelling, and it allows us to create even greater value for clients,” Trzesinski said.
Expert joins cybersecurity hub
The Australian Insider Risk Centre of Excellence (AIR CoE) has announced the appointment of Steve Mullins as its first visiting fellow.
Mullins is an industry leader with expertise in insider threat and cybersecurity where he specialises in identifying, investigating and mitigating security threats posed to an organisation.
In the role, Mullins will provide senior, independent advisory support to AIR CoE to contribute national capability development to translate into actionable guidance for members of government, industry and critical infrastructure.
He has worked in advisory roles in both regional, national and global companies, including as the current insider threat manager for Airbnb.
“His operational credibility, international perspective, and commitment to mentoring align strongly with the Centre’s mission to advance Australia’s Insider Risk capability,” Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre CEO Guy Roberts said.
Children’s theatre announce new board chair
Kent Town’s Patch Theatre has announced the appointment of Sam Haren as its new board chair after serving on the board since 2025.
Haren has more than 20 years’ experience working as a creative director and experience designer, working at “the intersection of storytelling, design and technology”.
He co-led the award-winning Melbourne studio Sandpit, which created interactive experiences for museums, brands and cultural institutions.
Haren has a strong background in theatre for young audiences, where he has directed Grug, Grug and the Rainbow and Beep for the Windmill Theatre.
“I look forward to supporting the Board and team as Patch Theatre continues to create bold new works that bring together design, storytelling and technology,” Haren said.
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