2025 IPAA WA Young Professionals Conference

Ms Rebecca Brown commenced as Director General of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) in September 2018. In this role, she is also Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Western Australia.

Ms Brown has overseen significant changes across JTSI to position the agency as critical to advancing the State Government’s key policy agendas, including growing local jobs, diversifying the State’s industry base and export potential and continuing to leverage the broader research, science and innovation community to advance outcomes for Western Australia.

Ms Brown has worked across both Federal and State government agencies in a range of senior roles across revenue and economic policy, social policy, resourcing and performance. This included overseeing the reform of the WA health system, including the establishment of a new governance model and the development of the Health Services Act 2016.

Ms Brown has an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of Western Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Emily is a career driven individual, always looking for new innovative ways to upskill and enhance her career. Before entering her current job at the Parliament of Western Australia in the Legislative Council, she was in the not-for-profit sector.

Emily joined the IPAA WA Young Professionals Committee in 2024 and began in the role of Events Facilitator. During her time, she has hosted many successful events for the Young Professional community, including the first end-of-year sundowner.

Richard Sellers is a distinguished public servant with a remarkable track record.  Richard currently serves as the Director General of the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). As the head of DEMIRS, Richard has been a driving force behind State Government reforms.

He has held key positions, including Director General of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Director General of the Department of Transport, Commissioner for Main Roads WA, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Authority, and Director General of the former Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Trevor is a Nyungar man born to Nyungar parents. He is recognised and accepted as such by his Aboriginal community. His family ties originate from the Wheatbelt and South West regions of Western Australia.

He has connections with the Whadjuk, Ballardong, Yued and Wardandi clans of Western Australia.  He is a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His professional career spans 26 years, with experience working in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, self-employment and the State Government Department of Sport and Recreation. He is a qualified painter and decorator by trade.

Alex Ripper is the Executive Director, Native Title Negotiations at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and is responsible for leading the development of whole of Government native title policy and the resolution of native title compensation claims with Traditional Owner groups across the State.

Prior to his appointment, Alex was a senior executive at the National Native Title Tribunal, where he led the work of the Tribunal’s Future Acts and Post-Determination Assistance divisions. An accredited mediator for over a decade, Alex has facilitated a wide range of negotiations involving resource development and land access proposals, as well as intra-indigenous and PBC disputes.

Vivian is an experienced public sector leader, with over 17 years’ experience in both central and line agencies, with a deep understanding of best practice governance, innovation and service delivery improvement.

As an Executive Director with the Public Sector Commission she is leading the Agency Capability Review Program and advising on public sector culture, capability, performance and business improvement.

Previously the Director of Executive Government Services with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Vivian brings a passion for public service to all her roles, embedding cultures of good governance and ongoing improvement using inclusive management and effective change strategies.

Natasa Dale has been working at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) for two years, and the last 10 months has been the acting Executive Director Strategy and Performance Accountability where she leads five teams: Child Safeguarding Implementation Unit, Governance and Risk, Performance, Analysis and Reporting, Strategic Policy, and Strategy and Transformation.

Natasa completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Commercial Law) at Curtin University, and a Graduate Diploma in Economics at the University of Western Australia. Following this, she secured a position in the graduate program at the Department of Treasury in 2012. Over her career, Natasa has held various senior level policy, economic and leadership roles since 2017 across numerous agencies including the Department of Transport (Westport), the Mental Health Commission, and now at DLGSC.

Passionate about public policy, Natasa pursues career and development opportunities where a difference can be made in the community at systemic levels. To assist in this, she is currently halfway through completing the two-year degree Executive Master of Public Administration delivered by the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). Natasa is passionate about continuous learning and provides mentorship, guidance and support to all who ask for it, and who wish to learn, refine their skills and grow.

Dr Jill Whelan has worked in a variety of contexts and content areas over her 40-year career. Jill originally studied commerce at the University of Melbourne and commenced a teaching career. After more than 10 years, Jill was ready to try something different so returned to RMIT University to study food science and nutrition. She chose to work with homeless youth during her placement and honours project to co-design a socially inclusive food security program for homeless young people. This work gained national and international recognition which eventually led Jill back to University, this time Deakin University to undertake her PhD in the sustainability of community-based prevention. Throughout her career Jill has placed ‘equity’ at the centre of her life and passionately elevates  the voices of those who otherwise have limited power and influence.

