Executive leadership

Chad leads the department’s Tourism Division, bringing a strategic approach to shape Queensland’s visitor economy over the next decade and beyond, delivering Queensland’s new tourism industry framework, Towards Tourism 2032.

Joining the department in 2018, Chad commenced with the Tourism Division as Acting General Manager in October 2022, working closely with industry on high priority tourism initiatives, before taking up the role of Deputy Director General in April 2023.  As the Deputy Director General, Chad works closely with tourism partners and industry, including Tourism Events Queensland (TEQ), Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), Indigenous tourism representative bodies, Stadiums Queensland, and other key stakeholders to support and grow Queensland’s $17 billion tourism industry.

As an Executive Director for Partnerships Strategy and Development in the Sport and Recreation Division, Chad led a dedicated team to support the Director-General and Minister to deliver the Queensland’s first sport and active recreation strategy, Activate! Queensland. Chad also led the former Department of Housing and Public Works’ 2032 Taskforce to support the development of the 2032 Value Proposition Assessment.  Throughout the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Chad worked closely with colleagues across the industry and government to see the successful response and recovery of community sport as well as the continuation of professional and elite fixtures in Queensland.

With over 20 years’ experience in Federal, State and Territory Governments working across financial, education, tourism and sport sectors, Chad is fueled by a passion to improve the future for all Australians.  He is passionate about tourism, sport and Queensland (key components for 2032!) and has also represented Australia as a professional Triathlete.

Lea leads the department’s innovation portfolio, which is responsible for supporting innovative practice across government. She also leads the Advance Queensland initiative to foster innovation and entrepreneurialism, capitalise on our natural advantages, and help raise Queensland’s profile as an attractive investment destination.

Prior to working in the department, Lea led Science Development for the Queensland Government. She has a long history in sustainable land management, working across portfolios for agriculture, natural resource management, the Great Barrier Reef and environmental management. Lea aims to bring together science and innovation, with policy and outcomes for business.

Andrew has more than 20 years’ leadership experience in property, infrastructure, stakeholder engagement and public administration and is the Deputy Director-General leading sport and active recreation across Queensland, and the department’s corporate services.

Andrew previously held the position of Executive Director of Venues and Sport Infrastructure within sport and recreation where he led the program management, infrastructure planning and investment and delivery of key sporting capital projects, and the management of the Queensland Venues and Recreation Centres.

Prior to joining sport and recreation, he held the positions of Executive Director of Development Strategy and Executive Director of Regional and Residential Development at the Queensland Government’s specialist land use planning and property development unit, Economic Development Queensland, where he led the facilitation and delivery of projects and programs throughout Queensland.

Sarah has been working in corporate services with Queensland Government for more than 25 years. She has experience leading high performing teams who have been responsible for payroll, financial services, internal audit, legal, workers’ compensation statutory claims and premium and stakeholder engagement. She is also a Fellow of Certified Practicing Accountants.

Sarah was previously the General Manager, Queensland Shared Services (QSS) where she successfully managed complex digital technology and process change and influenced large scale customer centric transformations. While at QSS, her team navigated uncertain times during COVID to deliver payroll and finance services to 28 government departments.

Prior to joining QSS, Sarah worked at WorkCover Queensland in various roles within the business leading teams responsible for setting and collecting the premium, deciding and managing statutory claims.