Who We Are
The Committee for Brisbane is a member‑led organisation shaping the future of our city‑region as one of the world’s most liveable places.
We bring together leaders from business, government, education, sport, the creative industries and community organisations to drive ideas that matter. Independent and apolitical, we are a trusted voice in conversations with City and State Governments, helping influence decisions that build a better Brisbane. Our forums spark dynamic, informed discussion and tap the expertise of leading thinkers across the public and private sectors. As a not‑for‑profit advocacy body, we’re dedicated to creating a more vibrant, connected and globally liveable Greater Brisbane
Our Purpose
The Committee for Brisbane is an independent, not-for-profit organisation representing a diverse network of business, government and community leaders.
We stand for advancing thought leadership and advocacy for the sustainable growth, liveability, and prosperity of Brisbane city-region. We influence policy, foster collaboration and champion initiatives that strengthen Brisbane as a leading, future-ready city.
In 2026 we have a bold advocacy agenda focused on the sustainable growth, liveability and prosperity of the Brisbane city-region.
Recent News
New Brisbane-Los Angeles Sister City deal to deliver a lasting legacy
MEDIA RELEASE A landmark new Sister City partnership will be...
South East Queensland launches first digital plan
MEDIA RELEASE South East Queensland launches first digital plan First...
Our Community
Management Committee Governance of the Committee for Brisbane is undertaken by a Management Committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting. These individuals represent a range of corporate members and individuals from a wide cross-section of the greater Brisbane economy.
Shannon Willoughby
Vice-President
Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships Office – Government and Industry, The University of Queensland
Jacob Anson
Vice-President
Chief of Public Affairs and International Relations, Australian Olympic Committee
Dr Caroline Riot
Committee Member
Director, Games Engagement and Partnerships, Griffith University
Karen Vella
Committee Member
Faculty of Engineering,
School of Architecture & Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology
Advisory Council The Committee for Brisbane’s Advisory Council is a group of highly experienced and respected Brisbane business and community leaders who provide strategic guidance, thought leadership and policy advice to support the Committee’s mission of shaping Brisbane City-Region as the world’s most liveable place.
Julieanne Alroe
Kylie Blucher
Gert-Jan de Graaff
Scott Emerson
Harvey Lister AM
Prof. Alan Patching
Ann Sherry AO
Raynuha Sinnathamby
Peter Varghese AO
Mark Stockwell
Laura Maxwell
Sue Johnson
Board Member, GIICA
Our Team Our team is a small, agile group with a deep passion for championing Brisbane, working closely with key members and stakeholders to drive meaningful outcomes for our city.
Jen Williams
CEO
Smaro Exelby
Commercial Director
Sean Jacobs
Policy Manager
Anna Havers
Commercial Assistant
Sub-Committees The sub‑committees play a vital role in advancing the Committee for Brisbane’s vision for Greater Brisbane as the world’s most liveable place, each driving strategic focus areas that shape key activities and initiatives. Their work informs the Committee’s advocacy agenda and provides valuable member insights that guide our future direction
2025-2026 Committee for Brisbane Sub-Committees
Each sub-committee has a strategic focus which will shape the activities and initiatives undertaken to make key progress towards this vision. The work of the sub-committees informs the Committee for Brisbane’s advocacy agenda and provides valuable member insights to guide our work going forward. Contact the Committee for Brisbane at admin@committeeforbrisbane.org.au if you would like know more about our sub-committees.
The work of the Committee for Brisbane sub-committees is guided by the Sub-Committee Handbook. Along with outlining the structure of the organisation and the purpose and remit of the sub-committees, the Handbook also clearly articulates the roles and responsibilities that members agree to upon being appointed. Any requests for comment or opinion relating to their work must come directly via the Committee for Brisbane, as the sub-committees and their members are not authorised to speak on behalf of the organisation. This extends to all media and social media commentary, as views expressed by the sub-committee members and/or their organisations should be seen as their own and not that of the Committee for Brisbane.
City Vision
Games Legacy and Growth
Transport, Logistics and Mobility
#BIG – Brisbane Idea Generators
City Vision
Sub-Committee Chair:
Professor Karen Vella, Head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment, QUT
Sub-Committee Members:
Michael Bailey Open Architecture Studio
Charlie Cush Brisbane Festival
Natalie Hoitz Urbis Max Goonan GHD Miriam Kent Gallipoli Medical Research Mark McClelland Experience Place
Gavin Moore McGees Property
Ray Pini, PDT Architects
Felix Ramsay-Rickard APP Corporation
Julia Scodellaro, South Bank Corporation
Liam Short Hassell
Beth Toon Place Design Group
Paul Tuckey BDO
A thriving inner-city, with all parts of its social, cultural and economic eco-system working together to deliver benefits for the city and state.
