Our Team

Meet the Team

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Principals & Founders

Ingrid Haythorpe
GAICD

Ingrid worked in the South Australian public service from 1995 until 2018. She has senior executive experience across numerous agencies in the South Australian Government, including in SA Health, as Deputy CE in Premier and Cabinet and as Chief Executive of the Attorney-General's Department. In these roles she was responsible for a diverse range of reforms including reform of health system governance, the establishment of Royal Commissions and Tribunals and an extensive body of legislative and other reforms. She worked with Governments across Australia in the intergovernmental relations and COAG field for 5 years.

Simon Phemister PSM

Simon has worked extensively across the Victorian public service. Starting as a graduate, he has worked in Departments including Education and Training, Premier and Cabinet and Department of Human Services, and spent time in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in the Commonwealth, before being appointed as Secretary of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. Highlights from Simon’s public service career include negotiating the acquisition and retention of major events such as the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Simon led a significant employment effort during COVID including the creation of Jobs Victoria and leading the business COVID recovery plan. Simon also led reforms such as the establishment of the Latrobe Valley Authority, Services Connect human services delivery reforms, and micro economic reforms.

Tahnya Donaghy
PhD GAICD

Tahnya has diverse public purpose experience having worked in the University sector, the public service and for a union. As Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Tahnya led the provision of advice to Cabinet on hundreds of proposals across all social and economic portfolios. She instituted reforms including the Public Sector (Data Sharing) Act (SA) 2016. Tahnya led South Australia’s involvement in major Commonwealth/ State reforms including the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Tahnya has also held executive roles in SA Health and the SA Department of Education and Training.

Collaborators

Chris Eccles AO

A former head of the Victorian, NSW and SA Premier and Cabinet departments, Chris has no peers when it comes to government leadership experience. His inimitable style and wisdom positions Chris to provide lessons and insights into how to make a positive, lasting impact as a public purpose leader.

The Hon. Jaala Pulford

As a former Victorian Labor Government Minister with carriage of nine portfolios over eight years, Jaala has a unique expertise and experience in understanding and providing insights into Ministerial drivers and the importance of political nous in public purpose leadership.