Executive Team Biographies
Ken Morrison, Chief Executive
Ken Morrison is the Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, the national representative of the property
industry, an industry that creates prosperity, jobs and strong communities. The property industry is the nation’s
largest single industry, employing 1.4 million Australians, which is more than mining and manufacturing combined.
Ken is passionate about the future of our cities and has played a significant role in shaping tax, planning and
infrastructure policy for two decades. He sits on a range of government task forces and committees. He is also
a director of the Green Building Council of Australia, deputy chair of the Business Coalition for Tax Reform, a
director of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, and is a Property Champion of Change promoting
women in leadership roles.
Kathy Mac Dermott, Chief Operating Officer
Kathy Mac Dermott is Chief Operating Officer at the Property Council of Australia. Kathy joined the business in 2010
as Executive Director, Queensland Division, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2014. Kathy has over 11
years’ experience as a property journalist for the Australian Financial Review, including seven as Queensland Bureau
Chief. She has also worked extensively in corporate advisory roles, specialising in property, in Australia and
London for more than two decades. Kathy is the program director of the Property Male Champions of Change. She holds
a degree from QUT and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mike Zorbas, Group Executive, Policy and Advocacy
In his role as Group Executive, Advocacy and Policy, for the Property Council of Australia, Mike leads the team that
looks after national policy across cities, housing, residential, tax, capital markets, retirement living,
sustainability and regulatory work.
Previously he has held leadership roles at Lendlease, Stockland, Grocon and been Deputy Head of Media for the Liberal
Democrats in the UK, among other positions, as well as being a member of the Board of the Sydney Institute, Livable
Housing Australia and a former Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sydney.
Matt Francis, Head of Media & Communications
Matt Francis is the Head of Media and Communications. He has over two decades experience managing corporate affairs,
communications and media for government and the private sector organisations, including the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade in Australia and the United States, Tourism Australia, Melbourne Airport and as a strategic
communications consultant. He has worked for senior government ministers in policy and media advising roles across a
range of portfolios.
Jane Fitzgerald, NSW Executive Director
Jane Fitzgerald is Executive Director of the New South Wales Division of the Property Council of Australia, leading
the advocacy agenda at a time of enormous investment and change in the sector. Prior to her appointment, Jane was a
senior executive with the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and, amongst other roles, was the Chief
Executive Officer of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption. Previously, Jane was the
Deputy Director-General of the NSW Ministry for Police and chief of staff to two ministers in the NSW Government.
Jane has a law degree and an arts degree majoring in politics from the University of NSW.
Sandra Brewer, WA Executive Director
Sandra Brewer is the Western Australian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. Prior to
commencing this position, Sandra was a communications and marketing executive. Her experience spans blue
chip corporates, WA private businesses, retirement living, residential development and
construction. Sandra believes that leaders should be driven to create change beyond the four walls of
an organisation, which is why she has volunteered for many years in political and industry
bodies. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western
Australia. Sandra also has first-hand experience in the property industry, through her
family’s business in residential construction. Sandra is committed to being a strong and
effective advocate for the Members of the Property Council and the many people who work in the property
industry.
Adina Cirson, ACT Executive Director
Adina Cirson is the ACT Executive Director and has extensive experience working in public policy and communications
in Canberra for nearly 15 years. Adina worked federally for Senator Kate Lundy for four years before her move to the
ACT Government in 2006, working for Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on affordable housing, climate change and water
security policy. Following this role, Adina was senior communications consultant to ACTEW’s Water Security Major
Projects, with a focus on community engagement and stakeholder management. Adina commenced work with ACT Chief
Minister Katy Gallagher as her Director of Communications in 2011, and in 2014 was appointed Chief of Staff to the
Minister for Planning, Land Management and Urban Renewal Mick Gentleman. Adina holds a Bachelor of Communications
(Public Relations) Degree and is currently studying a Master of Juris Doctor (Postgraduate Law) at the University of
Canberra.
Daniel Gannon, SA Executive Director
A tertiary qualified and extensively networked public policy and communications professional, Daniel Gannon is
one of South Australia’s leading and most influential industry advocates, and in 2018 was named one of the
state’s 100 Most Influential People, in SA’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40 and in the state’s Top 50
Powerbrokers. Throughout his career, Daniel has worked across Local, State and Federal Government
policy spheres, and has embedded himself in the property and investment industry through the Property Council of
Australia – one of the state’s most powerful associations – representing a broad range of sectors ranging from
commercial and residential property to industrial, retail and retirement living sectors.
He is a skilled and effective communicator, leader, public speaker, and influential high-profile advocate with
15 years’ experience, as well as significant public policy and governance proficiency. Put simply, Daniel
advocates for healthy economies to help create a more prosperous South Australia. In addition to
government and not-for-profit board experience, Daniel has credibility with media, experience in developing and
communicating complex policies, the ability to talk directly and powerfully to private and public sector leaders,
and the drive and tenacity to achieve strategic outcomes.
