Bernadette O’Connor, Chair, Australian Renewables Academy (ARA)  

In addition to chairing the ARA Board, Bernadette is Executive Director of Management Governance Australia (MGA) Pty Ltd, CEO of Workforce Plus Inc, Executive Chair, DEC Housing and Director, Enable Social Enterprises.   

Bernadette’s qualifications include a Masters in Public Policy and Management, Graduate Diploma in Education (Mathematics), Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematics), Associate Degree in Applied Science (Amenity Horticulture) and Associate Diploma in Therapy Radiography.   

Bernadette understands the future challenges facing communities, business, and industry. She brings extensive experience in working at the highest level across a diverse range of sectors. Her strong practical approach, ability to engage deeply with stakeholders and skills in facilitating partnerships and collaboration enable her clients to focus on new thinking and new approaches to developing strategic solutions.    

Maya Malik, CEO Elanora Offshore

Maya has nearly 20 years energy experience in leadership, strategic and commercial roles. She has spent most of her career in offshore wind, working on projects in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. Maya is currently the CEO of the 5GW Elanora Offshore wind project. She is co-founder of KIMAenergy, an advisor to the World Bank’s offshore wind development program and was recently named in the top 35 most influential women in the global wind power industry (top 3 in Asia-Pacific) for her role in kicking off the offshore wind sector in Taiwan and Vietnam.

Prior to founding KIMAenergy, Maya held several senior management positions with Copenhagen Offshore Partners and Ørsted. Maya’s experience spans full offshore wind project lifecycle: she has led market entry and bidding, managed partnerships, and commercial transactions, directed projects and overseen set-up and the running of several GW of operating assets. Prior to renewables Maya worked at Shell on large-scale petrochemical projects in Australia, the Netherlands and Singapore. Maya holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Curtin University in Western Australia.

Mirjam Tome, Managing Director, Skyborne Renewables Australia

Mirjam is a qualified environmental engineer who is specialized and passionate about renewable energy projects. With over 15 years within the renewables sector, Mirjam gained experience in wind and solar projects from development through to construction.

She developed and delivered over 550MW of solar and onshore wind projects in Australia and consulted on a range of on-and offshore wind farms in Europe. Mirjam has experience in all project phases including feasibility studies, site development, negotiation of various contract models, stakeholder management, contractor selection, grid connection process, financing processes and construction management. Mirjam is now heading up Skyborn Renewables Australia, developing a pipeline of offshore wind projects around Australia.

‘As a leader driving collaboration and learning in workforce participation within the renewable energy sector, I’m very much looking forward to being involved with the upcoming ARA interactive webinars focussed on the future and what this means for our future local workforce in the offshore wind industry.‘

‘After working in the engineering and renewables sector for more than 15 years across wind and solar projects from development through to construction, I have seen first-hand just how important it is for our workforce to gain solid skills and knowledge across all project phases, such as site development, contract management, financing, and construction management. ARA is well positioned to deliver training to assist with this knowledge transfer.‘

‘I’m very much looking forward to being involved with the upcoming training in the new ARA New Energy Program, in collaboration with my fellow energy sector leaders!’ 

‘Now more than ever it’s important to build our renewable energy Australian workforce as Australia is developing a pipeline of offshore wind projects around the country.’

Bodye Darvill, Director Emerging Industries, Latrobe Valley Authority | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

Bodye supports energy transition across the Gippsland region, working closely with stakeholders in government, industry, education and community sectors.

With qualifications in Communications, Business and Community and International Development, Bodye’ s work focuses on supporting strong and long-term economic and social outcomes for the Gippsland region. 

“The Latrobe Valley Authority is supporting the Gippsland region through energy transition. This includes fostering leadership development within the crucial and evolving renewable energy sector. I'm excited to contribute to the Australian Renewables Academy's (ARA) upcoming New Energy Leadership and Management Cert IV training. I'm looking forward to working with the cohort in the program’s ‘Demonstrate Leadership in the Workplace’ unit.”

 “This unit focuses on topics relevant to the renewable energy landscape, such as effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution and fostering an inclusive work environment. Mastering these skills is essential for navigating the complexities and opportunities faced by future leaders in our burgeoning New Energy sector.”  

 “New Energy opportunities in Gippsland and across Australia already exist and are only increasing in coming months and years. Now is an excellent time to grow the skills you need to be able to take part in this exciting future!”