Welcoming our New Board Members and CEO
New Board
L-R, Ross MacDiarmid, Leanne Atkinson, Genevieve Jacobs, Lynne O’Brien, Warwick Winn
Regional Development Australia Southern NSW and ACT (RDASNA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of new board members and CEO following a boundary change that expands our reach to include Eurobodalla, Bega Valley, and the ACT. This move aims to foster a more inclusive process and better represent the diverse communities within our boundaries, which now encompass 9 Local Government Areas and the ACT.
As of April 1st, 2024, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Southern Inland, RDA ACT and 2/3 RDA South Coast have merged to become one entity – Regional Development Australia Southern NSW & ACT.
After receiving a large number of nominations and conducting a thorough recruitment and interview process, 5 additional new Board members have now been appointed, giving the organisation very good regional coverage and particularly in the new areas of Eurobodalla, Bega and ACT of our region explains Chair Rowena Abbey OAM.
“The level of interest and the calibre of nominations that we received were incredibly encouraging, and the new board reflects the high degree of business acumen and community connection which can be found across the RDA Southern NSW & ACT region.”
Joining our Chair, Rowena Abbey OAM, and the other 4 current Board members are the following distinguished new board members:
Ross MacDiarmid AO (Deputy Chair), from the ACT, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including Chair of RDAACT, CEO of various organisations, and leadership positions in multiple committees and councils.
Genevieve Jacobs AM, (Member), from the ACT, is the CEO of Hands Across Canberra and boasts an extensive background in media, communications, and board representation in various cultural and community organisations.
Leanne Atkinson, (Member) from Bega, is the CEO of the Bega Aboriginal Land Council, is a seasoned professional in project management, social and economic development, and stakeholder engagement.
Lynne O’Brien, (Member), based in Goulburn, brings over three decades of experience in event management and communications, with a strong track record of leadership in diverse sectors and community organisations.
Warwick Winn, (Member) from Eurobodalla and the General Manager of Eurobodalla Shire Council, is a highly skilled advocate with a background in governance, policy development, and project delivery.
The appointment of these exceptional individuals reflects RDASNA's commitment to diversity, expertise, and community representation. Chair, Rowena Abbey and the board are confident that their collective experience and dedication will drive RDASNA towards achieving its strategic goals and fostering regional development in Southern NSW and the ACT.
"I am honoured to work with this dynamic team of board members as we embark on this new chapter of growth and inclusivity," said Chair Rowena Abbey. "Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that RDASNA continues to make a positive impact on the communities we serve."
“I’m excited and incredibly honoured to be appointed inaugural Board Chair for this new chapter of RDA Southern NSW & ACT, as the decisions we make in the next few years will define our region for decades to come” Ms Abbey explains.
“With the recent merger bringing together our three areas, it was incredibly important that the new board reflected the best and brightest of the new region as well as representing all the facets that make up our vibrant and diversified economy – and I believe that balance is something that we have clearly achieved.”
“With the appointment of the new RDA Southern NSW & ACT Board, we are very confident that our team will play a meaningful role in strengthening our relationships with all levels of government and communities throughout our region, as well as working at a strategic level to make a difference to all current and future businesses and citizens that call Southern NSW & ACT home.”
For more information about our new board members, please visit rdasna.org.au.
New CEO
Olivia West RDASNA CEO
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Southern NSW & ACT Chair, Rowena Abbey is pleased to announce, following the growth and expansion of the RDA region, the appointment of Olivia West as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who began her role on Monday 13 May 2024.
Ms West grew up in the ACT and Orange NSW, where she developed her passion for regional Australia. She is based in the South Coast. Ms West is an accomplished and recognised leader who brings a wealth of experience in regional and economic development to RDA Southern NSW & ACT with more 20 years of experience in Government. Her previous senior executive roles in NSW Government included Director, Central West; Director, Bushfire Recovery Programs; and Director, Insights, Analytics & Improvement.
Ms Abbey said the RDA Southern NSW & ACT Board was delighted to welcome Ms West as the new CEO.
“Ms West’s leadership skills, strategic insights, and wealth of experience made her the ideal choice to lead RDA Southern NSW & ACT. We have great confidence in her ability to lead and the growth and expansion of the organisation and ensuring that we continue to deliver for our region and particularly to the new areas of Bega, Eurobodalla and the ACT.” she said.
“She is recognised for being a strategic thinker and problem solver, who specialises in delivering tangible results. Her extensive experience in regional development and policymaking will drive RDASNA toward greater success in serving our region.”
Ms West commented “My experience working across the complexity of regional NSW has given me an understanding of the challenges faced in regional Australia. More importantly we need to activate the significant opportunities and existing investments in our region. In the Southern NSW and ACT region at this time, across the 9 LGAs and the ACT, there are over 73,000 businesses and $80B output.” she said.
"I am looking forward to the role with RDA Southern NSW & ACT and building on the relationships we have with government, industry, local businesses and the community.”
She said one of her first tasks would be undertaking a listening tour so she could hear first-hand about what is important to each area, and where RDA Southern NSW & ACT can assist, support and add value.
“I am excited to be contributing to our growing region by supporting and developing innovative projects or opportunities driven by our communities, businesses and local government,” she said. “I plan to focus on driving innovation, embracing all communities and building strong partnerships.”
