Our Leaders

Ken Henry spent his boyhood a long way from the boardroom. As the son of a timber worker, living on the land in northeast New South Wales in the 1960s, Ken was exposed from an early age to the impact of deforestation. Those experiences informed his work as an academic economist and policy advisor to multiple Australian governments, and now his push to unite the business world in its action towards net zero and a nature positive Australia.

Tim Reed has spent decades exploring the power of technology to unite differing forces for good, seeking market-based solutions that support sustainable impact. Now, he applies that knowledge to the fight to decarbonise the economy and halt declining biodiversity. Tim is a former head of the Business Council of Australia and is currently a partner at Potentia Capital and serves as a Non-Executive Director at Transurban. Tim was also recently appointed to the Climate Change Authority.

From her childhood on a mixed farm in the Southern Riverina, Elizabeth O’Leary now sits at the intersection of global asset management and climate solutions, giving her the expertise to support the future of Australia’s forests. As head of Macquarie Asset Management’s Agriculture & Nature Assets, she leads one of the world’s largest private land managers across Australia.

David Mackenzie has an acute understanding and a wealth of experience of the successes of joint action. His time as a young progressive on the coalface of environmental protection evolved into 20 years in conservation, playing a critical role in some of Australia’s most significant advocacy campaigns to protect nature.

Lyndon is one of the most recognised environmental advocates in Australia, with a lifetime of actively supporting biodiversity and restoration from the frontlines of old-growth forests to lobbying for powerful policy changes. Through ACBF, he pulls together what he calls “a constellation of humans” for maximum impact. As a spokesperson, public speaker, writer and strategist, he maintains a core value of doing better through collaboration.

Samantha is a powerful force in bringing ideas and people together. From her diverse background in ministerial advisory roles, public policy research, non-profit strategy, and philanthropy, she has become a respected leader who makes change possible. Sam is an experienced program director and strategist, managing diverse relationships and projects to identify and leverage the opportunities that deliver maximum impact. She brings her strategic insight to tackle one of the country’s most pressing issues, driving the collaborations Australia needs to protect its forests at scale

Shovina witnessed the impact of climate change first-hand while growing up in Fiji. This has been her motivation to join an organisation working to keep her Pacific home from being swallowed by the rising seas. Her background in governance and public administration is a valuable asset in ACBF’s activity and mission.

Natalie is motivated to bring a positive change for those without a voice and joins the ACBF team to create a difference for the environment for humans, ecosystems and the wildlife. An experienced Executive Assistant, she has worked with membership organisations, NGOs and in the corporate sector. In her spare time, Natalie volunteers at animal sanctuaries and organisations supporting people with disabilities.

Warrick is the Policy Specialist at ACBF. He specialises in analysis of economic, social and environmental outcomes and changes in regional areas. Warrick has a long history working on forest conservation, and the energy transition. He lives with his family in the Hunter Region of NSW.

Skye Laris is the Foundation’s Director of Government Engagement and Strategy, where she works to strengthen the policy and regulatory settings needed for high-integrity climate and biodiversity markets. She previously served as Senior Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister, contributing to national reforms across biodiversity protection, land management and environmental regulation. Skye brings a collaborative, evidence-based approach to policy design and stakeholder engagement, grounded in a commitment to helping Australia build environmental resilience and support productive, sustainable landscapes.

Felicity is a long-time environmental leader. She led the Wilderness Society in NSW and rebuilt the Labor Party’s climate and environment arm, the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN). She has worked in politics, socially responsible investment, and with international NGO, World Resources Institute. Felicity is all about big-picture change and political advocacy.

Wilson is an experienced and dedicated NSW environmental advocate with a background in international relations. Over the past six years, he has worked on successful campaigns that have prevented the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall and the creation of 39,000ha of conservation in the upper Blue Mountains. In recent years, Wilson has focused on protecting the state’s forest where he has become an expert on public policy in this area.

Marguerite is a strategic communications specialist with over 15 years’ experience working across government, NGO, private and philanthropic sectors. She has worked on climate change communications and campaigns in Australia and New York where she lived for nine years. She is passionate about nature conservation and spends her spare time doing classical ballet.