Our Industry Advisory Board is crucial in guiding the strategic development of the school of Economics, Finance and Marketing both nationally and internationally.
Our board is made up of prominent alumni and members of the business community who offer fresh insights and new perspectives for ensuring the development of all programs and activities are relevant to industry requirements.
Board Members
Sue has an extensive background in business and administration both nationally and internationally. She had a long and distinguished 32-year career with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) presiding over a broad portfolio. Sue held the position of Deputy Chief Executive from 2002-2011.
Sue was widely known for her Major Event expertise and was highly regarded for her marketing achievements having been acknowledged as one of Australia’s foremost Racing administrators.
She worked extensively with the Australian Government and Victorian Government from 2004-2011 during which time she initiated and championed the VRC’s International Strategy across the globe.
Since retiring from the VRC, Sue has worked as a consultant for the private sector and Government having adopted a lead role with Government Trade Missions to Asia, Turkey and the Middle East focussing on Equine and Fashion sectors.
Drawing on her broad business skills Sue has developed a portfolio of board positions around commercial, education and cultural industries.
Sue is Chair of Awards Victoria Ltd.; Board Member Bendigo Art Gallery Ltd.; Chair of Advisory Board, RMIT University School of Economics, Finance and Marketing; Director of National Board for Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Ltd. Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Australia, Victoria; former Deputy Chair and Audit Chair, Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Her significant achievements have received the highest accolades. Sue was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2012 – in recognition of her contribution to the thoroughbred racing Industry, for the promotion of women and for her community work. Sue also received the Committee for Melbourne Award (2003) and Jo Miller Award (2004).
Alice Berriman is a Senior Consultant in the Capital Markets and Asset Allocation team at Frontier Advisors, focusing on portfolio construction and asset class research. She was previously an Associate Investment Manager in HESTA’s Portfolio Construction & Risk team, where she had a particular interest in liquidity modelling and sustainable investing. Alice also has experience in equity research, fixed income strategy and portfolio construction, and financial planning and analysis in late-stage startups. Alice holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, from University of Melbourne and is a CFA Charterholder.
Phil Naylor is Deputy Chief Investment Officer and General Manager of Investment Strategy at Spirit Super. Prior to joining Spirit, Phil was Head of Capital Markets and Asset Allocation at Frontier Advisors. Phil has also previously held roles at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the World Bank and Macquarie Bank. Phil is a CFA Charterholder, has a Master of Public Administration in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) (Honours) from RMIT University.
Brendan McClements became Chief Executive Officer of Visit Victoria in December 2019.
His appointment followed local and international leadership positions held with commercial organisations and government entities across a range of sectors, including sport, major events, financial services and food and beverage.
Before joining Visit Victoria, Brendan was the Global Head of Events for TLA Worldwide (2016-2019) and the CEO of the Victorian Government’s Victorian Major Events Company (VMEC) for nine years from 2007.
During Brendan’s VMEC tenure, Victoria acquired the 2015 Cricket World Cup, 2015 International Champions Cup (football) and Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria, with each of these major events and attractions reinforcing Victoria’s acclaim as a global events and arts capital. Brendan also initiated and oversaw the creation of Victoria’s renowned ‘White Night’ event.
As General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the International Cricket Council (London and Dubai) from 2002 to 2006, Brendan led global communication, stakeholder engagement and reputation management strategies for the game’s governing body. Before that, at Cricket Australia (CA), he guided the sport through myriad on-and-off-field issues and opportunities, including cricket’s corruption crisis, as the administrator’s Head of Public Affairs (1999 – 2002).
Brendan was also the Australian Marketing Manager at British-headquartered insurance multi-national, Norwich Union (now Aviva), and was part of the corporate affairs team at Australian beverage giant, Carlton & United Breweries. He began his career at Basketball Australia.
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Media Studies) from RMIT University.
Rebecca Nowak is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) with 2 decades of experience in a variety of accounting and finance roles including at KPMG and General Electric. Rebecca is in a finance leadership role within the Healthcare sector, and graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) and is a member of RMIT’s Economics, Finance and Marketing (EFM) faculty’s Industry Advisory Board. Rebecca has an interest in teaching accounting and finance and is passionate about imparting both academic and practical skills to students and staff.
Chloe White is an independent policy specialist and award-winning advisor on virtual assets. In her consulting work Chloe supports start-ups, traditional corporations and policymakers internationally. Chloe is a professional public speaker on blockchain, has appeared as an expert witness in the Senate, and served as the Australian Government’s National Blockchain Roadmap Lead. Prior to this, Chloe was the primary virtual assets expert at the Commonwealth Treasury, leading a public policy inquiry on token-based business models, and representing the Treasury in multiple working groups within the Council of Financial Regulators, advising on stablecoins and emerging fintech policy issues. Chloe has qualifications in finance and economics (BSc) and a double-degree in public policy (MSc).
Vanessa graduated from RMIT’s Master in Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Economics and Finance programmes. With over 9 years of banking experience, Vanessa is currently with the Commonwealth Bank’s Institutional Banking and Markets team in Business Development. Prior to CBA, Vanessa was part of ANZ’s Institutional Banking team covering Diversified Financial (Non Bank FI) clients including Fintechs in the payment aggregation and merchant acquiring space. Outside of work, Vanessa is an avid reader, an explorative home cook and a fan of the theatre, often catching a play or musical with friends.
Caroline is a senior marketing, public relations, and partnerships professional with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of media, technology, and content. An RMIT alumni, now working at The Walt Disney Company, she has a deep knowledge of integrated multi-channel communication, strategic brand building, PR & partnerships, and cross-territory team leadership.
