Our team

CHAIR

The Hon John Brumby AO is an experienced company and not-for-profit Board Director and is well known from his former roles as Premier of Victoria from 2007 to 2010 and Treasurer from 2000 to 2007.

John is Chair of a number of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations including Citywide Solutions Pty Ltd, BioCurate Pty Ltd, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust and In2Science. John was installed as Chancellor of La Trobe University in March 2019 and is also a Professor (Honorary) in the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne.

John was awarded an Order of Australia in 2017 for distinguished service to the Parliament of Victoria, to economic management and medical biotechnology innovation, to improved rural and regional infrastructure, and to the community. John is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Graduate (Advanced) of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.

"Breakthrough Victoria invests in innovation to deliver economic, social or environmental benefits to Victoria."

DIRECTOR

Dr Amanda Caples is Victoria‘s Lead Scientist, connecting Victoria‘s science, technology and innovation capability with business needs and with government‘s economic development activities.

Following a career in the pharmaceutical industry and technology transfer, Amanda joined the Victorian Public Service in 2002 as the inaugural Director of Biotechnology. In this role Amanda was responsible for driving the growth of Victoria’s biotechnology sector through successive strategic industry development plans, legislative reform and landmark initiatives across Victoria’s research precincts. Since 2008 Amanda has led the development of Victoria’s broader industry, science and innovation policy agenda leading to appointment as Lead Scientist in 2016.

Amanda is Chair of mRNA Victoria‘s Scientific Advisory Group; a Director of Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd; and a member of the Rail Industry Development Advisory Committee. Amanda chairs the Victorian Quantum Technology Network to advance teaching and research in quantum technologies. Amanda is also Deputy Chair of Ivanhoe Grammar School.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and PhD in pharmacology from the University of Melbourne.

DIRECTOR

Professor Jane den Hollander AO was Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University 2010 - 2019; Interim Vice-Chancellor, University of Western Australia March - July 2020 and is currently the Interim Vice-Chancellor at Murdoch University.

In 2017, Jane received an Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education; in 2018 Jane was awarded the Business Higher Education Round Table Ashley Goldsworthy medal for individual leadership and in 2019 was named in the Victorian Honour Roll for Women. In 2020, Jane received the Australian Financial Review 2020 Higher Education Lifetime Achievement Award.

Current Board appointments include: Breakthrough Victoria (Melbourne); Navitas Ltd (Perth); Lion‘s Eye Institute (Perth) and Centre for Stories (Perth)

DIRECTOR

Joshua Funder is founder, CEO and Managing Director of Household Capital. Joshua was a director of Celladon Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDN) and spent over a decade as partner at GBS, Australia’s largest venture funds management firm.

Joshua has served as chairman and director of US and Australian companies, including Peplin (ASX: PLI) and Spinifex Inc. and is a winner of the AVCAL early stage investment award. Joshua previously worked at Infinity Inc (NASDAQ: INFI) in Boston, and at the Boston Consulting Group in San Francisco. Working with the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative, Joshua helped successfully negotiate reduced prices for anti-retrovirals and initiate pharmaceutical supplies across eastern and southern Africa.

Joshua is a co-founder and former chairman of Per Capita, an independent progressive policy think tank. Joshua is also author of the novel, Watson’s Pier (MUP 2015)and has a D.Phil in intellectual property for biotechnology from Oxford University where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

DIRECTOR

Mark Johnson is a strategic advisor, board member, and executive coach who has worked with Australian technology companies for over ten years both in the US and across Australia.

Having worked in and with the venture capital community in Silicon Valley for the last two decades, Mark has a track record of building businesses and teams. With experience from early-stage start-ups to Fortune 500 companies across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Mark brings a global perspective on business, entrepreneurship, and product development. Mark has served in both operating and director roles in technology companies from pre-funding stages through IPO and acquisition.

Mark was CEO of SkyPilot Networks (acquired by Trilliant), a carrier-class wireless broadband systems provider and an Associate Partner at Mobius Venture Capital (SOFTBANK) with a focus on mobile and software infrastructure. Prior to that, Mark directed product strategy at Preview Systems (acquired by Aladdin Knowledge Systems), a pioneer in the field of digital rights management and content distribution and spent 10 years at Apple in a succession of technical, marketing, and international management roles building platform ecosystems.

DIRECTOR

Sue Dahn is an experienced investment specialist having founded in 1998 the Melbourne private investment advisory practice of Pitcher Partners Investment Serviced as well as served as Investment Committee Chair in the superannuation and philanthropy sectors since 2000. Sue acts as investment advisor to not for profits, educational institutions, membership associations and industry bodies. Sue has held governance positions on Boards for over 30 years. Sue is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, FINSIA, AICD and the Governance Institute.

