Our Board
Ann is one of Australia’s leading business executives with a career that spans Government, Banking and Cruise Tourism. She is an active philanthropist with a passion for improving opportunities and removing barriers for women in STEM and sport and supporting opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Ann is the Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology and a Non-executive Director of National Australia Bank. She is the Chair of Queensland Airports Limited, the Port of Townville, Enero Group, UNICEF Australia, Circa and a Member of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
Beth is the Deputy Chair of Australian Retirement Trust. Previously, she was the Secretary of the Queensland Nurses’ and Midwives Union (QNMU) and Senior Vice President of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU). Beth has also served on the board of HESTA, including a term as both Chair and Deputy Chair. In 2008, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees named Beth Trustee of the Year. Beth was also recognised in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to industrial relations, the nursing profession, and the superannuation sector.
Casey Nunn ASM OAM, is an experienced board member and values-driven leader. Casey is the Deputy Chair of Vision Super serving as a Member Representative Trustee since 2007. Casey is also the Deputy Chair of the Victorian State Emergency Service and is involved in her community through her daughter’s School Council and other local sporting clubs. Casey has previous experience in local government, serving as Hume’s youngest Mayor from 2013-2014.
Chris Davies is the Chief Executive Officer of TelstraSuper and director of Telstra Super Financial Planning Pty Ltd. In 2019, Chris was named the Fund Executive Association Limited (FEAL) Fund Executive of the Year recognising his outstanding contribution to the superannuation industry across several areas including digital innovation, corporate strategy and industry leadership. His experience in the financial services industry has developed over 30 years with senior roles at UniSuper, BT Financial Group and Colonial First State. Chris is also a Workplace Gender Equality Agency Pay Equity Ambassador who is committed to supporting equality and driving change.
David Elia has been the Chief Executive Officer of one of Australia’s leading superannuation Funds HOSTPLUS since August 2003. In a career spanning more than 25 years, his singular vision has helped create businesses that deliver consistently excellent results and real stakeholder value. His wide-ranging experience includes senior roles in superannuation, finance, marketing, corporate and fund governance, taxation, risk management, audit, corporate/strategic planning, and implementation. David’s leadership has been recognised by numerous industry awards, including the Australian Financial Review BOSS True Leader award and the Fund Executives Associations Ltd’s (FEAL’s) Fund Executive of the Year Award.
Deanne joined Aware Super as Chief Executive Officer in 2018 and has more than 25 years’ experience in financial services, both in Australia and overseas. She is an expert in super, wealth and insurance. Before leading Aware Super, Deanne was Chief Executive Officer at MetLife. Prior to this, she held senior roles at BT, Westpac, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey & Co.
The Honourable Nicola Roxon is a non-executive director with broad experience across government, business, and the not-for-profit sector, with an emphasis on health, legal, property and financial services. She currently chairs HESTA, VicHealth and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. She is also a non-executive director on the boards of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and ASX listed property company Dexus. Prior to the last decade in governance roles, Nicola was the Health Minister from 2007-2011 and Australia’s first female Attorney-General from 2011-2013.
Dr Don Russell was appointed as an Independent Director of the AustralianSuper Board on 2 May 2019, and then Chair on 26 September 2019. Since June 2018 Dr Russell has been a director of the Centre for Policy Development. Between 1993 and 1995 Don served as Australia’s Ambassador to the USA in Washington and between 1985 and 1993, and again in 1996, he was Principal Adviser to the Hon Paul Keating both during his time as Treasurer and Prime Minister.
Mark was elected Chair of UniSuper on 1 January 2023, having been appointed to the Board as an independent director on 1 July 2017. Mark has considerable experience in funds management and broader financial services, both globally and in Australia. From a beginning with Treasury in Canberra, his career has included roles in the UK, USA and Hong Kong, as well as in Australia. Key executive roles have included Head of Invesco’s European and Middle Eastern business, their global Institutional business and CEO of Australia, as well as CEO of funds management at AXA Australia. Mark has held numerous Board and Chair roles with Invesco, AXA, National Mutual and other industry bodies.
James is Director and the Independent Chair of Rest Super. He has more than 20 years’ experience in government, politics and public administration at both the state and local level, including eight years as the Deputy Premier of Victoria in the Labor Government from 2014 to 2022. During his time in government, he oversaw multi-billion projects and was responsible for the biggest school building program in Victoria’s history via the Victorian School Building Authority. He was also Acting Premier of Victoria for four months in 2021, managing the state’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Nick Sherry was Australia’s first Minister for Superannuation from 2007-2009. During that period, he helped steer Australia through the Global Financial Crisis, and established the Cooper and Financial Advice Enquiries which ultimately led to MySuper and Future of Financial Advice reforms. Since leaving politics in 2012 Mr Sherry, amongst many major roles, has or currently holds advisory positions with Citi, EY, DWS, Roc Partners and OECD and chair director FNZ (APAC), Household Capital, GO Sourcing and TWUSUPER. In his pre-parliamentary career, Mr Sherry also helped establish as founding trustee two industry superannuation funds, HOSTPLUS and ClubPlus (Tas).
Wayne is the Chair of Cbus Super, Australia’s leading specialist fund representing those who help build, shape, and maintain Australia. Cbus was founded 40 years ago and provides superannuation and income streams to more than 900,000 members and manages over $90 billion of members’ money. Wayne’s three-decade career in federal politics included being one of the longest-serving and most influential finance ministers in the G20. For nearly six years Wayne was Treasurer of Australia, three of those years as Deputy Prime Minister. His adept steering of the Australian economy through the global financial crisis was recognised with the 2011 Euromoney Finance Minister the Year award.
Sally McManus was elected as Secretary of the ACTU in 2017, the first woman to hold this position since the creation of the ACTU in 1927. Sally has had a range of jobs; from a pizza deliverer to a cleaner whilst studying for her degree in Philosophy where she achieved First Class Honours and was also the President of University Union. Sally gained a Traineeship with the ACTU in 1994, then became an Organiser. Sally was then elected to the role of Branch Secretary with the ASU.
Stephen Ferguson is the CEO of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), the national voice of Australia’s vibrant hotel industry. The AHA is an employer peak body in the hotel and hospitality industry registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. Prior to his role with the AHA, Stephen was CEO of the Brisbane Racing Club, the owner of Doomben and Eagle Farm Racecourses. BRC’s core business is thoroughbred horse racing, supported by a diverse portfolio including property development, gaming, hospitality and events.