About our Board
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Our Board operates according to the Board Charter: Board Charter
Our Directors have extensive experience and knowledge of land protection, water resource management, primary industry, environmental conservation and local government. More than half are primary producers.
Each year, directors not only meet to undertake their governance role, they also work with management to formulate organisational strategy and meet with members of the community to ensure they are informed of natural resource management issues throughout the North East Catchment.
The Board has established sub-committees who meet regularly to oversee the specific areas of audit and risk, remuneration, and engagement and partnering.
For more information on what our board has accomplished during the year, refer to our latest Annual Report.
Information on becoming a board member is available from DEECA.
Our Directors
Graeme Dear (Chair)
Dr Ashlen Francisco (Deputy Chair)
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Ash is the engagement lead at Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership and ensures the Centre and its services remain responsive to business and community wants and needs. Her interests span from historically guided restorative justice to amplifying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurial spirit through shared experiences. Ash is a proud Wiradjuri woman, published researcher, lecturer and engagement lead at the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Business School. She has a PhD in NSW Aboriginal History from the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle and is an inaugural member of the Yuma Yirramboi Victorian Aboriginal Economic and Employment Council, a board member for Ganbina, and an advisor of Richmond Football Club’s reconciliation advisory group and MCA's Bangawarra Art Yarns Reference Group. She lives and works on Taungurung Country in regional Victoria and is committed to advancing regional business connection and opportunity.
Ash was appointed to the North East CMA Board in October 2023.
Brendan Foran
Prior to joining the Board of North East CMA, Brendan was the CEO of Greening Australia (GA) for 11 years where he led an organisation-wide governance and strategy reform program that led to greater levels of impact, efficiency and resilience. Brendan is a highly experienced Executive and Director and has held other roles such as:
- Corporate Affairs Manager, Eastern States for Alcoa of Australia
- Founding Chair of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA), SeedX and Canopy- Nature Based Solutions
- Founding Director of NatureCo
- Non- executive Director of North-East Water and the Gordon Institute of TAFE.
He holds an MBA and an Advanced Diploma in Business Management, was a 2011 Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange participant in Iceland and a 2016 Harvard Club of Australia non-profit fellow.
Brendan was appointed to the North East CMA Board in October 2023.
Miriam McGowan
Miriam comes from a farming family with 5 generations of history in north east Victoria. She brings a depth of knowledge and experience to the North East CMA with studies in law, management, environment and planning, science and practice in commercial law. She is a supporter of community engagement and enjoys farming with her family in the region.
Miriam was appointed to the North East CMA Board in 2017.
Donovan Jacka is the Executive Director - People and Culture with Benalla Health. For the last 10 years he has lived on a Goat Farm in Tarrawingee. From 2013 to 2022 he established and ran a cheese and agri-tourism business. Prior to moving to north east Victoria, Donovan was employed in a range of senior Industrial Relations and Human Resources positions within the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and the Victorian State Government.
Donovan holds a Graduate Diploma of Industrial Relations, and a Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. He is also currently serving as Board Chair for Alpine Health.
Donovan was appointed to the North East CMA Board in October 2021.
Elisa is a technical specialist driving evidence-based and practical action for people and nature. She is committed to working with local communities to improve Australia's natural capital and build resilience to adverse events.
Elisa has worked with farmers, First Nations people, research organisations, corporates, government and not-for-profit organisations to develop strategy, build strong partnerships and deliver on-ground action.
Elisa is currently the CEO and Founder of an environmental consultancy and previously held roles in academia, government, not-for-profit and consulting organisations. She has a PhD and Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Melbourne University, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Garden Design and is currently studying Natural Capital Accounting. Elisa is currently on the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Floristry Network and an Associate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Elisa was appointed to the North East CMA Board in October 2023.
Jennifer Wolcott
Jennifer Wolcott has had a long career in the Victorian public sector with a focus on environmental and natural resource management and rural and regional development. Jennifer has led significant
policy, legislation, regulatory reform and strategy programs holding executive positions with Environment Protection Victoria, Parks Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria and several departments. Jennifer has been a member of the Victorian Coastal Council and a board director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Trust for Nature and the Institute of Public Administration Victoria. Jennifer is currently a member of the Victorian Environment Assessment Council.
Jennifer has a degree in forest science, is a graduate of the AICD and a fellow of IPAA Victoria.
Jennifer was appointed to the North East CMA Board in September 2024.