RDA Hume

Our Committee members

Brett Luxford – RDA Hume Chair

Current Role: Brett Luxford & Associates Consulting

Brett joins RDA Hume with a wealth of experience across economic development, strategic planning and partnerships, and governance. Brett has previously worked across metropolitan, regional and rural Council’s as well as taking an active role in Boards, previously being a foundation board member of Economic Development Australia, Geelong Tech School and Kardinia Park Advisory Committee.

Brett is particularly interested in supporting regional economic development through the provision of infrastructure, housing and an appropriately skilled workforce.

Linda Nieuwenhuizen (Deputy Chair)

Current Role: CEO, Committee for Greater Shepparton

While completing her Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) at University of Melbourne, Linda began her career with the Australian Wheat Board Policy and Economics team. During her career with AWB Linda held roles in AWB's Victorian and WA operations and oversaw communications for SA, Victora, NSW and Queensland at various time. Linda later relocated to the UK working in financial services before returning to Australia for roles with Southeast Water and CPA Australia.

Linda and her family relocated to Shepparton in 2007 for roles with Goulburn-Murray Water and later with Moira Shire Council, before taking on a hybrid role with Apple and Pear Australia working from Melbourne and the Goulburn Valley.

Linda grew up on her family's dairy farms in Maffra, Gippsland and later at Boosey in Northern Victoria. Linda was appointed to the board of Goulburn Valley Water in 2016 and is currently the deputy chair. Linda commenced as Director Goulburn Valley (GV) Health in July 2025. Linda is a member of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Hume committee, and a board member of Valley Sport.

Linda has a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) from the University of Melbourne and Graduate Diplomas in Agribusiness and Corporations and Securities Law, Linda is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fairley Leadership Program (2014) and the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2).

Linda recognises that the regions have always been the engine rooms of the Victorian and Australian economy. Linda is passionate about the regions' realising their full potential as a network of regional economic zones with the support, investment and momentum to drive aspirations and opportunities for communities and industry.

Geraldine Christou (Member)

Current Role: Sustainable Development Director of Greater Shepparton City Council

Geraldine is the Sustainable Development Director of Greater Shepparton City Council and responsible for economic development, tourism, events, strategic and statutory planning and environment and sustainability.

Geraldine is passionate about bringing people and ideas together to identify opportunities and consolidate strengths.

Grant Jones (Member)

Current Role: Business Group Leader - Geotechnical and Hydrogeology (Victoria) and a Technical Director with GHD Pty Ltd

Grant is the Business Group Leader – Geotechnical and Hydrogeology (Victoria) and a Technical Director with GHD Pty Ltd, a leading global, employee owned professional services company that leads through engineering, construction and architectural expertise. Based in Wodonga and residing in Wangaratta, Grant previously managed the Albury-Wodonga and Shepparton offices.

Grant specialises in water resources, infrastructure planning, business case development and a range of environmental and engineering related technical investigations with experience in a diverse range of infrastructure initiatives across various market sectors.

With 20 years in the region, Grant is committed to fostering a vibrant and sustainable future by championing strategic opportunities and leveraging regional strengths.

Rob Tanti (Member)

Current Role: Chief People Officer - Opal ANZ

Robert is Chief People Officer of Opal ANZ, a national and global leader in paper and packaging manufacturing and distribution with a strong presence in the Region. He was the Chief People Officer SPC Global, representing SPC in local community interests. Prior to that he was Chief People and Corporate Services Officer at Hydro Tasmania, Executive General Manager of People at United Group Services, and General Manager of Human Resources at Australia Post.

Robert has experience working in Government Business Enterprises (GBE), private and publicly listed businesses and has also worked with some of Australia’s best-known FMCG brands.

Robert wants to help people improve their welfare and wellbeing, and for organisations to contribute to their communities.

Claire Ewart-Kennedy (Member)

Current Role: Mayor – Strathbogie Shire

Claire is a passionate and energetic representative of her community. She currently manages two cropping and livestock farms on the outskirts of Nagambie and a family business in central Melbourne.

