Iain works as an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University, where his interests lie at the human/environment interface, particularly in the context of biodiversity management, ecosystem services provided by agricultural landscapes and engaging human communities in the management of natural resources.
In 1986, he received his PhD degree on a nature reserve off the West Coast of Scotland from the University of Cambridge and has since led interdisciplinary research across five continents.
Over the past 30 years, Iain has published more than 200 papers in international, peer review journals and published seven books, with an eighth book in progress to be published.
His published research spans a range of areas, including livestock nutrition and health, ecology of natural ecosystems, grazing management to achieve environmental objectives, and community-based conservation.
He joined the Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia in 2003, leading its Building Resilient Biodiversity Assets Theme and the rangeland management programme of the Water for a Healthy Country Great Barrier Reef Theme.
During this time, he was Officer in Charge of the Davies Lab in Townsville and lead the co-location CSIRO with James Cook University in the Australian Tropical Science Innovation Precinct.
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Jane and her husband are partners in a large scale “Grass Feed Cattle” operation across the North West Region of Queensland and the Northern Territory. She has experience in private business, operations and finance, and planning.
She knows the importance of having strong sustainable regions and has represented her community in local government and private business. She has held numerous leadership which have enabled her to provide direction, be focused, efficient, and economical whilst being accountable and understanding risk and compliance to manage business in both private and public sectors.
Jane loves living and working in North West Queensland and looks forward to being able to contribute and support the sustainability of our natural environment and resources for future generations and the success of industries that rely on it.
Based in Mount Isa with her family, Sarah is passionate about the sustainable growth and development of Northern Australia and is dedicated to empowering individuals and improving outcomes for those living in regional, rural and remote communities.
Sarah is the Chief Executive – Operations for the CRC for Developing Northern Australia where she leads a team delivering a diverse portfolio of research and development projects in Agriculture, Health Service Delivery, activating the First Nations estate and de-risking investment in Northern Australia. Her previous roles have included teaching and senior management in health.
Sarah’s experience encompasses managing grant programs and not-for-profit entities and contributes skills in program design, delivery and evaluation; business operations and administration; compliance and governance; and, stakeholder engagement. She has a Bachelor Education (Primary/Middleschool), Graduate Diploma of Business (Business Administration) and is a Graduate of the AICD Company Director’s Course.
Trent is an accomplished agribusiness professional with 35 years of experience, primarily in Northern Australia. Having worked extensively in both the banking sector and the stock and station industry, Trent has developed a unique understanding of the financial and operational dynamics within the agricultural landscape. Born and bred in Central Western Queensland, he is deeply committed to the prosperity of regional Queensland and passionate about the evolving opportunities in agriculture across Northern Australia.
Throughout his career, Trent has built high-performing teams, developed robust strategies, and executed them with precision. He believes that the foundation of a successful organization lies in strong culture, transparency, and engagement. His leadership style fosters a collaborative environment where team members can grow professionally and drive innovation, even in an ever-changing industry.
In addition to his professional work, Trent runs a small cattle breeding business on the Atherton Tablelands, which keeps him connected to the practical side of agriculture. He also finds inspiration in running and cycling, which help him stay energetic and focused.
Trent is committed to contributing to the growth of regional communities and continues to leverage his extensive experience to create pathways for success in both public and private sectors. With a deep love for the land and its potential, he looks forward to the opportunities ahead to further his mission of regional prosperity.
Darren is an experienced executive and governance leader with over 30 years in financial management, risk oversight, and strategic leadership in the private and public sector. Darren is a Fellow of CPA Australia, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Professional Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. He currently serves as CFA and Assurance Partner at Providence Consulting and chairs audit committees for both the Torres Strait Regional Authority and the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD) of the ACT Government. He is also a member of various other Audit and Risk Committees in the Commonwealth.
Darren brings a strong commitment to community impact and is deeply aligned with Southern Gulf NRM’s purpose. His work across government and Indigenous organisations, including his current Research Doctorate on Indigenous Procurement, gives him a unique perspective on governance in regional and environmental contexts. He is known for his integrity, collaborative approach, and strategic insight.
Kallum is a proud Waanyi man, born in Mount Isa with enduring ties to the lower Gulf of Carpentaria region through his maternal lineage. His connection to Country and community drives a deep commitment to sustainable land management and inclusive governance.
