RDA Melbourne

RDA Melbourne committee members

Chair – Steve Kozlowski

With over 35 years’ experience in leadership roles for local government, Steve is currently the CEO of Maroondah City Council in Melbourne’s East – a role he’s held since 2014. Prior to that, he was the CEO of East Gippsland Shire for almost 11 years and has held Director positions at Maroondah City Council, Ringwood City Council and Oakleigh City Council. Steve has a track record for working in partnership with the community, business and all levels of government in regional and economic development and in resolving local issues, creating opportunities and growing local communities.

Tess Barling

Tess brings leadership experience in higher education, the arts and visitor economy. Her expertise includes leading strategy, communications, operations and stakeholder engagement. Tess manages strategic initiatives with the University of Melbourne.

Roslyn (Ros) Hore

Ros held senior leadership roles in the public and private sector for over 25 years, with a focus on research and innovation. Ros held various research leadership roles at CSIRO and has extensive stakeholder relationship experience, working with higher education, government, research and industry to address large scale collaborative opportunities. She held the role of Director, Industry Engagement and Business Development at Swinburne University of Technology, prior to establishing her own consulting business.

Chris James

Chris is the Executive Director at NORTH Link. Chris has extensive experience in economic development, strategic planning, communications strategy, government relations and industry association management. Chris has strong established networks with business, employer groups, government, education institutions, community groups and unions.

Jürgen Schneider

Jürgen was a Director of Monash University Spinout Additive Assurance and Chair of Victorian. Jürgen was previously Regional General Manager of Siemens and also performed strategic business development roles in the smart cities, infrastructure, energy, mobility sectors.

Stacey Daniel

Stacey is an award-winning independent consultant and non-executive director renowned for her thought leadership, judgement and innovation in sustainable business and professional development. She has extensive experience across industry, government, and not-for-profit sectors, also serving on the boards of statutory authorities, peak industry bodies and community committees.

Stacey operates consulting and coaching business Board Presence and currently sits on the board of humanitarian organisation, Engineers Without Borders Australia. She is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of Engineers Australia.

David Gregory OAM

Recipient of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Small Business Sector 2022. Order of Australia Association (Victoria) Committee member and Chair of National Merchandising committee 2023, Beyond Blue small business expert and member of New Access for Small Business Organisations steering committee,  Executive Producer 'Just a Farmer' movie on rural mental health, Former CEO and Managing Director of the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) Inc, Former CEO of The Small Business Institute (TSBI) Pty Ltd, Director and Vice President of the Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ). Former Member of the Victorian Small Business Ministerial Advisory Council

Christine Tursky

Christine has experience as a director, company secretary, and advisory board member. Christine previously chaired the University of Melbourne Engineering and IT Foundation, the University of Melbourne EEE Industry Advisory Group, and the University of Melbourne Women in Engineering and IT Network.

Christine co-founded a specialised engineering company in 1999 (SouthTech Systems). She is experienced in leadership, governance, and performance management in both multinational and local companies, and private and (through the University of Melbourne) public sector

Kath Buden

With over 2 decades of executive leadership across socioeconomic policy, infrastructure, and regional development, Kath brings a proven track record in organisational governance and performance management, particularly within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Kath is currently Non-Executive Director at Wimmera Southern Mallee Development.

Kath’s experience extends to founding and leading strategic advisory firms, establishing governance structures, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and probity standards.