The NERA executive team is governed by a board of industry experts to help drive projects that achieve the goals of improving collaboration, innovation, efficiencies, workforce skills and industry-led research to benefit the whole energy ecosystem in Australia.
The Board includes representatives with diverse industry experience and domain knowledge across the energy resources sector. It includes representatives from Western Australia and Queensland with experience drawn from major international operators, the research sector, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Ken Fitzpatrick is the inaugural chair of NERA and brings over 40 years' experience in the oil and gas industry. Ken is currently chair of the NOPSEMA Advisory Board, a past chair of the CSIRO Energy Advisory Group and a past member of the CSIRO Oceans and Atmospheres Advisory Group. Ken was CEO of PTTEP Australasia from 2011 to 2014 and previously worked in senior positions in Ampolex, Mobil, Nexen and Woodside both in Australia and overseas.
Leisa Elder is an energy industry leader with 30 years' experience in environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk assessment and management in both private and public sectors. She has been a member of the Executive Leadership Teams of Arrow Energy (owned jointly by Shell and PetroChina) and Santos for the last 14 years. She has been responsible for setting strategic company direction in challenging markets, negotiation of gas agreements and dispute resolution, and has extensive experience in the management of emerging risks that result from complex stakeholder environments. Leisa previously served as Director on the Board of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) which represents more than 190 resource and energy companies. She is an Adjunct Professor with the University of Queensland.
Liz Dallimore is an innovation and commercialisation specialist, with over 20 years' experience working in research and advisory, with both the start-up and SME community and large corporates. Liz is currently the CEO of listed company Argenica Therapeutics (ASX:AGN) and co-founder and Executive Director of a private technology company, Inspiring Holdings. Liz previously held the roles of Inaugural Director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub, where she works across a range of industries assisting in realising the value in data and analytics. Prior to this role, Liz spent 12 years in management consulting advising technology companies on research engagement, commercialisation, innovation and funding, with her most recent role leading KPMG Australia's Research Engagement & Commercialisation Advisory team. Liz holds a PhD, MBA and BSc (Hons).