Our People
Meet the team behind the mission.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do – driving research, engagement and education to advance Australia’s understanding of the Indo-Pacific.
From policy experts to communications professionals, our diverse and dedicated team works collaboratively to strengthen strategic thinking between Australia, the Indo-Pacific and the United States.
Based at The University of Western Australia, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit institution committed to fostering stronger regional connections and building informed communities.
Leadership team
Prof. Gordon Flake
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Lisa Cluett
Chief Engagement Officer
Shelby Crookes
Chief Operating Officer
Content, analysis and international relations expertise
Daein Cha
Senior Research Adviser
(Energy)
Renee Chalon
Head of Content and Analysis
Dr Pia Dannhauer
Senior Research Fellow
(Southeast Asia
& Indo-Pacific Security)
Jasmin Diab
Senior Research Adviser
(Nuclear Technologies)
Dr Andrew Dowse AO
Principal Research Adviser (Defence and Security Strategy)
Hangga Fathana
Senior Research Fellow (Indonesia-Australia relations)
Jo Feldman
Senior Fellow
(Geopolitics and Trade)
Alana Ford
Senior Research Adviser (Defence, Security and Technology)
Kathryn Froend
Content and Analysis Officer
Jisoo Kim
Senior Research Fellow (AI and Emerging Technologies)
Sarah Leary
Senior Research Adviser
(First Nations Foreign Policy)
Dr Iain MacGillivray
Senior Research Fellow (International Affairs and Defence Strategy)
This affiliation is hosted as part of a collaboration with RAND Australia.
Aaron Magunna
Associate Research Fellow (Economic Security)
Professor Kirsten Martinus
Senior Research Adviser: Regional development and resilience
Andrew Pickford
Principal Research Adviser
(Resources and Infrastructure)
Paula Rogers
Principal Program Adviser (International Partnerships and Engagement)
Jenny Winata
Associate Research Fellow (Australia-Indonesia Relations)
Communications, Education, Events and Operations
Nelia Amenabar
Finance Manager
Bella Benjamin
Stakeholder Relations Officer
Aliah Bogdanich
Digital Production and Communications Officer
Jeffrey Choong
Finance Officer
Emily Davies
Program and Events Manager
Parisa De Jonge
Communications and Marketing Manager
Melinda Mounsey
Education and Engagement Manager
Therese Sanders
Business Manager
Board of Directors
Stephen Smith
Chair
Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Hon Kim Beazley AC
Emeritus Director
Former Australian Ambassador to the United States
Deidre Willmott
Deputy Chair
Non-executive Director
Prof. Amit Chakma
Director
Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia
Rebecca Tomkinson
Director
Western Australia’s Agent General for the United Kingdom and Europe Region
Hon Richard Court AC
Director
Former Ambassador
of Australia to Japan
Prof. Gordon Flake
Director
CEO at the
Perth USAsia Centre
Dr Michael J Green
Director
CEO at the
United States Studies Centre
Lynn Kuok
Director
Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies, Brookings Institution
Leila Smith
Director
CEO at the
Aurora Education Foundation
Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO
Director
Former Australian Ambassador to the United States and Chair at the United States Studies Centre
Clare Pope
Director
Partner at
Gilbert + Tobin
Audit, Risk & Remuneration Committee
Deidre Willmott
Chair
Non-executive Director
Geoff Lotter
Committee Member
Non-executive Director
Rebecca Tomkinson
Committee Member
Western Australia’s Agent General for the United Kingdom and Europe Region
Clare Pope
Committee Member
Partner at
Gilbert + Tobin