Skip navigation
  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Meet our team

Our People

Our people work to ensure we are deeply connected with experts in science, technology, industry, government and civil society, including within regional and remote Australia.  Our core team includes former Ministers of Government, business leaders, community representatives and open-minded systems thinkers. All share a commitment to creating powerful blueprints  for meaningful reform which are informed by the reality of the natural world, community needs and political realities.  

People

Liana Downey - CEO
Liana Downey
CEO
Liana Downey is a recognised thought-leader in the areas of the energy transition, education and evidence-based policy-development. Downey’s experience includes commercial advisory roles in renewables and agri-tech, interim CEO at Blueprint, and Deputy Secretary for NSW Department of Education. She co-led the sustainability and public sector practices at McKinsey & Company, led a national policy climate research project (Common Ground on Climate), developed Australia’s first Greenhouse Gas Abatement Cost Curve and led a boutique government strategic advisory firm with offices in Sydney and New York.   Downey, GAICD, holds an MBA from Stanford University (Arjay Miller Scholar). Downey is the author of a numerous articles and papers and a book Publisher’s Weekly called a “must-read”, Mission Control: How Nonprofits and Governments can Focus, Achieve More and Change the World, was a former special advisor to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, taught public policy at New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Policy and is an experienced Board Director.
Mark Ouliaris - Senior Researcher
Mark Ouliaris
Senior Researcher
Mark is an accomplished economist and thought leader with a decade of experience working in research institutes, think tanks, and the private sector. His published research has centred on a spatial analysis of Canada’s renewable energy endowment and a pathway towards decarbonisation. His commentary has featured in major masthead newspapers around Australia. Prior to joining Blueprint Institute, his passion for pragmatic and evidence-based policy reform led to stints at the Institute of Health and Social Policy at McGill University—a multidisciplinary institute for research in support of effective social policy—and Reset Australia—an initiative working to counter digital threats to democracy across the world. Mark holds a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science (First Class Honours) from McGill University.   Contact: [email protected]
Jessica Coburn - Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Jessica Coburn
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Jessica has over 10 years of experience working as a high-level Executive Assistant and Office Manager. Her previous employers have included the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, and University of East Anglia. She previously resided in the UK and has a myriad of experience with different organisations (including a major book distributor and the Premier League). Her interests include adding to her extensive cookbook collection, restoring vintage furniture and gardening. Jessica recently completed Mental Health First Aid training. Contact: [email protected] 
Claire Poulton - Researcher
Claire Poulton
Researcher
Claire holds a Master of International Relations from the University of Sydney with a specialisation in social research. Her thesis examined evolving conceptions of sovereignty and the nature of global environmental agreements. She has also completed a Bachelor of Communication and Media studies. Prior to joining Blueprint she worked in several digital marketing agencies, crafting strategic communication campaigns for clients in the non for profit, financial services and business space.   Contact: [email protected]
Jae Lubberink - Researcher
Jae Lubberink
Researcher
Jae holds a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) from the University of Queensland and plans for further postgraduate study abroad. He completed a major of Economics with a focus on behavioural economics, complementing a research background in applied philosophy, geopolitics and public policy. His Honours thesis modelled the behavioural drivers of speculative asset markets, examining the implications for public policy design in the Australian housing market. He is also an impact investing and climate tech enthusiast, and is an inaugural Climate Fellow at Startmate.   Contact: [email protected]
Sophie Black - Researcher
Sophie Black
Researcher
Sophie holds a MA (Hons.) in International Relations from the University of St Andrews and a Graduate Diploma of Law from the University of Law in London. Her research focuses on marginalised groups in society and she has previously written papers exploring how feminist approaches can inform policies related to human trafficking and the reintegration of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs). Sophie has experience in international development ranging from domestic non-profit organisations to volunteer projects abroad. Contact: [email protected]

