Our Board and Executive team
Our Board
The Seqwater Board is responsible for the way we perform our functions and exercise our powers under the South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007.
The Board’s role is to:
- set strategy and direction, and provide the governance framework for the organisation through the endorsement of financial, administrative and operational policies
- ensure we perform our functions and exercise our powers in a proper, effective and efficient way
- ensure strategic and operational planning objectives are achieved
- be accountable to the responsible Ministers for our performance
- review the annual performance of the Chief Executive Officer.
John McEvoy (Chairperson)
Chair appointed 28 August 2025 | Board appointed 1 October 2020 | Reappointed 1 October 2023
John is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and past Fellow of Engineers Australia, with more than 40 years’ experience in the mobilisation and delivery of major economic, social and environmental infrastructure schemes ranging from $100 million to over $7 billion.
His earlier engagements in South East Queensland’s water supply assets include Project Director of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme as well as broader involvement in the delivery of a range of dams, water treatment plants and trunk mains across the region.
John is a member of the Assets and Investments Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Customers and People Committee.
Catherine Mickel (Member)
Board appointed 1 October 2020 | Reappointed 1 October 2023
Catherine is a physiotherapist with more than 30 years’ experience spanning public, private, and community health. She is the former National President and long-serving spokesperson of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, where she influenced policy in Aged Care and Palliative Care.
An experienced Director, Catherine has served on multiple national and state-based boards and is currently a Director on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Queensland), Diego & Co Pty Ltd, and South Brisbane Medical Corporation.
Catherine is a member of the Assets and Investments Committee and the Customers and People Committee.
Amanda Cooper (Member)
Board appointed 28 August 2025
Amanda was a Brisbane City councillor for 12 years and has held non-executive board roles with Urban Utilities and Infrastructure Australia. She has significant experience in infrastructure planning, project delivery, customer-centric engagement, public policy, town planning and development assessment.
Her wide-ranging background has given her valuable insight into community expectations and deep knowledge of government processes. She is a staunch advocate for the prioritisation of projects based on community benefit, improved resilience and project viability.
Amanda is Chair of the Assets and Investments Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Mark Girard (Member)
Board appointed 28 August 2025
Mark became Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee at Cross River Rail Delivery Authority in 2024, providing assurance and advice on financial performance, risks, and audit programs.
From 2023-25, he was Program Director for QCN’s CopperString delivery team, working with Powerlink, Energy Queensland, and local government to deliver economic and community benefits. From 2012-23, Mark was Managing Director, Advisory at Queensland Treasury Corporation.
Mark is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Assets and Investments Committee.
Amanda Kenafake (Member)
Board appointed 28 August 2025
Amanda is a results-orientated professional with a proven track record of identifying and capitalising on business opportunities. Her strategic direction and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the success of Power Tynan, where she has served as an Executive Director since 2004 and CEO since January 2018.
Amanda is a Council Member for the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and also chairs the Finance and Facilities Committee and is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Her extensive career spans various senior roles, including Senior Tax Accountant, Business Advisor, Non-Executive Director, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer.
Amanda is Chair of the Customers and People Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Antonia Mercorella (Member)
Board appointed 28 August 2025
Antonia is the CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. She is widely recognised for her expertise in public policy, government and stakeholder relations, corporate strategy, governance and innovation.
Antonia’s legal experience spans private practice and in-house roles. She has a strong interest in alternative dispute resolution and has previously trained and worked as a mediator.
Antonia is currently the Chair of Carter Newell Lawyers, a Proptech BNE Council member, an Ambassador for the Forgotten Women, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She previously served as a director on the Sycamore School Board.
Antonia is a member of the Customers and People Committee.
Pauline Thomson (Member)
Board appointed 28 August 2025
Pauline is an accomplished executive and board director with more than 25 years’ leadership experience in strategy, finance and transformation across infrastructure, utilities and energy. She brings water sector experience from her decade as Chief Financial Officer at Unitywater, where she also served as Acting Chief Executive Officer.
Pauline serves on the St Vincent de Paul Housing Queensland Board and the Audit and Risk Committee for the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. She is a Certified Practising Accountant and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Pauline is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Customers and People Committee.
Our Executive Team
Emma Thomas – Chief Executive Officer
Emma Thomas is an Australian public servant and engineer with a diverse career spanning both the public and private sectors. Emma brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of leadership across sectors including aviation, rail, public transport, infrastructure and local government. Most recently Emma was the Interim CEO of Queensland Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, her previous experience includes CEO of Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Director-General of Transport Canberra and City Services. She commenced her career as a RAAF Aeronautical Engineer and worked for over a decade with Boeing. Emma Thomas's extensive experience and leadership in engineering, public administration, and infrastructure development have been instrumental in shaping major projects and services across Australia.
Will Harpham – Executive General Manager, Customer, Strategy, Governance
Will is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success spanning more than two decades. With leadership and advisory experience across corporate and government entities, including in the areas of major projects, transport and logistics, infrastructure, and water supply, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. Joining Seqwater in 2013, Will has been instrumental in guiding Seqwater through complex challenges and periods of change and delivering value for stakeholders.
In addition to his extensive legal and management background, Will recently completed the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford.
Melissa Williams – Executive General Manager People, Culture and Safety
Melissa is a results-oriented executive with extensive experience in a broad range of disciplines including human resources, safety, customer experience and general business management. She has successfully worked across public, private and not-for-profit sectors holding senior roles in a diverse range of industries including utilities, transportation, consulting, education and health/aged care. Known for her transformational leadership, Melissa is a seasoned executive that brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on expertise. Her previous role before joining Seqwater was the General Manager People and Culture at Powerlink Queensland.
Sarah Dixon – Executive General Manager Infrastructure Planning and Capital Delivery
Sarah’s career demonstrates a track record in strategy implementation, organisation and culture change and capability development. Having worked across a number of different industries, she combines experience in large scale change and transformation programs with operational and capital delivery success through leading geographically disperse teams to achieve significant outcomes. Her previous role before joining Seqwater was as Executive General Manager South East Queensland Assets at Queensland Rail.
Declan Rooney – Executive General Manager Digital Technology Information
Declan is an experienced leader with more than 25 years in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. He has a proven track record of driving digital business transformation and improving operational efficiency across industries such as infrastructure, oil & gas, mining, rail, health and aged care, and aviation. Before joining Seqwater, Declan served as Head of Digital Transformation at Airservices Australia. Prior to that, he served as Chief Digital and Data Officer at the Suburban Rail Loop Authority.
Mike Hutchens – Executive General Manager Corporate Services
Mike is an experienced leader and Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years of experience working in a range of businesses including regulated Government Owned organisations in the energy industry, publicly listed multi-national mining companies and financial and professional services firms. Before joining Seqwater, Mike was the General Manager Financial Control with Energy Queensland. Prior to this, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Ergon Energy.
Fiore Zulli – Executive General Manager, Operations
Fiore is an accomplished engineer with more than 30 years' experience, across a wide range of roles spanning operations, production and management. After more than 20 years in the petroleum industry in a number of key management positions, Fiore joined Seqwater in 2016 as Manager, Operations (Northern Region) before becoming our Executive General Manager, Operations.