GOVERNANCE TOP 100
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE GOVERNANCE TOP 100 EVENT NOW IN ITS SEVENTH YEAR! CELEBRATING THE TOP GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SHINING A LIGHT ON A PROFESSION THAT WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FRIDAY 31 JULY 2026 AT 9AM (AEST) AND CLOSE FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2026 AT 5PM (AEST).
Governance Top 100 is about highlighting the amazing talent and achievements of individuals that take their role in governance to the next level within their organisations. Governance as a profession is ever evolving and is made up of individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds across a range of entity, size and industry types which is why we are encouraging nominations from all governance professionals.
This event would not be possible without the commitment and support of our culturally aligned partners who are all champions of governance in their own right.
The Governance Top 100 event was launched in 2020 to emphasise the value and benefit that robust governance frameworks, and the individuals that are responsible for driving these initiatives, bring to an organisation.
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "Be the change you want to see in the world", so on that note if you are a company secretary, general counsel, risk manager, CRO, CFO, CEO, director or other governance professional that is paving the way for governance in your organisation we want you to be part of Governance Top 100 in 2026!
Partners
Get to know our proud partners of Governance Top 100 for 2026
3YS Owls is a corporate governance firm and incorporated legal practice co-founded by Ainslie Cunningham and Deb Anderson following extensive careers in corporate governance, company secretarial, risk and legal roles with over 40+ years of combined experience between them predominantly from in-house roles. 3YS Owls specialise in providing a variety of services and solutions across corporate governance, company secretary, board advisory, strategy, risk and business consulting. They have a strong focus on governance - to create an ethical environment that supports an inclusive culture. Boards and leadership teams need to be cohesive, able to harness a diversity of views and foster good governance. They aim to align with clients who share the same values and their ultimate goal is to help directors and executives sleep at night knowing they have a trusted advisor that fosters good governance keeping all stakeholders happy.
3YS Owls have hosted Governance Top 100 every year since the events inception in 2020.
FIND OUT MOREOne of Melbourne's first start-up technology companies, Computershare was founded in the city's suburbs in 1978.
Computershare is the world's leading share registry and transfer agency businesses and has pioneered many of the securities industry's innovations to help companies build and maintain strong relationships with their investors, employees and customers. For almost 50 years, Computershare has grown rapidly in markets around the world to meet the evolving needs of more than 25,000 clients.
CComputershare remains a unique Australian success story, building on its share registry business through expansion into employee equity plans, stakeholder communications, company secretarial and corporate governance, fund services, class action administration, deposit protection and mortgage servicing.
When Computershare listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: CPU) in 1994, it had a market capitalisation of approximately AUD $36 million, managed around 6 million shareholder accounts and employed about 50 staff. Today, Computershare is a global business operating across more than 20 countries, servicing more than 25,000 clients and employing approximately 14,000 people across the world's major financial markets.
FIND OUT MORECTS delivers personalised end-to-end audio visual solutions tailored to meet the technical needs and goals of corporate organisations across Australia. From Consulting to Production and ongoing Support, we are the most trusted partner in audio visual solutions.
With over 20 years of industry-leading experience, our Production team deliver time critical, high profile events. Whether it is a live “in person event” or hybrid event with remote participants, CTS has the technology and capability to support you. CTS are award winning innovators in hybrid and virtual AGMs. From staging & lighting to broadcasting and technical execution, CTS’s dedicated team are your trusted partners to make your AGM a seamless experience. FIND OUT MOREFor nearly 100 years, we have been, and remain, McCullough Robertson. As a leading independent Australian firm, we are proud to do great work for great clients, nationally and internationally, and to partner with them to unlock success together.
Our large corporate practice has expertise across the technology, media and telecommunications; life sciences; resources and renewables; food and agribusiness; financial services; and not-for-profit industries. We deliver tailored, practical advice to our clients to ensure that they meet not only their regulatory obligations, but also the evolving demands of shareholders, the community and other stakeholders. As advisers to boards, senior management, and legal/compliance teams, we advise on all legal aspects of corporate governance including directors' duties and liabilities; shareholder and investor relations; and annual reports, AGMs and EGMs.
FIND OUT MORENasdaq Governance Solutions supports companies at all maturity levels, including publicly listed, private and nonprofits to achieve ESG excellence, drive good governance and action their strategies.
