Wayne Smithson

CPMgr CMgr FIML

Chair of the Board

Wayne has held a number of senior finance positions including Finance Director for a number of national and international companies over a commercial career extending in excess of 40 years. Most notable senior positions that Wayne has held include National Finance Director for Ernst & Young and Finance Director for the Bank of New Zealand in Australia. Wayne has also had significant international experience in the Asia- Pacific region where, as Regional Finance Director for the region of a Swiss based professional services organisation, he was involved in a number of key business acquisitions. As well as holding a Master’s degree in Business Administration and an undergraduate Degree from Macquarie in accounting, Wayne is a qualified CPA and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a Fellow and Chartered Manager of IML ANZ. In addition, Wayne has had an extensive career in teaching at a Higher education level. In 2010 Wayne taught at a number of universities and college’s including Western Sydney University, Charles Sturt University, Federation University and Charles Darwin University. As a senior lecturer and Program Director for the Undergraduate Programs, Wayne taught both graduate and undergraduate programs across both Business and Accounting Disciplines, successfully combining theoretical and practical application drawing on his extensive years of commercial experience in particular at the Board and Director Level. Wayne is currently a member of the Academic senate for UBSS, is a Finance Director for a performing Arts organisation and Director of Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders.

Brendan Blomeley

CPMgr FIML

Deputy Chair of the Board

Brendan has over thirty years’ of corporate, government and community relations experience, having worked as a ministerial adviser at both a state and federal level, leading a national industry association and heading up Government Affairs for a top-50 ASX-listed entity. Brendan is currently the Mayor of the City of Clarence and is also the CEO of the Tasmanian Racing Club. He also serves as Vice President of the South-East Region Development Association and as a Director of Destination Southern Tasmania. Brendan holds an MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and IML ANZ.

Michelle Gander

CPMgr CMgr FIML

Director

Michelle is a Director, College Services at Flinders University in Adelaide. She has worked for over 20 years in higher education in Australia and the UK in a variety of operational roles. With a background in leadership, human resource management, change management and higher education, Michelle was awarded Chartered Management status in the UK in 2011 and joined the Institute in 2018. As someone who has been involved in management and leadership practice for many years, including as a student, and as a university lecturer of management, Michelle is passionate about excellence in this field and an advocate for the professionalisation through accreditation of management and leadership practice. Michelle has a PhD in Management and an MBA and has recently completed the Foundations of Directorship with the AICD.

Steve Slade

FIML

Director

Steve has over 25 years of management and leadership experience in the community, NFP, education and commercial industry sectors in Australia and internationally. A qualified accountant and governance risk management professional, his background includes CEO and executive leadership roles, academic positions in Australian and New Zealand tertiary institutions, and leadership roles in both business support and creative arts organisations. Steve is currently the Managing Partner of a specialist advisory and asset management firm based in regional Victoria, whose staff work with commercial, charitable and rural sector clients across Australasia. Immediately before that, he was the General Secretary for many years of one of Australia’s largest community and social service organisations.

Steve’s board experience includes chair and non-executive director roles on over a dozen boards, board committees and advisory panels across various business, government, and community organisations. He is currently the Board Chair of CMA Australia and a Non-Executive Director of C4M Childcare Ltd. Steve holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Accounting, Governance and Music. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, CPA Australia, Governance Institute of Australia and the Chartered Governance Institute International, as well as a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Tanya O'Shea - Director

Tanya O’Shea

CPMgr CMgr FIML

Director

Currently serving as the Managing Director of IMPACT Community Services, Tanya brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector. With a strong academic foundation and practical expertise in business management, leadership, and human behaviour, Tanya is deeply committed to developing future-ready leaders equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Her journey with the Institute began in 2015, driven by a vision to unite regional Queensland leaders in a shared pursuit of connection, learning, and leadership development. This commitment was formally recognised in 2017 when Tanya was awarded Chartered Manager status and recognised as a Fellow of the Institute.

Tanya holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), a Master of Mental Health Practice, and a Master of Business Administration. She is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her contributions to industry were recognised in 2021 when she was named CQUniversity Alumnus of the Year for Industry Excellence, followed by her recognition as Outstanding Leader of the Year ($3M+) at the 2023 Not-for-Profit Leadership Awards.

Bryan Wardrop - Director

Bryan Wardrop

FIML

Director

Bryan has extensive experience across Australia and New Zealand in the Supply Chain and Logistics industries. With over 20 years of Executive Leadership experience spanning across NSW, Victoria and New Zealand, Bryan has led organisations through periods of cultural change and strong growth.

Bryan is passionate about seeing emerging leaders thrive across demographics and industries and has been a long-serving advocate of leadership best practice throughout this career. In addition to holding an MBA, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, as well as a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Samuel Bell

CPMgr FIML

Chief Executive Officer

Sam is a seasoned management professional with more than 15 years of leadership experience across the financial services, education, and professional association sectors. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics and postgraduate qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Public Policy.

Sam is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand (IML ANZ), where he has led the organisation’s strategic direction and operations as part of the executive team for the past three years. He is a Certified Practising Manager (CPMgr) with IML ANZ and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Throughout his career, Sam has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and capability development. He is passionate about the role that effective management and leadership play in delivering positive outcomes for individuals, organisations, and broader communities. His work is underpinned by a belief in the importance of continuous improvement and lifelong learning.