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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

David Cross - CEO
David Cross
CEO
David is a public policy expert and leader with extensive experience managing large teams and providing advice across multiple portfolio areas to senior government ministers, heads of departments, c-suite business leaders, and university Vice-Chancellors. Prior to joining Blueprint, David was Chief of Staff to the NSW Minister for Education and Early learning and led the crafting of significant pieces of education reform. He has also worked as a public policy adviser to the University of Sydney and as a business analyst in the private sector. David holds a Masters degree (MPhil) from the University of Cambridge in politics and international studies, and a first class honours degree from ANU. He is presently completing a PhD in public policy at the University of Sydney. Contact: [email protected] 
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] 
Lauren Williams - Researcher
Lauren Williams
Researcher
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology and went on to complete a Masters in International Development and Public Health (Distinction) from the University of Sheffield. Her research involved collaborating with organisations based in Nepal, South Sudan and London, working on a wide range of social policy and development issues. Following her Masters, she previously worked for CARE International UK, working with the Advocacy and Communications teams to campaign for sustainable development projects.   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]

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.

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