Contributors

Mandi Mees Head of National Rail Skills, National Transport Commission (NTC)

In her six years at the NTC, Ms Mees has led national reform initiatives to introduce new driver distraction and personal mobility device laws, to improve heavy vehicle policy, and is currently catalysing change in how the nation reports on vehicle fleet emissions. Today, her work is to accelerate access across Australia to skilled labour in rail by leading the development of the National Rail Skills Hub.

Prior to the NTC, Ms Mees led policy advocacy programs with Roads Australia, was the Deputy Mayor of the Macedon Ranges Shire and had an extensive international career in advertising and communications across the pharmaceutical, IT, financial and engineering services sectors.

Adam Copp Acting CEO, Infrastructure Australia

Mr Copp was appointed Acting Chief Executive of Infrastructure Australia in August 2022. An accomplished and transformational public sector leader, he has over 15 years experience in the Australian Government holding a range of policy, strategy and public affairs roles across infrastructure, workplace relations and the Council of Australian Governments. Prior to his appointment, Mr Copp was Infrastructure Australia’s Chief Operating Officer.

As Chief Operating Officer, Mr Copp was responsible for leading Infrastructure Australia’s Strategy, Finance, People & Culture and Digital Technology functions. He joined Infrastructure Australia in 2014 and set up the public affairs and stakeholder engagement function, before expanding his role across the other operational functions of the business. He is a passionate advocate for Reconciliation and First Nations engagement.

Michael Kilgariff CEO, Roads Australia

In this and previous industry association roles, Mr Kilgariff has sought to build strong working relationships between industry and government, with the aim of supporting and achieving public policy outcomes that are beneficial to the economy and community.

He brings to Roads Australia a keen understanding of the major economic, social and government policy drivers, combined with a broad understanding of the key issues affecting the transport industry. In 2014, Mr Kilgariff won CEO Magazine’s Transport and Logistics Executive of the Year award. He also completed the Cambridge University Judge Business School Advanced Leadership Programme in 2017.