Energy Club NT - Board of Directors 2022/2023 |
| Cassy Schmidt - ChairPrincipal Advisor - NT, INPEX Cassy has served on the board of the Energy Club NT since 2020 as Vice -chair and was appointed chair in 2024. Having spent 15 years working for International Energy companies; Woodside Energy, Shell and ConocoPhillips as an Environment and lead Scientist in both Australia and the UK, it was the Ichthys project which brought her family to Darwin. Moving to Darwin 8 years ago, her career has focused on large resources project approvals, project management and government relations in both the onshore and offshore oil and gas sector. Cassy is a scientist at heart who can articulate the energy sectors demands locally and internationally and understands the importance of the energy transition along with the community needs and expectations. Cassy is passionate about connecting the Energy industry to local businesses and having a bit of fun at the same time. Currently as the Principal Advisor at INPEX, Cassy leads with a strategic mindset, navigating public policy both at the local and federal level. Cassy offers the board of the Energy club forward facing strategic planning and leading governance experience with a local connection to the community. A keen outdoors person, enjoying the dry season sailing and netball you will often find her on the beach walking or running the dog. She is back coaching netball again this year and hoping for a great season with the U13 and U11 Nightcliff Tigers. |
| Andrew Saxelby - Vice ChairOperations Manager Northern Australia, GHD Andrew has 29 years’ experience working in the energy and resources industry. He started his career as an electrical apprentice in 1994 at Ergon Energy, Queensland, before joining multi-disciplinary consulting firm, GHD in 2001. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers. During his time, he has worked in the energy space in Brisbane, Mackay and Darwin with 16 years’ experience as a consultant in the Northern Territory. Andrew is currently GHD’s Operations Manager for Northern Australia, covering offices from Gladstone to Cairns in Queensland and all of the NT. During this time, Andrew has played a key role in the delivery of energy projects supporting the energy transition to private and public sector clients in the NT. A selection of these projects include:
Andrew is an active member with Engineers Australia and has previously participated on the Consult Australia Committee and Minerals Council Australia Economic Sub-Committee. |
| Sarah Hohnholt - SecretaryPrincipal Commercial Adviser (Growth), INPEX Sarah is a Principal Commercial Adviser with INPEX, focusing on hydrogen, decarbonisation and backfill opportunities for Ichthys LNG in Darwin. As a Senior Lawyer for INPEX, Sarah is also engaged on an environmental offset conservation project in West Arnhem Land with Aboriginal Traditional Owners. With a legal and commercial background, Sarah has extensive experience in subsea construction, offshore drilling, LNG sales and marketing, resource asset acquisitions and divestments, and HSE matters. Sarah has negotiated multi-billion dollar contracts and works collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes. Sarah is skilled in advising boards and executive management and managing complex project matters from a legal and commercial perspective. Prior to joining INPEX in 2010, Sarah worked for subsea contractor Technip in Perth, Paris and Malaysia, and in private practice with law firm, Minter Ellison. |
| Gaurav Sareen - TreasurerLead Partner - Deloitte Gaurav is the Lead Partner for Deloitte’s Global Investment and Innovation Incentives (Gi³) team in Northern Australia and is the Lead Partner for Government Incentives nationally. Gaurav is a qualified lawyer and has over 15 years’ experience working with Deloitte. Gaurav has been heavily involved with extensive strategy, economic development, and public policy development and review projects across the NT – particularly with infrastructure, climate, and sustainability projects. He is deeply passionate about helping shape a better Northern Australia and making a meaningful difference to the local community. Gaurav has an extensive public and private sector background, assisting a range of organisations with project business cases and feasibility analysis, accessing Government funding, and financing support, and facilitating regional investment attraction. This includes extensive experience within Australia’s mining and critical minerals sector which Gaurav has supported significant organisations with initial feasibility analysis, government and industry stakeholder engagement, market analysis, business case and investment proposal preparation, and negotiation of agreements through the due diligence phases to execution. |
