Executive Team Biographies 

Ken Morrison, Chief Executive

Ken Morrison is the Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, the national representative of the property industry, an industry that creates prosperity, jobs and strong communities. The property industry is the nation’s largest single industry, employing 1.4 million Australians, which is more than mining and manufacturing combined. Ken is passionate about the future of our cities and has played a significant role in shaping tax, planning and infrastructure policy for two decades. He sits on a range of government task forces and committees.  He is also a director of the Green Building Council of Australia, deputy chair of the Business Coalition for Tax Reform, a director of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, and is a Property Champion of Change promoting women in leadership roles.

Kathy Mac Dermott, Chief Operating Officer

Kathy Mac Dermott is Chief Operating Officer at the Property Council of Australia. Kathy joined the business in 2010 as Executive Director, Queensland Division, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2014. Kathy has over 11 years’ experience as a property journalist for the Australian Financial Review, including seven as Queensland Bureau Chief. She has also worked extensively in corporate advisory roles, specialising in property, in Australia and London for more than two decades. Kathy is the program director of the Property Male Champions of Change. She holds a degree from QUT and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Mike Zorbas, Group Executive, Policy and Advocacy

In his role as Group Executive, Advocacy and Policy, for the Property Council of Australia, Mike leads the team that looks after national policy across cities, housing, residential, tax, capital markets, retirement living, sustainability and regulatory work.

Previously he has held leadership roles at Lendlease, Stockland, Grocon and been Deputy Head of Media for the Liberal Democrats in the UK, among other positions, as well as being a member of the Board of the Sydney Institute, Livable Housing Australia and a former Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sydney.

Matt Francis, Head of Media & Communications

Matt Francis is the Head of Media and Communications. He has over two decades experience managing corporate affairs, communications and media for government and the private sector organisations, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia and the United States, Tourism Australia, Melbourne Airport and as a strategic communications consultant. He has worked for senior government ministers in policy and media advising roles across a range of portfolios.

Sandra Brewer, WA Executive Director

Sandra Brewer is the Western Australian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. Prior to commencing this position, Sandra was a communications and marketing executive. Her experience spans blue chip corporates, WA private businesses, retirement living, residential development and construction.  Sandra believes that leaders should be driven to create change beyond the four walls of an organisation, which is why she has volunteered for many years in political and industry bodies. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia. Sandra also has first-hand experience in the property industry, through her family’s business in residential construction. Sandra is committed to being a strong and effective advocate for the Members of the Property Council and the many people who work in the property industry.

Adina Cirson, ACT Executive Director

Adina Cirson is the ACT Executive Director and has extensive experience working in public policy and communications in Canberra for nearly 15 years. Adina worked federally for Senator Kate Lundy for four years before her move to the ACT Government in 2006, working for Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on affordable housing, climate change and water security policy. Following this role, Adina was senior communications consultant to ACTEW’s Water Security Major Projects, with a focus on community engagement and stakeholder management. Adina commenced work with ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher as her Director of Communications in 2011, and in 2014 was appointed Chief of Staff to the Minister for Planning, Land Management and Urban Renewal Mick Gentleman. Adina holds a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) Degree and is currently studying a Master of Juris Doctor (Postgraduate Law) at the University of Canberra.

Daniel Gannon, SA Executive Director

A tertiary qualified and extensively networked public policy and communications professional, Daniel Gannon is one of South Australia’s leading and most influential industry advocates, and in 2018 was named one of the state’s 100 Most Influential People, in SA’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40 and in the state’s Top 50 Powerbrokers. Throughout his career, Daniel has worked across Local, State and Federal Government policy spheres, and has embedded himself in the property and investment industry through the Property Council of Australia – one of the state’s most powerful associations – representing a broad range of sectors ranging from commercial and residential property to industrial, retail and retirement living sectors.

He is a skilled and effective communicator, leader, public speaker, and influential high-profile advocate with 15 years’ experience, as well as significant public policy and governance proficiency. Put simply, Daniel advocates for healthy economies to help create a more prosperous South Australia. In addition to government and not-for-profit board experience, Daniel has credibility with media, experience in developing and communicating complex policies, the ability to talk directly and powerfully to private and public sector leaders, and the drive and tenacity to achieve strategic outcomes.

Jo Gullick, Chief Financial Officer | Head of Business Innovation | Company Secretary

Jo Gullick has over 25 years’ experience in finance and corporate governance. Jo has worked in a broad range of industries including an industry membership organisation, an ASX publicly listed company, performing arts, retail and chartered accountancy. She has sat on a number of Boards in her capacity as company secretary. Jo holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University. She is also a Fellow of the CPAs and has obtained a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia.

