About the Bradfield Development Authority

Professor Jennifer Westacott AC B.A(Hons) GC.B FAICD

As a former Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia and senior public servant, Jennifer brings valuable insight into both the private and public sectors to support the Authority's mission.

Jennifer built her public sector career in senior leadership roles with the NSW and Victorian governments. She has served as the Director General of the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Secretary of the Victorian Department of Education and Training, and Director of Housing in Victoria.

She has also held roles as Deputy Director General of both the NSW Department of Community Services and the NSW Department of Housing.

While a senior partner at KPMG, Jennifer advised major corporations on climate change and sustainability and supported governments across Australia with significant reforms.

Since 2013, Jennifer has been a Non-Executive Director of Wesfarmers Limited.

Christopher Brown AM

Christopher Brown AM is a leading figure in the economic and civic development of, and advocate for, Greater Western Sydney. He is the founder of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue and Chair of Campbelltown Health & Education Precinct, and former Pro Chancellor of Western Sydney University and Director of Moorebank Intermodal Co and Accor Stadium. 

Earlier in his career, Mr Brown established and led two major national industry peak bodies, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia and the Tourism & Transport Forum for 20 years. 

He has convened many regional collaborations across health, housing, transport and civic renewal, helping councils, state agencies and community organisations align planning and investment priorities, including the Committee for Liverpool, Advance Blacktown, Parramatta Partnership Forum and the Bankstown Alliance. 

Mr Brown has been closely involved in the evolution of Western Sydney’s aerotropolis precinct as a member of the Commonwealth/State commission that selected Badgerys Creek as the site for the new airport. He co-founded the Bradfield Oration with NewsCorp and led local coalitions to secure the Western Sydney Airport Metro, the Powerhouse Museum, SBS studio's relocation to the West and the Parramatta Light Rail. 

Raised and educated in Parramatta, he was previously an Adjunct Professor of Business at UTS, is an Honorary Doctor of Letters at Western Sydney University and received his Order of Australia in 2014 for services to infrastructure and the community

The Hon Dr Craig Emerson

Dr Craig Emerson is an eminent economist with more than 40 years’ experience in public policy, politics and public service. He is managing director of Emerson Economics Pty Ltd, executive chair of the APEC Study Centre at RMIT University, a visiting fellow at the Australian National University and adjunct professor at Victoria University’s Centre of Policy Studies. Dr Emerson is a National Competition Councillor and a member of the Trade Minister’s Trade 2040 Taskforce.

Dr Emerson was Australia’s Minister for Trade and Competitiveness from 2010 to 2013. He was the architect of the 2012 White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century and was appointed Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Asian Century Policy. He was Chair of the Productivity Committee of Cabinet from 2010 to 2013.

In 2013, Dr Emerson was also appointed Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research. Between 2007 and 2010, he was Minister for Small Business and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs.

Dr Emerson was economic, trade and environmental adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke in the 1980s. He has also held the positions of Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Director-General of the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage and Policy Analyst at the United Nations in Bangkok.

Dr Emerson has a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University under the supervision of Professor Ross Garnaut.

Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM

Dr Cathy Foley is an internationally recognised physicist with major research achievements in the development in superconductors and sensors. Dr Foley’s work led to the development of the LANDTEM™ sensor system, which is used to locate valuable deposits of minerals deep underground, resulting in discoveries and delineation of minerals worth more than $6 billion.

Dr Foley was appointed to the CSIRO Board for a three-year term, commencing 3 January 2025, following her tenure as Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist, from January 2021 to December 2024.

Prior to this, Dr Foley had an extensive research and management career at CSIRO, where she made significant contributions to the understanding of nitride semiconductors and superconducting electronics. This work culminated in Dr Foley being appointed to the role of CSIRO Chief Scientist in August 2018. Dr Foley’s scientific excellence and influential leadership have been recognised with numerous awards and fellowships, including election to the Australian Academy of Science in 2020, along with an Order of Australia for service to research science and to the advancement of women in physics. She is also a Fellow of Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (2008) and an honorary Fellow of Australian Institute of Physics (2019).

