NT Council

AIM Northern Territory Chair

Marie-Louise Pearson FAIM
Strategic Account Manager, SingTel Optus

Marie-Louise’s career in the IT and Telecommunications industry has spanned 25 years. She has held numerous positions including General Manager of a local NT based PC dealership, and positions in Optus and IBM in sales, marketing, training and management. The winner of numerous performance awards, Marie-Louise is dedicated not only to her profession, but also to her interests of family, travel and community support.

Born and educated in Darwin, Marie-Louise has also received a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the NSW Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Adelaide.

AIM Northern Territory Council

Jessica Baker AFAIM
Resource and Marketing Manager
KPMG

Prior to KPMG, Jessica worked in training and development, and product management for an online solutions business in the UK. After university, Jessica started with Telstra Ltd on the Graduate Program in Sydney. She performed roles in strategic planning, workforce and skills analysis, project management, communication, and competitive intelligence. Jessica’s experience working on a number of varied projects during this time, has given her wide knowledge and skills.

Jessica joined KPMG in March 2007 as the Human Resource and Marketing Manager. This role involves the management of all Human Resource and Marketing activities in the KPMG Darwin office.

In addition to Jessica’s in-house role, she is involved in provision of recruitment and business planning services to clients.

Clare Baxter FAIM
Executive Director Business Development
Charles Darwin University

Dr. Clare Baxter's role in providing strong strategic leadership for the business development functions across the university is significant in terms of leveraging the university's educational and professional capabilities to provide and nurture future returns to Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory community through involvement in a variety of commercial, marketing and networking initiatives.

Prior to joining Charles Darwin University, Dr Baxter was Director of the Business Liaison Office of the University of Sydney, where she was responsible for contract research, consultancy, intellectual property management and commercialisation including facilitation of development of start-up companies.

From 1985 to 1995, Dr Baxter, who has a PhD in Biochemistry and a Masters in Professional Accounting, was Managing Director of biotechnology company, Bioclone Australia Pty Ltd, which is one of the country's leading manufacturers of medical diagnostic products. She has held many private and public sector committee and board positions including former memberships of the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council and the New South Wales Innovation Council.

Ross Bradford FAIM
Deputy Commander Northern Command

Colonel Ross Bradford was appointed Deputy Commander Northern Command on 5 February 2007. He is responsible to the Commander Northern Command for the efficient and effective conduct of Operation RESOLUTE: Defence's contribution to the whole-of-government effort to safeguard Australia's national interests through the conduct of surveillance, response and enforcement operations in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone and its adjacent areas including the littoral environment, the effective coordination of ADF support to the civil community and the day to day operation of the Headquarters.

Colonel Bradford has served in a variety of regimental and single service staff positions including Army Headquarters within the Directorate of Personnel Planning and the Directorate of Workforce Planning. In January 1990 he deployed to the Middle East as an observer to the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation and in September 2004 he deployed to Timor Leste as the Chief of Operations for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.

Colonel Bradford is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College (1996), and holds a Masters of Defence Studies, a Masters of Professional Development (HRD), and a post-graduate diploma in Public Policy from Deakin University. He was the Australian Institute of Management Professional Manager of the Year (Public Sector) for Northern Territory/Queensland for 2005 and was awarded a Force Commander’s Commendation for his efforts as the Chief of Operations UN Peace Keeping Forces in East Timor.

Colonel Bradford’s interests include Rugby Union as a spectator, and participating in squash, swimming and running. He is married to Anne.

Meriel Corbett-Weir FAIM
Manager Corporate Information and Knowledge
HQ NORCOM

In her current role Meriel is responsible for coordinating and managing key strategic, operational and tactical activities in relation to information management, information and business intelligence systems and corporate information management environments to deliver best practice outcomes for the Department of Defence.

Meriel has held senior roles in the public and private sectors where she has specialised in national strategic policy development and implementation. Having a keen interest in corporate governance and knowledge management, Meriel’s passion is assisting public sector organisations to develop organisational frameworks and cultural contexts that support and recognise information as a strategic asset.

Meriel graduated from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne and commenced her professional career in the field of economics with the ANZ Bank Group HQ. Following a move to Darwin in 1988 she set up a company to deliver specialist ICT management services into the corporate and public sectors.

Outside of work, Meriel is a mother of two, soprano soloist with the Charles Darwin University Chamber Choir and OperatuNitY a local opera company - and a choirister in the Darwin Chorale.

Linda Deans FAIM
General Manager
Automobile Association

Linda Deans FAIM, General Manager of The Automobile Association of the Northern Territory Inc. (AANT), was recently appointed to the Australian Institute of Management’s Northern Territory Council.

As a senior member of the Northern Territory business community, Ms Deans brings to the council a depth of experience in people management and a new sphere of influence.

Ms Deans is a well-respected veteran in the automobile industry with more than 20 years of experience and brings valuable inputs on leadership, marketing, people management, workplace culture, innovative products and creative customer service strategies.

As the General Manager of AANT, Ms Deans has unsurpassed skills on operations and finance management and understands the importance of working effectively with various stakeholder groups.

Ms Deans is a Fellow of AIM and has been a member of the Institute since 2004. She was also a runner-up for the Professional Manager of the Year award in the same year.

Leigh Greig AFAIM
Practice Manager
Cridlands Lawyers

Commencing in April 2005, Leigh has over 25 years experience in HRM, Business & Operational Management, Information Technology, Marketing and Administration within the professional services industry.

Leigh has achieved her Graduate Diploma in Business Management, is a Certified Professional (CAHRI) with AHRI; an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (AFAIM) and an Affiliate of the Company Secretaries Association.

Carole Frost FAIM
Ministerial Adviser
Business and Economic Development

Carole has lived in the Northern Territory since 1975 and is currently Ministerial Business and Economic Development Adviser to The Hon Paul Henderson MLA, Minister for Industry and Business.

Previously Carole has held the positions of CEO Chamber of Commerce NT and Regional Manager Chamber of Commerce NT Central Australia.

She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held directorships for the NT Industry Capability Network and the NT Expo.

I has been President of the Alice Springs Drug and Alcohol Association, President of the Acacia Hill School Council, Chairman of the Defence Reserves Council, Alderman on the Alice Springs Town Council and Chairman of a number of Council working groups.

Paul Rousham AFAIM
Director
Territory Business Training Solutions

Paul’s management experience includes roles as General Manager with a sporting organisation, Group Marketing Manager & a Director of three companies in the Printing and Graphic Design industry.

He currently manages his own Training company, Territory Business Training Solutions which specialises in Business management and Sport Governance.

Paul has lived in Darwin since 1980 and is well respected in the business and general community. He is committed to community groups, such as Variety-the Children’s Charity, Basketball (Life Member of Basketball NT), Wheelchair basketball and Disabled groups.

Paul has been extensively involved, over many years, as Chairman and a judge in various industry Awards.

Interestingly, he is also the Head Judge for the Miss Teen Australia and Miss Universe Australia pageants. (Somebody has to do the job!)

Greg Caust AFAIM
Regional Executive
Corporate Financial Services - Northern Territory

Greg Caust continues to enjoy a career spanning 17 years with the Commonwealth Bank, working in various capacities and locations across Australia.

He has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Economics and a Masters of Business Administration specialising in Finance, part of which was completed in Berne, Switzerland.

Greg is married with three children and his hobbies include AFL, Tennis, Cricket and supporting his young children in their sporting endeavours.

Greg currently leads the highly successful Commonwealth Bank Corporate Financial Services NT team which continues to achieve outstanding growth year in year out.