12th Council Membership
Official Members
Chancellor![A man in a dark suit, blue shirt, and polka dot tie stands outside, smiling, with greenery and a blurred flag in the background.]()
Hon Dr John McVeigh
BBus DDIAE, MBA Bond, PhD Qld
John was appointed by Council as Chancellor of the University, commencing in December 2024. Prior to this appointment, John worked in higher education as the Executive Director of the Institute for Resilient Regions at UniSQ. He also sits on boards in the engineering, agriculture, regional economic development, schooling and energy sectors.
John enjoyed a political career across local, state, and federal levels, which included Qld Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2012-2016 and Federal Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government 2017-2018. His earlier career was in agribusiness management and marketing.
John is Chair of the Chancellor’s Committee and Honorary Awards Committee, and a member of Audit and Risk Committee and Finance and Facilities Committee.
Vice-Chancellor![A smiling woman with short curly hair, glasses, and a pearl necklace stands outdoors in front of large windows and greenery.]()
Professor Karen Nelson
BIT, BIT(Hons), PhD QUT
In October 2024, Karen was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor and then, in March 2025, she was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, a position in which she will remain until Professor Paul Mazerolle commences as Vice-Chancellor and President in March 2026. Karen commenced at UniSQ in February 2019 in the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), and in January 2022, Professor Nelson was appointed to the position of Provost. Prior to joining UniSQ, Karen was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and previously, she was Director of Student Success and Retention, and Director of First Year Experience at QUT.
Karen is a member of the Chancellor’s Committee, Finance and Facilities Committee, the Honorary Awards Committee and Academic Board.
Chair, Academic Board![a kist]()
Professor Alexander Kist
Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) in Communications Engineering Fachhochschule Offenburg, Germany, PhD RMIT
Alexander was appointed by Council as the Chair of Academic Board in 2024. He is a Professor of Telecommunications in the School of Engineering, with research interests in computer networking, teletraffic engineering, and engineering education. His recent work has been particularly focused on enabling positive, student-centred learning experiences, equity of access, remote access laboratories, and technology-enhanced learning environments. Alexander is committed to advancing student experience, academic excellence, and higher education governance.
Alexander is a member of the Chancellor’s Committee and the Honorary Awards Committee
Appointed Members
Mr Brett Delaney![An older man with short gray hair and glasses wears a navy suit, striped tie, and name badge, standing outdoors in daylight.]()
BCom Qld
After a long career in audit, accountancy, and business advisory, Brett retired as a senior partner from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2012, having held positions in Australia and the United Kingdom working across a wide range of public sector organisations, global and Australian listed companies, and private companies. Since his retirement Brett has held a range of board positions including the Heart Foundation of Australia, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, and Honeycombes Property Group.
Brett Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee of Council, and is a member of the Finance and Facilities Committee, and the Chancellor’s Committee.
Emeritus Professor John Cole OAM
BA (Hons), PhD Qld
John is an expert in regional development and innovative sustainable development, having had an extensive career in government and higher education, including Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) and Executive Director of the Institute for Resilient Regions UniSQ, Executive Director EPA Queensland, Chief Officer of the Office of Clean Energy Queensland, and Assistant Director-General of Multicultural Affairs Queensland. John is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a number of board memberships including Eco Markets Australia, the Ipswich Jets, and the Australia Age of Dinosaurs Museum.
John is a member of the Finance and Facilities Committee and the Chancellor’s Committee.
Aunty Lorraine Hatton OAM![A woman with short gray hair, wearing glasses and a black dress with a large blue flower print, smiles while standing outdoors.]()
Aunty Lorraine is a Quandamooka Elder and retired servicewoman who had a 21 year career in the Australian Army, serving in peacekeeping, humanitarian, peace-monitoring and war operations in various theaters and campaigns, including Communications Manager to the Australian Army Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in 2006. Aunty Lorraine was appointed as the Indigenous Elder of the Australian Army in 2020, and is a current board member of the Australian War Memorial Council.
Aunty Lorraine is a member of the Chancellor’s Committee and the Honorary Awards Committee.
Ms Amanda Kenafake![A woman with shoulder-length brown hair is smiling at the camera while wearing a floral-patterned dress and a silver necklace. The background is softly blurred.]()
BCom USQ, CPA, CA
Amanda is the Chief Executive Officer of Power Tynan, a business advisory and accounting firm with offices in Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Roma and Brisbane. She is also a non-executive director of a number of organisations including SEQ Water, and Chair of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Darling Downs Forum.