Dr Foley inspires women in STEM across the globe and is committed to tackling gender equality and diversity in the science sector to embrace the full human potential of all. This includes Dr Foley’s roles as co-patron of Science Meets Parliament 2024, an organisation that empowers girls who are passionate and high performers in STEM, and Editor-in-Chief of the Superconductor Science and Technology journal.

Damian Kassabgi

Damian Kassabgi has an extensive background in both the private and public sectors. 

As Chief Executive Officer of the Tech Council of Australia (TCA), he champions the growth and development of the nation's technology sector. As a senior policy adviser to two former prime ministers Damian provided strategic direction on Australia’s digital economy, critical tech infrastructure and the country’s emerging tech ecosystem. 

He has held senior leadership roles with global tech companies Afterpay, Uber and Google, working in Australia, Asia and the United States. 

Damian is passionate about advancing the nation's dynamic tech industry and creating opportunities for Australians from all backgrounds to pursue meaningful careers in tech.

Elizabeth (Liz) McNamara BEc (Hons) PCSB GAICD

Elizabeth McNamara is an experienced public and private sector leader with a career that has spanned the transport, energy, investment banking, FMCG and resources sectors. 

For the last 15 years, she has held senior executive roles leading sustainability and corporate affairs functions within large ASX-listed companies, many with international reach. Prior to this Elizabeth was Deputy Director General within the then Ministry of Transport (now Transport for NSW), where she was responsible for the State’s strategic transport reform agenda, regulatory framework, transport policy development and transport planning co-ordination.

Elizabeth brings significant experience navigating complex commercial, regulatory, policy and social issues to deliver critical infrastructure and development projects across Australia and overseas, including Westlink M7 and the Sydney Metro network. Her strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement and commercial acumen, shaped by an early career in government and investment banking, has enabled her to introduce creative solutions to drive meaningful outcomes.

Elizabeth was raised and educated in Western Sydney. She is currently Group Executive Sustainability & Corporate Affairs with listed energy infrastructure company APA Group and a Non-Executive Director for the NSW St Vincent de Paul Society.

Gabrielle Trainor AO LL.B M.A FAICD

Gabrielle is a non-executive director and advisor with 25 years of board experience across both public and private sectors. Her expertise spans infrastructure, urban development, public transport, tourism, construction, hospitality, sports, arts, and the empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

With a background as a lawyer, newspaper journalist, public sector executive, and consultant in issues management and public policy, Gabrielle brings a wealth of knowledge to her roles.

Her current appointments include director roles at Infrastructure Australia, the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (Vic), Zurich Australia Limited, OnePath Life, OnePath General Insurance, and Western Sydney University's Board of Trustees.

Gabrielle is also a commissioner for the AFL and Sport Australia. She chairs the National Film and Sound Archive and the Construction Industry Culture Task Force. Additionally, she serves as a trustee of the Charlie Perkins Trust and as a director of WAM Global.

Ken Morrison

Ken is the CEO of the Bradfield Development Authority, the NSW Government agency responsible for delivering Australia’s first new city in 100 years and attracting investment to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. Together these are the largest city-building projects in Australia, leveraging the $27 billion once-in-a-generation investment in the new Western Sydney International Airport, metro rail, road and other government infrastructure which are now underway.

Ken is also the chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility, a new $200 million facility located at Bradfield and tasked with boosting productivity by accelerating innovation across the manufacturing sector.

He is an Alternate Member of the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority, an initiative to fast-track assessment of major housing projects and an Alternate Member of the Investment Delivery Authority, established to support and accelerate significant investment projects across various sectors, including advanced technologies, renewal energy and commercial developments. Ken also sits on the Executive Leadership Committee of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Additionally, Ken chairs the board of Metropolitan Memorial Parks, a government social infrastructure and services entity, having previously been its Ministerial-appointed Administrator leading it through a merger and a governance, organisational and strategic transition.

He was previously the Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia and a member of a range of industry and government boards and advisory bodies.

Uma Springford

Uma has over 25 years of industry experience with leading property groups, with a proven track record in strategic leadership, project management, financial analysis, and stakeholder management.

