About us

Led by Paul Schroder, the Executive team ensures that our business strategy is implemented effectively so we can help members achieve their best financial position in retirement. 

Paul Schroder

Chief Executive

'We’re focussed on being Australia’s leading superannuation fund for members.'

Paul Schroder was appointed Chief Executive of AustralianSuper from 1 October 2021 and is responsible for the leadership and strategic development of the Fund as well as provision of advice to the board. Paul joined AustralianSuper in 2007. He was Group Executive Membership from 2013-2016 before taking on the role of Group Executive Product, Brand & Reputation from 2016-2019. Paul was appointed the Fund’s first Chief Risk Officer in 2019. Prior to joining AustralianSuper Paul was National Secretary of the Finance Sector Union of Australia. Paul is a Director of Industry Super Australia Pty Ltd (ISA) and Australian Council of Superannuation Investors Ltd (ACSI). He is also a member of the IFM Shareholder Advisory Board and a Steering Committee Member of Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index (MMGPI). Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a diploma in Financial Planning.

Mark Delaney

Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer

’Delivering strong, long term returns to members is our goal.'

Mark is the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer of AustralianSuper, acting as an advisor to the board and responsible for the strategic direction of the Fund’s investment program.Mark started in the role of Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer of AustralianSuper on 1 July 2006, the date Australian Super commenced operation. Prior to this, Mark was Chief Executive of the Superannuation Trust of Australia (STA) for three years before the merger with ARF to form AustralianSuper. Before AustralianSuper, Mark worked for 14 years at National Mutual/AXA, first as an Economist and later as Senior Manager of Investment Services. He previously spent four years working as an Economist in the Federal Department of Treasury. Mark is currently a Director on the IFM Investor Advisory Board. He has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Sarah Adams

Group Executive, Strategy, Reputation & Corporate Affairs

'We’re focussed on being Australia’s leading superannuation fund, delivering meaningful outcomes for members and building community confidence in AustralianSuper.'

Sarah is responsible for leading a number of functions that set the strategic direction of AustralianSuper, understand members, support the Investments program, enhance the Fund’s reputation, communicate our purpose and advocate to improve member outcomes. Sarah joined the Fund in June 2020. She previously held senior executive roles in the private sector, including General Manager Corporate Affairs for Coles Group and senior leadership positions within the Federal government. After graduating from ANU, Sarah practiced as a solicitor specialising in employment law. She also holds a Masters of Law and Global Executive MBA from the University of Sydney, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Shawn Blackmore

Group Executive, Member Experience

'Delivering a world-class member proposition to help members achieve their best financial position in retirement is our goal.'

Shawn leads the Fund’s product, administration and member services, across super, retirement and insurance. Shawn was appointed a Group Executive in July 2013. Prior to this role, Shawn held the position of General Manager of Operations at AustralianSuper. Shawn has more than 21 years of financial services experience with roles in operations, product, administration and sales for companies including BT Financial Group and Perpetual, and has worked at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Shawn holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance & Investment.

Peter Curtis

Group Executive, Finance and Operations

‘We use our scale to enhance simplicity, drive efficiency and reduce costs, leading to better outcomes for members.'

Peter was appointed Group Executive, Finance and Operations at AustralianSuper in 2019. In this role he is responsible for the management of Finance, Legal and Investment Operations. Peter also oversees the Investment Compliance, Operational Risk and Internal Audit functions of the Fund. Peter joined AustralianSuper in 2006 and led the Investment Operations department for many years through significant growth and change. As Head of Investment Operations, he was responsible for ensuring the appropriate capability, resources and expertise were in place to ensure the efficient implementation of the Fund’s Investment Strategy. Peter joined the Executive team in August 2019 to lead the newly created Finance and Operations division. Prior to joining AustralianSuper, Peter held a number of senior roles with National Custodian Services (part of National Australia Bank) including Head of Product Development and Head of Financial Reporting. He has also held previous positions as Head of Corporate Services at National Investment Services and Head of Finance and Administration at County NatWest Australia Investment Limited. Peter holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Melbourne and has completed his Professional Year. Peter also has executive responsibility for the Technology Services group.

