Driven by courage, determination and purpose, our team leads a fearless fight for a smart energy future.
David McElrea
Chief Executive Officer
Bio
David McElrea is the Chief Executive Officer of the Smart Energy Council. Prior to becoming CEO, David led the organisation’s policy and advocacy work as Chief Advocacy Officer.
A lawyer by training, David practised as a solicitor in Australia and the United Kingdom in the early part of his career. He has worked in government at both state and federal levels, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, where he led major policy initiatives across environmental reform, emissions policy, and nature markets while working closely with the renewable energy sector.
David has served on the boards of major superannuation funds and community organisations, and has held senior roles with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and United Voice. He brings extensive experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, campaign strategy, and regulatory reform.
With qualifications in law, arts, finance, and corporate governance, David combines technical expertise with a strategic and values-driven leadership approach. He is passionate about the role renewable energy can play in driving Australia’s prosperity, economic growth, and response to dangerous climate change, and is committed to advancing a credible, ambitious, and inclusive pathway to net zero.
Sharon Turner
Chief Finance Officer
Bio
Sharon is the Financial Controller and maintains all financial aspects for the Smart Energy Council.
With a diploma in Accounting, Sharon has worked over the last 20 years looking after the finances of various small businesses and has held a series of managerial jobs.
With a strong background in accounting, extensive budgeting, auditing and financial management knowledge.
Having joined the team in July 2014 she began by running our Solar 2015 Exhibition & Conference and continues to contribute to various areas of the council.
Sharon has a passion for all aspects of finance and is recognised for her fantastic organisational skills.
Nigel Morris
Chief Strategy Officer
Bio
Nigel Morris is a multi award winning solar veteran with more than three decades of experience in solar and storage.
His experience spans retailing, installation, manufacturing and software with a focus on business development and marketing.
He has served on countless committees, panels and advisory boards to industry, Government and solar companies and has been a tireless advocate for quality and appropriate regulations.
In his spare time he co-hosts Just Another Solar Podcast and is a passionate electric motorcyclist.
Awards
- Inducted into the Solar Hall of Fame 2022
- Solar Cutters Solar Community Contribution Award 2022
- Clean Energy Council Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award 2018 ● Smart Energy Council Industry Advocacy Award 2011
- Listed as one of the world’s Top 20 Solar Energy Influencers 2020
John Grimes
Chief Executive
Bio
John Grimes was appointed Chief Executive in 2008, and has grown the profile and influence of the Smart Energy Council since that time.
John is a bold advocate for the smart energy industry and sits on a number of expert reference committees and boards providing advice to several state governments and the energy sector.
John started his career as an officer in the Air Force and went on to found and grow a number of companies, including a startup company he took to a successful listing on the ASX with a market capitalisation in excess of $30m.
His most recent company was in the environmental sector with operations in Australia, the US and the Middle East.
John has a passion for the solar, storage and the smart energy industry. He is regularly called upon by the media to provide relevant and independent comment in these areas.
Allen Edwards
Business Development Executive
Bio
Allen is an experienced business development leader with more than 25 years of success across renewable energy, mining, investment banking, international trade, property, and venture capital.
As Business Development Manager at the Smart Energy Council, he works closely with industry stakeholders to grow membership, strengthen partnerships, and support the advancement of Australia’s smart energy sector. With extensive experience across private, government, and international markets, Allen brings a global perspective, strong commercial acumen, and a proven ability to build lasting business relationships.
Passionate about renewable energy and sustainable growth, Allen is committed to helping shape a cleaner energy future for Australia.
Catherine Giannoukos
Events Director
Bio
Catherine joined the Smart Energy Council as the Events Director in March 2026. A senior events and operations professional with over a decade of experience in the end-to-end management of major international conferences, she now leads the delivery of the Council’s diverse event portfolio.
She is responsible for the full event lifecycle, from developing detailed project plans and program scaffolds to managing high-level stakeholder relationships with partners, speakers, and exhibitors.
Catherine is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to navigate complex on-site logistics. She is dedicated to creating high-impact event experiences that drive industry engagement and provide a seamless, professional environment for all attendees and vendors.
Darren Johannesen
Program Director - Stewardship Pilot
Bio
Darren Johannesen, is a senior product stewardship executive who brings a wealth of expertise to the SEC in the Circular Economy He has a background as an entrepreneur, with direct experience in Solar Cell and Module Manufacturing, and Consumer Energy (Small Scale Solar) Retail.