Kallum brings a strong background in governance, stakeholder engagement, and investment strategy to his role as Board Director. His leadership spans regional policy development, youth empowerment, and cultural inclusion, most notably through his work with the North Queensland Sustainable Resources Corridor and the Townsville First Nations Youth Council. He has also played a key role in developing the Reconciliation Action Plan for Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia, ensuring culturally safe service delivery and systemic reform.
With experience as a self-employed business operator and a commitment to ongoing professional development, Kallum is passionate about strengthening community led approaches to resource management. He contributes to strategic insight, cultural integrity, and a collaborative spirit to Southern Gulf NRM’s mission.
Helen is an experienced project manager, environmental scientist, and educator with over 20 years across natural resource management, government, mining, construction, and education. She has held key roles in the Gateway Bridge Duplication in Brisbane and the Ravensworth Mine Expansion in NSW, and most recently as NRM Project Manager with NQ Dry Tropics, leading the Landholders Driving Change initiative and $34M in GBRF-funded Accelerated Practice Change and Land Remediation projects.
She is highly skilled in stakeholder engagement, partnership building, compliance, and leadership, with a strong focus on community development, capacity building, and environmental outcomes. Helen holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management & Policy, and Ecology), a Graduate Diploma of Education (Senior Years), is an affiliate of AICD through the Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors course, and a member of the Social Impact Measurement Network Australia.
Raised in Mount Isa, Helen is deeply committed to the region’s long-term viability. Passionate about community development, she works to build local capacity and strengthen social and cultural foundations, ensuring sustainable economic growth and community resilience.
Daniel Counsell is based in South East Queensland and brings a broad policy perspective to the board, shaped by experience across production, trade, and regional development. He currently serves as Cattle Policy Director for AgForce Queensland, where he leads strategic engagement on land use, market access, and regulatory issues affecting Cattle production and regional communities.
Daniel is particularly interested in how policy frameworks interact with the practical realities of managing land, producing food, maintaining sustainability and strengthening rural livelihoods. His work is grounded in the belief that strong regional economies are essential to long-term environmental and social outcomes.
With a background spanning exports, advocacy, and intergovernmental negotiations, Daniel contributes a pragmatic and systems-focused approach to governance, informed by his deep respect for the knowledge and capability of those who live and work in rural Australia.
Margot’s first passion is to help Boards and Directors develop really strong skills in governance, financial management, understanding risks and creating great strategic platforms to grow and strengthen organisations. Her second passion is helping small and medium businesses reflect on the way they do business so as to ensure they grow in a healthy sustainable manner.
Margot is a Non-Executive, Chair, Company Secretary, Director, Audit Committee Member and CFO with over 20 years of board-level experience with particular working with Government, NfP and Commercial organisations and within the Consultancy, Telecom, Health, Community, Education, Environmental and Indigenous sectors. At board level, what she does is drive governance compliance for sustainable growth. She does that by leveraging her knowledge in financial management, governance, accounting, fiscal responsibility, risk management, strategy development and implementation.
Board level highlights include Audit Committee Member at Queensland Ombudsman; Treasurer at Queensland Rural Regional & Remote Women’s Network; Company Secretary and Member of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee at Southern Gulf NRM; Chair of Finance and Audit Committee at Cape York Sustainable Futures, and as an Independent Director, Community Enterprise Queensland during her tenure she oversaw the business grow from a $50M to $126M turnover and the workforce from 120 to 370 employees.
In an executive capacity, she is currently the Director of Business Mapping Solutions – a bespoke governance and accounting practice focusing on supporting Indigenous corporations, not for profits and entrepreneurial ventures. In addition, she serves as the CFO of Miwatj Employment and Participation Ltd, two large Indigenous Organisations with turnovers of $26M and $10M.
Finally, she holds a Bachelor of Economics from ANU, she is a Certified Practising Accountant and a Graduate of AICD’s Company Directors Course. I have also been awarded the NFP Accountant of the Year 2020 by the Australian Accounting Awards.
On a personal note, Margot believes people are important. She has a small team supporting her – half have been with her for over 10 years! She really enjoys facilitating in her spheres of expertise – and if the evaluations are right (not written by her!) then she is pretty good at getting difficult ideas and concepts to wide and diverse audiences.