Improving public sector impact: deliver meaningful outcomes with limited resources

In May 2021, Lee Miezis was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). As CEO, Lee is responsible for the operational performance of the organisation and, in association with EPA’s Governing Board, setting its strategic direction.

Lee was previously the inaugural CEO of Bushfire Recovery Victoria, and prior to that was a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. He is a Victorian Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2022 Australia Day honours for outstanding service to policy, regulation, and service delivery in Victoria, particularly in the area of environmental sustainability.

Lee has extensive experience and a record of delivery across policy, operations and regulation, having worked in the Victorian and NSW public services in the areas of public land management, fire and emergency management, and the environment.

Melissa is the Executive Director, People and Innovation at Magistrates’ Court Victoria. She leads the function tasked with creating a future-ready court, a court that is committed to continuous improvement and innovation to make attending and working in the court an easier and better experience.

Melissa provided strategic direction for the creation of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria Service Centre. The award-winning Centre was recognised by IPAA as “an exemplar of innovation, demonstrable impact and inspirational delivery for the public sector and the Victorian community.”

Equipped with change management expertise and networking gravitas, as well as a passion for innovation, Melissa influences forward thinking strategies amongst stakeholders, working towards modernising court service delivery and operating practices for the Magistrates’ Court.

Prior to joining the Magistrates’ Court Victoria, Melissa has held multiple senior leadership and executive positions in the Victorian public service, including her previous role of Chief Operating Officer at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Sonja leads the People, Culture and Transformation team at Development Victoria. The team works across the business to deliver business transformation  introducing new ways of working, improved processes, new technologies and emerging capabilities. They are responsible for sourcing and developing great talent, building a diverse workforce and inclusive culture, and enabling people to perform at their best. This enables Development Victoria to deliver on its purpose of delivering government policy through affordable and sustainable property development and capital works projects to achieve social and economic outcomes for Victoria. Sonja is passionate about the power of great culture and leadership to transform organisations.

Prior to joining Development Victoria, Sonja held senior leadership roles at Greater Western Water, Bupa and the NAB.

Brent is the Joint Managing Director of Maximus International, an Australian leadership performance firm. With over 20 years consulting experience , Brent has developed many of Australia’s top senior leaders and executives.

Brent oversees Maximus’ national portfolio of clients delivering innovative solutions globally. He takes a strategic and pragmatic approach to business performance and has the ability to consistently deliver proven value and lasting business results. With an uncompromising focus on quality, progress and accountability, Brent has led to a reputation for always getting outcomes.

Brent has worked across a diverse range of sectors with an impressive portfolio of clients including: Macquarie Group, Wesfarmers, Suncorp, Johnson & Johnson, Urbis and Transport NSW

Phil Noble is the Managing Partner and Founder of Strategic Project Partners (SPP), a high impact strategy consulting firm founded in 2005.  He is passionate about partnering with clients to solve complex problems and brings a particular focus on transformation, economic strategy and the application of data analytics. Phil has significant expertise and experience in business strategy, major projects strategy, and running large scale transformation programs.

Prior to founding SPP, Phil worked at Boston Consulting Group, with a venture funded tech startup, and for various infrastructure and project management groups.