Christopher Mountford, QLD Executive Director

Chris Mountford is the Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. In this role Chris leads the Property Council’s policy, government advocacy and commercial activities in Queensland. Prior to commencing in this position, Chris was the QLD Deputy Executive Director for nearly six years. He has represented the property industry on numerous State and local government advisory and policy review committees. Prior to joining the Property Council, Chris held roles with the Civil Contractors Federation and Local Government Association of Queensland. He has more than a decade’s experience in member based advocacy organisations and government relations. Chris holds degrees from the University of Queensland, and is a member of the Queensland Board of Advisors for the Property Industry Foundation – a charity that raises funds to support young people at risk of homelessness.

Ben Myers, Executive Director - Retirement Living

Ben is responsible for championing policy and advocacy that underpins the social licence and future growth of the industry. He is also responsible for managing the Retirement Living Council, which is a national leadership group for the retirement living sector. Ben has a long history of serving in senior leadership positions in government and private sector roles across Australia. Throughout his career, Ben has worked at all levels of Australian government and managed communications across Australia for the global energy producer BG Group. Over his career, Ben has worked across most major industry sectors in Australia and has been directly involved in delivering some of the nation's largest infrastructure projects, including the BG Group's US$20 billion QCLNG project and the Brisbane City Council's TransApex road network.

Belinda Ngo, Executive Director - Capital Markets

Belinda Ngo is the Executive Director of Capital Markets for the Property Council of Australia. Belinda is responsible for national policy relating to investment, tax and capital markets for Australia’s $670 billion property investment industry. The Property Council represents members across all four quadrants of property investment: debt, equity, public and private. Prior to joining the Property Council, Belinda worked for Macquarie Group and KPMG. Belinda has over 15 years of professional experience specialising in capital markets and tax policy, tax advisory and capital management.

Ruth Palmer, NT Executive Director

Prior to joining the Property Council, Ruth spent seven years with the Northern Territory Government working for then Chief Minister Paul Henderson MLA to most recently with the Leader of the Opposition, Delia Lawrie MLA as an Adviser. Ruth has extensive experience with marketing, communications and driving memberships. She is an experienced copywriter and enjoys picking articles or papers to pieces for spelling and grammar. Working in the Communications Unit with the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition has given Ruth knowledge and experience with industry growth and strategies for moving the Territory forward. Ruth resides in Darwin with her two children Chloe (6) and Amelia (19 months). She has lived in the Territory coming up to ten years now and is happy to call it home. On the weekends, the majority of her time is spent in the outdoors camping, fishing or fulfilling her other passions; writing and photography.

Natasha Teychenne, Head of People and Culture

Natasha Teychenne is the Property Council of Australia’s Head of People and Culture. Natasha is an experienced HR executive, with expertise in organisational development, cultural transformation and learning and development. Natasha draws on her organisational development background to take a broad based and integrative view of the people strategies required in the business and applies generalist HR approaches to provide the foundations on which to build the talent, leadership and capability for achievement of business imperatives. Prior to joining the Property Council, Natasha led the People and Culture function for a financial services organisation with a strong focus on culture, engagement, talent and leadership capability. She has also held senior HR roles at PPB Advisory, Telstra and CSC Australia. Natasha started her career as an executive coach and consultant working across a wide range of ASX listed companies and public sector organisations in the areas of strategic M&A, culture development and organisational design. Natasha holds a Master of Psychology, is a registered practicing Psychologist, and is a certificated facilitator in Achieve Global (now Miller Heiman Group).

Cressida Wall, VIC Executive Director

Cressida Wall is the Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. Representing over 550 business state wide and over 300,000 employees, the Property Council is the peak industry body for property and property affiliated businesses Australia wide. With extensive experience in senior leadership roles across a variety of sectors, including property, public policy, corporate affairs, infrastructure, private equity and technology startups. Cressida has been a Board member of the Office of Projects Victoria, and prior to that spent five years as a key economic adviser to the Bracks and Brumby Governments. Since joining the Property Council in November 2018, Cressida regularly represents the property industry across print media, radio and television.

Brian Wightman, TAS Executive Directo

Brian Wightman is the Tasmanian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia and former Attorney General for Tasmania. As Executive Director, Brian leads the Property Council’s policy development, advocacy and public affairs for the state. He also undertakes considerable stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and provides media commentary. Prior to this appointment, Brian ran a youth charity and; was a minister in the Tasmanian Labor government for four years, serving in justice, environment and heritage portfolios. Brian also has experience in the education sector, working as a school principal before his political tenure. Brian holds a Masters Degree from the University of Tasmania and has interests in leadership, education, program and volunteer management, policy and community engagement.