Customer Advisory Panel

Philip is an experienced consumer advocate and regulator, based in Melbourne where he is a United Energy customer. He is principal of Consumer-wise Consulting, working on strategy, policy, engagement and governance. He is a member of the boards of the Clean Energy Council, the Financial Basics Foundation (which he chairs), Consumer Action and Consumers’ Federation of Australia. Philip has held senior roles at the Australian Energy Regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the UK energy regulator Ofgem, as well as three UK consumer organisations.

Hilary’s experience covers energy and carbon markets, sustainability, energy productivity and product development. Her work has centred around creating sustainable futures for heavy industries and infrastructure portfolios in a changing climate; driving strategy and corporate engagement on decarbonisation, renewable energy, and climate resilience. She is currently the General Manager - Strategic Energy Management within the GFG Alliance, responsible for a significant wholesale electricity and gas portfolio and the development and execution of energy strategy and risk management. Hilary is a Board member of the South Australian Hydrogen Technology Cluster (SA-H2H).

Natalie Collard is the Executive Officer for Food and Fibre Great South Coast. She is a highly regarded advocate for regional Australia, agriculture, renewable energy, innovation and women’s leadership. Her board experience includes the Australian Government’s Council of Australian Latin American Relations, Landcare Australia Ltd, Agsafe Ltd and the Victorian Government Agriculture Energy Investment Plan Independent Advisory Council.

After training as a social worker, Dean worked in several community development roles followed by more than a decade in energy policy advocacy for the Victorian Council of Social Service before moving to Renew in 2016. As Renew’s Senior Energy Analyst he’s focused on policy analysis and advocacy in national and state energy markets, with an emphasis on making the energy system work better for residential consumers while also reducing its environmental impact. Recent work has been on DER enablement, tariff reform, and consumer protections in emerging energy markets.

Helen is an independent Qualified Professional Researcher and Accredited Statistician, with an Advanced Certificate in Engagement. She is a principal consultant with Bartley Consulting where she undertakes and advises on social research, evaluations, and consumer engagement with a focus on the water and energy sectors. Helen was a member of AusNet Services Customer Forum, representing customer interests in negotiations on its 2021-25 regulatory proposal. She is a current member of the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) Consumer Reference Group and the AER’s Consumer Challenge Panel which provide consumer-oriented advice to the AER to help it make better regulatory determinations.

With 20 years’ experience in the Information Technology industry, Lynda is the GM Global Strategy - Technology at Xero. Lynda is passionate about value-driven investment in technology and digital capabilities, and their potential to transform business models and shape industries. This is quite pertinent in the energy industry at this time given the imperative of energy transition. Prior to joining Xero, Lynda was a Director in PwC Australia's Consulting team. Her experience also extends to energy retailers and generators.

Dr. Winnie Waudo is a performance driven executive with extensive strategic and operational experience in public and private sectors. Specifically, she has a proven record of achievement initiating, leading, and delivering business transformation programs encompassing margin optimisation, organisational capability, and business improvement in electricity, gas, renewable energy, facilities, and asset operations and maintenance. Dr. Waudo holds a Ph.D. in Renewable Energy and a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Queensland and the University of Wollongong respectively.

Tennant Reed is principal national adviser in public policy at Ai Group. He has worked heavily on climate and energy issues, advising Ai Group’s leaders’ group on energy and climate policy and developing reports on natural gas supply, energy prices and energy efficiency. He also works on a range of issues related to manufacturing and innovation. Previously he was an adviser in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, working on fiscal policy, stimulus and infrastructure.

Emma is an experienced partnership developer based in Melbourne. She is the Director of Partnerships and Business Development at 3E Group, developing Net Zero emissions strategies and projects. Emma has held various governance positions, including co-convenor of the UNAA Climate Change Committee and Monash University’s representative on C4NET’s University Steering Committee. Emma has worked across the energy sector throughout her career, including developing flagship energy partnerships for Monash University and purpose-driven partnerships at Powershop Australia.

Gavin currently runs the policy and research unit at St Vincent de Paul Victoria. Over the past 30 years he has participated in numerous electricity distribution, gas distribution and transmission regulatory resets across Australia. He has also been a representative on the Australian Energy Market Commission’s Reliability Panel and the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan Consumer Panel. He's currently a representative on the Australian Energy Regulator’s and the Essential Services Commission Victoria Customer Consultative Groups and a board member of Energy Consumers Australia.

Keicha is a Gunditjmara Yorta Yorta woman who has worked with Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation and Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation in Cultural Heritage Management. Keicha has also assisted with negotiating Native Title and gaining UNESCO world heritage recognition for Budj Bim and is working on several boards currently. She is highly sought after and is extremely passionate about First Peoples having a seat at the table and a say in the Reconciliation Journey. Keicha has recently been a Treaty candidate for the First Peoples Assembly and is the Chair of CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy’s First Peoples Advisory Committee.