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).

A Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, Gary 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 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 the Australia Council for the Arts. He chairs the WA Academy of Performing Arts advisory board and is Chair of the National Heart Foundation.

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

Janet Barnes commenced her AIM WA directorship in March 2021.

Janet is an experienced executive with vast strategic and large-scale operational experience across complex and highly regulated industries including FMCG, Pharmaceuticals, Banking & Finance, and more recently Telecommunications. Most recently, Janet was the National Enterprise Executive accountable for Telstra’s corporate segment.

Graduating with an Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) from The University of Western Australia (UWA) and Graduate Certificate Business Management, ECU, Janet is also Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and governing board member of the West Australian Opera.

Janet is a member of the AIM WA Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

David Eaton commenced his directorship in March 2023.

David is Western Australia’s Small Business Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC). In this dual role, he is responsible for the broad range of services delivered by the SBDC including its dispute resolution and mediation service.

The Commissioner also conducts investigations into corporate and business practices which hinder small business and economic growth; and provides advice on policy and regulatory matters impacting on the small business sector to all tiers of government and the WA Minister for Small Business.

David is the longest serving Small Business Commissioner in Australia and has extensive business management experience, both as a small business owner and in senior corporate positions in Western Australia and Victoria. He was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2023 Australia Day Honours list for outstanding service to small business development, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

David holds a Masters in Business Administration (UWA), is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of 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 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 and Risk Committee.

Michael Heath commenced his AIM WA directorship in April 2018.

Michael joined Activ as Chief Executive Officer in November 2021.

He has previously worked as COO at Hawaiian, CEO of the St Ives Group and Perth Racing and in senior executive management roles at the RAC for 16 years. 

Michael has worked in Disability Services, Property, Finance, Aged Care, Sport, Operations and Senior Management over a 36-year career.  He has a strong values-based approach with emphasis on safety, unity, data based decisions, action, governance and executive focus.

Michael has an MBA and Diploma of Strategic Management and is a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.  He has been a director of several Not for Profit organisations, and is currently a Director of MercyCare.  Michael is also a Committee Member for the Carbine Club of WA.

Michael is also a member of the AIM WA Finance 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.

Emma is the Vice President of Bass Strait and Wheatstone Business Units for Woodside Energy. She has over 24 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in technical and business roles.

Starting as a process engineer, Emma has contributed to and led teams for major LNG projects, Operations and Engineering roles. Emma has also worked with joint venture partners to deliver strategy, key investment decisions and corporate governance for Woodside assets.

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