Backed by postgraduate studies in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Strategic Foresight, Darren brings a down-to-earth perspective to environmental challenges, aiming for solutions that make sense for both businesses and the planet.
Elvira Pan
Marketing Manager - Events and Operations
Bio
Elvira Pan joined the Smart Energy Council in 2022 and now oversees marketing operations for major events, campaigns and partnerships. She specialises in data-driven strategy, CRM workflow design and audience segmentation to optimise engagement and conversion across digital channels.
Her expertise spans campaign management, stakeholder engagement and process improvement, ensuring marketing initiatives deliver measurable impact and align with organisational objectives.
Bilingual in English and Mandarin, Elvira combines analytical precision with creative strategy to connect diverse audiences and strengthen the visibility of Australia’s clean energy transition. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, International Business and Trade, and a Master’s in Marketing and Organisational Sustainability.
Geoff Bragg
Training & Standards
Bio
As a solar industry participant for around 20 years, Geoff Bragg brings practical, technical, boots on the ground knowledge of the PV industry, together with high level PV industry representation.
As a trainer Geoff creates and delivers Continuous Professional Development training, enabling solar installers and designers to gain CPD points and remain accredited.
As a member of Standards Australia’s EL-42 renewable technology committee Geoff has contributed to the development of recent editions of AS/NZS 4777.2 2020, and AS/NZS 5033 2021, covering Inverters connected to grid, and solar PV arrays in Australia.
Geoff also operates a small business, Sunman Solar Pty Ltd, that provides bespoke PV and energy storage systems, both on and off-grid in the Northern Tablelands district of NSW.
Ivan Chelvathurai
Business Development Executive
Bio
After a stint in Business Advisory at RSM, Ivan ventured into the renewables industry in 2021, and hasn’t looked back since. He specialised in renewable energy certificates, but enjoyed making connections and learning the ins and outs of the fast growing renewables sector.
Outside of work, Ivan is unfortunate enough to follow St Kilda Football Club, loves cricket and enjoys fishing and cooking.
Jessica Hampshire
Member Engagement Executive
Bio
Jess joins the Smart Energy Council with a wealth of experience in customer relationship management and a strong background in the health and wellness sector. With an MBA and qualifications in Entrepreneurship, she enjoys putting into practice her knowledge and skills and finding pathways for growth. Passionate about fostering sustainable practices and promoting environmental stewardship, Jess is dedicated to contributing to the advancement of smart energy solutions in Australia.
In her down time, Jess also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, watching sci-fi movies, and telling lame ‘Dad’ jokes to annoy her children.
Jess Keyes
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Bio
Jess has rejoined the Smart Energy Council full-time as the Executive Assistant to the CEO & Administration Officer.
Jess is an accomplished executive assistant with over 17 years of experience in the public and private sectors.
Jess was an ambitious office manager for over 10 years, possessing excellent interpersonal communication, relationship management, and customer service skills.
Jess is always eager to work collaboratively and learn from others.
Outside of work, Jess enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her kids and grandkids and friends, speaks Spanish and trying to learn Italian.
John Welch
Western Australia State Manager
Bio
During this time, John played a central role in the passage of the harmonised Work Health and Safety legislation and contributed significantly to the development and passage of the new Workers’ Compensation Act.
In recent years, John worked with Western Australia’s government-owned gentailer, Synergy, as Manager of Government Relations. This role not only built on his deep understanding of government and political processes but also provided a practical education in the complexities of the WA energy system.
John is deeply committed to equality and progressive social change. At the heart of his work is a focus on ensuring that the energy transition is inclusive and benefits all members of the community.
Keely Yang
Events Manager
Bio
Kurtis Oliver
Accounts Officer
Bio
Kurtis Oliver is the Accounts Officer at the Smart Energy Council, supporting the organisation across all areas of finance and account administration. With a background in bookkeeping for small businesses before joining the Council, Kurtis brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to managing day-to-day financial operations.
Since joining the Smart Energy Council, Kurtis has become a key part of the organisation’s internal operations, overseeing all financial functions across the business and supporting both staff and members with a reliable and solutions-focused approach.
Kurtis is passionate about creating organised systems and delivering reliable support across the business, helping the team focus on advancing Australia’s clean energy future.
Marcela Ferrer
Administrative Officer
Bio
Marcela has been working at the company since December 2023 as an administrative assistant.
With a degree in Sociology and a master’s in Climate Change and Environmental Management, she has successfully bridged her two passions: studying society and protecting the environment.
