Our People

Emeritus Professor Gary Martin commenced in the role of chief executive and executive director in 2012. He has overall responsibility for leading all aspects of the Institute's business, which is focussed on building leadership, management and workplace capability both in Australia and internationally, and across the corporate, government, not-for-profit and community sector.

Prior to joining AIM WA, Gary held numerous executive appointments at Murdoch University, the most recent of which was Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor.

Gary is a workplace specialist who focuses on key issues and challenges trending in our workplaces. He is a regular columnist in a variety of publications across Australia and internationally.

Gary is a Director of Volunteering WA. He was former Chair of Telethon Speech and Hearing (TSH) in Perth from 2016-2020 and Study Perth from 2016-2020, and a former Director of the Council for the Ageing in Western Australia (COTA WA).

He is Emeritus Professor of Murdoch University’s Business School and Zhejiang University of Technology in China, and Honorary Professor at Guangdong University of Business Studies, China.

Gary is an ex-officio member of both the AIM WA Finance, Investment and Risk Committee and the AIM WA Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

Mario D’Orazio commenced his AIM WA directorship in July 2013 and became Chair in January 2021.

Mario is an experienced director across commercial, government and not for profit organisations. After retiring as Managing Director of Channel Seven Perth in 2019, he was appointed to a variety of boards.

Currently, Mario is a director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and is chairman of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. He is also a councillor at the Art Gallery of WA Foundation.

Previously, he was a board member of the Australia Council for the Arts, WA Opera and chaired the WA Academy of Performing Arts advisory board.

Mario is also the Chair of the AIM WA Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

David Eaton commenced his directorship in March 2023.

David brings over 30 years’ experience as a senior executive and board director within commercial, government and for-purpose sectors; most recently serving as WA’s Small Business Commissioner.

He has expertise in managing complex stakeholder groups and corporate risks, while pursuing large-scale and transformative initiatives, including the development and implementation of digital strategies. David has been highly effective in fostering high performing, resilient and agile corporate cultures, delivering organisational growth and enhancing shareholder value.

In January 2025, he completed his third term as Small Business Commissioner where he conducted investigations into corporate and government practices; and provided advice to all tiers of government, on policy and regulatory matters to enhance economic growth and productivity. 

David was recognised in the 2023 Australia Day Honours list with a Public Service Medal for outstanding service to business, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds a Master of Business Administration (UWA), is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and serves on the Curtin Law School Advisory Board.

Richard Godfrey commenced his AIM WA directorship in April 2014.

He is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the West Coast Eagles Football Club (Indian Pacific Limited).

In 2006, Richard completed a Senior Business Program at Harvard Business School and in 2011 a Senior Executive Program at London Business School.

He is currently also the Company Secretary of both Indian Pacific Limited and the West Coast Eagles Supporters Club Limited, and a Director and Chair of the Finance Committee with the Waalitj Foundation.

Richard graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Australia and has considerable experience in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors, public companies and in non-executive director roles.

Richard is the Chair of the AIM WA Finance, Investment and Risk Committee.

Simone Hansen commenced her AIM WA directorship in April 2016.

Simone is an experienced senior leader with a demonstrated history of successfully leading complex businesses not only in the highly competitive sporting landscape as the Chief Executive Officer Netball WA, West Coast Fever and Glass Jar Australia; but in financial services having led large retail, commercial and third-party banking teams across the Western and Central States of Australia.

She is currently the CEO of Netball WA, having been appointed in April 2021, and is responsible for leading and developing the sport of netball across Western Australia. In addition, she is responsible for overseeing the elite West Coast Fever, WA’s representatives in the world’s leading domestic netball competition, as well as Glass Jar Australia, which delivers the Shooting Stars program to empower young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls across WA and South Australia.

Simone graduated Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Commerce and began her working life with the Commonwealth Bank in a number of frontline roles before moving to Sydney to commence her leadership journey. Since then, she has held senior roles in the Banking & Finance sector for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and Aussie Home Loans, before pivoting her career into the realm of sports.

Simone is a member of the AIM WA Finance, Investment and Risk Committee.

Linda O’Farrell commenced her directorship in April 2018.

Linda is the founder of Go Higher Pty Ltd, a purpose driven consultancy inspiring companies and leaders to go higher and transform culture and contribution.

As a senior People and Culture executive, Linda has shaped people strategy for leading international resources companies including Newcrest Mining, BHP, Mount Gibson, and Fortescue Metals Group where she held the role of Director Fortescue People from 2013 to 2022, a period of massive growth based on a valued based culture of innovation.

After gaining a Bachelor of Economics (Honours in Industrial Relations) from the University of Western Australia, Linda commenced her career with CCIWA. Moving into the resources sector sparked her interest in leadership development, Aboriginal employment and building workplaces which support people and families.

Linda is a Director of Lifeline Australia and Austin Engineering Ltd and she is a member of AICD and Chief Executive Women.

Linda is also a member of the AIM WA Remuneration and Nominations Committee and the Chair of the AIM WA Advisory Committee.

Brian Pereira commenced his AIM WA directorship in November 2024.

Brian was appointed to the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer of Crown Perth in August 2024, having initially joined Crown Perth as Chief Financial Officer in July 2023.   He is a commercial strategically minded Executive with more than 30 years of experience across several industries including banking both in Australia and the UK, infrastructure, mining services and aviation, and for the past 20 years, he has been operating in senior executive leadership roles.

Prior to his role at Crown, Brian was Chief Financial Officer of Perth Airport, for almost seven years where he led the Finance, Treasury, Strategy and IT functions,  navigating the organisation financially through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Earlier in his career, Brian was also the Chief Financial Officer at WesTrac Caterpillar, Brookfield Rail (now Arc Infrastructure) and BankWest.  

He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Brian is a member of the AIM WA Finance, Investment, and Risk Committee.  

Emma Read commenced her AIM WA directorship in December 2023.

Emma is a senior leader within the oil and gas industry with over 25 years’ experience in technical and business roles. Emma is currently the Vice President of FPSO’s (WA) and Macedon for Woodside Energy. 

Emma has contributed to, and led teams, for major LNG projects, Operations and Engineering roles. Emma has also worked with the business and joint venture partners to deliver strategy, significant investment decisions and corporate governance for Woodside assets.

Emma has received a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Hons) and a Bachelor of Science.