posted 30 June, 2025

Welcoming New Directors to NRM South

We’re proud to announce the appointment of four new Directors to the NRM South Board.

This recruitment process was one of the most competitive we’ve ever undertaken. We were humbled by the extraordinary calibre of applicants, including many individuals with deep expertise, diverse experience, and a shared passion for Tasmania. We are very proud of the growing recognition of NRM South’s role as a strategic, trusted organisation with the ability to drive meaningful outcomes for our environment and communities.

The selection process was guided by a purposeful review of our current and future needs. At the start of 2025, we set out to build a Board that not only upholds strong governance, but also helps us to navigate complexity, opportunities, and change. Four new Directors will bring complementary strengths across governance, science, policy, conservation, finance, risk, and strategy. The new Directors will commence in interim positions, to be formally confirmed at our AGM in September.

Dan Wilcock

Dan is a highly experienced leader in sustainability governance, currently heading this work at the UN Global Compact Network Australia. With a professional background spanning Canada and Australia, Dan brings deep expertise in law, commerce, and environmental regulation. He combines global insight with a strong commitment to local impact, and has a proven ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and confidence. His strengths in advocacy, governance, and strategic communications will make him a valuable contributor to NRM South’s future direction.

Dr Rowan Trebilco

Rowan is a marine ecologist and senior CSIRO leader with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of science, policy, and governance. He has contributed to major national initiatives such as the 2021 State of the Environment Report and brings specialist expertise in investment frameworks, natural capital, biodiversity markets, and climate resilience. Recently, Rowan has focused on developing his governance skills and will apply this by helping to translate complex science into strategic decisions, providing a forward-looking and evidence-based voice.

Pierre Defourny

Pierre is a leader in private land conservation with a strong grasp of both economic and environmental systems. He coordinates the Midlands Conservation Partnership and has successfully driven investment in biodiversity outcomes across Tasmania. With a background in economics, policy, strategy, and stakeholder engagement, Pierre offers valuable insight into NRM South’s unique value proposition, the broader funding landscape, risk management, and the growing role of private sector partnerships in NRM and conservation.

Nathan Johnston

With a unique mix of finance, data analytics, and systems thinking, Nathan has already made a valuable contribution to NRM South through his participation in our Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee. As a Chartered Accountant with a background in engineering, he leads financial strategy for the University of Tasmania’s College of Sciences and Engineering. Nathan brings rigour and a deep understanding of how to make financial information work for decision-makers.

We’d also like to acknowledge our incredible Selection Panel, for their thoughtful and comprehensive assessment and recommendations – it was no easy task.

There has been an equally high level of interest in our Board Internship Program, which was designed to provide early-career professionals with exposure to governance and leadership in the NRM sector. Now that our full Board has been appointed, we will be reviewing the applicants, appointment process, expectations, and support structures for this important new role. The new appointments reflect the direction we’re heading as a forward-looking organisation working for the benefit of Tasmania. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who put their hand up to contribute. The diversity, insight, and calibre of applicants were a big reminder of the depth of talent in Tasmania’s NRM community. A heartfelt thanks goes to all those who put themselves forward.