Marcela has dedicated her efforts to the field of environmental conflicts in Argentina, where she has further cultivated her passion for environmental conservation.
She strongly believes in the transition to a more sustainable and responsible society, particularly through the use of renewable energy, underscoring her deep commitment to the cause.
Mukesh Nayak
Senior Marketing & Communications Lead
Bio
Over the years, he’s worked on pharmaceutical product launches, started India’s first physiotherapy magazine, ran his own ad agency, worked in home healthcare and medical devices, launched a global market research platform and taken on consulting projects in healthcare and life sciences.
He has delivered marketing campaigns across print, digital, radio, cinema and more. He’s also managed websites and social media, worked with the media to secure coverage and drive PR and managed everything from small community events to large-scale national and international conferences & expos. He also dabbles in video editing, nothing fancy, but good enough to get the job done when needed.
Mukesh is adept at using tools like Adobe, Canva, WordPress, CRMs & Marketing Automation tools, Google and Meta ads etc and enjoys blending creativity with practical thinking in his work.
He kicked off his learning journey with an engineering degree, followed it up with an MBA in marketing, and has recently added a Diploma in Leadership & Management to the list. Right now, he’s studying Project Management at CIT, because he reckons learning should never really stop.
When he’s not working, you’ll likely find Mukesh spending quality time with his family, travelling & exploring new places, or running around a hockey field or squash court.
Fun fact: he plays both squash and hockey every week and insists it’s his secret to staying energised, though his muscles sometimes disagree on Monday mornings.
Naomi Lopes
Junior Marketing and Communication Coordinator
Bio
Naomi is a marketing and communications professional who enjoys blending creative storytelling with strategic thinking to deliver campaigns that genuinely connect with audiences.
With experience across both digital and traditional marketing, she focuses on developing thoughtful campaigns that strengthen brand presence and support meaningful results. Naomi is known for her curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative approach, and enjoys turning creative ideas into practical marketing initiatives that engage audiences and make an impact.
Naomi holds a Master’s in Marketing and Media Communications from Macquarie University and a Bachelor’s in Mass Media from Mumbai University. She’s passionate about continuous learning and keeping up with the ever-evolving marketing landscape.
Outside of work, Naomi enjoys getting lost in a good book, watching a great series, discovering new music, and finding new coffee spots. She’s also a big Formula 1 fan and rarely misses the excitement of race weekend.
Rhiannon Evans
Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer
Bio
Robert Potter
Head of Policy & Advocacy
Bio
Rob Potter is a national leader in energy, policy and system‑level reform, bringing decades of experience shaping major economic transitions across Australia. His career spans senior executive roles in the energy sector, national policy leadership, and governance positions overseeing complex organisations.
Rob has worked at the forefront of Australia’s clean energy transformation, advising industry, government and investors on renewable energy investment, transmission reform, consumer energy resources and regulatory change.
A former National Secretary of the Australian Services Union and Vice President of the ACTU, Rob has stewarded major national reforms, and influenced public policy at the highest levels.
His governance experience includes serving as a Trustee Director at CareSuper and as a Board Director of the Future Skills Organisation, where he has overseen strategy, audit, finance, investment and risk frameworks.
Rob brings deep relationships across government, industry, unions and the community sector, alongside global networks through Public Services International, the International Transport Federation, UniGlobal, UN PRI and the Global Committee on Workers Capital. These connections strengthen the Council’s ability to influence national policy and expand Australia’s presence on the global stage.
He is driven by the scale of Australia’s clean energy opportunity and the belief that the transition is a nation‑building project that will reshape industries, create new markets and define Australia’s economic identity for generations.
Robyn Cowie
Project Lead - Stewardship Pilot
Bio
Robyn Cowie is a leader in developing a circular economy for Australia’s solar industry, with a focus on product stewardship and resource recovery. As Stewardship Program Manager for the Smart Energy Council, she leads the landmark Queensland solar panel recycling pilot. This groundbreaking project, funded by the Queensland Government, is proving the economic and environmental viability of turning panel waste into a valuable resource stream, creating an essential blueprint for a national product stewardship scheme. Robyn champions the concept of “urban mining,” reframing decommissioned panels as a rich source of critical minerals essential for Australia’s future industries. Her expertise in program architecture, industry collaboration, and circular economy principles makes her a vital contributor to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Australia’s renewable energy transition.
