Board

Damien Beng

Treasurer, Executive Committee
Elected Board Member
Finance, Risk & Audit Sub-Committee Chair

VP of External Environment, Woodside Energy
Board Member Since 2022

Damien is the VP of External Environment at Woodside Energy. Damien has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with first class honours and a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology and Applied Mathematics) from the University of Western Australia and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. Since joining Woodside in 2001, Damien has held a number of Strategy, Marketing and Commercial before leading the Woodside Treasury team in 2018. Damien now leads the External Environment team at Woodside.

Edward (Ned) Howard

Appointed Board Member

Manager Geoscience, Evolution Mining Ltd

Board Member Since 2025

Ned is Manager Geoscience at Evolution Mining Ltd, where he oversees the geoscience specialists team and leads group-wide geoscience initiatives and projects supporting the company’s exploration strategy. With more than 20 years’ experience in exploration and mining for gold and copper in Australia and internationally, he holds a Bachelor of Science (Geology, First Class Honours) from the University of Tasmania. Ned is an active advocate for geoscience education and has been instrumental in developing the Australian Institute of Geoscientists’ strategic plan to strengthen geoscience education, in his roles on the AIG Education Committee and as AIG representative on the Australian Geoscience Council Education Committee.

Kellie Hasluck

Elected Board Member

Director of Advancement & Growth, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls

Board Member Since 2026

Kellie is a corporate communications specialist with expertise across a range of industries including education, resources and not-for-profits. As Director of Advancement & Growth at St Hilda’s, she is responsible for the brand, reputation and financial viability of the institution.
Prior to this role, she founded and ran a communications consultancy for 20 years. Her clients crossed a range of sectors including health & aged care, resources, state and local government. One of her key clients was the European Space Agency, which she worked with for over a decade to build community engagement to support it Deep Space Ground Station in Western Australia.
Kellie has served as a Board Member for the Ability Centre and the State Library Foundation. She is a regular conference speaker, volunteers in her sector at a State level and sits on the board of The Lester Prize.

Lisa Thom

Elected Board Member

Brand Strategy Director, Trilogy Advertising & Marketing

Board Member Since 2026

Lisa Thom is Brand Strategy Director at Trilogy Advertising & Marketing where she leads strategic planning and communications for major property, education, entertainment and community initiatives across Western Australia.
With over 15 years’ experience in marketing and brand strategy, Lisa specialises in translating complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that drive awareness and participation.
Lisa has delivered award winning campaigns and community focused initiatives that elevate not-for-profits and connect industry with broader audiences. She contributes to higher education training, industry-ready courses and graduate programs, to assist in linking curriculum with job-ready needs.
She is passionate about strengthening pathways into STEM and earth science careers, and is an active mentor committed to improving accessibility, engagement and understanding for students, educators and the wider community.

Joanne Thompson

Elected Board Member
Finance, Risk & Audit Sub-Committee Member

Committee Member, Science Teachers’ Assoc. WA
Science Teacher, Department of Education, WA

Board Member Since 2022

Joanne Thompson is a secondary science teacher, specialising in Environmental Science and Chemistry. Prior to joining the teaching profession, she worked as an environmental scientist and consultant and has more than 15 years’ international experience in all stages of mine life, from exploration to mine closure and reclamation. She serves on the committee of the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia and is a member of the WA School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s Earth and Environmental Science Curriculum Advisory Committee.

Gareth Wright

Elected Board Member
Governance and Strategy Sub-Committee Chair

Woodside Energy

Board Member Since 2024

Gareth is the Head of Climate Strategy & Engagement at Woodside Energy and is responsible for providing strategic leadership on climate-related matters and disclosures, as well as engaging with key stakeholders on the energy transition across its global business.
During a 20-year career in the energy industry with Woodside, he has worked in various technical, strategic and leadership roles across the company’s value chain. In addition, he’s led the development and implementation of global industry initiatives and projects through the likes of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP).
Before joining Woodside, Gareth started his professional career at the Geological Survey of Western Australia and has a passion for the role earth scientists will play through the energy transition.
To compliment his experience, Gareth holds a BSc from Curtin University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).