Nasdaq Boardvantage® creates efficient board and management workflows, streamlining governance processes into one single platform with client support teams in Australia providing award-winning 24/7/365 support.
Our Board Advisory Services enables companies to accelerate board performance with board evaluation assessments with actionable insights that drive board excellence and long-term stakeholder value. The team has facilitated over a thousand board, committee, and CEO evaluations in over 16 countries with tailored questionnaires based on your industry, business model and governance structure.
Nasdaq’s Compliance Questionnaires transforms compliance efforts into a data-driven, seamless, and digital process, easing the administrative and time-consuming burden of data collection for annual disclosure processes.
Nasdaq ESG Solutions offers a customisable and scalable solution to manage responses and disclosures across multiple ESG frameworks, accurately track, measure, and manage enterprise Scope 1 – 3 data and enhance your long-term ESG strategy to help achieve your climate goals.
Beyond technology, we provide a platform for board members, executive leaders, educators, and knowledge-seekers to share experiences and gain insights. The Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence helps deepen board engagement through community, content, and collaboration, by partnering with global leaders in governance practice and initiatives.
FIND OUT MOREJudging Panel - 2026
Co-Founder & Director, 3YS Owls
Managing Director, Entity Governance and Compliance ANZ, Computershare
Head of ESG and Governance Solutions, APAC, Corporate Platforms, Nasdaq
Partner, McCullough Robertson Lawyers
Ainslie is a qualified company secretary and risk manager, a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA) and Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Risk Management Institute of Australasia. Ainslie has held various corporate governance, company secretarial and risk management roles over the past 19 years with unlisted global ASX publicly listed companies predominantly in the resources, retail and financial services sectors. Ainslie is currently the Company Secretary for a range of entities in health & technology, aviation, education, infrastructure, wildlife management, local council and mining services. Ainslie is a former Non-Executive Director of the GIA Board and CGI National Council and also sat on the Queensland State Council of GIA and various committees. In addition, Ainslie co-hosts a podcast and is a course facilitator with GIA. Ainslie also holds a Certified Practising Risk Manager CPRM® certificate and specialises in the key areas of: Corporate Governance; Company Secretary; and Risk Management.
FIND OUT MORETom Bloomfield is Managing Director, Entity Governance & Compliance ANZ at Computershare and a governance, financial services, and commercial leader with more than 20 years' experience advising boards, listed companies, private organisations, and multinational groups. Tom has built and led leading governance and company secretarial practices and is recognised for his contribution to corporate governance, compliance, and company secretarial services across the Australian market.
FIND OUT MORERachel Adams is Head of ESG and Governance Solutions, Asia Pacific at Nasdaq. Since joining Nasdaq in August 2014, Rachel has played a key role in the region's growth, initially focusing on Investor Relations and Communications solutions within Nasdaq's Corporate Solutions business. More recently, she has led ESG and Governance initiatives across Asia Pacific, with responsibility for sales, client engagement, and strategic development.
Rachel is particularly passionate about advancing sustainable business practices, enhancing ESG reporting and disclosure, improving board effectiveness, and strengthening cybersecurity governance within the boardroom.
Prior to Nasdaq, Rachel held leadership roles at Thomson Reuters, where she worked within the Corporate Solutions Investor Relations and Communications business and led regional operations and client service teams.
Originally from the United States, Rachel relocated to Hong Kong in 2008, where she has since built a successful career supporting listed companies and boards across the Asia-Pacific region.
FIND OUT MORENaomi is a Partner in McCullough Robertson's Corporate Advisory Group, being a trusted adviser on capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. She provides expert advice on Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rule issues, delivering solutions to complex problems. Naomi’s clients range from emerging companies to ASX listed and multinational companies, giving her a strong commercial understanding of issues across the corporate life cycle and developing regulatory trends. Her experience extends across a range of industries including the life sciences and technology sectors. Naomi has contributed her governance expertise to community partnership roles, including Women Lawyer’s Association of Queensland (Secretary), Committee for Brisbane – Enterprise Sub-Committee, and Life Sciences Queensland (Catalyst Program mentor).
FIND OUT MOREWinner of Governance Top 100 for 2025
Angela Watson
Head of Governance Risk and Compliance, CS Energy
This award is an honour and a recognition of my leadership journey, capability, strategic impact, and the investment that CS Energy has made in me over the years.