Board Members

Kevin McCann - Chair
Kevin McCann
Chair
Kevin McCann is Chairman of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and China Matters. He is a Trustee of the Sydney Opera House Trust, a Member of the Champions of Change Coalition, a Presiding Pro Chancellor of the University of Sydney, a member of the John Grill Institute of Projects – Advisory Board, a Member of Barker College Council and Origin Foundation Pty Limited and a Director of the Australian Haydn Ensemble Inc. He is a former Chairman of Macquarie Group Limited and Macquarie Bank Limited, Origin Energy Limited, Healthscope Limited and ING Management Limited, Fellow of the University of Sydney and former Chair of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and the National Library of Australia Foundation and Vice Chairman, New Colombo Plan Reference Group and a former Director of the United States Studies Centre. Kevin practiced in Commercial Law as a Partner of Allens Arthur Robinson (now Allens) from 1970 to 2004 and was Chairman of Partners from 1995 to 2004. Kevin has a Bachelor of Arts and Law (Honours) from Sydney University and a Master of Law from Harvard University. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2020 for services to the business, corporate governance, and as an advocate for gender equity.
Lachlan Crombie - Co-Founder & Board Director
Lachlan Crombie
Co-Founder & Board Director
Lachlan has a strong background in law and government. Lachlan worked in the NSW Government in a variety of roles, in both Houses of Parliament. Lachlan was responsible for significant legislative reforms while working for Nationals member and now Deputy President, the Hon Trevor Khan MLC. He also worked for the State Attorney General, and was in charge of criminal law policy. He is now the Director of Political Engagement at PremierState and PremierNational. Lachlan holds a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University of Technology and a Master of Business (Sports Management) from Australia’s leading Sports Management School at Deakin University, Melbourne.  
Ian Hancock - Co-Founder & Board Director
Ian Hancock
Co-Founder & Board Director
Ian is Managing Director at PremierState and PremierNational, a leading public policy and corporate affairs consulting firm that advises across a range of industries on how to achieve outcomes with State and Federal Governments. Ian is also a Founder and Director of Clean Energy Strategies, a renewable energy consultancy that specialises in procuring renewable energy for large energy users. Ian studied a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Business (Economics) at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Hon Jenny Gardiner - Board Director
Hon Jenny Gardiner
Board Director
Jenny Gardiner is a life-long campaigner for rural and regional communities.  As a Nationals member of the NSW Legislative Council (1991-2015), Jenny was Deputy President of the Legislative Council (2011-15) and The Nationals Deputy Leader in the Legislative Council (2000-15).  Jenny chaired/served on a multitude of parliamentary inquiries, eg, rural health, regional and metropolitan transport, planning, regional development, privileges, electoral law.  A former General Secretary of the NSW Nationals (the first woman to hold such office in any NSW party), Jenny actively works to see more women in politics.
Lisa France - Board Director
Lisa France
Board Director
Lisa has worked at the highest level of State Government and the energy sector. Recently, she was the Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Energy Developments. Prior to that, as an LNP member for the seat of Pumicestone, QLD she was appointed Assistant Minister for Natural Resources and Mines 2012-2014, and Assistant Minister for Finance Administration and Regulatory Reform 2014-2015. Immediately after her parliamentary career Lisa worked as Australian Energy Regional Director for Hatch, a global energy, metals and mining company.
Andrew Muston - Board Director
Andrew Muston
Board Director
Andrew is the Head of Investor Relations at Roc Partners. Prior to joining Roc Partners, Andrew held capital raising roles at Associate Global Partners, QVG Capital and Totus Capital. Andrew serves on the board of the National Art School and is Co-Chair of the Evolution Committee for St Vincent’s Curran Foundation. He is a former board director of Frazis Capital, Atelier Advisory Council for the Art Gallery of NSW and the New Gen Committee for Philanthropy Australia. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney.

Strategic Council

The Hon Bruce Baird AM
The Hon Bruce Baird AM
Bruce Baird was elected to the NSW Parliament in 1984 and held a number of shadow portfolios including Transport, Aboriginal Affairs and Finance. On election of the Greiner Government, Bruce was appointed as Minister Of Transport and Roads. In 1990 he was appointed Minister of Sydney's successful Olympic Games, and in 1993 became Minister for Tourism. He was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in 1993. In 1998 he was elected to the Federal Parliament where he was Chairman of a number of committees including the House Economics Committee. Upon leaving Parliament he joined a number of industry boards in the tourism, transport and arts sectors.
Cameron Hepburn
Cameron Hepburn
Cameron Hepburn is a Professor of Environmental Economics and Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford. Holding degrees in law and engineering from the University of Melbourne and a doctorate in economics from Oxford, Professor Hepburn has served as Managing Editor of the Oxford Review of Economic Policy and Associate Editor of the European Economic Review. He is a leading authority on environmental economics, and regularly advises national governments such as China, the UK and Australia, as well as international institutions [such as the World Bank, IMF, OECD and UN].
The Hon Robert Hill AC
The Hon Robert Hill AC
Robert Hill was a member of the Australian Senate from 1981 to 2006, representing South Australia. Robert was Leader of the Government in the Senate from March 1996 until his resignation in January 2006. He has held a variety of portfolios, including as Minister for the Environment 1996 – 1998 and Minister for the Environment and Heritage 1998 – 2002. In June 2012 Robert was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Parliament.
The Hon Adrian Piccoli
The Hon Adrian Piccoli
The Honorable Adrian Piccoli served as a Member of NSW Parliament for 19 years and as the NSW Minister for Education for 6 years from 2011 until 2017. Adrian is widely respected by the Australian education sector. He led the political campaign to reform school funding in Australia and is currently the Director of UNSW’s Gonski Institute for Education. In 2017 Mr Piccoli was made a Professor of Practice in the School of Education at UNSW and has also been made a Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.
Michael Priddis
Michael Priddis
Michael Priddis is the CEO of Faethm.ai, a fast growing Australian start-up that enables companies and governments to navigate and prosper from emerging technologies including AI, robotics, advanced materials and IoT. He is an expert surrounding the future of work and a Member of World Economic Forum’s Global AI Council. Michael previously worked as a Partner and Managing Director at the Boston Consulting Group.
Anna Skarbek
Anna Skarbek
Anna Skarbek is the CEO of ClimateWorks Australia. A former banker and green policy adviser, Anna has led ClimateWorks since its creation in 2009, analysing emissions reduction opportunities and partnering with business and government to unblock barriers to a low carbon economy.

Sign up to our mailing list here