Our Organisation
Board of Management
Geelong Sustainability is governed by our Board of Management. Our highly skilled Board Members are elected by members annually at the Annual General Meeting. Board positions include Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and up to four General Board Directors.
Geelong Sustainability is governed by our Board inline with the requirements of the rules of our incorporated association. Read more about Our Governance
Meet the Geelong Sustainability Board
DAVID SPEAR - CHAIRPERSON
David is a strategic designer and executive leader with over 20 years’ experience delivering place-based solutions to complex challenges across climate, circular economy, and community wellbeing. As Chairperson of Geelong Sustainability, he helps to lead bold, systems-focused initiatives that create lasting environmental and social impact.
He is also Principal of Spearhead Strategic Design and Innovation, and currently works with the Give Where You Live Foundation, the Transport Accident Commission, and clean-tech startup Rhino Instruments. David brings a unique blend of innovation, governance, and cross-sector experience to help shape a regenerative, inclusive, and resilient future.
GLENN GARNAUT - TREASURER
Glenn has multinational leadership experience in the areas of financial controllership and risk working predominantly in the aerospace sector with a focus on developing lightweight materials to improve fuel efficiency and sustainability.
For the past six years Glenn has worked in senior roles and as Company Secretary for ZEN Energy, who seeks to lead communities into a zero-carbon world. ZEN is Australia’s first energy retailer to commit to a 1.5 degree science-based emissions target by 2030.
Glenn is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He loves spending time with his three young grandchildren who are a key driver for his desire to help create a sustainable future.
MARIAH CHANG - SECRETARY & INTERIM BOARD MEMBER
Mariah is a proactive and adaptable public servant, consultant and lawyer, who is passionate about using her skills to deliver positive environmental and community outcomes. Her professional experience spans developing energy and decarbonisation strategies, informing sustainability and circularity strategies, designing product stewardship schemes, and co-designing operating models. Her personal interests include striving to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, be a more ethical consumer, and support change-making organisations.
Mariah is an admitted lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria. She has a Bachelor of Laws and Economics.
NEIL PLUMMER- GENERAL BOARD MEMBER
As a Director with Out of the Box Executive, Neil helps organisations to capture opportunities and mitigate their risks through the energy, climate and circular economy transition. He is currently working with both Deakin Manufutures and DeakinCo in training entrepreneurs and start-up businesses on strategy, leadership, and business planning. As an experienced climatologist and former head of Climate Services in the Bureau of Meteorology, Neil currently provides climate research services to Monash University and the Victorian Government.
Neil is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company of Directors and has Masters degrees in both Business Administration and Science, a Graduate Diploma in Computing and a Diploma in Meteorology.
EMMA CONNAN - GENERAL BOARD MEMBER
Emma is a strategic leader committed to sustainability and performance excellence. As Head of Performance and Strategy at Barwon Water, she oversees key areas including strategy development, pricing and regulation, portfolio governance, performance insights, and business improvement.
Prior to this role, Emma spent over two decades at Deakin University, where she held multiple leadership positions, most recently she was Director of Sustainability, Environments, and Logistics. In this capacity, she championed Deakin’s sustainability efforts, leading the development and implementation of strategies addressing energy and emissions, waste, water management, and the built and natural environment. Under her leadership, Deakin emerged as a sector leader in sustainability, demonstrating leadership in climate mitigation and adaptation, integrated water management, and biodiversity management.
Emma is deeply passionate about governance, sustainability, and fostering meaningful change within the region.
FRED RITMAN - GENERAL BOARD MEMBER
Fred has a professional background in Education and IT over 30 years and is passionate about sustainability and renewable energy. Fred brings broad professional experience in Government, Schools, Universities and TAFE, the non-for-profit sector and private and public companies. He has held Executive positions in the Victorian State Government and private industry and has previously sat on the Geelong Sustainability Committee of Management (2018 to 2021), as well as a range of community and professional association boards. Fred currently holds the position of Director Information Services and Support at Geelong Grammar School. He holds the following qualifications; GAICD, Exec Master of Public Administration, Master of Education, Grad. Dip. Applied Science, Grad Dip Education, and B.A.
STUART MKOJERA-THOMSON - GENERAL BOARD MEMBER
Stuart grew up on Ladji Ladji country on the banks of the Murray River. His fascination with the natural world led him to study an undergraduate degree and then Masters of Environmental Science at Stockholm University. Stuart has worked as a campaigner for Greenpeace in Europe and as an observer to the United Nations and the European Union.
His work took him to Latin America, Africa and Asia before returning home to Australia and settling in Geelong. In Australia he has held senior leadership positions with organisations such as World Vision and Oxfam. Stuart also played a leadership role in the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In 2019 he co-founded and heads up the Good Business Foundation (GBF) which supports businesses, particularly small and medium-sized businesses 'baking in' social and environmental purpose within their business models.
Stuart is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company of Directors and spends his spare time running after his three kids and trying to make his 1950s house more sustainable.
STEPH MCDONALD - INTERIM BOARD MEMBER
Steph is a governance professional with a focus on community engagement and impact. She brings experience from both corporate and not-for-profit sectors and will chair the Governance Sub-Committee. Steph's qualifications include an Applied Science degree in Consumer Science and a Master of Business Administration. Steph is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems training. She is currently building on her expertise through additional postgraduate sustainability studies at Deakin University. Steph joined the Geelong Sustainability Board after an ah-ha-type moment that climate change isn't an abstract global challenge but a local and personal reality. Motivated to take action, she is committed to sharing her skillsets to create meaningful and lasting change in the community.
As a passionate sailor, ocean lover, and advocate for marine protection, Steph's sustainability lens is deeply connected to preserving and restoring aquatic ecosystems. She enjoys spending her spare time with her children and socialising with locals at yacht clubs, boat ramps, marinas, beaches and waterways.
EVAN CENTER - INTERIM BOARD MEMBER
Evan is a seasoned professional in environmental strategy, partnerships and research. At the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA), he oversees Australia's Environment and Climate Change programming to drive private-sector advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and business alignment with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles. This includes working with nearly 400 cross-sectoral businesses and investors to support the Net Zero transition (in alignment with the Paris Agreement), drive Nature Positive impact (in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework) and develop emerging areas for domestic and regional business engagement (e.g., circular economy, ocean, greenwashing, sustainable supply chains and just transition).
With a PhD in Communication from the University of Kansas, Evan has a rich background in environmental communication, advocacy and corporate social responsibility. His career spans roles in academia, industry and not-for-profits. Outside of work, Evan enjoys cooking and loves spending time in the ocean.