Angela Watson
Finalists - 2025
Nominations for 2026 are now open. Finalists will be announced on 9 October 2026.
If you would like to find out how to become a Nominee check out our nominations section here. Otherwise, if you are ready to take the next step in nominating yourself, or would like to nominate someone else for the event
Nominate nowHere are our finalists from last year to help get you inspired.
-->Governance Top 100 Winner Outstanding Achiever Rising Star
Adam Soffer
Company Secretary, Dennis Family Corporation Pty Ltd
Allan Gibson OAM
External Risk Expert member on the Risk & Compliance Committee, NSW Bar Association
Alyssa White
Chief Governance Officer and Secretary to Council, University of Wollongong
Andrew Heath
Board Secretary and Director Governance Risk & Assurance, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
Angela Watson
Head of Governance Risk and Compliance, CS Energy
Angus Fotheringham
Associate General Counsel, APAC Region, Verint Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd
Anthony Ingegneri
Senior Company Secretary, AMP Limited
Ashleigh Marshall
Governance Coordinator, Mid-Western Regional Council
Belinda Hannover
Head of Regulatory Risk, ING Bank (Australia) Limited
Belinda Loke
Board Director | Chair of the Governance, Finance and Risk Committee, Medical Pantry and Kids Hope Australia | Kids Hope Aus Ltd
Christina Li
Acting Director Governance (CAE, CRO), NSW Reconstruction Authority
Christine Nguyen
Assistant Company Secretary, Inland Rail Pty Limited
Christopher Doherty
General Manager Legal & Company Secretary, Alpha Flight Services Pty Ltdtrading as dnata Catering & Retail
Christopher Miers
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary , National Heart Foundation of Australia
David Kelley
Former Chief Risk Officer, Collins Foods Limited
Derek Byrne
Senior Company Secretary, Westpac
Dhawal Gadani
Head of Governance and Company Secretary, Australia and New Zealand, HSBC Bank Australia Limited
Dhivya Mani
Head of Governance and Regulatory Reporting, Star Entertainment Group
Diana Stewart
Governance Manager, Noosa Shire Council
Eddie Gibbons
Company Secretary, Girton Grammar School Ltd
Elizabeth Harrison
Company Secretary, Korowa Anglican Girls School
Fiona Zafirakos
Company Secretary (Subsidiaries) and Governance Manager, Telstra
Glenn Tomai
Head of Audit & Risk, RSL Queensland
Graham Chee
Founder and Managing Director, Local Knowledge
Gregory Seeto
President, Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra
Hayley Stephens
Company Secretary, RSL Queensland
Ian Pelayo
Director, ABN Australia Accounting Services Pty Ltd
Ilona Meyer
General Counsel and Company Secretary, Nuix Limited
Isabel Tran
Head of Product, Zurich Australia Insurance Limited
Jade Marishel
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary , Phocas Group Pty Ltd
Jarod Graham
National Head of Quality, KompleteCare
Jaya Prasad
Senior Sustainability Advisor & Assistant Company Secretary, New Hope Corporation Limited
Joanne Gonsalves
Company Secretary Fortem Australia, Fortem Australia
Joshua Little
Chief People & Risk Officer, Aveo Group (The Living Company)
Karen Goodwin
Chief Operating Officer and Group General Counsel/Company Secretary, WTFN
Karen Grumley
Head of Risk & Resilience, Pacific National
Katherine-Anne Waldron
General Counsel, Company Secretary & Head of Risk, Hewitt Agribusiness Pty Ltd
Katie Calvey
Corporate Governance Advisor, Sydney Trains
Katrina Brigham
General Counsel & Company Secretary, Elabor8 Pty Ltd & Cprime Australia Pty Ltd
Katrina Johnson
Group Company Secretary & Head of Regulatory Affairs, WiseTech Global Limited
Kennan Herkiloglu
Company Secretary, Australian Payments Network Limited
Kerry McGoldrick
Non Executive Director; Chair of Risk, Audit & Finance Committee, The Y NSW
Khurram Khan
Principal Advisor, Governance and Risk, Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance Limited
Kimberley Chan
Deputy Company Secretary, The Lottery Corporation
Kirsten Kiel-Chisholm
General Counsel & Company Secretary, Translational Research Institute
Kohei Katagiri
Company Secretary, Foodbank NSW & ACT Limited
