Katrina Horrobin FGIA, Chief Executive Officer

Katrina has broad leadership and general management experience across various sectors including telecommunications, technology, superannuation, and education. She has worked for large, complex organisations overseeing operational and marketing activities, including Optus and AAPT, we well as been a founding leadership team member of three different start-up businesses in telecommunications and technology.

Katrina holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Australian National University and is Deputy Chair of the Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

David O’Kane FGIA FCG, Chief Operations Officer

David joined Governance Institute of Australia in February 2022, with considerable commercial experience and over 15 years in senior roles in the for-purpose sector, including as COO at the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and with Medecins Sans Frontieres Australia (MSF). David’s responsibilities include finance, IT, people and culture, risk management, legal and compliance, and property.

David holds a BA in Economics & Public Policy, is a qualified accountant with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and completed the Governance Institute’s Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance in 2007.

Chris Breen, General Manager, Sales, Marketing & Communications

Chris leads the Governance Institute’s sales, marketing and communications functions, with responsibility for growing awareness of the Institute, supporting education and membership revenue, and ensuring the organisation communicates clearly and consistently with its audiences.

He brings more than 15 years’ experience across marketing, communications and commercial strategy, having worked with a range of Australian and international organisations in media, technology, professional services and education. His background spans brand development, digital marketing, customer experience, media partnerships and go-to-market strategy.

At the Governance Institute, Chris focuses on improving how the organisation presents its products and services, strengthening engagement with members and students, and expanding the Institute’s reach to new audiences. He also oversees media activity, campaigns, digital performance and the integration of marketing with sales and service teams.

Chris is particularly interested in making complex topics easier to understand, building practical systems that support growth, and ensuring the organisation’s work is visible, relevant and trusted by the professionals it serves.

Maryanne Brogan, General Manager, Business Development & Sales

Maryanne joined Governance Institute in 2016 and brings more than 20 years of experience across membership organisations, including the Australian Institute of Company Directors and CPA Australia. She leads a national team encompassing State Managers, events, sponsorships and partnerships, as well as the sales function for our education and training courses to both corporate clients and individual learners.

Catherine Maxwell FGIA FCG, General Manager, Policy & Advocacy

Catherine joined Governance Institute in August 2017 and is responsible for policy, advocacy and media. She has a strong background in governance and policy gained at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the ASX Corporate Governance Council, ASX, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Financial Services Council. She has also held roles as a Company Secretary with Cancer Council NSW, NPP Australia Limited and Youth off the Streets. She is a member of the Governance Committee of Cancer Council NSW.

Catherine has a BA(Hons)/LLB from the University of Sydney. She qualified as a solicitor and has worked in a variety of legal roles in Australia and Hong Kong. She completed the Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance in 2008.

Geoffrey Stirton FGIA FCG, Company Secretary

Geoffrey has over 35 years’ experience in finance, company secretarial and line management roles including senior company secretarial roles for a variety of organisations including MLC, Investa, The Trust Company, Magellan Financial Group and Westpac. He has also had a long-standing involvement in the not-for-profit sector through the Australian Scholarships Foundation.

Geoffrey holds a B Comm from the University of New South Wales, is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Chartered Secretary.

Anna Alexander, Regional Manager VIC TAS SA & NT

Anna is a legal practitioner with experience in senior management in various roles within the profession. Anna enjoys working with people and delivering opportunities for success and continuous improvement. Prior to commencing at the Governance Institute, Anna worked at the Law Institute of Victoria for over a decade and more recently as the CEO of the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (Victorian Division).

Brian Martin FGIA, State Manager, WA

Brian has worked in senior roles in business development, general management, marketing and corporate governance across diverse sectors, including associations management, financial services, tourism and agribusiness.

He has previously worked for organisations including The Tax Institute, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and Perpetual Ltd. Most recently he led governance and risk management for a large federated charity. He has served on community sector boards, was a GIA WA State Councillor, and an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Town of Victoria Park.

He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, has completed the GIA Certificate in Governance and Risk Management, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He also holds a Master of Business Studies, and Higher Diploma in Business Studies.

David Schenk GIA(Affiliated), State Manager, QLD

David comes from a marketing, sponsorship, and event management background of more than 20 years that included running festivals, corporate events, and large-scale music festivals. Having overseen the evacuation of more than ten thousand people during a weather-related emergency event, Dave is passionate about the importance of good risk management.

Dave also spent several years as Business Manager and Company Secretary for three not-for-profit and charitable organisations and on the board of a private school. Having also founded and built a successful event management business, he understands the need for effective governance.