Our executive leadership

We are led by the below executive leaders. Click on the image or title to view more information about the leaders working to shape Queensland’s future by driving economic growth and enabling well-planned, inclusive and resilient local communities.

• 

  Mike Kaiser

  Director-General

  Mike Kaiser is Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. He leads the department which oversees the Queensland Government’s agenda to drive economic growth and enhance the state’s lifestyle through good infrastructure and planning outcomes.

  He brings more than 30 years’ experience to the role, having built a successful career in private and public sector leadership and consultancy.

  Most recently, Mike was Director-General of the Department of Resources. Other public sector experiences include working as chief of staff to premiers in both Queensland and New South Wales.

  In the private sector, Mike was a partner at KPMG and contributed to the Queensland COVID-19 Taskforce Economic Recovery Plan in that capacity.

  Known as a strategic thinker and inclusive leader, Mike demonstrated strong customer focus throughout his time at NBN Co, where he led the business change and improvement function and introduced processes to measure and enhance customer satisfaction.

  Mike completed his academic qualifications at the University of Queensland, earning bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and economics as well as a Graduate Certificate in Management.

• 

  Toni Power

  Coordinator-General

  Toni is a senior executive with more than 25 years' experience in the public sector at commonwealth and state levels. Toni held executive roles in the departments of Housing, Communities and Public Works before joining State Development in 2014.

  Toni’s professional background is in government property management, commercialised business service delivery, corporate services and partnering to achieve private investment and industry development in Queensland.

  Toni's strong relationship-based leadership style and commitment to public service means she is focused on achieving real outcomes for the people of Queensland.  As Coordinator-General, Toni enthusiastically collaborates with private and public sector colleagues to progress opportunities for sustainable economic development.

• 

  Natalie Wilde

  Acting Assistant Director-General

  Natalie Wilde is acting Assistant Director-General of Strategy, Insights and Advisory, coordinating key matters across the Deputy Premier’s portfolio responsibilities. She supports all touch points between the Deputy Premier’s Office and the department. Natalie is responsible for leading the portfolio work of the Director-General’s Office, South Bank, economic policy, and strategic communications.

  Natalie has over 20 years’ experience in the public service at both state and local government levels. During this time, Natalie has specialised in leading policy and legislation in the areas of local government, planning, building, infrastructure and property.

  As Deputy Director-General, Local Government, Natalie led the government’s commitment to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for local governments and their communities.

  Natalie has qualifications in public health and business and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course

• 

  Michael McKee

  Deputy Director-General, Corporate

  Michael has more than 15 years' experience working in senior roles within the public sector. His strengths and interests include organisational development, corporate governance, strategy, operations and business partnering.

  Michael’s career spans statutory bodies, commercialised business units, councils, and various government agencies. He has also worked in the private sector with a large chartered accounting firm.

  Michael believes in the importance of developing strong client services. He leads the department with an emphasis on engagement.

• 

  Debbie McNamara

  General Manager, Economic Development Queensland

  Debbie McNamara, General Manager of Economic Development Queensland is a specialist executive leader across the public and private sector within an infrastructure environment including development of large-scale retail, commercial, education and health facilities.

  An Adjunct Professor, Debbie recently led the development and opening of the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) for Metro North Hospital and Health Service, from inception to being an operational, specialist public health facility.

  Having held Chief Executive and non-Executive Director roles in public private organisations in Glasgow, Debbie brings international experience in building lasting partnerships with statutory authorities, tenants, investors and key business and community organisations.

• 

  Jae Lancaster

  Acting Deputy Director-General, Local Government

  Jae’s experience includes over 25 years in the public sector with a stint in consultancy. The last 15 years have been with various iterations of the State Development, Infrastructure and Local Government portfolios.

  Her recent years in the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning involved working with the Regional Organisation of Councils, Local Government Association of Queensland, Remote Area Boards and various regional economic development organisations. This work is dedicated to delivering regional economic development strategies, the State Infrastructure Strategy and Regional Infrastructure Plans.

  Jae also has extensive experience working in Queensland’s State Disaster Management Framework leading the economic recovery function. This experience saw Jae called upon to lead bespoke teams such as the Binna Burra Recovery Taskforce and the economic recovery function within the COVID-19 Taskforce.

• 

  Chris Aston

  Acting State Planner

  Chris Aston is the Acting State Planner in the department’s Planning Group.

  He is an accomplished leader with a background in statutory and strategic planning, policy development and analysis in the public and private sectors across Queensland and NSW.

  Chris is outcomes focussed and driven by ensuring pragmatic approaches to policy implementation and delivery. Chris is also a strong advocate that planning must demonstrate a value add when managing issues impacting on the lifestyles of Queenslanders.

• 

  Maree Parker

  Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure and Regional Strategy

  Maree has worked in regional and economic development for over 20 years across several Queensland Government agencies. Her approach is characterised by forming strong partnerships with regional and other organisations, as well as statutory bodies to deliver on economic priorities.

  In 2022 Maree was awarded the Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for outstanding public service in regional development, infrastructure planning and delivery and disaster economic recovery.

  In 2020, as Deputy Under Treasurer in Queensland Treasury, Maree oversaw the delivery of the Queensland Economic Recovery Plan, which is supported by regional economic plans, in response to COVID-19.  Maree now has responsibility for supporting the Deputy Premier’s role in delivery of Olympic Games infrastructure.

  In Maree’s current role, she has oversight and delivery of:

  • Olympics infrastructure planning and delivery
  • State policy and planning for infrastructure, including the new State Infrastructure Strategy. This strategy will be supported by seven regional plans
  • Implementation of the Qld Government’s Capital Program performance and reporting system
  • Establishing a Digital Twin Taskforce
  • The Qld Government’s Strategic Asset Management Framework
  • The Strategy for Social Infrastructure and supporting Best Practice Guide.

  Maree is also an active contributor to the national i-bodies group convened by Infrastructure Australia and the Queensland Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee.

• 

  Michele Bauer

  Deputy Director-General, State Development

  Michele is a senior executive with extensive experience in economic development portfolios with a focus on industry development, investment attraction and regional infrastructure programs. She has a background in the Office of the Coordinator-General leading complex environmental impact assessments, land acquisitions and negotiating agreements with major infrastructure providers and private sector investors.

  Michele's career has included whole-of-government infrastructure planning for mineral processing and industrial development in North-West and North Queensland. Within her industry development roles, Michele has also led international trade and investment activities for state and commonwealth initiatives. Michele is experienced in policy development to support government priorities, including priority industries such as hydrogen, Biofutures, resource recovery, biomedical, defence and aerospace, METS, beef processing as well as advanced manufacturing.

  Throughout her various roles Michele promotes stakeholder relationships and has extensive networks across regional Queensland and within government agencies. Michele is energetic and values-led, delivering outcomes through high levels of engagement and collaboration.