CEO, CCIWA

Chris Rodwell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA), a position he has held since early 2018. His passion is to create a bold and contemporary Australia that provides an opportunity for everyone to make a valued contribution.

CCIWA plays a critical role in championing trade and commerce in Western Australia and the nation. It has 7,500 members spanning from small businesses to major ASX-listed and multinational companies. It provides a range of independent services to the business community, including workplace relations and HR advice, accounting and taxation, trade & investment consulting, industry skills development, commercial legal and supply chain support.

Chris has held a range of senior executive and non-executive roles, spanning the private, public and ‘for purpose’ sectors. He has a track record in business and cultural transformation, international trade & investment, public policy, stakeholder engagement, and corporate governance. Much of his experience has been gained in international markets in the Americas and Europe.

During his tenure, CCIWA has secured several major policy outcomes including landmark reform of Australia’s system for GST distribution. The team is currently focussed on a range of initiatives, which extend to modernising workplaces, decarbonisation and the energy transition, and economic diversification.

Over the span of his career Chris has held a number of significant roles including:

• Chair, International Trade Committee, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (current)

• Advisory Board Member, UWA Defence & Security Institute (current)

• Practitioner Fellow, UWA Public Policy Institute (current)

• Board Member, Barking Gecko Theatre (current)

• Member, WA Premier’s Jobs Taskforce

• Member, Curtin University School of Management Advisory Board

• Board Director, Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

• Member, WA Premier’s State Recovery Advisory Group

• Member, Streamline WA Steering Committee

• Trade Commissioner, Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean, Austrade

• Trade & Investment Commissioner – The Americas, Queensland Government

• Queensland Director and Member, National Executive, Ai Group

• Chair, Skillstech Australia

• Board Director, QMI Solutions

• Board Director, Workplace Health & Safety Queensland

• Member, Queensland Premier’s Employment Taskforce

• Member, Queensland Industry Advisory Group

Chris and his wife, Katie, raise four children, two with disabilities. His daughter, Lucinda, has Down Syndrome and his son, Oscar, has a neurological disability. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts, graduating with the prize for Political Science. He has also undertaken graduate studies in social entrepreneurship and impact investing through the University of New South Wales. He attended the Executive Colloquium at the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership in 2022.

Principal, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls

Fiona commenced as the thirteenth Principal of St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in 2019.

Fiona champions St Hilda’s as a place of modern, innovative, educational excellence, where girls and young women excel, grow in character, develop lasting friendships and exceed their expectations.

Fiona believes that promoting clear alignment, transparency, trust, and respectful relationships is key to growing and nurturing learning communities. She is passionate about fostering personal growth opportunities for all students, young women and staff at St Hilda’s, ensuring that students are prepared to lead in the transitions and challenges that lie ahead.

Fiona demonstrates a high-impact, open and inclusive leadership style that centres on social, emotional and intellectual growth. Fiona encourages youth and educators through the processes of personal discovery and education to actualise a better tomorrow.

Fiona’s passion is developing creative, independent, resilient, and socially adept young people. As the leader of St Hilda’s, she encourages students to “lean in” to their potential and future careers through personal agency, preparedness, and a commitment to fulfilling their potential.

In progressing St Hilda’s culture of excellence and adaption, Fiona understands the power of collaboration and values the contributions of others. She makes time and space, integrating lived experiences and fostering a deep rapport with the students, staff and broader community.

Fiona is committed to sustainable improvement, providing students with access to innovation that prepares them for an ever-changing landscape and further promoting St Hilda’s unique position as the leading school in Perth that’s not afraid to disrupt the status quo.

VC & Tech Investor, AM LLB BA (UNSW) GAICD

Pia is an accomplished portfolio board director, immediate past Chair of Women in Technology WA, and General Partner of FundWA, a Perth-based venture capital fund. With 30+ years of legal, commercial, and corporate experience across multiple industries, Pia has worked with 100's of founders, start-ups and high-growth ventures and is passionate about building diverse ecosystems to effect positive change with impact. Sharing her broad experience as a director, investor, advisor, mentor and entrepreneur, Pia sits on a number of boards in the technology, health, education and energy sectors. In 2023, Pia was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the King's Birthday 2023 Honours List for her significant service to technology and innovation and to women in STEM.

Director (Innovation), Beyond

Aden Parker plays a crucial role in the expansion and enhancement of competitive systems and practices at Beyond.

With a sharp focus on both core and project-specific software solutions, Aden is instrumental in the initial phases of development that significantly boost the company's operational management and client delivery. His expertise not only supports Yurra’s infrastructure but also propels its growth by integrating valuable technological solutions tailored to meet and exceed client expectations.

Success in this area has seen the inception of Beyond, which is the newly formed technology subsidiary of the Yurra Group.

Chief Learning & Development Officer, AIM WA

Drew Mayhills believes in the power of education to realise human potential.

With eleven years of experience across diverse educational settings, he has earned a reputation as a dedicated leader, innovator, and advocate for improved educational outcomes.

As Chief Learning and Development Officer at the Australian Institute of Management WA (AIM WA), Drew is responsible for the design, development, delivery, and review of organisational learning and development services, ensuring high-quality and relevant training for leaders, managers, and professionals across industries.

He is deeply committed to the Institute’s mission; to inspire better workplaces through delivering high-quality learning experiences, celebrating and recognising excellence, and influencing conversations that matter.

A lifelong learner, Drew holds a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Business and certifications in organisational and executive coaching, technology integration, psychometric assessment and music production. He is completing further postgraduate studies in psychology at James Cook University and an MBA at Curtin University’s Graduate School of Business.

Drew's pioneering work in the use of innovative technologies for teaching and learning has been presented at national and international conferences and published by the Australian Council of Educational Leaders (ACEL).

In his work as a lecturer and mentor of pre-service teachers in Edith Cowan University’s School of Education, he has been acknowledged his students for excellence in teaching and learning.

In 2023, Drew was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance teacher effectiveness, seeking to address Australian educational challenges, including teacher shortages and educational equity in remote areas.

His research is focused on understanding how AI can enable personalised learning and bridge the educational gap in underserved communities. The findings of Drew’s project will provide valuable insights and system-level recommendations that will contribute to solving critical challenges in the Australian education landscape.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Drew is a sought-after session guitarist and creative producer, a mentor in the Perth music production scene and an avid distance runner.