Michele Glover

Group Executive, People and Culture

'To deliver top performance for members, our aim is to have an engaged, high-performing global workforce.'

Responsible for the leadership of the People & Culture Group, Michele and her team design and execute people and culture initiatives to support the Fund’s 2030 Strategy. Key areas of focus include talent acquisition, development and management; succession planning and leadership development; colleague engagement; health and wellbeing; diversity and inclusion; workforce planning; remuneration design and people analytics. Michele joined AustralianSuper as Group Executive, People and Culture in July 2018. Prior to joining AustralianSuper, Michele was the People and Culture Leader for Mercer, Pacific region and has more than 30 years’ experience as a human resources practitioner. Michele holds a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and Industrial Relations Management from RMIT.

Rose Kerlin

Group Executive, Membership and Brand

'Our brand is one of our most important assets, by helping the Fund to grow and delivering on the trust members place in us’

Rose is responsible for AustralianSuper's Membership and Brand Group, which ensures the right strategies and relationships are in place to effectively attract and retain members. The team’s remit includes brand, marketing, business and stakeholder partnerships, and providing quality education and advice offerings to guide members. Rose joined the Fund in 2010 and was appointed Group Executive Membership in December 2016. Rose has held several growth roles and managed multiple industry fund mergers and corporate transitions for the Fund. Prior to joining AustralianSuper, Rose was a National Director at the Finance Sector Union of Australia. Rose holds a Bachelor of Economics (Social Sciences) from the University of Sydney, a Diploma of Financial Planning and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Director of SuperFriend, which delivers mental health initiatives to workplaces.

Andrew Mantello

Chief Risk Officer

‘To deliver trusted leadership, we must continue to embed a best practice approach to managing risk for the benefit of members.’

Andrew is the Chief Risk Officer of AustralianSuper and is responsible for ensuring the Fund’s processes, controls and systems remain robust as we grow. He also takes the lead in providing advice to the board about how to balance risk and reward in members’ best financial interests. Andrew was appointed Chief Risk Officer on 1 October 2021. He joined AustralianSuper in October 2011 to build out the legal function within the Investments Group. He then led the Investments Finance & Legal team that managed legal, tax, company secretariat, valuations, compliance and operational risk activities. Most recently, as the Head of Emergent Risks, Andrew provided strategic guidance on the Fund’s future risk landscape. Before his roles at the Fund, Andrew worked as a banking and financial services lawyer facilitating the provision of finance across a wide variety of industries. Andrew holds both a Bachelor of Commerce/Law from the University of Melbourne as well as a MBA from the Melbourne Business School.

Our Board is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of AustralianSuper. It’s their role to ensure that we meet our obligations to members, employers and shareholders – and comply with super legislation.

Dr Don Russell

Independent Chair

Dr Don Russell was jointly appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd and the Ai Group as an Independent Director of the Board on 2 May 2019. He was appointed Chair of the AustralianSuper Board on 26 September 2019. Since June 2018 Dr Russell has been a director of the Centre for Policy Development. Previous directorships include with CSIRO and Chair of State Super. Until 2018 Dr Russell was the Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Prior to that he was the Chief Executive of the Department of State Development, a role he commenced in 2014. Previous roles include Secretary of the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education; senior roles at BNY Mellon Asset Management Australia and Sanford C Bernstein, as well as a consultant to the World Bank, Bankers Trust, Westpac and as a Counsellor in the Australian delegation to the OECD in Paris. Between 1993 and 1995 Don served as Australia's Ambassador to the USA in Washington and between 1985 and 1993, and again in 1996, he was Principal Adviser to the Hon Paul Keating both during his time as Treasurer and Prime Minister. Don has a PhD from the London School of Economics, a MEc from ANU and a BEc (Hons) (First) from Flinders University as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Innes Willox