After spending most of her life in Victoria, Jill moved to Perth in 2022 to further her academic career. She was soon offered and accepted the exciting and challenging role of working with four diverse Western Australian communities to implement core components of the Early Years Partnership with the Department of Communities and create a blueprint for change for all Western Australian children. Jill has worked for Education, non-Government organisations, corporate entities, in private practice, tertiary institutions, consultancy and is likely to close out that diverse portfolio within the Western Australian Government.

Alexis Stevens is the Acting Director of the Lands, Ports and Financial Entities directorate at the Department of Treasury, a role in which she provides advice to the Government on various policy issues ranging from new infrastructure proposals to drive economic development to options to increase residential housing supply to cost of living support initiatives.

Over the past nine years, Alexis has progressed her career within the WA State Government, working in various roles at the WA Police Force and then at Treasury.

She is known for her strategic acumen, ability to influence senior decision makers and commitment to embodying the spirit of the public service.

Alexis has an undergraduate science degree from the University of Notre Dame and a post graduate certificate of commerce from the University of Western Australia.

Amberley Bradley has been dedicated to the field of Community Development for the past eight years, beginning her career immediately after high school through a trainee program. Now the Coordinator Community Services, she is driven by a deep passion for fostering meaningful change and works to empower communities by equipping individuals with the skills, confidence and platforms needed to become active citizens and local advocates. Her commitment extends to sharing her insights as a young woman in local government and fostering collaboration within the sector.

A founding member of the Youth Advisory Board of Local Government Professionals WA, Amberley has also been honoured with the WA Young Leader Award for Community Development in 2023, received the City of Kalamunda’s Innovation Award for digital engagement in 2021, and has both designed and supported teams to create several award-winning programs within the City of Kalamunda.

Sharni Foulkes is the dynamic Chief Executive Officer of the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry. With a proven track record in strategic leadership, Sharni has driven transformative growth for the Chamber, enhancing its revenue, membership, and workforce.

She is a passionate advocate for regional development, forging strong relationships across government, business, and community sectors to champion Broome’s economic prosperity. Known for her innovative approach and commitment to supporting local businesses, Sharni brings extensive expertise in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and organisational growth to her role.

Josie Janz-Dawson is a Torres Strait Islander, Born on Thursday Island QLD and grew up in Derby, West-Kimberley. When she was 15 years old she accepted a scholarship to attend boarding school at Presbyterian Ladies College in Perth.

Josie played netball for Western Australia underage representative teams, and after she graduated year 12 she received a two year netball scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Josie then moved back to Perth where she played netball for the WestCoast Fever team from 2008 to 2016 in the ANZ Championship, and then played netball in the United Kingdom Superleague for both the Severn Stars and Team Bath.

Josie has been working at the Waalitj Foundation since 2009 in the Education Programs focusing on building positive role models in our communities.

Peta is an inspiring entrepreneur and thought leader, a life change practitioner and master storyteller. In a career of more than 30 years that has included about 50,000 hours of one-on-one sessions, she is a rarity, redefining psychology, wellbeing, leadership and performance, and establishing herself as a beacon of change across a range of global industries.

As the founder and CEO of Performance Story, Peta’s leadership spans corporate health, medical technology, mining and global advisory roles. Her influence extends across Australia and North America where she has worked closely with organisations to foster wellbeing and high performance. Her experience includes senior executive roles and board positions in professional services, insurance and the WA Institute of Sport where she serves as its deputy chair.

A sought-after speaker and writer, Peta’s ability to blend actionable insights with warmth, humour and hope leaves audiences inspired to rethink leadership and mental health. Her work continues to shape the future of industries, making her a trusted guide for organisations looking to create lasting change in mental health and performance.

Peta’s unwavering passion for creating healthier individuals, teams and high-performing workplaces makes her a rare and invaluable leader whose impact resonates far beyond the boardroom. In the words of Jacobs vice-president HSEQ Europe and North America Paul Hendry, “She has an indescribable ability to change the way people see the world, and we are the better for it”