Our industry-responsive programs, guided by a School Advisory Board of business leaders and alumni, ensure graduates are work-ready through Work Integrated Learning (WIL).
Our industry-responsive programs, guided by a School Advisory Board of business leaders and alumni, ensure graduates are work-ready through Work Integrated Learning (WIL).
We collaborate with businesses, government, and the community to deliver research, networking, and professional development opportunities. Our staff deliver industry-responsive programs and actively engage in research and consultation with businesses and government. Program development is guided by a School Advisory Board comprising distinguished alumni and business leaders, ensuring alignment with current industry needs.
Our programs feature Work Integrated Learning (WIL), equipping students with practical experience and industry exposure. By the time they graduate, students are work-ready, gaining a competitive edge in the job market while building essential professional and social networks.
Beyond the classroom, we collaborate with professional bodies, businesses, research centres, government agencies, and secondary schools across Australia. Through these partnerships, we run projects, provide services, host conferences, and create networking opportunities for business leaders and alumni.
We are committed to fostering strong connections between education and industry, ensuring meaningful contributions to the workforce and broader community. We invite you to explore how we can collaborate to achieve impactful outcomes together.
The Industry Advisory Board plays a crucial role in guiding the strategic development of the School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain, both nationally and internationally. The Board consists of high-profile business leaders from a range of industries who will work together to further business education and research at RMIT.
The board meets with the school quarterly to provide strategic advice and input into the School's operations.
Stewart Smith – Chair
An international executive leader with thirty years’ experience across several disciplines including sales, sales operations, growth with full profit and loss responsibility in various categories including technology, cross-border/domestic eCommerce and international freight across a thirty-year career. Global-e's mission is to make cross-border border agnostic and help brands sell globally as they would domestically by removing key friction point to profit an enhanced customer experience to increase their conversion and sales.
Before joining Global-e he spent the last 15 years with DHL Express and Australia Post in various commercial leadership roles specializing in strategy, customer, channel, eCommerce, and solutions.
"At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished, for me about giving back so you can assist others achieve their goals and bringing together RMIT, the faculty, study body and industry we are setting up the future business leaders for success."
Steph Callaghan
Steph is the General Manager for Toll Global Logistics, Retail and Consumer Division in Australia /New Zealand which has revenues of over $1bnAUD.
She has an MBA, Engineering & Science Degrees and has been with Toll for 8 years.
Steph has an extensive international career as a logistics business leader across a variety of complex industries including retail, FMCG, aviation, and construction.
During this time, the increase in data science, digitalisation and automation has been immense and fundamentally changed how businesses track, sort and move products from source to consumer.
“I am passionate about ensuring that the next generation of graduates working in automation and logistics understand the value that smart executable solutions can provide to businesses and consumers”
Lucy Gaff
Lucy is a highly experienced financial services professional with an in-depth understanding of the evolving needs of financial planning firms. With extensive experience across various facets of the financial services industry, Lucy has developed a strong expertise in helping firms navigate industry challenges, optimise their operations, and deliver exceptional service to their clients.
In addition to her professional work, Lucy is the current Victoria State Chair of the Financial Advice Association of Australia's (FAAA) Gen Next Committee, where she plays a key role in shaping the future of the industry by supporting and advocating for the next generation of financial planners. In this leadership position, Lucy fosters innovation, promotes professional development, and strengthens the connection between emerging talent and established industry leaders.
Vlad Jotic
A dedicated logistics and supply chain leader with a focus on building strong partnerships across industry, government and academia. As the Director of Project Development at ANL / CMA CGM Group Agencies Australia, he leads programs with universities like RMIT and Swinburne, creating opportunities for student engagement through projects such as the University Challenge and delivering lectures on real-world industry issues.
Vlad aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry applications to foster a new generation of talent in logistics. He has extensive experience in ports & shipping having worked at the Port of Melbourne and DP World, where he prided himself on collaborative stakeholder management, working closely with regulatory bodies, industry partners, and policymakers to drive sustainable advancements in the field.
His educational background in Container Terminal Management, Ports & Shipping, Landside Logistics and Computer Science, complements his hands-on industry experience. Notable achievements include leading green shipping and renewable energy initiatives, where he is committed to deliver to innovative, sustainable solutions that benefit both industry and the broader community.
"Having had the privilege of working with genuine leaders who invested in their people, I learnt firsthand the value of mentoring and knowledge sharing. My experiences and engagement with RMIT go back some 10 years and I have the great pleasure of extending on that as part of the IAB."
Brad Kasell
Brad's areas of interest include enterprise data strategy and digital operating models, pricing and revenue management, emerging technologies, and good old-fashioned solution implementation. When given the choice, Brad prefers working in Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods, Healthcare, and Utilities sectors.