Deputy Chair, Director

Innes Willox is an Employer Director appointed by the Ai Group. He joined the AustralianSuper Board on 9 December 2014 and was appointed Deputy Chair on 1 January 2021. Innes is Chief Executive of the Ai Group, a leading industry organisation, representing businesses in a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, construction and transport, and was appointed to this role in May 2012. His current board appointments include - Director of the Innovative Manufacturing Co-operative Research Centre, Chair of the Migration Council of Australia, Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Skilled Migration and Chair of the RMIT College of Business Industry Advisory Board. Innes served as the Australian Consul General to Los Angeles from 2006 to 2008. He was Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, from 2004 to 2006. Earlier, Innes held a number of private sector and government positions including Manager of Global Public Affairs for Singapore Airlines based in Singapore (2000-04). Innes began his working career as a journalist. His positions included Chief of Staff at The Age newspaper in Melbourne and Chief Political Correspondent for The Age in the Canberra Parliamentary Press Gallery. Innes was educated at Melbourne High School; Monash University (BA History and Politics); and Edinburgh Business School.

Julia Angrisano

Director

Julia Angrisano is a Member Director appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd as a Director of the Board on 31 August 2017. Julia had previously been appointed as an Alternate Director in December 2016. Julia is the National Secretary of the Finance Sector Union, where she has held various roles for over 15 years, and is a member of the ACTU Executive. Other directorships that Julia currently holds include FSU Property Trust Pty Ltd, ACTU Member Connect and is a member of the Industry Reference Committee for Financial Services. Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts, Political Economy, from the University of Sydney.

Gabrielle Coyne

Director

Gabrielle Coyne is an Employer Director appointed by the Ai Group as a Director of the Board on 31 August 2017. Current directorships include Melbourne University Publishing Limited, the Aēsop Foundation, and Ai Group Training Services. Previous directorships include Cool Australia, the Wheeler Centre, Australian Publishers Association, and Pearson Education Australia. Gabrielle was formerly the Chief Executive of Penguin Random House Asia Pacific. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from RMIT University Melbourne; and has completed a Trustee Director Course with AIST.

Brian Daley

Director

Brian Daley is a Member Director appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd. He joined AustralianSuper’s Board on 1 July 2006 and was previously a Director of one of AustralianSuper’s predecessor funds, the Australian Retirement Fund (ARF), from 1991-2006. Brian has served as an Official for United Voice from 1985-2015 including in capacities of the Union’s Victorian Secretary, National President and National Officer (Superannuation). United Voice is a long-term supporter of AustralianSuper and many of its members, including in industries like the cleaning and security, are members of AustralianSuper. Brian has been actively involved in industry superannuation since the recognition of superannuation as an industrial issue in the 1980’s. Brian is a Director of ISPT and is on the Industry Superannuation Australia Advisory Council. His industry involvement has included service as a former Director of Host Plus (1990-2015), IFS (1996-2006), AIST and ASFA. Brian holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Newcastle.

Lucio Di Bartolomeo

Director

Lucio Di Bartolomeo is an Employer Director appointed by the Ai Group. He joined the AustralianSuper Board on 31 March 2008. Lucio is currently Chair of Australia Post, Chair of Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd, Chair of Health Infrastructure NSW and a Director of Moorebank Intermodal Company. His previous experience includes Chair of Macquarie Generation, Chair of Northwest Rapid Transit, Director of Frontier, Managing Director of ADI Limited and Country Director of Thales Australia. Lucio has held several senior positions within the transport industry including Managing Director of FreightCorp and President of the Australasian Railway Association. Lucio is a qualified civil engineer and has a Master's degree in Engineering Science from the University of NSW.

John Dixon

Director

John Dixon is an Employer Director appointed on 26 September 2019. John has more than 35 years’ experience as a CEO or executive and non-executive director, predominantly within the logistics and services sector. His previous experience includes Executive Director/COO Linfox, Executive Director/COO Skilled Engineering, Managing Director Westgate Logistics, Managing Director Silk Logistics Group and Chair of a privately-owned transport company. For many years John has supported the charity Young Endeavour Youth Scheme and was formerly a member of the scheme’s advisory board. John is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a non-executive director of the AiGroup.

