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 has 25 years’ experience as an operations executive and leading research infrastructure across CSIRO, Monash University, The University of Melbourne, Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan), and the clinical healthcare environment of Monash Health. He has most recently led investment planning, risk management, operational strategy, and governance for CSIRO Manufacturing's national portfolio of 350 specialised laboratories supporting a $140 million research program and more than 600 staff. Experienced in research infrastructure strategy, capital investment, facilities governance, organisational transformation, research precinct collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. Eugene has a proven track record delivering major research infrastructure initiatives and building partnerships across universities, government, healthcare, industry, and national research organisations. Eugene is passionate about enabling research excellence through strategic infrastructure, high-performing operations, and collaborative innovation ecosystems. A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, 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.

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.

Alex Barakat is an AI and digital transformation specialist with more than 35 years of international experience helping organisations turn technology into measurable business outcomes. He has worked across the UK, Europe, the USA, South East Asia and Australia, supporting organisations of all sizes to adopt AI and emerging technologies in practical, value-driven ways. Alex’s career spans financial services, energy, retail, logistics, government and education. He has partnered with leading organisations including UniSuper, Wesfarmers, NAB, AEMO, Toll Group and Australia Post, helping leaders translate innovation opportunities into clear, actionable strategies they can implement with confidence. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in AI Business Strategies from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, a Postgraduate Certificate in Frontline Leadership from Warwick Business School, and a Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) from Monash University. As a recently appointed MPN Board Member, Alex is passionate about supporting Network businesses to harness AI for sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Ryan is the Operations Manager for Moog Australia, and a member of the Moog Australia Leadership Team. He joined Moog in January 2026 after a Program Management role at Tectonica, where he led development of the Situational Awareness System for Army’s Land400 Program, developed sovereign made soldier systems for ASCA, delivered content for Germany’s idz-ES soldier modernisation program, and developed Power & Data solutions for U.S. Special Operations Command. Previously, he worked on acquisition and sustainment programs at Elbit Systems and started his career in Toyota’s R&D division. At Moog, he supported the F-35 Maintenance Depot stand-up to AS9110 standards, established a site-level operational excellence program, and introduced new planning methods to improve SIFOT and DIFOT. Ryan is a qualified Industrial Designer and Project Manager, holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business, and has completed OCG leadership development training. He also serves as a non-executive director of Monash Precinct Network.

Ben Aldham is the Executive Manager of Operations for the Technology Research Unit at CSIRO. Ben is an accomplished operational leader with a strong track record of strategic thinking, organisational transformation, and delivering impactful outcomes across complex environments. His 20+ year career spans senior leadership roles, with expertise in business strategy, service delivery, stakeholder engagement, and organisational performance. Ben is a Chemical Engineer and holds postgraduate qualifications in management and leadership. Ben is passionate about innovation and creating meaningful value for organisations and the communities they serve.