About Us

Allira Cundy serves as Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Innovation Business Centre and Board Director of Monash Precinct Network. A strategic leader in innovation and business transformation, she specialises in scaling programs from concept to market. Her executive experience spans enterprise system management for large corporates, product development for SMEs, and delivering transformational growth strategies for startups and NFPs. Through her commercial acumen and strategic leadership, Allira drives sustainable organisational growth while fostering innovation ecosystem development across the City of Monash.

Eugene Fredericks is Executive Manager, Operations (Manufacturing) at CSIRO. His breadth of experience spans four sectors: operations management for the Commonwealth Agency CSIRO and in the Higher Education sector at Monash University (Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences) and the University of Melbourne (Faculty of Science). Previously, Eugene was in the International Corporate sector as a Senior Research Scientist for Toyota (Japan) and going further back he was in the Victorian Not-for-Profit Sector as Education Co-ordinator for the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. Eugene has a PhD in molecular biology and an MBA. He also has a wife, three children, two cavoodles, and several guitars.

Michael James is Director of ANSTO’s Australian Synchrotron, located in Melbourne’s Monash Precinct.  He leads more than 230 staff at Australia’s largest standalone research facility, which supports thousands of researchers annually through its powerful beams of synchrotron light for studies in health, energy, materials, and environmental science.  Michael also heads the $100 million BRIGHT Program, expanding the Synchrotron’s capabilities with eight new beamlines.   A leading materials chemist with over 150 publications, he has previously held senior roles at ANSTO’s OPAL reactor, the University of New South Wales, and a member of the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts.

Tanya Scicluna is the Director of Community Services at the City of Monash and has over 20 years’ experience in local government and the community services sector. She oversees a broad portfolio including economic development and placemaking, aged and disability services, libraries, youth and family services, sport and recreation and community development.  She has held senior roles across several Victorian councils and brings deep expertise in governance, policy, and stakeholder engagement.  Tanya currently serves on the Board of LGPro (Local Government Professionals Victoria), where she contributes to sector-wide leadership and innovation. She holds postgraduate qualifications in management and disability studies and is passionate about building resilient and connected communities.

Damian is Managing Partner at The Agenda Group, a multidisciplinary consultancy specialising in strategic communications and government relations. With over two decades of experience, Damian has built a reputation for clarity, influence, and impact across public and private sectors. He brings a relentless focus on delivering value for clients – whether navigating complex policy environments, shaping engagement strategies, or driving outcomes that matter. Damian is a trusted adviser to industry executives, public institutions, and government stakeholders.

Mariella Smids is a strategic leader in innovation district development, currently serving as Director, Precincts at Monash University. She is a founding architect of the Monash Precinct Network and has led its formal establishment, advancing Monash’s role as a driver for collaborative innovation. Over the past eight years, she has spearheaded stakeholder engagement to grow the Monash Technology Precinct and strengthen campus-based ecosystems that connect education, research, industry, and government. Globally, Mariella contributes to the Steering Committee of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts, bringing international insight to local precinct strategy. She also serves as a Board Director of Eastern Innovation, a business hub supporting high-growth ventures in Melbourne’s South East, and is a member of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the International Association for Public Participation. With over two decades of experience, Mariella has led complex engagement initiatives and built strategic partnerships across the Netherlands, Brussels, Scotland, and Australia. Her work consistently bridges public and private sectors, enabling place-based innovation through trusted relationships, ecosystem-building, and strategic alignment.

Andrew Snelgar is the Financial Controller at Moog Australia, based in Melbourne, and a member of the company’s leadership team. He oversees the day-to-day management of the finance function and has been instrumental in several key milestones since joining Moog in 2020, including graduating from Moog’s LEAD leadership program (2024), leading the ERP upgrade from MFGPro to QAD (2022), and managing the Defence Systems Europe finance team (2022–2024). With extensive experience as Financial Controller for global multinationals across manufacturing, medical devices, and consumer healthcare, Andrew brings deep financial and operational insight to his role. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), holds an MBA from the University of Southampton, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Andrew also serves as Director and Treasurer of the Monash Precinct Network, fostering collaboration between industry, research, and government.

Gill Di Pasquale is an Accredited Economic Development professional (ACEcD) with extensive experience in marketing, stakeholder engagement and program delivery. She leads initiatives that support business, innovation and community outcomes across the City of Monash, connecting businesses, education providers and industry partners to build capability and strengthen local economies. Gill has delivered a wide range of impactful projects including small business support, precinct development and workforce inclusion programs. She is committed to amplifying the Monash Precinct Network to foster collaboration and growth across sectors. Prior to joining local government, Gill built and managed a successful small business and worked in tourism destination marketing and the travel industry. Gill is dedicated to advancing professional development within the economic development sector and champions inclusive access to employment and business opportunities.

Jack Kormas was Managing Director of Textron Systems Australia, overseeing all national operations, including engineering R&D, manufacturing of the world-renowned Aerosonde UAS, flight operations, training, and financial performance. With over 35 years in Aerospace and Defence, he has led in both civilian and military domains. Jack is Board Director of the Monash Precinct Network and serves on RMIT’s Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre Industry Advisory Committee. He was also Director and Company Secretary of Textron Aviation and Bell Textron Australia, Past-President of the AIDN (Victoria), and a Director of AAUS. Previously, he held senior roles at Rockwell Collins in Quality Management and Lean/Six Sigma, ensuring compliance with AS9100, ISO-9000, and aviation safety standards. His decade at Boeing included roles in program, spares, and quality management. Jack began his career at Hawker de Havilland and holds a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University.