Cassy Schmidt - Chair

VP Environment and Sustainability, Beetaloo Energy 

Cassy has served on the board of the Energy Club NT since 2020 as Vice -chair and was appointed chair in 2024. Having spent 20 years working for International Energy companies in both Australia and the UK, it was the Ichthys project which brought her family to Darwin. Moving to Darwin 9 years ago, her career has focused on large resources project approvals, project management and stakeholder engagement 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 energy security 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 Vice President of Environment and Sustainability at Beetaloo Energy, Cassy leads with a strategic mindset, navigating one of the NTs largest onshore gas exploration projects through exploration to production. Cassy offers the board of the Energy club forward facing strategic planning and leading governance experience with a local connection to the community.

Andrew Saxelby - Vice Chair

Operations 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:

• Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct
• Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System
• INPEX Ichthys Combined Cycle Power Plant
• Various large Solar PV facilities
• Gas-fired Generation projects at Weddell, Channel Island, Katherine, Tenant Creek, Owen Springs and Yulara power stations
• HV transmission projects including Frances Bay, Archer, Woolner, Lovegrove and Owen Springs substations

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 - Secretary

Principal 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 - Treasurer

Founder and Managing Partner, Genexa Advisory

Gaurav Sareen is the Founder and Managing Partner of Genexa Advisory, bringing nearly two decades of experience advising businesses, governments, industry, and regional economies across Australia and Southeast Asia.

A strategic leader with a strong public policy and investment background, Gaurav previously served as the National Leader for Deloitte’s Government Incentives practice in Australia and led Deloitte’s Government and Public Sector business in Northern Australia. Under his leadership, projects worth in excess of $2 billion dollars in capital investment have successfully secured over $800 million in public funding support.

Gaurav is widely recognised for his ability to bridge strategy with execution. He has advised on major Government funding and policy programs, infrastructure initiatives, regional economic development strategies, industry growth plans, and investment attraction campaigns - partnering with Federal, State, and Local governments, as well as the private sector.

His leadership style is values-driven, empathetic, and results-oriented - underpinned by a strong belief in building high-performing teams and delivering long-term impact. Gaurav’s deep understanding of economic, financial, political, and community contexts makes him a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex business issues, and policy, investment, and delivery challenges.

He holds degrees in Law and Business Administration from Macquarie University, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia. Gaurav also serves on numerous Boards and Advisory Committees, and is passionate about creating a stronger, more prosperous Australia.

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.

Sean Fleming - Director

General 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.