Komal Utsav Jagad
Company Secretary, Grand Pacific Health Limited
Levi Mitchell
AVP Global Regulatory Compliance (Asia Pacific), Crawford & Company (Australia) Pty Ltd
Magali Robinson
Manager - Corporate Governance, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited (TMBL)
Mark Anning
General Counsel, Company Secretary and Governance Practitioner, MinterEllison
Mark Fairlie
Company Secretary and Corporate Governance Manager, Pacific National Holdings Pty Ltd
Melissa Lee
Manager Governance and Risk, City of Canada Bay Council
Melissa Sutton
Acting Manager Governance, Integrity & Ethics (substantive position is Coordinator Governance & Risk), Wollondilly Shire Council
Michael Sapountzis
Company Secretary, AMA Group Limited
Michaela Walsh
Company Secretary, Bio101 Financial Advisory Pty Ltd
Minas Frangoulis
Company Secretary & Head of Risk and Compliance, Growthpoint Properties Australia Limited
Nicole Graham
EGM Corporate Services (just finished at end of August 25), LRS
Olivia Byron
Chief Legal Officer, Acusensus Limited
Pei Shan Stacy Oon
Associate Director, Governance, University of Wollongong
Philip Ware
General Counsel, Stanwell Corporation / QLS / Camwerata
Raff Del Vecchio
Head of Corporate Services, Police Association of NSW
Raj Kumar
Executive General Manager Governance, Risk & Compliance, DKG Insurance Group
Ramona Roach
CEO, Director & Company Secretary, Ethika Group Pty Ltd; FSHD Global
Rob Baines
Group Risk & Assurance Manager, Dennis Family Corporation Pty Ltd
Robert Bonotto
Chief People and Corporate Officer, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia Pty Ltd
Robin Bates
General Counsel & Company Secretary, Metro Mining Limited
Sammy Edris
Assistant Company Secretary, Zip
Sarah Tinsley
Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary, Southern Cross Austereo, Southern Cross Media Group Limited (ASX:SXL)
Skye Roberts
General Counsel and Company Secretary, Alex Bank
Stephanie Terrance
Senior Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary, Newcastle Greater Mutual Group Ltd
Stephanie Papadopoulos
Manager Program Management, NSW Reconstruction Authority
Stephen Phillips
Executive Director, Margaret Jurd College (NSW) Limited
Susie Zhong
Company Secretary , Independent Liquor Group Co-operative Ltd
Tawanda Mutengwa
Group Company Secretary , SG Fleet
Theo Kapodistrias
Senior Legal Counsel | Chair and Director, Gentrack
Tim Lyons
Director Governance Risk and Corporate Support, South West Hospital and Health Service
Todd Hopwood
Manager Customer & Business Integrity, Wollongong City Council
Troy Swan
General Counsel & Company Secretary, Winc
Vanessa Davidson
Principal Clearly Strategic, Eastern Waste Management and Australian Medicines Handbook
Vicki Coles
General Counsel, City of Wanneroo
Key Dates
Nominations Open
The date which nominations for Governance Top 100 open at 9am (AEST).
Nominations Close
The date which nominations for Governance Top 100 close at 5pm (AEST).
Governance Top 100 For 2026 Announced
The date which the finalists for Governance Top 100 for 2026 will be published on the website.
Judging to be Completed
The final date which judging is to be completed.
Winner to be Announced
The date which the winner will be announced via a live webinar at 9am (AEST) / 10am (AEDT). Register here in advance for the webinar. The winner will also be announced via the website and notified direct.
Award for the overall winner
The overall winner for Governance Top 100 2026 will receive an award and a prize which is their choice of an Apple iPad or an Apple Watch and a hamper from Australian Gourmet Gifts up to a value of $1,200 (inclusive of GST).
Nominations
To nominate click the button below to complete the entry form which should take less than 10 minutes. For details of the nomination criteria and terms & conditions of entry please click here. IMPORTANT NOTE: your survey response cannot be saved for editing later. You will be asked to describe in 250 words or less how you have contributed to governance within your organisation in the last 12 months as well as provide a headshot photo of yourself.