DIRECTOR

Sandra Andersen is an experienced non-executive director with a diverse background founded on deep experience in financial services, health and technology companies. Sam's executive industry experience covers financial services, digital technologies, healthcare, bio-technology, funds management, transport and agribusiness. Sam is also Chair of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Limited, Beyond Bank Australia Limited, Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd, and the Audit and Risk Committee for Victoria Police, a director of Secure Electronic Registries Victoria, and a Trustee of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust.

Sam holds a Bachelor of Laws and is a Certified Practicing Accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of FINSIA.

DIRECTOR

Kee Wong is an entrepreneur, investor, advisor and Non-Executive Director with a background and qualifications in engineering, Information technology and Business.

In 1999, Kee founded e-Centric Innovations – an IT/Management consulting firm that is still operating successfully in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. Since then, Kee has started and invested in other businesses globally.

Kee has a number of Board positions, including ASX 100 companies Carsales.com and InvoCare. Kee is a Board member for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), the Arts Centre Melbourne, the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Breakthrough Victoria and the Committee for Melbourne. Kee is also a member of the Victorian Government Ministerial Advisory Council on International Education and Victorian Government Ministerial Innovation Taskforce.

Recently, Kee joined the VicTrack Strategic Innovation Advisory Group, Transform Reform Board (Victorian Department of Transport), ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership Advisory Board, Swinburne University’s Technology and Innovation Committee.

CEO

The Breakthrough Victoria CEO is Mr Grant Dooley, an experienced international funds manager.

Grant commenced in the role in November 2021, returning to his home town of Melbourne from Singapore where he formerly headed ARA Infrastructure, managing public and private investment across the Asia-Pacific region. Grant was previously an Executive Director and Head of Asia for Hastings Funds Management.

Prior to working in funds management, Grant had a distinguished career as a trade official for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including two years as the Australian Consul General in Guangzhou, southern China from 2010-12.

"We can respond to complex challenges and make a real impact by investing in innovation with commercial potential."

CHIEF OF STAFF & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Lauren is a skilled innovation strategy specialist, responsible for leading the office of the CEO and company strategy initiatives. Lauren brings years of extensive experience in commercialization and innovation from her time in the innovation labs NAB and ANZ, and at Victorian based start-ups and unicorns, including Culture Amp. She is a founder, investor and holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School.

GENERAL COUNSEL & COMPANY SECRETARY

Rosemary is a senior legal advisor and governance professional, having worked in the private sector mainly in professional services, engineering and agricultural companies. She has extensive experience in advising the C Suite, boards and their chairs across a broad range of commercial and governance issues. Rosemary graduated in law at Monash University and is a graduate of the Governance Institute.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Sally is responsible for Breakthrough Victoria’s portfolio management across all five priority sectors. Prior to joining Breakthrough Victoria, Sally was a founding partner and the inaugural CEO of Bridges Australia, an affiliate of a global leader in impact investing, Bridges Fund Management.

With extensive experience in finance, funds management and strategy, Sally has spent many years working in and understanding Asia Pacific markets in senior roles at Accenture, JP Morgan Investment Management and SBC Warburg (now UBS).

Sally holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance from Monash University and was recognised in 2020 with an Order of Australia award for her work in ethical investment.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GROWTH CAPITAL

Brett is responsible for sourcing and investing in later stage investment opportunities, bringing over 30 years’ experience in funds management, mergers and acquisitions, sustainability and civil engineering. Having worked in multiple top tier organisations across the USA and Australia, Brett has also previously set up and run his own consulting firm advising on sustainability and corporate finance.

Brett is the holder of two masters degrees (MBA in finance from the University of Melbourne and Engineering Science from Monash University) and an undergraduate honours degree in civil engineering from Monash University. He is also a Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia and Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY & CORPORATE AFFAIRS

Cameron Harrison is responsible for the Strategy and Corporate Affairs for Breakthrough Victoria, with over a decade’s experience managing difficult public policy challenges for both the public and not-for-profit sectors.

Cameron brings with him a broad array of skills and experience from stakeholder management, communications, strategy and economic analysis.

Prior to joining Breakthrough Victoria, Cameron was Director of Policy in the Victorian Premier's Office. He has worked for the Grattan Institute with his work there focusing on energy, housing and budget analysis. Cameron also has a Master of Economics and is a keen surfer.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS

Richard is responsible for building out the IT, HR, Risk and Compliance, Finance and Facilities departments within Breakthrough Victoria. A skilled executive, he brings over 15 years experience in building governance, operations and products in startup organisations.

Prior to Breakthrough Victoria, Richard managed the Portfolio of Performance and Governance at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) and ran numerous award-winning frameworks and projects. Richard has also led work as a strategic consultant at both the Department of Premier and Cabinet and previously worked at the Home Office in the UK within the Business Development and Design area.