Jo Gullick, Chief Financial Officer | Head of Business Innovation | Company Secretary
Jo Gullick has over 25 years’ experience in finance and corporate governance. Jo has worked in a broad range of
industries including an industry membership organisation, an ASX publicly listed company, performing arts, retail
and chartered accountancy. She has sat on a number of Boards in her capacity as company secretary. Jo holds a
Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University. She is also a Fellow of the CPAs and has obtained a
Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia.
Christopher Mountford, QLD Executive Director
Chris Mountford is the Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. In this role Chris leads
the Property Council’s policy, government advocacy and commercial activities in Queensland. Prior to commencing in
this position, Chris was the QLD Deputy Executive Director for nearly six years. He has represented the property
industry on numerous State and local government advisory and policy review committees. Prior to joining the Property
Council, Chris held roles with the Civil Contractors Federation and Local Government Association of Queensland. He
has more than a decade’s experience in member based advocacy organisations and government relations. Chris holds
degrees from the University of Queensland, and is a member of the Queensland Board of Advisors for the Property
Industry Foundation – a charity that raises funds to support young people at risk of homelessness.
Ben Myers, Executive Director - Retirement Living
Ben is responsible for championing policy and advocacy that underpins the social licence and future growth of
the industry. He is also responsible for managing the Retirement Living Council, which is a national leadership
group for the retirement living sector. Ben has a long history of serving in senior leadership positions in
government and private sector roles across Australia. Throughout his career, Ben has worked at all levels of
Australian government and managed communications across Australia for the global energy producer BG
Group. Over his career, Ben has worked across most major industry sectors in Australia and has been
directly involved in delivering some of the nation's largest infrastructure projects, including the BG Group's
US$20 billion QCLNG project and the Brisbane City Council's TransApex road network.
Belinda Ngo, Executive Director - Capital Markets
Belinda Ngo is the Executive Director of Capital Markets for the Property Council of Australia. Belinda is
responsible for national policy relating to investment, tax and capital markets for Australia’s $670 billion
property investment industry. The Property Council represents members across all four quadrants of property
investment: debt, equity, public and private. Prior to joining the Property Council, Belinda worked for
Macquarie Group and KPMG. Belinda has over 15 years of professional experience specialising in capital markets and
tax policy, tax advisory and capital management.
Danni Hunter, VIC Executive Director
Danni Hunter is the Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia.
Danni holds several key advisory positions to Government in which she provides advice and input into the strategy and approach to rebuilding Victoria’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Danni works collaboratively with other employer associations and plays a leadership role within the Victorian Congress of Employer Associations in her capacity as Deputy Chair.
Danni is a hands-on leader with deep experience in policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and organisational leadership, previously holding senior roles as the Chief Executive Office of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA Victoria), and as an advisor to the State Government. She has volunteered as a strategic advisor to Beyond Blue, and currently serves as a government appointed Trustee on the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust.
She is passionate about increasing diversity within business leadership and finding solutions to systemic problems facing the community including homelessness and housing affordability. Danni is a dynamic and nationally recognised spokesperson, regularly sharing her views on property, business, diversity, population growth and the economy through regular media appearances, events and keynote presentations.
Ruth Palmer, NT Executive Director
Prior to joining the Property Council, Ruth spent seven years with the Northern Territory Government working for then
Chief Minister Paul Henderson MLA to most recently with the Leader of the Opposition, Delia Lawrie MLA as an
Adviser. Ruth has extensive experience with marketing, communications and driving memberships. She is an experienced
copywriter and enjoys picking articles or papers to pieces for spelling and grammar. Working in the Communications
Unit with the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition has given Ruth knowledge and experience with industry
growth and strategies for moving the Territory forward. Ruth resides in Darwin with her two children Chloe (6) and
Amelia (19 months). She has lived in the Territory coming up to ten years now and is happy to call it home. On the
weekends, the majority of her time is spent in the outdoors camping, fishing or fulfilling her other passions;
writing and photography.
Natasha Teychenne, Head of People and Culture
Natasha Teychenne is the Property Council of Australia’s Head of People and Culture. Natasha is an experienced HR
executive, with expertise in organisational development, cultural transformation and learning and development.
Natasha draws on her organisational development background to take a broad based and integrative view of the people
strategies required in the business and applies generalist HR approaches to provide the foundations on which to
build the talent, leadership and capability for achievement of business imperatives.
Prior to joining the Property Council, Natasha led the People and Culture function for a financial services
organisation with a strong focus on culture, engagement, talent and leadership capability. She has also held senior
HR roles at PPB Advisory, Telstra and CSC Australia. Natasha started her career as an executive coach and consultant
working across a wide range of ASX listed companies and public sector organisations in the areas of strategic
M&A, culture development and organisational design. Natasha holds a Master of Psychology, is a registered
practicing Psychologist, and is a certificated facilitator in Achieve Global (now Miller Heiman Group).