Amanda is Chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Chancellor’s Committee.
Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond APM![A police officer in formal uniform with medals and a checked hat, standing and smiling in front of a plain dark background.]()
BA CQU, GDipCrim QUT, MLeadMgt CSU, GradCertAppMgt AIPM, ExecMPolMgt AIPM
Charysse is currently Assistant Commissioner of the Qld Police Service Security and Counter-Terrorism and Forensic Services Command, and was previously the Assistant Commissioner for the Southern Region People and Capability Command. She is responsible for leading large, diverse teams in high pressure and politically sensitive environments, and has high-level strategic policy skills and extensive experience in leading change, innovation and collaboration.
Additional Members
Deputy Chancellor
Mr George Fox AM
BCom, LLB (Hons) Qld
George has been a solicitor in private practice for over 30 years and has taught law and accountancy at tertiary level. He has been an adjunct professor at four universities, dispute resolution consultant to a division of the World Bank, consultant to the courts of Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, and a Law Reform commissioner to the Republic of Fiji. He has extensive board experience in both public and private sectors, including Past President of the Queensland Law Society, Australian Tax Practitioners Board, Legal Profession’s nominee as Civil Liberties Commissioner of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, Lifeline Darling Downs, Lifeline Australia, and chairing a software development company and disability support provider.
George is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Chancellor’s Committee, Finance and Facilities Committee, and Honorary Awards Committee.
Ms Heidi Dugan![A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a maroon blazer and light top, stands outdoors smiling at the camera.]()
BCA USQ, ADipBusIntTrade RMIT
Heidi is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience living and working in China. She was the first foreigner to host a daily Chinese TV show, and is the only foreign host licensed to live broadcast on Chinese national TV. As CEO and Founding Director of the Arete Group, Heidi helps international brands expand into the Chinese market with impact and integrity. She is Chair of AustCham Shanghai and serves on several boards in Australia and China. In her role as Global Ambassador for Queensland appointed by Trade and Investment Queensland, Heidi champions Australia-China relations. Heidi is also an advocate for women’s leadership, wellness, and professional development.
Heidi is a member of the Finance and Facilities Committee.
Elected Members
Elected Academic Staff Member![A woman with light brown hair pulled back, wearing a beige and white striped long-sleeve shirt, stands outdoors and smiles at the camera.]()
Dr Sarah McKibbin
LLB(Hons) USQ, GDipLegPrac ANU, PhD USQ
Sarah is a lecturer in the School of Law and Justice with research interests in private international law, legal history, equity, and trusts. Prior to commencing her career in academia, Sarah was a solicitor at a private firm, and an administrative officer in the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
Sarah is a member of the Honorary Awards Committee.
Elected Professional Staff Member![A woman with light brown hair tied back, wearing a black shirt and a necklace, smiles while standing outdoors with greenery and blurred buildings in the background.]()
Dr Samantha Rose
Sam is currently the Acting Chief Operating Officer for UniSQ’s Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications, and Hypersonics Hub (iLAuNCH) - a $180M research consortium with UniSA, ANU and 20+ industry partners, supported by the Federal Government’s Trailblazer program. Sam’s substantive position at UniSQ is the Director of the Office of Research, where she is responsible for leading research funding, research contract management, research ethics and integrity, and research performance and strategy. In previous roles at UniSQ, Sam has been responsible for the provision of high-level executive, project, strategy and research management support. Prior to joining UniSQ, Sam was a Project Officer for the Australian Association for Pacific Studies based at the University of Qld.
Sam is a member of the Honorary Awards Committee.
Elected Student Member![A man with a shaved head wearing a dark button-up shirt stands outdoors, smiling at the camera with greenery and blurred background elements behind him.]()
Joshua McKeiver
BSc Murdoch, MSc USQ
Josh is a PhD candidate in the School of Mathematics, Physics and Computing, researching in mathematical physics, nonlinear physics and quantum mechanics. Josh has previously worked as an M/LWD engineer, operating and maintaining oil and gas drilling operations tools to gather real-time data. As the elected student member of Council, Josh is also a member of the UniSQ Student Senate.