Sohaib Mohammed
Policy & Advocacy Officer
Bio
Sohaib is a specialist in renewable energy policy and stakeholder engagement at the Smart Energy Council, where he drives the advocacy agenda amid Australia’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.
With extensive experience across regulatory delivery and strategic policy development, Sohaib possesses a sophisticated understanding of the complex frameworks required to transition the national grid, from large-scale projects down to consumer energy resources.
With a foundaion in Advanced Chemistry, he excels at translating technical reforms into clear, actionable advice, ensuring the transition to renewable energy is supported by a robust, evidence base.
Known for building trusted relationships across government, industry, and community sectors, Sohaib bridges the gap between high-level objectives and practical implementation.
Sohaib draws on an interdisciplinary background to deliver outcomes-focused solutions, centered on advancing a reliable, affordable, and clean energy future.
Stephen Smedley
IT Officer
Bio
Stephen began working as an IT Officer with the Smart Energy Council in December 2023. Stephen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing Communications from Torrens University, in Brisbane, Australia. He also holds a Diploma of Financial Planning.
He is a self taught programmer and web-developer with a keen interest in technology and has completed numerous short courses online in programming, app development and cyber security. He has spent over a decade training in a variety of technologies and providing technical support in a variety of environments.
Stephen has a broad range of experience in the private sector in small business. He previously spent six years working for a major Australian airline and two years working in the public sector in Council. His experience includes work in environmental tourism, sales, customer and client service, and disability support.
Thom Woodroofe
Senior International Fellow
Bio
Thom Woodroofe is a Senior International Fellow with the Smart Energy Council, the peak body for Australia’s renewable energy industry. His work focusses on climate, clean energy, and green metals diplomacy, especially given Australia’s role as President of the COP31 Negotiations.
A veteran of the UN’s climate talks, Thom played a role in securing the 2015 Paris Agreement, helping establish the High Ambition Coalition of progressive nations that proved critical.
He most recently worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade as the Principal Advisor to former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in his capacity as Ambassador to the United States in Washington DC, having served as his Chief of Staff during his tenure as the Asia Society’s President in New York.
At the Asia Society, Thom also founded the China Climate Hub and helped forge a backchannel for US-China climate cooperation.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a diplomatic advisor to the president and foreign minister of a Pacific Island nation. He has also worked with Rohingya leaders and refugees from Myanmar, helping secure a UN investigation and targeted sanctions.
Thom is also a Senior Advisor to Kaya Partners.
He attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
Thornton de Voy
Business Development Executive
Bio
Thornton is our Business Development Manager, supporting members and industry partners across the sector.
Thornton has been part of the renewable energy industry since 2020, beginning her journey at Solar Analytics after being encouraged by her mentor and solar pioneer Kathleen Ryan to step into a sales role – despite having no prior solar experience. What followed was a rapid deep dive into the sector, where she built strong technical knowledge and lasting relationships across the industry.
Known for putting customers first, Thornton takes the time to understand the unique drivers behind every business and individual she works with. Her approach is simple: listen carefully, tailor thoughtfully, and be a reliable, trusted point of contact.
If you’ve attended an industry roadshow or event in recent years, there’s a good chance you’ve already met her. Thornton thrives on connecting with people – building new relationships and strengthening existing ones across the renewable energy community.
She’s now diving into the deep end with us, and we’re excited to have her energy, experience and people-first mindset supporting our members and the broader industry.
If you’re an existing member or looking to learn more about how we can support your business, Thornton would love to connect.
Tim Lamacraft
GM - Media and Communications
Bio
Tim has spent decades living in, and reporting from, Australia’s most intensive resource and energy producing regions.
As a producer, researcher and investigative journalist for the ABC, The Age and The Project, he’s been at the heart of debate over the nations fossil fuel legacy and new energy future.
At the Smart Energy Council, Tim is committed to helping communicate solutions on how to fix the climate crisis, from some of the nations brightest minds and creative thinkers.
Yuan Fang
Business Development Executive
Bio
Yuan Fang is assisting Chinese companies to enter the Australian smart energy market successfully, then continue to grow market share.
Yuan brings with her several years of marketing experience in the solar and energy storage industry.
This makes her well placed to advise Chinese companies. She also has access to key reports and local industry intelligence she can share.
Yuan has a passion for the smart energy industry.
She is a dynamic and results-driven professional with a highly successful background in marketing, management, and new business development.
She remains focussed on exceeding customer service expectations, ensuring optimum brand impact.