Claire Keating

Director

Claire Keating is an Employer Director appointed by the Ai Group as Director of the Board on 1 January 2020. Claire is a chartered accountant with over twenty-five years’ experience specialising in superannuation and funds management. She was previously a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers where she held a number of management roles including leading PwC’s Financial Services Assurance Practice in Melbourne. Other directorships that Claire currently holds include Yooralla, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, SAS Trustees Corporation, and Charter Hall Direct Property Management Limited. Claire is a board member of the Judicial Commission of Victoria. She was previously a Director of Care Super. Claire holds a Bachelor of Business (accountancy) from RMIT, and a Diploma of Superannuation Management from ASFA & Macquarie University. In 2015 Claire became a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Philippa Kelly

Director

Philippa Kelly was jointly appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd and the Ai Group as an Independent Director and Investment Committee Chair on 5 November 2021. Prior to her appointment, Philippa was a consultant to AustralianSuper and member of the Fund’s Direct Investment Group. Philippa is currently the Deputy Chancellor of Deakin University and is Chair of its Finance & Business Committee. With a background in law and investment banking she has held various roles within the property industry, most recently with Juilliard Group and Centro Properties. Current directorships include Lifestyle Communities Ltd, Hub Australia, oOh!media Ltd, and Assemble Communities Pty Ltd. Philippa holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance & Investment from FinSIA. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Director’s course.

Michele O'Neil

Director

Michele O’Neil is a member Director appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd as a Director of the Board on 10 September 2021. Michele is President of the ACTU and is a member of the ACTU Executive. She is Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration. She was previously National Secretary of the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, Executive Member of IndustriALL Global Union Federation and Director of Manufacturing Skills Australia. Michele was previously an AustralianSuper Alternate Director and was a Member of the Member and Employer Services Committee.

Glenn Thompson

Director

Glenn Thompson is a Member Director appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd to the AustralianSuper Board on 31 January 2020. Glenn was elected to the position of Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) in 2003, having previously held the role of Industrial Officer. Current directorships include The New Daily, National Entitlement Security Trust (NEST), Australian Construction Industry Redundancy Trust (ACIRT) and UCOVER. Glenn was previously a Director of Coal Long Service Leave (Coal LSL), and the Construction Industry and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC). Glenn was previously a Director of CBUS where he chaired a number of committees including Marketing and Services; People, Culture and Remuneration; and was a member of the Risk and Audit committee. Glenn is a qualified fitter and turner and has been advocating for workers both domestically and abroad for over 30 years. Glenn holds an RG 146 certificate with AIST, and has completed a Foundations of Directorship Program and a Risk Analysis, Investigation & Oversight Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Daniel Walton

Director

Daniel Walton is a Member Director appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd on 15 December 2016. Daniel was elected to the position of National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) in November 2016, having previously held the positions of Assistant National Secretary and National Vice President. The AWU is Australia’s oldest blue-collar trade union representing over 70,000 working men and women and their families. Daniel was elected ACTU Vice President in 2019 and is a director of ACTU Super Shareholding. Other directorships include Chifley Services Pty Ltd, the Migration Council of Australia, and is Chair of the NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board.

Nixon Apple

Alternate Director

Nixon Apple was appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd as Alternate Director for Glenn Thompson on 31 January 2020 and has been a Member of the Investment Committee since 1 July 2006. Nixon has served on the AustralianSuper Board as a Director and Alternate Director since 1 July 2006. Prior to that he served on the Board of STA and its Investment Committee from 1998. He brings a wealth of experience to the Investment Committee having worked as a Director at the Australian Trade Commission and the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research, along with a depth of experience with the ACTU including roles as the Industry and Investment Policy Adviser and as a research officer. Nixon is a strong advocate of industry superannuation funds. He has also been published widely on economic and industry development issues. Nixon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (with Honours) and a Masters in Arts both from Carleton University Ottawa Ontario Canada.

