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).

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.

Mark Wakeham has over 2 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 and union movements including as CEO of Environment Victoria and a Senior Policy Advisor on Climate and Energy for the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Mark has deep expertise on climate, energy and sustainability issues, systems and solutions. He currently works as the Australian Program Director for The Sunrise Project, a climate strategy and philanthropy organisation and is a Board Director of the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria.

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 to study successful energy transitions.

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).

Kerry’s strengths lie in corporate and operational leadership, strategic planning, financial acumen and positive organisational change. Kerry is the Managing Partner of a mentoring consultancy, The Leader’s Mentor. Previous to that 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 Australia (1996–2001) delivering open-space services, facilities management, and civil engineering services to local governments across Eastern Australia.

Kerry is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and sits on 4 other boards, one as Chair and the others as a non-executive director.