Australian space research centre, SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has appointed current board member Dr Michele Allan as its new Chair, following the sudden passing of inaugural Chair Dr Peter Woodgate in December.
Dr Allan is currently the Chair of the Boards of Charles Sturt University, the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL), Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence CRC, and Wine Australia. She is also a non-executive director of the CSIRO, the Food Agility CRC, and Dairy Food Safety Victoria.
“We are delighted to appoint Dr Allan as Chair, albeit under very sad circumstances," CEO of SmartSat CRC, Professor Andy Koronios, said. "As one of our founding board members, Dr Allan has already made an enormous contribution to our organisation. This, along with her diverse industry knowledge and wealth of leadership experience will be incredibly valuable as SmartSat CRC enters its fourth year.
"We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our inaugural Chair, Dr Peter Woodgate, whose dedication and service will be deeply missed. As we look ahead, we are determined to ensure that we continue Peter’s legacy with Dr Allan at the helm.”
Dr Allan has previously served as Chair of Meat and Livestock Australia and the William Angliss Institute and has served as a non-executive director of Grain Growers Limited, Tasmanian Irrigation, Innovation and Science Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Callaghan Innovation (New Zealand), Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, and Forest and Wood Products Australia. This is in addition to her extensive work with Amcor Limited, Kraft Foods, Bonlac Foods Limited, ICI, Tasmania’s Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence, Johnson and Johnson, and Nestle in various executive roles.
“I would like to acknowledge the untimely passing of Dr Woodgate and his leadership at SmartSat CRC," Dr Allan said. "He was an inspiring leader, and I am honoured to take on his legacy. I look forward to working with the SmartSat CRC team to pursue our goals for advancing Australia’s space and spatial industries.”
Dr Allan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Technology Sydney, a Master of Management of Technology from Melbourne University, a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University, and a Doctorate from RMIT. She is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.