David Clarke, CEO

Originally trained as a teacher, David has more than 20 years as an Executive and Chief Executive in the fields of employment services, community services, disability services, health and now the parks sector, having held leadership roles in each of the public, not for profit sector and private sectors. He has more than 10 years experience in industry association management and leadership. He has also worked widely as a consultant, with a focus on strategic planning, change management and organisational development. He has a particular interest in organisational dynamics and change. He sees his main task now with Parks Forum is building the organisation to provide a focal point for the park sector for sharing knowledge, information and best practice, to support the industry to manage effectively in a rapidly changing environment.

Ingrid Sieler, Program Manager (Perth)

Ingrid has over 10 years of experience in conservation and park management.  She has a strong background in facilitating strategic projects across state and local governments. Working across government and non-government sectors she has coordinated a range of interagency projects aimed at environmental management of parks.  As Program Manager she coordinates research and manages the best practice and standards program.

Margaret Jones, Program Manager (Melbourne)

Margaret has a corporate training and staff communications background in public and private sectors in Australia and New Zealand. More recently she has worked in the zoological parks industry. As Program Manager she coordinates networking and conferencing activities, including the Parks Forum biennial conference and the Parks Volunteer Network.

Andy Thompson, Program Manager (Christchurch)

Andy has many years experience in park management, having worked in New Zealand (with the Department of Conservation), on an extended exchange in Australia (with the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service) and overseas (most recently in Namibia at the Directorate of Parks & Wildlife Management).

Sarah Major, Executive Officer

Sarah joined Parks Forum in December 2009 from the Australian aviation industry. She has a background in Administrative roles and has also taught English in Japan. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts, and is currently studying the Master of Tourism program with the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University.