SmartSat CRC appoints new chair

Dr Michele Allan AO has been appointed Chair of Australia’s leading space research centre, SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), following the sudden passing of inaugural Chair Dr Peter Woodgate in December.

Existing board member Allan brings a wealth of experience and leadership from some of Australia’s key industries, as current Chair of the Boards of Charles Sturt University, the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL), Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence CRC, and Wine Australia. She is also a non-executive director of the CSIRO, the Food Agility CRC, and Dairy Food Safety Victoria.

Allan has previously served as Chair of Meat and Livestock Australia and the William Angliss Institute and has served as a non-executive director of Grain Growers Limited, Tasmanian Irrigation, Innovation and Science Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Callaghan Innovation (New Zealand), Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, and Forest and Wood Products Australia. This is in addition to her extensive work with Amcor Limited, Kraft Foods, Bonlac Foods Limited, ICI, Tasmania’s Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence, Johnson and Johnson, and Nestlé in various executive roles.

“We are delighted to appoint Dr Allan AO as Chair, albeit under very sad circumstances,” said CEO of SmartSat CRC Professor Andy Koronios.

“As one of our founding board members, Dr Allan AO has already made an enormous contribution to our organisation. This, along with her diverse industry knowledge and wealth of leadership experience will be incredibly valuable as SmartSat CRC enters its fourth year. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our inaugural Chair, Dr Peter Woodgate, whose dedication and service will be deeply missed. As we look ahead, we are determined to ensure that we continue Peter’s legacy with Dr Allan AO at the helm,” he said.

Woodgate’s contribution to the organisation was warmly recognised by Allan.

“I would like to acknowledge the untimely passing of Dr Woodgate and his leadership at SmartSat CRC. He was an inspiring leader, and I am honoured to take on his legacy. I look forward to working with the SmartSat CRC team to pursue our goals for advancing Australia’s space and spatial industries,” she said.

Allan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Technology Sydney, a Master of Management of Technology from Melbourne University, a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University, and a Doctorate from RMIT. She is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.