Her expertise spans large-scale urban renewal projects and the development of premium commercial and residential properties. Uma's extensive experience also encompasses design, construction, and sustainability management. 

Natalie Camilleri

Natalie is an experienced strategist with expertise in integrating design, land use, and infrastructure for major projects and precincts across Greater Sydney and NSW. She has a strong understanding of growth and change dynamics and has worked closely with government, industry, and the community to achieve better place-based outcomes.

Before joining the Authority, Natalie spent over 20 years building her skills across several agencies, including the Greater Cities Commission, Sydney Water, Transport for NSW, Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, and Landcom.

In 2020, Natalie received the Public Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her outstanding service to infrastructure projects in NSW.

Jeff McAlister

Jeff is a senior executive with experience across government at the national, state, and local levels. He started his career with the New Zealand Government, where he grew trade and investment linkages with key overseas markets. This included helping NZ businesses establish offshore operations and supply chains.

Since then, he has spent much of his career leading economic and industry development programs in Australia and New Zealand, with a particular focus on helping businesses secure trade and investment deals, both domestically, and across Asia and the Americas. He has also led commercial transactions for catalytic new developments and partnered with the private sector on major new infrastructure delivery.

Before joining the Bradfield Development Authority in mid-2025, Jeff was acting CEO of Invest Gold Coast, an investment and economic development agency which he helped establish during his time as the Chief Investment Officer for the City of Gold Coast. Prior to this, Jeff was a Deputy Director General in the Queensland Government where he reversed the decline of the state visitor economy through significant new investment in infrastructure and worked with industry to mature local supply chains in the Northern Territory.  

Jeff helps the community through his support for multiculturalism as a Director of the National Authority for the Accreditation of Translators and Interpreters, pro bono work with refugees as a Migration Adviser, and mentoring university students.

Ben Kitcher

Ben is a mechanical engineer specialising in advanced manufacturing for aerospace.

He has created manufacturing solutions for global aerospace companies and their supply chains and has helped grow the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre (AMRC) by building and leading innovation teams.

Ben has developed technical strategies and worked with local, national, and international organisations. He has coordinated support programs, developed skilled workforces, and implemented high-value manufacturing processes for new factories at the Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Park.

More recently, he built the AMRC's electrification capability, focusing on battery and motor manufacturing.

Yaseen Dean

Yaseen is an accomplished Chief Finance Officer with over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. His career spans renowned organisations such as BDO, OneSteel, AMP, the Museum of History, the State Records Authority, and, most recently, the Bradfield Development Authority, where he has served since October 2022.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Financial Management & Economics and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Sydney. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he has a strong track record of transforming finance teams and propelling organisations forward through strategic development and implementation.

With extensive experience collaborating with NSW Treasury on business cases and carry forwards, Yaseen has consistently secured favourable outcomes while successfully navigating complex Treasury processes. He is skilled in managing high-volume capital projects and funding initiatives and has a strong background in steering organisations through both financial challenges and opportunities. His expertise also includes Audit & Risk committee reporting and Board-level financial reporting.

Ashley Langton

Ashley Langton is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience leading strategic communications, marketing, public affairs and engagement initiatives across complex Government agencies. 

Prior to working at the Authority. Ashley spent over 15 years managing Government health communications in NSW and overseas, including a kev senior role leading the national COVID-19 communications response for acute services at the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. 

Since joining the Authority in 2023, Ashley has led the internal and external response to an incoming NSW Government, Chief Executive changes, a significant Authority name and remit refocus, and the promotion of maior announcements and deliverables. 

Inga Davis

Inga is an experienced collaborative leader with over 23 years experience working across all levels of Government.

She has diverse experience from international climate change negotiations, city deals, program management, policy development, leading executive offices and disaster management.

Inga was awarded a National Emergency Medal for her role as Deputy Local Disaster Coordinator in Townsville during the 2019 monsoon flooding event.

With extensive experience in whole of government coordination and international negotiations, Inga was able to progress the implementation of the Western Sydney City Deal and improve the performance and accountability of the $210 million Liveability Program.