IPAA Victoria announces 2023 Victorian Fellows and Honorary Life Member

Pam has demonstrated commitment to the Victorian community her entire career, from her role as a graduate teacher to the Director of Public Engagement at Oxfam, and her roles as CEO of Mental Health Reform Victoria and now as Senior Executive Director, Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformation in the Department of Health, where she is currently leading implementation of reform from Royal Commission in Victoria’s Mental Health System.  Pam has held senior leadership roles in the Victorian public service and community sector with an abiding commitment to positive transformation, and a passion for delivering meaningful change and growing greater public value for communities. Pam is committed to creating a strong, sustainable, and diverse public service. Pam does this by facilitating opportunities for professional growth in her immediate team and across the larger staff groups she leads. Pam’s leadership style is nurturing, direct and transparent. She supports her immediate team with different opportunities for professional growth and provides insights into senior decision making processes, so that her people can understand risks, policy and strategic contexts that inform significant decisions.

Kate’s public service career reflects her track record of delivering better outcomes for Victorians, including in the education, health, Aboriginal affairs and justice portfolios. Kate has driven a range of equity reforms, including the nation-leading Gender Equality Act which has changed the way gender equality is prioritised and improved in the VPS and the programs and services it delivers to the community. She has a Masters of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Kate has led large and diverse teams to improve outcomes for Victoria’s multicultural and LGBTIQ+ communities and driven increased equity for Victorian women. She is a committed and authentic leader with a focus on building cultures based on collaboration, integrity, empowerment, continuous improvement and respect. As a values-driven executive, she seeks opportunities where her exception communication skills, stakeholder management abilities, organisational transformation experience, passion for collaborative and authentic leadership and knowledge of government can continue to improve outcomes for Victorian communities.

Simon is currently a part-time commissioner of Victoria’s Essential Services Commission. He has worked as an executive for the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, across a wide range of policy areas, with a strong focus on improving social and economic outcomes through regulation. He has previously worked with KPMG’s public policy practice and at the OECD where he helped improve competition policy in Mexico and governance of regulators. He also assisted in shaping the regulatory framework for the new Social Services Regulator, to enhance the quality and transparency of service delivery for social service users.

Simon is passionate about supporting peers around him, by volunteering his experience and expertise to support and mentor individuals and organisations.

Karl Kent OAM has served the community for over 30 years in Australia and overseas. He has had a distinguished career across federal and state governments, working with the AFP, Victoria Police and Attorney-General’s Department in the fields of law enforcement and national security. 

Karl was appointed to the position of Deputy Secretary IT & Infrastructure Services in November 2020, following two years with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), during which time he served as Australia’s first Commonwealth Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Coordinator. Karl is a strong champion for innovation, process improvement and change. Karl was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to the 2002 Bali bombings investigation. In 2004, Karl led an Australian Police Disaster Victim Identification team to Thailand in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster. He was subsequently elected as Joint Chief of Staff during the crisis, and later awarded a Humanitarian Overseas Medal. 

Jason Loos has over 23 years’ experience in policy development, commercial project structuring and delivery of infrastructure projects, including extensive experience in a range of procurement models. Jason also has significant experience with the corporate governance oversight of Victorian Government Business Enterprises. He began in the role of Deputy Secretary of Economic Policy and State Productivity, Department of Premier and Cabinet in June 2023, and is responsible for economic policy advice to the Premier and Cabinet on a wide range of policy issues. He has a highly ethical approach to his work, where his leadership skills positively impact his peers and networks, driving significant cultural change and create a working environment that fosters collaboration, skill development and continuous learning. He continues to demonstrate inclusivity and connection through leading a people committee that aims to build capabilities and celebrate achievements within the group. Jason has an Honours Degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration.  

Ella is currently Deputy Commissioner of the Victorian Public Sector Commission. She joined the Victorian public service in 2005, as a senior communications adviser at the then Department for Victorian Communities, and has since worked across a wide range of portfolios and agencies in the Victorian public service, from community development, human rights and health and human services to business and innovation, education and infrastructure.

Ella is a mentor to a number of VPS staff and executives and convenes the VPS Deputy Secretary Disability Champions Roundtable. Ella is a big fan and supporter of IPAA Victoria and has worked closely with Nina to strengthen links between it and the VPSC, to make the most of each organisation’s capacity to support improvement to the public sector.