| Sonia Harvey - DirectorDirector Sonia is an experienced board member, business manager and leader with a significant focus on working within the resources and energy sectors and is currently the Vice President Community & Government Relations with Empire Energy Group. Sonia is the founder of Energy Club NT and held the position of CEO from 2015-2021. Sonia's professional focus involves stakeholder engagement working with senior executives, government representatives, and local businesses facilitating symbiotic relationships across the energy sector. While being actively immersed in working with stakeholders in remote regions of the Territory, Sonia has also developed an avid focus on developing positive relationships with pastoral, regional and indigenous communities. In her current role, and as a long-term Territorian, she works with these various stakeholders to assist in progressing industry development and onshore gas exploration and appraisal. Sonia has a strategic passion for responsible resource development and social performance to contribute to positive outcomes for industry and the wider community. |
| Peter Dummett - Director Chief Executive Officer - Darwin Port Following a long career in the Royal Australian Navy Peter settled in Darwin in 1997. Since that time he has been engaged in senior positions in the media, club management and logistics with a focus on the shipping industry. Peter has also been an active member of the International Business Council including 2 years as Deputy Chairperson. Peter joined Darwin Port in 2011 and was initially responsible for trade development, including the oil and gas sector, property management and media and stakeholder liaison. In June 2022 Peter was appointed Acting Chief Executive and was confirmed into the position in September 2022. Peter has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and is currently a Director on the Board of Ports Australia. Peter has strong ties with the Northern Territory business sector and in particular, the many industry groups that utilise Darwin Port. He has a thorough knowledge of the challenges facing business in Northern Australia and looks forward to bringing his extensive experience to the table of the Energy Club NT Board. |
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| Sean Fleming - DirectorGeneral Manager Energy Solutions, APA Group Sean is currently General Manager, Energy Solutions for Australia’s largest energy infrastructure company, the APA Group. He has extensive experience commercialising infrastructure in both upstream and midstream energy projects and is a key contributor to the development of mid and long term strategy. Whilst focussed on natural gas developments, Sean is also charged with the commercialisation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructure concepts within APA’s growth portfolio. Prior to this Sean worked in commercial roles with Origin Energy, primarily on the development of APLNG mega-project and joint venture infrastructure arrangements across all three CSG-LNG export mega-projects in Queensland’s Surat Basin. The APA Group has a long association with the Territory, through its on-going ownership and operation of the Amadeus Gas Pipeline. APA is keen to grow its presence across NT and the north of Australia as it focusses on its strategy pursuing gas transmission and processing infrastructure, renewable generation, remote power hybrid solutions and electricity transmission infrastructure. |
| David Slama - Director Director NT & SA - Australia Energy Producers With over 10 years of executive leadership experience in corporate, government, and peak membership organizations, David brings a wealth of knowledge regarding government operations and the current challenges faced by the industry and regions. Furthermore, David has 15 years of experience as a managing company director and business owner which has allowed him to develop an extensive network and establish connections with SA & NT government agencies, CEOs, Directors, and Elected Members, as well as industry bodies and key investors in the upstream Oil & Gas industry and supply chain. David prides himself on his ability to build and maintain relationships with traditional owners, elders, councils, communities, and stakeholders in remote and regional areas. This expertise extends to stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and influencing strategies aimed at fostering collaboration and driving positive change. David has a proven ability to attract investments and facilitate commercial partnerships in both government and private sectors, this involves leveraging government support and individual/ institutional investments. As a dynamic and strategic leader, David excels at bringing people together and overcoming collaboration barriers. Over his career, David has gained more than 20 years of experience in enterprise growth, B2B sales, corporate development, and strategy. This includes 10 years in senior leadership positions, 10 years in engineering and trade, 7 years in finance and banking, and 6 years in local and state government sectors. David also possesses a high level of financial acumen and experience in budgetary processes |
