Executive Team Biographies
Ken Morrison, Chief Executive
Ken Morrison is the Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, which champions the industry that employs
1.5 million Australians and shapes the future of our cities.
Ken has played a significant role in shaping cities, tax, planning and infrastructure policy for over two decades
and sits on a range of government taskforces and committees.
He is also a director of the Green Building Council of Australia, a director of the Australian Sustainable Built
Environment Council, a member of the National Affordable Housing Alliance and is a Property Champion of Change
working to achieve a significant and sustainable increase in the number of women in leadership roles.
Before taking up his current position in 2014, Ken was the Chief Executive of the Tourism & Transport Forum, the
peak CEO forum for the tourism, aviation and transport sectors. Prior to this Ken held several executive positions
at the Property Council of Australia, including Chief Operating Officer and NSW Executive Director.
Ken holds degrees from UNSW and UTS and has undertaken courses at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and
Harvard Business School.
Mike Zorbas, Group Executive, Policy and Advocacy
In his role as Group Executive, Policy and Advocacy, 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 and Stockland, and been
Deputy Head of Media for the Liberal Democrats in the UK. He is on the Board of the Sydney Institute, Liveable
Housing Australia and is a former Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sydney.
Jane Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer
Jane Fitzgerald is Chief Operating Officer of the Property Council of Australia since July 2021. Previously Jane held
the role of Executive Director of the New South Wales Division where she led the advocacy agenda at a time of
enormous investment and change in the sector. Prior to her appointment, Jane was a senior executive with the
Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and, amongst other roles, was the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal
Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption. Previously, Jane was the Deputy Director-General of the NSW
Ministry for Police and chief of staff to two ministers in the NSW Government. Jane has a law degree and an arts
degree majoring in politics from the University of NSW.
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.
Andrew Nightingale, Chief Financial Officer | Company Secretary
Andrew Nightingale is the Chief Financial Officer / Company Secretary of the Property Council of Australia. Andrew
has performed CFO, COO and Finance Director roles both in Australia and in the UK since 1995. He has worked across a
wide range of sectors including public relations, financial services, family office, retail (including property
styling and interior design) and more recently in aged care (including retirement living). Andrew has sat on a
number of Boards as both Director and Company Secretary. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) having trained at
PwC in London and also holds a Bachelor of Science Hons in Civil Engineering.
Jen Williams, QLD Executive Director
Jen is the Queensland Executive Director for the Property Council of Australia,
responsible for leading the state’s commercial program and advocacy agenda.
Jen has been with the organisation for a decade, previously in the roles of Senior
Policy Advisor and Deputy Executive Director. She has a passion for cities and the creation of place, and has
represented the industry on countless government and industry working groups, events and conferences. Prior to
joining the Property Council, Jen worked as a policy advisor to both the Federal Government and Brisbane City
Council, and spent five years as a social science and English teacher in various high schools across Queensland.
Jen holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Communications), Bachelor of Education, and has a Master of Management
(International Business). She is also a Commissioner for Declarations.
Luke Achterstraat, NSW Executive Director
Luke Achterstraat is the NSW Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia where he champions a thriving
property sector that creates prosperity, jobs and strong communities in our state. Prior to this, Luke was a
government relations consultant and led a successful disruptive start-up business focused on talent placement. Luke
has extensive experience in advocacy having advised two federal Ministers and served as an advisor to a resource
industry body, where he appeared before several public inquiries. Luke holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of
Management from the University of Sydney.
Rebecca Ellston, TAS Executive Director
Rebecca Ellston is the Tasmanian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia.
Prior to this, Rebecca worked in both Senior Media and Advisory Roles within the Tasmanian Government.
Born and raised in Tasmania, as an experienced communications professional and passionate advocate Rebecca is
committed to ensuring that the Industry plays an integral role in maintaining the momentum Tasmania has experienced
in recent years, boosting business confidence, driving investment and supporting jobs in her home state.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communication and Journalism from Griffith University.
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. Prior to joining the Property Council, Belinda worked for Macquarie Group and
KPMG.
Danni Hunter, VIC Executive Director
Danni Hunter is the Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia.
Danni holds several key advisory positions to Government in which she provides advice and input into the strategy
and approach to rebuilding Victoria’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Danni works collaboratively with
other employer associations and plays a leadership role within the Victorian Congress of Employer Associations in
her capacity as Deputy Chair.
Danni is a hands-on leader with deep experience in policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and organisational
leadership, previously holding senior roles as the Chief Executive Office of the Urban Development Institute of
Australia (UDIA Victoria), and as an advisor to the State Government. She has volunteered as a strategic advisor to
Beyond Blue, and currently serves as a government appointed Trustee on the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust.
She is passionate about increasing diversity within business leadership and finding solutions to systemic problems
facing the community including homelessness and housing affordability. Danni is a dynamic and nationally recognised
spokesperson, regularly sharing her views on property, business, diversity, population growth and the economy
through regular media appearances, events and keynote presentations.
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).