Our executive leadership
Our department is formed by the following business groups:
- Office of the Director-General
- Office of the Coordinator-General
- Corporate
- Economic Development Queensland
- Infrastructure and Regional Strategy
- Local Government
- Planning
- State Development
The department is led by our executive leadership team. Click on the image or title to view more information about the leaders shaping Queensland’s economy or you can view our organisation chart ( 17.5 KB).
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 Policy, Portfolio and Government Services, 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.
Bronwyn Blagoev
Acting Deputy Director-General, Local Government
Bronwyn has 19 years’ experience with the Queensland Government, with much of that time being in the department’s local government portfolio.
Bronwyn has led significant local government reform during this time, including key policy initiatives building the integrity and accountability of Queensland local governments.
She leads the division’s engagement with local government and has built strong relationships across the sector and with peak bodies, such as the Local Government Association of Queensland.
Bronwyn has a Bachelor of Laws/International Business and have completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
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.
Graeme Garrett
Acting Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure and Regional Strategy
Graeme is responsible for driving the infrastructure agenda for Queensland with a focus on achieving robust capital planning, quality investment decisions and regional economic development. His team plays a lead role in coordinating the Infrastructure Cabinet Committee forward program and the State government’s economic recovery response to COVID-19 and natural disasters.
Graeme brings over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure planning, assessment, procurement and the negotiation of commercial transactions. He was a former Deputy Under Treasurer, Commercial Group and a Project Director in Projects Queensland, responsible for governance oversight and strategic direction of investment evaluation and procurement of major infrastructure and services.
More recently, as an Executive Director of Building Queensland, Graeme was responsible for the development of business cases for major public infrastructure proposals. Since January 2022, Graeme has been a member of the department’s Executive Team of the Infrastructure and Regional Strategy group.
Graeme is the independent chair of the Department of Education’s Infrastructure Investment Board.Graeme holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (Modern Asian Studies) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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.
Last updated: 01 Jun 2022