New Year, New Directors

As we step into 2025, the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) takes a moment to reflect on the fantastic contributions of our outgoing directors Lucy Johnston, Sylvia Tulloch and Annabel Griffin and to welcome three new members to the CBRIN Board, Michelle Jasper, Ilea Buffier and Michelle Lincoln. 

Thank You to Sylvia Tulloch and Annabel Griffin  

We wish to extend our thanks and gratitude to Sylvia Tulloch and Annabel Griffin for their dedication and contributions to the CBRIN Board since December 2018. Both directors completed their two terms of three years in December 2024. In the past 6 years CBRIN has scaled its impact to almost $200M annual contribution to the economy of the ACT and doubled its footprint to now include a new Scale up and SME hub. 

Sylvia Tulloch has been a cornerstone of the Canberra innovation ecosystem for a long time. With her extensive experience as a director, investor, and mentor, Sylvia has provided critical guidance to CBRIN. Her involvement with the Griffin Accelerator, as well as her leadership roles in pioneering renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies, have been important in shaping the success of numerous startups and scaleups in the ACT ecosystem but also nationally. Sylvia’s insights and angel investor perspectives have been always appreciated by the Board and leadership of CBRIN. 

Annabel Griffin has been an exceptional leader both as a director of CBRIN and as the Chair of the Governance, Nominations, and Remuneration Committee. With her expertise as a lawyer and partner at King & Wood Mallesons, Annabel brought sharp strategic acumen and a deep understanding of governance to CBRIN. Her contributions have strengthened the organisation’s governance frameworks over the past 6 years. 

Both Sylvia and Annabel have also been valued members of CBRIN’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee, helping to ensure that our mission and initiatives align closely with the needs of the community. The Chair of CBRIN, Hala Batainah, the other Board members representing the CBRIN Foundation Members, as well as the CBRIN executive and team thank Annabel and Sylvia for their remarkable service and lasting contributions to CBRIN. 

Welcoming Ilea Buffier and Michelle Jasper 

 At the same time CBRIN is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ilea Buffier and Michelle Jasper to the Board. Both new non-executive directors join us after being selected from the CBRIN Stakeholder Advisory Committee, bringing a wealth of experience and vision to help guide CBRIN into 2025 and beyond. 

Ilea Buffier is a dynamic leader with 22 years of experience in business, including 18 years in the carbon accounting industry. A Climate Active Registered Consultant and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Ilea has served on multiple boards and committees, including the ACT Government’s Energy Innovation Fund. Her passion for integrating environmental and social responsibility into business practices will bring a unique perspective to CBRIN as we continue to support sustainable innovation. 

 

Michelle Jasper brings extensive expertise in deep technology commercialisation, innovation strategy, and ecosystem development to the Board. Her career encompasses roles as Associate Professor of Innovation and Commercialisation at ANU, Non-Executive Director of Cicada Innovations, Co-Chair of AIYD, and Interim Chair of CBRIN’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee. She brings a comprehensive understanding of Canberra’s innovation landscape and is committed to advancing transformative innovation initiatives across the region. 

We are looking forward to having Ilea and Michelle join forces with other Board members as we continue to make Canberra’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem more clever, connected and creative. However, this is not the only change CBRIN has been up to in terms of its governance and advisory structure composition. 

Thank you to Professor Lucy Johnston and welcoming Professor Michelle Lincoln 

We would also like to thank Professor Lucy Johnston, former Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra, for her contribution to the CBRIN Board during her tenure at UC. Lucy has served on the Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee and will be replaced on the CBRIN Board by Professor Michelle Lincoln, current acting Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Michelle brings extensive leadership experience in higher education, specialising in health and sport innovation, workforce development, and allied health service delivery. Her expertise in partnership development, governance, and impactful research will be particularly appreciated at the CBRIN Board as well as her ability to connect CBRIN deeper with the University of Canberra. Each Foundation Member of CBRIN has a director on the CBRIN Board. 

Changes on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee  

Recently, there have also been changes on the CBRIN Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Apart from Sylvia and Annabel, the following leaders have completed their two 3-year terms at the CBRIN Stakeholder Advisory Committee: Professor Lachlan Blackhall, current Vice-Chancellor of the ANU, Michele Troni, venture investor, Marcus Dawe, entrepreneur, co-founder of MCi Carbon, and Alex Smith, entrepreneur and co-founder of Alchemy Partners. We sincerely thank them for their support, ideas and contributions over the past 6 years. All of these roles are non-remunerated, voluntary contributions by leaders who care about the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in our city. New leaders who joined the Stakeholder Advisory Committee in late 2024: Tori Murray, Senior Aviation and Space Manager at Canberra Airport; Joel Madden, entrepreneur, cofounder of Evolutioned, Matthew Wilson, Chair and founder, Penten and already mentioned Ilea Buffier, founder Evalue8 Sustainability. We are looking forward to working with all of you. 

Director opportunities with CBRIN 

In addition, the ACT Government is looking to nominate a director to the CBRIN Board as of 1 July 2025 in a process that currently seeks expressions of interest (closes 24 January 2025). This director will replace Hala Batainah, our current Chair of the Board, whose 2 times 3-year director term will come to an end on 30 June.