Board
Hon. John Pandazopoulos | Board Chair
John currently holds the positions of Chair of Parks Victoria and Chair of Tourism Midwest Victoria Board. John is Victoria's longest continuous serving Tourism, Major Events and Gaming Minister with 30 years' experience in public policy, Government and governance at international, national, state and Local Government levels.
John is the former Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Racing, Major Projects and Employment, former Member of the 'Cleanevent' Advisory Board, one of Australia's largest event businesses at the time, local Councillor and Mayor of the then-City of Berwick and Executive of the Municipal Association of Victoria, former Chair and Deputy Chair of the Victorian Parliament Environment and Natural Resources Committee, former Chair of the Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee, an advisory Committee charged with providing crucial advice to grow Victoria's visitor economy and former Chair of Destination Phillip Island Regional Tourism Board, one of Australia's best known tourism regions.
Wendy Jones | Deputy Board Chair
Wendy Jones is an experienced and passionate tourism and hospitality industry practitioner, with a background in association management. She has worked extensively with executive teams and boards across the tourism industry, the environment sector and community.
Wendy’s previous management roles have included CEO of the Restaurant and Catering Association of Victoria, Tourism Training NT and Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria, in addition to being an owner-operator in the hospitality sector. She has also previously held numerous board positions across the industry in both Victoria and Northern Territory.
Wendy holds a Master of Business (Human Resource Management) Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Arts University of Melbourne. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chris Altis
Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce, and Master of Arts (Public Policy) from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chris has 30 years’ experience in the health sector, working in a policy and advisory capacity at a Victorian and national level.
As Chair of the North Richmond Community Health Service, he oversaw the establishment of Melbourne’s first medically supervised injecting facility. He was also the founding Executive Manager of The New Daily Pty Ltd, a national online news service.
He currently holds other non-executive director roles including Austin Health (appointed 2015), Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (appointed 2021), and ESTA Triple Zero (2021).
Robert Broggian (Elected Director)
Robert Broggian has 35 years of experience in both the hospitality and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors. Over the years, Robert has held roles as a small business owner and Academic Director within a private RTO, and currently serves as the Manager Quality Assurance and Risk at William Angliss Institute.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Hospitality (Management) along with post graduate qualifications in Education. Robert is also a graduate of William Angliss Institute having completed his Advanced Diploma of Hospitality (Management) in the 1990’s.
Robert has an extensive network within the VET sector and is Co-Secretary of the ‘Quality In Education and Training’ (QuIET) Network.
Robert is also a Director of ‘Club Italia Sporting Club’ (a medium sized sporting, entertainment and gaming venue in Sunshine) and a Director of ‘Nepean Country Club’ (resort) on the Mornington Peninsula.
Natalie O'Brien
Natalie O’Brien is Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where she is responsible for the strategic direction of the business. She also has oversight of planning and future management of the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) opening in 2026.
Natalie is a former CEO of Food + Wine Victoria, producers of the internationally acclaimed Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Prior to joining MCEC, Natalie ran her own strategic design agency for five years. During this time, she took on part-time CEO roles with Wine Victoria as well as Ballarat Regional Tourism.
Natalie was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours list for significant service to tourism, wine and the community. Prior to Food and Wine Victoria Natalie spent 12 years between Tourism Victoria and the City of Melbourne in events, marketing, and cultural development roles. In March 2024, Natalie was appointed to the Board of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, for a term of three years.
Matteo Pignatelli
Matteo Pignatelli graduated with a Diploma of Business in Hospitality Management at William Angliss Institute in 1989, after winning individual awards for Culinary Studies, Food and Beverage Operations and Most Outstanding 2nd Year Student.
After graduation, Matteo worked full-time as Managing Director at Fedele’s, Glen Waverley. After four years building up his successful business, he opened Matteo’s in 1994 in the building once occupied by Mietta’s in North Fitzroy.
Matteo is currently a National Board member of the Restaurant and Catering Association of Australia, and Chair of Restaurant and Catering Association Victorian Council.
Brenda Richardson
Brenda Richardson has over 25 years’ experience in the Manufacturing and Information Technology industries. As well as IT, her career has included a broad range of roles in Logistics, Process Re-engineering, Change Management and Strategy.
Brenda has considerable experience in Higher Education, including 11 years on the Council of the University of Tasmania. Brenda is the former Deputy Chair of the Geelong Cemeteries Trust (Class A). Her board experience also includes roles in Built Environment, Audit and Risk, Community Engagement and serving on advisory committees.
Currently self-employed, Brenda specialises in bridging the gap between technical and non-technical communities.
Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) majoring in Mathematics and Computing as well as a Master of Business Administration. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kirra
Kirra is a dedicated educator and advocate for inclusivity in vocational training and education, embodying a unique perspective that honours both First Nations heritage and the immigrant experience. With over 20 years of experience in the community and education sectors, as well as a Bachelor of Social Sciences, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Teaching), and a Master’s in Education with a focus on wellbeing, she is committed to creating learning environments that celebrate cultural diversity and promote accessibility for all students, including those with disabilities.
Of First Nations and British descent on one side of the family and a descendant of Holocaust-surviving immigrants on the other, Kirra brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by First Nations peoples, refugees, multicultural communities, and individuals with disabilities. Currently, she serves as a Higher Education Lecturer at RMIT and Box Hill TAFE, as well as a Senior Resi Advisor at the University of Melbourne, where she integrates culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices that support diverse learners.
Kirra received a Federal Member Australia Day Award for her significant contributions to education and was selected as an Australian representative on the UK International Study Tour. She is a merit protection board member for the Victorian government, where she hears appeals and grievances under the Education Training and Reform Act, advising the Minister and Secretary on principles of merit and equity.
As the Chair of the Later in Law Network at the University of Melbourne, she fosters connections and opportunities for students from underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds, including those with disabilities.
Kirra is passionate about bridging the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers. As a board member of the William Angliss Institute, she is dedicated to advancing the institute's mission of delivering quality vocational education that respects and integrates First Nations values, embraces multiculturalism, and promotes accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Peter Sexton
Peter Sexton is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Chartered Accountant. Peter has 40 years’ experience in external audit across Australia, the UK and Indonesia, auditing publicly-listed companies, large proprietary companies and not-for-profits, helping businesses achieve an appropriate level of best practice in financial reporting and risk management.
Peter’s contribution as a Director leverages his financial reporting and management experience, particularly his interest in behavioural management and the importance of strategy, execution, culture and structure in growing a successful business.
Peter is also a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Australian Securities Ltd, a member of the Finance and Audit Committee for the National Trust (Victoria), and a Director, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee for Montsalvat Ltd, a cultural and tourism precinct in Eltham, Victoria that has practical and meaningful exchanges with the Australian artistic community, providing educational opportunities in all forms of the arts for people of all ages and stages of life.
