Our leadership team

Our leadership team

Chairperson and Commissioner

Monique Conheady – Chairperson

In addition to her extensive professional appointments, Monique is also a Senior Industry Fellow with RMIT Forward, RMIT University's Centre for Future Skills and Workforce Transformation and a mentor at EnergyLab, a clean energy transition start-up accelerator. Monique was a co-founder of Flexicar and a former executive at Hertz Australia. She is also an experienced non-executive director/chair of various government agencies and innovative start-ups. She is currently a sitting member of the Governing Board at the Environmental Protection Authority where she’s also chaired the People and Culture Committee.

Monique will be instrumental in driving forward Energy Safe’s transformation agenda, as we meet the safety challenges inherent in Victoria’s transition to renewable energy.

Michelle Groves – Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner

Prior to becoming a Commissioner of Energy Safe, Michelle Groves was the Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Regulator for close to 15 years and previously, Director of the National Competition Council.

Sarah McDowell – Commissioner

Sarah McDowell was the Energy Executive Director at the Essential Services Commission (ESC) before her appointment as an Energy Safe Commissioner. She has previously been a senior energy policy advisor to the Victorian Government.

Chief Executive Officer

Leanne Hughson

As Energy Safe’s CEO, Leanne Hughson is responsible for the day-to-day running of Energy Safe. She works closely with the Commission to develop and implement the strategic vision, mission and objectives for Energy Safe, as well as to form strategic partnerships with Victorian Government agencies and other regulatory bodies.

• Energy Safe’s operations
• Implementing Energy Safe’s strategic objectives
• Supporting the Commission
• Energy Safe’s regulatory transformation.

General Counsel and General Manager Legal, Governance and Regulatory Policy

Michelle McCorkell

• Corporate Secretary and Governance
• Investigations
• Legal and Procurement
• Regulatory Policy and Legislation

General Manager Public Affairs

Mikala Hehir

• Community and Regulatory Services
• Customer and Stakeholder Engagement
• Industry Education and Guidance
• Strategic Communications

General Manager Regulatory Operations

Ian Burgwin

• Electricity Network Safety
• Electrical Installation Safety
• Gas and Pipeline Infrastructure Safety
• Gas Installation and Equipment Safety
• Infrastructure Inspections
• Renewable Energy Safety

General Manager Finance, Strategy and Risk

Steve Cronin

• Business Intelligence and Analytics
• Finance
• Information Technology
• Strategy and Risk
• Business Improvement

General Manager People and Culture

Kristy Atlana

• Human Resources
• Organisational Development
• Learning Development
• Employee Engagement
• Wellbeing, Health and Safety