We bring courage, determination, integrity and most importantly, action in the fight for a smart energy future.
Don Henry
Board President
Bio
Don Henry has worked with businesses, governments, and civil society in Australia and globally on the transition to sustainability and action for low carbon economies. He is Enterprise Professor of Environmentalism at the Melbourne Business School and the University of Melbourne. Don sits on the international board of the Climate Reality Project, chaired by the Hon Al Gore, and the Forum for Corporate Responsibility of BHP.
He has expertise in business strategies for sustainability, climate and biodiversity policy, and international action for sustainability. Don grew up in Brisbane and has worked for World Wildlife Fund in Washington DC and the Australian Conservation Foundation. His services have been recognised by an Order of Australia.
Samantha Craft
Board Vice President
Bio
Wayne Smith is a political strategist who helps shape and develop the tactics for the Smart Energy Council.
A professional lobbyist and policy advisor, Wayne also plays a wider role in guiding the Smart Energy Council policy and presenting industry submissions.
As manager of Government Relations, Wayne Smith is responsible for policy, advocacy, strategy and campaigning across the organisation.
Wayne has held senior roles in the renewables industry for over a decade, working and consulting for some of Australia’s leading renewable energy companies and industry bodies.
Wayne has been a senior adviser for a number of Federal Shadow Ministers and has previously worked for the Federal and ACT Governments, as well as a number of peak non-government organisations.
Andrew Dickson
Board Member
Bio
Andrew Dickson has been a renewable energy project developer since 2004, initially with Wind Prospect and currently with CWP Global.
He has developed wind farms (including the Snowtown Wind Farm in South Australia), solar thermal (including Solar Dawn in Queensland, which was successful in the Commonwealth’s Solar Flagships program in 2011), solar PV, microgrids, hydrogen and ammonia projects.
He is currently developing “Power to X” (large scale hydrogen and ammonia) projects for CWP Global, with projects in Western Australia, Africa and South America, including the Asian Renewable Energy Hub in the Pilbara.
Andrew is passionate about the potential for green hydrogen and ammonia energy to dramatically increase renewable energy adoption and to decarbonise hard to abate sectors. He Chairs the Ammonia Energy Association’s Australia Committee and is also a member of the AEA’s global Strategy Committee.
He led CWP Renewables’ Community Investment Scheme at the Sapphire Wind Farm, which was the first such investment scheme for the general public into a utility scale renewable energy project in Australia.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) degree from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Science and Technology Commercialisation degree from the University of Adelaide.
Barbara Elliston
Board Member
Bio
Based in New Zealand, Barbara Elliston is a director of Elliston Power Consultants, Infratec Limited and Easy Warm. A qualified electrical engineer, Barbara’s background includes corporate governance, strategic development, transmission engineering, product development and start-ups in renewable energy, both solar thermal and solar photovoltaics.
Previous roles in “big-energy” electricity networks include directorships with Genesis Energy and Transpower, and in power management with Comalco NZ. Through these associations, Barbara’s experience over 30 years in the electricity sector encompass generation, transmission and distribution, power purchase, and now solar in homes. The entrepreneur is currently commercialising Hot PV™, a solar hot water product directly using solar PV to heat water, aiding stretched electrical networks and avoiding fuel supply to remote locations.
Taryn Lane
Board Member
Bio
Taryn lives in Central Victoria and is the part-time manager of Australia’s first community-owned cooperative wind farm Hepburn Wind, working there for over a decade. The wind farm has pioneered the community energy movement in Australia and has been recognised with national and global awards for its unique approach. Hepburn Wind delivers a range of partnership programs under the collaborative banner of Hepburn Z-NET with their council and community such as solar and battery bulk buy, energy audits, EV bulk buy, EV charging infrastructure, to reach zero-net emissions by 2030.
In addition, Taryn works for UNSW on an Australian Research Council funded project ‘Just Climate Transitions in Regional Victoria’, which is focused on how social justice frameworks can stimulate community-led climate transitions. Taryn runs her own small consulting practice which undertakes research and advisory engagement work for the renewables sector.
Taryn is a founding director of RE-Alliance, a founding director of the Coalition for Community Energy and a 2017 Winston Churchill Trust Fellow.
Ria O'Hehir
Board Member
Bio
Ria is the CEO of Greenbank Environmental, one of Australia’s largest independent environmental traders. She has played a key role in facilitating the renewable energy transition with extensive leadership experience, helping a range of stakeholders – from wind and solar farms to installers and carbon farmers – bring their environmental units and renewable energy certificates to market.
Ria also works with major energy companies and financial institutions to help them meet their obligations under federal and state environmental schemes, including voluntary procurement requirements.
During Ria’s 17 years dealing with Australian environmental products, she has gained the knowledge and expertise to help clients navigate complex energy markets and carbon schemes. Ria and Greenbank are focused on continuing to use their market-leading knowledge to deliver positive outcomes for local and international clients while supporting the renewable energy transition.
Oliver Yates
Board Member
Bio
CEO Sentient Impact Group, Inaugural CEO of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
Oliver Yates has more than 30 years of global experience in corporate advisory, financial structuring, project finance, debt structuring, equity raising and listings, with extensive experience in clean energy.
Oliver Yates was the inaugural CEO of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). Prior and subsequent to his time at the CEFC, Oliver was an Executive Director at Macquarie Bank for more than 20 years, being country head in the United States (1998-2004), co-head Macquarie Capital Private Placements Group (2004-2008) and co-head Macquarie Capital Products Group (2001-2008).
At Macquarie, Oliver was involved in establishing new businesses & growing the bank’s operations internationally, as well as leading the bank’s initiatives in wind, solar, biofuels, CO2 credits and other renewable businesses.
Oliver is a strong business development professional focused on growth and change for businesses that understand the need to operate in accordance with the science to limit global warming to below 2 degrees.
Oliver is currently CEO of Sentient Impact Group – a specialised Impact funds management and advisory business focused on changing the way all investments are made.
Oliver Yates holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with an Advanced Diploma in Mastering the Boardroom.
Rod Scott
Board Member
Bio
Rod Scott has served as Selectronic Australia’s CEO since 2016, having previously held the position of Executive Director of Sales and Marketing from 2005. With a strong background in the IT industry, Rod established his career by working with various innovative startups, developing a keen eye for emerging technologies and market opportunities. This experience has proven invaluable as renewable energy increasingly intersects with data analytics, smart systems, and digital communications.
Under Rod’s guidance, Selectronic continues its six-decade family legacy of designing and manufacturing premium battery-based inverters for Australian and global markets. Founded in 1964, the company remains at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation and Rod was instrumental in expanding the company’s market presence both domestically and internationally.
Rod is passionate about positioning Australia as a world leader in renewable energy solutions. He envisions a future where Australian-designed technology plays a pivotal role in the global transition to sustainable power solutions.