Brad Crofts

Alternate Director

Brad Crofts was appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd as an Alternate Director for Daniel Walton on 15 December 2016 and is a member of the Finance & Audit Committee. Brad is the CEO of the Fit to Drive Foundation Inc, and a director on the board of The New Daily. He has an established consultancy practice and previously served as AWU’s nominee to the board of Prime Super between 2010 and 2013 both as deputy chairman and chair of its Investment Committee. Prior to this he spent many years as a policy maker with both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments and as economist with the AWU. Brad has a Bachelor of Economics (first class honours) from the University of Queensland, he holds a certificate of Foundations in Trustee Governance with AIST, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Heather Ridout

Alternate Director

Heather Ridout was appointed by the Ai Group as an Alternate Director for John Dixon and as a member of the Investment Committee on 26 September 2019. Prior to this Heather has been a Director of the AustralianSuper Board since July 2007 and Chair from April 2013 to September 2019. Heather is a company director with a long history as a leading figure in the public policy debate in Australia. She is a Director of Sims Limited and ASX Ltd and a member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Board. Heather has been a delegate to the B20, the key business advisory body to the international economic forum which includes business leaders from all G20 economies. Her previous appointments include: board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia, member of the Henry Tax Review panel, board member of Infrastructure Australia, Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, member of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Committee, and the Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Manufacturing. In 2014 Heather was made an Officer in the general division of the Order of Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Economics (honours) from the University of Sydney and has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Business from Macquarie University and the University of Ballarat.

Jo-anne Schofield

Alternate Director

Jo-anne Schofield was appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd as Alternate Director for Brian Daley on 12 December 2019 and is a member of the Member and Employer Services Committee. Jo-anne is currently the National President of the United Workers Union and ACTU Vice President, having previously held a number of roles at the United Voice Union (and its predecessor union, the LHMU) including the positions of National Secretary and President. Prior to joining United Voice Jo-anne was Executive Director of Catalyst Australia, and was Manager Superannuation Legal and Executive Services in the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Jo-anne is currently a Director of the ACTU Member Connect Board. Previous directorships include a Ministerial appointment on the NSW TAFE Advisory Board, the Australian Retirement Fund, and was Deputy Chair of the Property Services Industry Training Board. Jo-anne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of NSW.

George Stamas

Alternate Director

George Stamas was appointed by the Ai Group as Alternate Director for Innes Willox on 1 January 2020 and has been a Member of the Member & Employer Services Committee since 2012. He has over 40 years’ experience in corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, financial management, and large-scale business development and expansion. He has held senior corporate roles with Mayne Nickless, Electrolux & Tempo services. He is a current Director and former National President of the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA), Director of Facility Management Association of Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Since 1987 George has held the position of Managing Director at GJK Facility Services and Director of GJK Indigenous Solutions. He is also a member of numerous community and charitable organisations. George holds a Diploma of Marketing from the Australian Institute of Management.

Pippa Downes

Committee Member

Pippa Downes is a Member of the Investment Committee appointed by ACTU Super Shareholding Pty Ltd and the Ai Group on 12 February 2021. Pippa brings to the Committee more than 25 years’ executive and non-executive experience in leading global financial services organisations including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley and UBS. Pippa is currently a non-executive director of Zip Co Limited, Ingenia Communities, Australian Technology Innovators and ALE Property Group. Pippa also serves as a Commissioner of Sport Australia. Previous directorships include Windlab, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, ASX Clearing and Settlement Corporation, the Pinnacle Foundation, Swimming Australia and the Swimming Australia Foundation. Pippa holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University, a Bachelor of Science (Business Administration, Finance and Accounting) from the University of California and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Russell Maddox

Committee Member

Russell Maddox has been a member of AustralianSuper’s Investment Committee since 15 July 2014. Russell is an experienced investor across a range of asset classes, and has a long involvement with the design, specification, testing and usage of technology for fund management applications. Russell was the Chief Investment Officer at Merrill Lynch/BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Ltd from 2004 to 2012 responsible for managing multi-asset portfolios within BlackRock. He joined BlackRock in 2000 as the Head of Australian Fixed Income and moved to London in 2001 to head up the Global Fixed Income team for Merrill Lynch. Prior to this Russell worked at Macquarie Investment Management in various investment roles and Credit Suisse First Boston as the Head of Fixed Interest Research. He also worked as an economist for various banking institutions before moving into investment related roles with fund managers. Russell began his career with the Australian Commonwealth Treasury in Canberra after obtaining an Honours Degree in Economics from Monash University.