Our Board

Johan Scheffer has a long and distinguished career in education, children’s services, policy development, private consultancy and as a Member of the Parliament of Victoria.

Johan 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.

Johan’s 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.

Johan 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 environmental educational and sustainability initiatives, delivered complex climate and energy projects to industry and government, and she has an ongoing interest in innovation to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Judith is currently leading the development of the evidence base for Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment for the Australian Climate Service. Her experience includes providing tailored climate information to the electricity sector for the Bureau of Meteorology and leading the City of Melbourne team to deliver the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project.

Judith 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 science in high school, and was 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.

Sarah McDowell has 19 years of experience in energy policy and regulation in Australia. Currently serving as a commissioner at Energy Safe Victoria and as a consultant, Sarah 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.

Before 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 licences issued to renewable energy generators and the reform of Victoria’s electricity network rules to enable more distributed energy resources across Victoria's grid.

Sarah’s previous 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 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 and union movements including as CEO of Environment Victoria, Australian program director with The Sunrise Project and as senior policy adviser 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 a management consultant for purpose-focused organisations. As well as being on the Board of SV, Mark is a board director for the Energy and Water Ombudsman 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 20 years of 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 both not-for-profit and for-purpose sectors. Neil is the Co-founder & Director of Tanck, a leading Australian stakeholder engagement B-Corp.

Prior to his current role, Neil worked in various senior fundraising, marketing, communications, campaigns and stakeholder management roles including in education and child welfare and, internationally, in geopolitical risk and international aid and development organisations.

Neil currently serves as a non-executive director for the Victorian Qualifications and Registration Authority, Tactiv Systems and ThorneHarbour Health, and he was a co-founder of both GiveOut and Nexus Australia. Neil has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Marketing) and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kerry’s strengths lie in strategic leadership, financial sustainability and positive organisational change. Kerry is the managing partner of the mentoring consultancy, The Leader’s Mentor. Kerry also holds other board positions (two as chair), some of which are across environmentally sustainable industries. He has had significant leadership roles across both government and corporate sectors.

Prior roles include chief executive of the Courts of Victoria and managing director of CityWide Services, an environmental, engineering and recycling business, owned by the City of Melbourne. Before that, he was the founding CEO of Excell Corporation delivering environmental, facilities management and engineering services to local government across eastern Australia.

Kerry holds a Master of Business Administration (Chicago Booth Business School), is a civil engineer and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.