Claire has enjoyed stints with major media companies such as News LTD, Time Magazine, BRW, South Down Press and The Age. Claire has a bachelor’s in communications and politics and a master’s in social Investment and philanthropy and a ATCL and LTCL from Trinity College London.

Claire has a 13-year career in politics, being Chief of Staff and Media Advisor for Josh Frydenberg, Ted Baillieu, John Pesutto, Tim Wilson, and Damian Drum. Her most recent project was the revival of the GV Health Foundation as Director of the GV Health Foundation and Engagement at GV Health. She is the co-founder of the Hush Foundation and believes that for change to occur you must not be afraid to be a change-maker and take your community on the journey.

Mike Dalmau (Member)

Current role: Business owner

Mike has contributed to the Eildon local community over the past 50 years, operating many small businesses and serving as a Murrindindi Shire Councillor for 9 years including a term as Mayor.

His past experience also includes representing the area on many Business, Tourism and Community committees, assisting small businesses recover in the Marysville area as a Bushfire Case Manager after Black Saturday and President of the Lake Eildon Houseboat Industry Association.

Mike hopes to use his knowledge of business and community to encourage positive initiatives that will make a difference to the communities in the Hume Region.

Katie Bowker (Member)

Current Role: Economic Development Manager for Alpine Resorts Victoria

Katie is currently employed as Economic Development Manager for Alpine Resorts Victoria, continuing a long career in strategic development, tourism and marketing roles with the alpine resorts and regional tourism boards. She is a former Board Member of Business Events Victoria.

Katie has lived and worked in northeast Victoria for over 25 years and is a passionate alpine adventurist in all seasons.

Katie is committed to balancing economic development objectives with social, environmental, and cultural priorities for the region.

Samar Patel (Member)

Current Role: Manager of Operations Control & Maintenance at Goulburn Valley Water

Samar is the Manager of Operations Control & Maintenance at Goulburn Valley Water, overseeing the reliability and performance of critical water and wastewater urban systems across the region.

He has over a decade of experience in engineering, asset management, and infrastructure delivery both in the public and private sector. Samar manages multidisciplinary teams across automation, electrical, and mechanical functions, ensuring safe operations and consistent service outcomes for regional communities. In his past roles he has worked in the manufacturing, mining and refining industry in design and reliability roles.

Samar contributes to governance and regional development through roles on the Goulburn Murray Resilience Taskforce, and the founding school council at All Saints Anglican School. He has supported the establishment and growth of community-led initiatives and served as a board member of regional not-for-profits.

He holds a BTech and MTech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and is a registered professional engineer. He is a graduate of the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program. Samar’s work reflects a strong commitment to local outcomes, collaborative leadership, and long-term regional planning.

Dr. Werner Vogels (Member)

Current Role: Manager Impact and Reporting – Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Werner is a neuropsychologist and systems thinker with a background in academia, complex care, and regional innovation.

Based in regional Victoria, he is a keen advocate for community-led decision-making and works in partnership with local industries, government, and First Nations communities to foster inclusive, place-based solutions. Through data, strategy, sensemaking, and an ongoing commitment to truth-telling, Werner helps build sustainable futures and strengthen community leadership across the Hume region and beyond.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, travelling, going to the gym, spending time with family, and being on Country to connect, ground, and revitalise.

Kate Coffey (Member)

Current Role: Head of Farmer Engagement – Riverine Plains Inc

Kate has been working with local farm businesses for over 20 years, with extensive experience in agricultural economics, in-field research and project management. An expert in extension and adoption, Kate leads the Farmer and Community Engagement activities across the organisation and has a focus on ensuring local farm business have access to critical and timely information, knowledge, and technologies.

Currently, Kate is working to lead significant multi-stakeholder projects, including the Robust Weather Station & Soil Moisture Network, which was completely upgraded to ensure continuity and increased access to reliable local weather data.