Our Board

Johan Scheffer comes to the Board of Sustainability Victoria after a long career in education, children’s services, policy development, private consultancy and as a Member of the Parliament of Victoria.

Mr Scheffer brings considerable knowledge and experience in government policy, program management and public administration. Throughout his career he has made it a priority to engage directly with the communities and organisations affected by government decision-making and has actively engaged in local campaigns.

His work as an MP involved legislation, advocacy and, as chair of Joint Investigatory Committees, directing research and consultation with communities and experts, across Australia and internationally.

Mr Scheffer has a longstanding engagement in environment policy, and during his time as the Member for Eastern Victoria worked with communities and organisations on a broad range of environment issues, including forestry, farming, water, coasts and the uncertain future of the coal industry in the LaTrobe Valley and the impact this would have on the local community and on Victoria as a whole.

Judith Landsberg has founded and led educational and environmental initiatives, delivered complex climate and energy projects to industry and government, and she has an ongoing interest in innovation in the energy sector.

Judith’s experience includes leading a project for the Bureau of Meteorology to provide tailored climate information to the electricity sector for climate risk analysis, and leading the City of Melbourne Low Carbon Future team, including delivering the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project.

She ran Greenrock, a leading sustainability non-profit in Bermuda that provided environmental education and sustainability advocacy, bringing an award-winning, UN-endorsed, environmental education program to Bermuda's schools. She also has experience in education, having taught high school. She was also manager of scholarships for the General Sir John Monash Foundation.

Judith is an experienced non-profit director. She has a Bachelor of Science in Physics from ANU, a PhD in Physics from Oxford University, and a Master of Environmental Leadership from Duke University. She is a fellow of the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA).

Meredith Banks brings diverse experience to the Board of Sustainability Victoria, after more than 20 years working with public and private sector organisations to champion sustainability and the environment. Meredith’s expertise leading holistic sustainability strategies, seamlessly integrated into corporate business strategy, provides her with a unique perspective on delivering value through sustainability.

Currently the Head of Sustainability for Vicinity Centres, Meredith is working to embed sustainability into every facet of one of Australia’s leading property portfolios. Meredith’s delivery of business, social and environmental sustainability programs, has positioned Vicinity as one of the world’s most sustainable retail Real Estate Investment Trusts.

Prior to her time at Vicinity, Meredith was a Director at Treasury Wine Estates where she led the development and direction of their global corporate responsibility program. She has also held sustainability and environmental roles with Metcash, Lion Group and Visy. After working for industry body and public sector organisations, Australian Food & Grocery Council – Packaging Stewardship Forum and EcoRecycle Victoria, Meredith also has an acute understanding of public practice and advocacy.

Peter Castellas has more than 20 years’ experience in environment and sustainability. He is the Chief Executive of Tasman Environmental Markets. From 2013 to 2018, Peter was the Chief Executive of the Carbon Market Institute, assisting Australian businesses in meeting the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low carbon economy. Other previous roles include Director of Sustainability, Carbon and Cleantech at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Managing Director of Cleantech Australasia for five years, where he designed and ran successful clean technology, finance and investment initiatives in Australia and overseas.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Education (Environmental Studies) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Cleaner Production and Environmental Engineering. Peter chairs the Board’s Performance and Culture Committee.

Judi Harris brings expertise in education and local government with a strong focus on community engagement. She is a former Mildura Rural City councillor (2008–2016) and held the council’s environmental sustainability portfolio from 2012 to 2016.

Judi has held numerous board and committee memberships in arts, education and sustainability, including five years as Deputy Chair of the former Mildura Regional Waste Management Group. Her 36-year education career included secondary education, eight years as an enhancement tutor in communication and media studies at Monash University, and educational consulting in the United States of America for four years. Judi holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Secondary Teachers Certificate. Judi is a member of the Board’s Performance and Culture and Audit Risk and Finance Committees.

Sarah McDowell has 15 years experience in energy policy and regulation in Australia.

Currently serving as a Commissioner at Energy Safe Victoria and as a consultant, she has extensive experience in developing and implementing policies and programs focused on enabling renewable energy in our grid and driving energy efficient outcomes in our industries and communities.

Prior to commencing her Commission appointment, Sarah led the energy division at Victoria's utility regulator, the Essential Services Commission. During this time, Sarah oversaw both a record growth in licenses issued to renewable energy generators and the reform of our electricity network rules to enable more distributed energy resources across Victoria's grid.

Sarah’s other roles include advising government on energy efficiency policies, including the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. She has also worked at the Australian Energy Regulator, advising its board for six years on regulatory matters. Sarah holds qualifications in economics, politics and law.

Kerry’s strengths lie in corporate and operational leadership, financial acumen and positive organisational change. Kerry is the Managing Partner of a mentoring consultancy, The Leader’s Mentor. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of Court Services Victoria.

Prior roles include, the Chief Executive and Manager Director of CityWide Services (2001–2015), an environmental, civil engineering and recycling operation, owned by the City of Melbourne. Earlier he was the founding Chief Executive Officer of Excell Corporation (1996–2001) delivering open-space services, facilities management and civil engineering services to local government across Eastern Australia.

Kerry holds a Master of Business Administration (Chicago Booth Business School), a Certificate of Civil Engineering and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. and sits on three external boards as non-executive director and advisor. Kerry chairs the Board’s Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Neil Pharaoh has more than fifteen years of domestic and international experience in campaigning, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. He is an experienced Senior Consulting Executive, advising and consulting to improve strategy, impact, outcomes and engagement across the social purpose and business sectors.

Before consulting, Neil worked in various senior fundraising, marketing, communications, campaigns and government relations roles including education and child welfare and, internationally, in geopolitical risk and international aid and development organisations.

Neil currently serves as director for a number of philanthropic, health and education organisations. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Marketing) and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University and is a Graduate of the Australia Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Neil is a member of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.

Mark Wakeham has over two decades experience working on climate and sustainability policy, campaigns and communications. He is an experienced board director, CEO and changemaker.

Mark has held leadership roles in the Australian environment movement including as CEO of Environment Victoria. He has established a successful consultancy focussed on organisational strategy and governance for purpose-based organisations. Mark has deep expertise on climate, energy and sustainability issues, systems and solutions. He currently works as an advisor on climate, energy and just transitions for the Australian Council of Trade Unions and is a Trustee of the Reichstein Foundation.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) and Commerce (Economics) and a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2020.

25 March 2021 Communique

27 May 2021 Communique