Prior to joining Domo, Brad was responsible for Customer Strategy and Insights at Oracle, having previously also led client relationships at McKinsey & Company and Deloitte Digital, driving digital strategy and global transformation programs. His technical background includes leadership and delivery roles at Microsoft, Salesforce, and IBM.
Brad holds an MBA in International Business and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, both from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Dennis Lee
Dennis is a Partner in the Corporate Finance team with over 17 years of experience in Forensic Accounting and Corporate Advisory roles. He has spent the past twelve years focusing on Forensic Accounting and Business Valuation matters. As a commercial litigation specialist, Dennis is skilled in loss and damage analysis, valuation, and forensic investigations. His work spans numerous independent and consulting expert assignments for legal, government, and private clients. He has prepared over 300 expert and independent accountant reports for various dispute processes and has given evidence in several Australian courts, including the Federal Court and Supreme Court of Victoria.
Dennis specialises in various commercial disputes, such as loss quantification, dispute resolution, accounting standards, and financial investigations. He regularly presents to the legal profession on finance and solvency issues, having delivered over 70 presentations to law firms and legal associations in the past seven years. Additionally, Dennis contributes to the education sector by being a founding member of the Alumni Council at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics and serving as a mentor to students and professionals through the university and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. His involvement with the Industry Advisory Board stems from his commitment to advancing tertiary education and fostering collaboration between industry and universities to enhance the future of the profession.
Jason Leonard
Jason is an AI thought leader with LAB3, an Australian Cloud technology business, responsible for advising organisations on their AI strategy and AI governance practices to drive real-world business outcomes from AI initiatives. Jason works with clients that span across industries including natural resources, banking, insurance, utilities, telecommunications and public sector; he helps clients understand the applications of AI to their business, and then leads delivery. Jason had his AI engagements in the early 90's, and turbocharged his career with a Masters in Applied Science (AI) from RMIT University.
Cameron Perrett
Cameron has been working in capital markets for more than 20 years through a variety of roles with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Royal Bank of Scotland, PricewaterhouseCoopers and GFI before co-founding his own corporate finance firm. His technical expertise spans structured and corporate finance, securitisation and bespoke reinsurance transactions. Dedicated to deep and lasting relationships, having forged a vast network across a broad range of bank and non-bank financial institutions.
At Allcap Securities, Cameron is responsible for further developing the firm’s private capital strategy, with particular emphasis on capital raising and overall structuring.
A Chartered Accountant by profession, he holds Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from RMIT University. Cameron is also the Co-Founder and Director of Perrett Evans, a boutique corporate finance facilitator and is actively engaged in philanthropy through his longstanding board position on the Tyree Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to the advancement in education relating to Engineering and Medicine.
Emma Reekie
Emma is an assurance partner in the financial services team in Melbourne specialising in the insurance and asset management sector.
Emma has been with EY for 17 years, having started her career as a graduate in the EY UK Bristol office, moving to Melbourne in 2011.
She has significant experience in leading external audits within the financial services sector and leads EY’s controls assurance reporting services. She is passionate about supporting the diversity, equity and inclusiveness agenda and is a member of the EY Financial Services DE&I Committee.
“I am passionate about developing and mentoring future leaders within the profession and the opportunity to join the IAB at RMIT is a way that I can directly contribute to supporting the next generation of graduates through sharing my experience and insights in an professional services industry that continues to change significantly”
Simon Richardson
Simon Richardson is the Head of Information Technology at the Bionics Institute of Australia with over 25 years' experience in IT and business leadership within the Not-for-profit, health, education and food industry sectors.
Simon has a Master of Business Administration from La Trobe University and has held previous roles at the National Heart Foundation of Australia, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (CIO, COO), St. Vincent's Health Australia (CTO), St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (CIO), Mercy Health (GM ICT).
“In my own education journey and my experiences with recent graduates over the years I have witnessed the benefits of great education and disappointment where it is out of touch with the real world. I am thrilled RMIT is tackling these challenges through the Industry Advisory Board, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to support the university in creating the next generation of industry ready graduates.”
Jernet Tan
With a wealth of experience spanning diverse organisational landscapes and business settings, Jernet stands as a stalwart in the realm of Human Resources. Currently the Director, HR Business Partner at DHL Express Singapore, Jernet provides invaluable strategic counsel and operational support, fostering a culture of engaged employees and continuous improvement.
Jernet firmly believes in aligning HR practices with business objectives to create utmost value, evident in her instrumental role in designing and deploying various customised programmes that yield tangible results. Additionally, as an active IHRP Senior Professional, Jernet contributes to initiatives such as the COVID-19 taskforce, co-launching a playbook to aid HR professionals to navigate challenges during the pandemic. Her commitment to advancing the HR profession and addressing contemporary challenges underscores her dedication to excellence.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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