Our Board

Michael is the Chair of Tourism NT and Chair of the CGH Group, an international specialist labour-hire and recruitment company with 21 offices throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

For 19 years Michael was CEO of Airnorth, Australia’s second-oldest airline for 19 years and is now a Board Member of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA).

Michael was the Chair of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia for seven years and was also a Director/Trustee of the Aviation Industry Superannuation Trust for eight years.

Michael is a recipient of the National Australia Bank’s Medal for Management Innovation and in 2008 was awarded the Australian Aviation “Personality of the Year” for his work on creating an industry wide forum bringing together the 12 industry associations in an effort to find a consolidated voice. Michael also sat on a number of international Advisory Boards for the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer.

Michael is an Ambassador for the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, Business Events Northern Territory and the Museum and Arts Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Penny is the CEO of Darwin based wildlife tourist attraction Crocosaurus Cove. In 2008 when the park opened, her experience as an Executive Chef in the Riverland SA was utilised to create the attractions evening functions and events. With extensive experience in logistics, event management and catering she was able to consistently deliver over 120 successful functions a year. Visiting conferences to Darwin were majority of the events facilitated.

Penny further increased her skills in all facets of the tourism industry and business management by later becoming the General Manager of the park.

Penny has over 20 years of experience in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. A diploma in Hospitality Management, Frontline Management and an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In 2018 Penny was elected as a Director on the Board of Management for Tourism Top End and is currently serving a second term.

Scott Lovett is Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. His areas of responsibility include Tourism NT (marketing, industry development, business events and Study NT), Licensing NT (incorporating liquor licensing, racing, gaming, occupational licensing and associations) and Screen Territory. Scott previously led a multi-disciplinary team for the department as General Manager Strategy and Policy, heading economic analysis, strategic infrastructure development, project development, regulatory reform, industry strategy and strategic engagement activities for the NT.  A passionate advocate for regional development, Scott has held senior roles within Tourism NT, the Department of the Chief Minister and former Department of Trade, Business and Innovation.

Prior to joining the public sector Scott held senior roles in convention centres, stadia, event production houses and hotels across Australia.  He is Deputy Chair of the Australian Cruise Association and current board member of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the NT Major Events Company, the statutory company responsible for delivering some of the NT’s best known and loved events.  He is a past board member at Desert Knowledge Australia, the Australian Association of Convention Bureaux and Meetings Events Australia.

Scott was raised in regional Queensland and Adelaide, is a graduate in Tourism and Hospitality from the globally renowned Regency Hotel School and currently completing a Master in Business Administration from Deakin University.

Peter Jones AM is one of Australia’s leading event producers with more than 30 years’ experience creating, designing and delivering special events across the country.

He was the Managing Director of Melbourne-based Peter Jones Special Events, which has been the recipient of over 35 Meetings & Events Industry Awards, including Outstanding Contribution by an Individual and induction into the Hall of Fame in two separate categories, Special Event Organiser and Public Event of the Year. Mr Jones joined the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust in 2022.

Lauren Ganley is the Head of Telstra’s First Nations Strategy & Engagement where she leads the strategy and ongoing governance of engagement with First Nations peoples and communities across Australia.

Her work involves providing strategic advice, leading programs and business activities to improve digital and social inclusion, and advocating for better outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities across Australia. Ms Ganley’s career with Telstra spans 40 years.

Tony is a Commercial & Corporate Partner in national legal firm HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, which has offices in every Australian capital city.

He has more than 30 years of legal experience across government and private enterprise in the Northern Territory, and more widely in Australia.

With a strong focus on the tourism, health, education, banking, finance, construction and property industries, Tony has experience across a broad spectrum of legal subject matters including general advisory, risk, governance and assurance, legal compliance, transactional dealings and project work.

Tony is the managing partner of the Darwin office and serves on a number of profit and not-for-profit boards in the Northern Territory.

Sera Bray is an Arrernte woman hailing from Central Australia, who has made remarkable strides in the realms of construction, economic development and program management.

She is the Senior Director First Nations for the Northern Territory Government’s National Aboriginal Art Gallery (NAAG) project, underscoring her commitment to Central Australia’s most significant endeavour. She also serves as the Chair at Desert Knowledge Australia, further cementing her dedication to advancing First Nations knowledge and initiatives.

Sera brings over two decades of expertise to her endeavours, including holding senior executive roles and crafting strategy implementation plans aimed at fostering social change.

Prior to her tenure at a leading global professional services firm, GHD, Sera dedicated her efforts to one of Australia’s largest construction contractors, Leighton Contractors, where she served in a national executive capacity. Her contributions were instrumental in enhancing the organisation’s indigenous services capability and reshaping its approach to engineering, planning and design to better reflect and honour Aboriginal culture.

Sera played a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of infrastructure in Central Australia and the Barkly regions during her time as Regional Director of the Housing Program Office, Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics. She also held a senior position with the Central Land Council, where she spearheaded initiatives aimed at revitalising economic participation.

Suzana has 25 years of experience in the tourism and events industry, including leadership roles with some of Victoria’s most esteemed event organisations, counting the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), The Australian Grand Prix, The Royal Melbourne (Royal Melbourne Show) and Federation Square, leading a comprehensive portfolio of events and experiences as Chief Experience Officer over the past four years.

Suzana is experienced in delivering destination experience strategies. She is an advocate for events as a tool for tourism attraction and a strong contributor to the visitors’ economy.

Suzana has served various task forces and boards over the years, counting the Victorian Tourism Industry Council VTIC events committee, Canberra International Music Festival board, Port of Echuca Board, and Meetings and Events of Australia Board.

Suzana is an alumnus of the Committee for Melbourne’s Future Focus Group program and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She has a master’s in advertising and an Executive MBA from RMIT University.

With more than 20 years of Corporate and Financial management experience, Shelley brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Services.

Shelley also holds the position of company secretary and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors to provide up-to-date financial and performance information and ensure sound organisation corporate governance and effective risk management.

Overseeing the finance/corporate team, Shelley is responsible for providing direction and guidance to staff and takes pride in reflecting the company’s values and strategic goals by working to high standards of excellence, accuracy and transparency.

Before joining Northern Territory Major Events Company, Shelley worked as the Chief Financial Officer for both the Department of the Chief Minister and Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment.

With a FCPA and a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University, Shelley has dedicated much of her time to extending her knowledge in finance and corporate services by successfully graduating from the Company Directors Course and the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well.