Dr Ian Cresswell – Chairperson
Dr Cresswell is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Agriculture and Environment at the University of Western Australia. Dr Cresswell has extensive experience working in environmental science in biodiversity conservation and discovery, wildlife regulation, protected areas and oceans governance. He was the lead author of the Biodiversity chapter of the Australian State of the Environment Report 2016, and co-Chief Author of the Australian State of the Environment Report 2021. Dr Cresswell has a demonstrated history of working across government, industry and community to achieve conservation and sustainable development outcomes. He has expertise in biodiversity, environmental regulation, natural resource management, and coastal ecology. Dr Cresswell holds a PhD in Environmental Science from Murdoch University.
Mr Kerry Doss
Mr Doss is Principal at Kerry Doss Consulting with expertise in urban, regional and environmental planning, management and development. He holds qualifications in environmental science (coastal management), urban and regional planning, business management and project management. Mr Doss has extensive experience in policy development and implementation, including biodiversity and conservation policy, and has led and managed large multidisciplinary teams in public and private organisations. He has a particular interest in the management of human impacts of natural systems.
Professor Michelle Leishman
Professor Leishman is a Distinguished Professor and Director of the Smart Green Cities Research Centre at Macquarie University and was a member of the expert panel that led the statutory review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. She is an expert in plant ecology and conservation biology. Professor Leishman has experience working with industry and government to implement policy advice.
Dr Ben Milligan
Dr Milligan is a Scientia Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Director of the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform, and Secretariat Director of the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership. He has served as member of the Expert Group advising the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, UN International Resource Panel Working Group on Mineral Resource Governance, and UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor's delivery team for the 'Future of the Sea' review. Dr Milligan has specialist expertise in legislative and policy design for natural capital and ecosystem services, and accounting for the socioeconomic implications of biodiversity conservation.
Professor Angela Moles
Professor Moles is an ecologist at UNSW Sydney. Her research interest is in plants, with recent work on the response of native species to climate change, rapid evolution in introduced species, and global patterns in plant ecological strategy. Professor Moles is also on the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee, the board of the Australian Flora Foundation, the Australian Research Council College of Experts, and is Director-Education for the Ecological Society of Australia.
Dr Kate Wilson
Dr Wilson previously served as a senior executive within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and NSW Treasury for 13 years. She has experience advising the Minister and agency heads on matters relating to biodiversity conservation, ecologically sustainable development and land use planning. Her expertise lies in the application of science in policy and programs, and she is particularly interested in the intersection between biodiversity, natural capital and climate change.
Mr David Major
Mr Major is a Yuin Maneroo man from southeast New South Wales and has worked in land and heritage management for more than 25 years. He has worked both within government and as a consultant in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria. David is an experienced facilitator, executive coach and leadership educator through his work as co-founder of Thirriwirri and First Peoples Leading. David has a passion for supporting community leadership and capability and has spent most of his career developing strategic approaches to community,government partnerships and co-design.
Professor Liz Cameron
Professor Cameron is a Dharug woman from the Sydney area of New South Wales and an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle. Her research emphasises Country-guided approaches rooted in restorative practices, reflecting the principles of Healthy Country, Healthy People. Her work involves the application of Indigenous Knowledge systems for the restoration of Country, the preservation of edible and medicinal plants, and environmental restoration in urban areas.