A thriving capital city is vital for a thriving state. An intentional focus on the city centre is required to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing individual sectors of the city’s eco-system, and to leverage cross-sector networks to deliver improved outcomes for the city.
Additionally, given the 2032 Games foreshadow the importance of inner-Brisbane for the Games, there is a heightened need to ensure the ongoing sustainability and growth of the city centre.
While inner-Brisbane is the primary focus, policy changes, ideas, innovations and partnerships created through this work may be translated to other urban centres across Greater Brisbane.
Games Legacy and Growth
Sub-Committee Chair:
James Dorrat, Technical Director, AECOM
Sub-Committee Members:
Andrew Barron, Wesley Research Institute
Adam Beck Neon.Urban
Ali Cheshmehzangi The University of Queensland
Dr Aysin Dederkorkut-Howes Griffth University
James Dorrat Aecom
Kerri Eckart Focused Marketing
Ben Haynes Ethos Urban
Simon Herrmann PwC Fiona Caniglia Q Shelter Anne Kovachevich Mott MacDonald
Jon O’Brien Evinact
Dr Andrew O’Neill Healthy Land and Water
Kerry Riethmuller Colliers
Georgina Robinson Three Plus
Kate Ryan Logan City Council
Jamie Smith Rider Levett Bucknall
A future-ready city region, with physical and digital infrastructure delivered in advance of anticipated growth.
While already accustomed to population growth, Greater Brisbane is experiencing an unprecedented wave of interstate and international migration that goes beyond previous predictions.
Maintaining the liveability of the city region- for both existing and future residents- is vital. Getting ahead of the infrastructure required to maintain the liveability of the region will require considered planning and investment, and a careful prioritisation of major projects.
Key regional documents, such as the SEQ City Deal and SEQ Regional Plan, along with the 2032 Games plans and Committee for Brisbane’s 2033 Legacy Plan, provide a foundation for advocacy on where and how decisions should be made.
Transport, Logistics and Mobility
Sub-Committee Chair:
David Hertweck, Senior Manager, Planning, Port of Brisbane
Sub-Committee Members:
Ben Vardon Aurecon
Bob Bidwell
Melanie Bond Corrs Chamber Westgarth
Peter Danckert Laing O’Rourke Australia
Ashish Dhanjee Brisbane Airport Corporation
Nonie Finlayson Ipsos
Patricia Flores Architecture & Access (Aust) Pty Ltd
David Freer
Toby Gilmour Transurban
Dr Michael Kane RACQ
Amanda Kershaw Architectus Conrad Gargett
Michael Major
Susan McGinley The Women’s College UQ
Daniel O’Hara Bond University
Shy Tay Arup
Elliot Ryan Knight Frank
People and goods can move easily and efficiently around our city region, utilising a range of different modes of movement.
To maintain its liveability, Greater Brisbane must invest in the people and freight movement infrastructure required to service a city region of more than six million people.
Moving beyond individual transport solutions or pre-determined mode preferences, a data-backed view of the current and future obstacles facing Greater Brisbane is required to identify where and how future transport solutions should be delivered.
From digital solutions and last mile connections, through to freight and people being moved by land, sea or sky, a holistic public and private approach is required to ensure a future-fit solution.
#BIG – Brisbane Idea Generators
Sub-Committee Chair:
Jeremy Sue, Principal, Brisbane Leader, Structural Section Manager, Northrop
Sub-Committee Members,
Jess Carmichael Urbis
Michael Donnelly Cooper Grace Ward
Genevieve Harrington McCullough Robertson Lawyers
Caley Pearce
Emily Richards Therefor Group
Lily Thomas
Dirk van Velden JLL
Emma Wallace Davidson
Matt Whiteoak
Greater Brisbane’s future leaders (25-40 year olds) work together to give back to the city region in which they are so proud to live, work and play.
As an emerging city, Greater Brisbane abounds with opportunities for successive generations to help shape the places and spaces in which they live.
The promise of the 2032 Games is bringing out an immense pride in the city’s residents, many of whom are seeking an avenue by which to make a difference and give back to their community.
Through a focus on ‘place-based’ outcomes, there is an opportunity to harness the energy and talent of the city’s young professionals to help reimagine and highlight the untapped potential of underutilised precincts across the city region.
Our History
The Brisbane Development Association was founded in 1957 by Sir Reginald Groom, a former Brisbane Lord Mayor who created the committee to provide feedback on issues affecting the city’s development.
In 2018, the Brisbane Development Association was renamed the Committee for Brisbane.
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