Board Members
The TUSA is governed by a Statewide Board of Management. These are our current Board Members.
Danny Sutton (Chair)
Danny Sutton was appointed as the Chief Executive of Colony 47 in July 2016 and transitioned to the role of Chief Impact Officer in March 2023.
Danny commenced his career as a journalist and has broad industry experience in policy, operational management and senior executive roles in the social services, ICT, utilities, agriculture and state and commonwealth public sectors. Danny has been a Board Director for a number of organisations including Impact Fertilisers, OnStream, Bethlehem House, TasCOSS, the Committee for Greater Hobart, the Training Authority of Tasmania and number of industry training boards. Danny has had a number of Board leadership roles including as the Managing Director for the national Richmond Fellowship Australia organisation, the Board Chair for the Flourish organisation in Tasmania and was recently appointed as the Independent Chair of TUSA. Danny has a Bachelor of Arts degree from UTAS, a Masters of Business Administration degree from University of Queensland and has also completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the Oxford Said Business School.
Rikki Mawad
Rikki is an experienced conflict resolver, facilitator, communicator and coach, Rikki works with individuals and organisations to prevent and resolve conflict, improve communications and to effectively engage and manage stakeholders. She has her own consulting business and maintains university teaching and research appointments in Tasmania and Queensland.
Rikki has extensive governance experience having served on different Boards in both the Government and Community Sector for the past 12 years. Rikki’s past Board Experience includes the Tasmanian Academy, Colony 47 Partnership Brokers, The Link Youth Health Service and DRILL Contemporary Dance. In addition to her incoming role on the TUSA Board of Management Rikki is also the Chair of the Board of Connect 42 (formerly Chatter Matters) and on the Board of the Sexual Assault Support Service.
During her time at UTAS, Rikki served on the University Council, as well as numerous other UTAS Committees and fulfilled the roles of Welfare Officer, TUSA Clubs & Societies President and TUSA State President from 2005 to 2008.
Robert Meredith
Rob is a senior associate lawyer at Worrall Moss Martin Lawyers and was admitted as a legal practitioner in August 2011. His current practice is primarily in estate litigation, although he has broad experience across several other practice areas. He was previously a casual tutor in criminal law at the UTAS Law School.
Rob is currently the President of the Link, a not for profit youth health services organisation, which delivers headspace services in Southern Tasmania.
During his time at UTAS, Rob served on the University Council, as well as numerous other UTAS Committees and fulfilled the roles of TUSA Activities President, Vice President and TUSA State President from 2008 to 2009.
Jennifer Newman
Jen has more than twenty years’ experience in public sector, government agency and business development roles, with specific expertise in project management, relationship building, business facilitation and planning. With a background in business and economic development, Jen has an excellent understanding of good governance and formal process, data analysis, financial management, policy development and review, communication and facilitation. Her most recent positions have been with Regional Development Australia and Department of State Growth.
During her time at UTAS, Jen served on the University Council, as well as numerous other UTAS Committees and fulfilled the roles of TUSA Societies President in 1993 and TUSA State President in 1994. She was also a member of the TUSA Board of Management during this period.
Tyson Wienker
Tyson Wienker is the Director of Digital Futures at the University of Tasmania. In this position he is responsible for digital literacy and capability programs to ensure the university is promoting digitally innovative pedagogical practices and technology. Tyson also sits on the Tasmanian University Student Association Board.
Prior to joining the University, Tyson was the Managing Director of LexisNexis Greater China and North Asia from 2014 to 2019 responsible for leading all areas of the >AUD$70m business and developing strategies to expand the adoption of online and digital information-based services and solutions.
Prior to joining LexisNexis, Tyson worked with the Australian Defence Industry, responsible for the delivery of a number multi-million dollar import deals for the Australian Defence Force. Tyson had served 10 years as an Officer in the Royal Australian Navy specialising in Navigation and Intelligence prior to joining defence industry.
Belinda Williams
Belinda is the Head of School and Associate Professor and the Tasmanian School of Business & Economics.
Sophie Crothers
Sophie recently graduated from a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Law, and has a strong passion for inclusion, social justice and law reform. Outside of university she is an avid reader, hockey player and lover of the Tasmanian wilderness.
Sophie was the 2022 President for the TUSA State Council, and had a passion for advocating for students from vulnerable groups and working with community organisations to support students. Sophie sits on the board as the outgoing TUSA President.
Liam McLaren (he/him)
Liam is undertaking his Honours year of a Bachelor of Science, with a passion for climate change communication, conducting social research within regenerative agriculture. Outside of university, Liam is your classic sports mad fan, whilst also enjoy hiking and travelling as far and wide as possible!
Liam is the 2023 TUSA President for the State Council. As a student representative, his primary role is to be representative of students. Hence, please feel free to get in touch about anything – ideas for events or programs, problems you see at UTAS, problems you see at TUSA, how to get involved with TUSA, or even just a chat! Reach out anytime at president@tusa.utas.edu.au or +61 456 087 863.
Alec Lamont
Alec is a third year Psychological Science student and the current Cradle Coast Campus President for 2023 with a deep passion for people and empowering those who I get to work with to achieve what’s possible. Outside of his role as Campus President, Alec has a patchwork of passions, hobbies and enjoyments. You may reach him at cradlecoast.president@tusa.utas.edu.au