The Deed Administrators have now selected the members of the First Board
Appointed Directors
Alex Vallentine
Qualifications
Alex is an experienced and proven sporting CEO and Director, having held a wide range of professional and board roles across both National and State levels, as well as within Government. Alex provides a strategic and stakeholder focussed approach to delivering organisational outcomes and is passionate about contributing towards Australia achieving international success at the Olympics and other major events. Having completed formal education at the University of Canberra, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Institute of Management and Melbourne Business School, Alex brings a broad range of knowledge, skills and experience to the Equestrian Australia board.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“I have a passion for and demonstrated experience in driving effective change for sporting organisations which require it. Equestrian in Australia has a huge potential, but I believe the structure, administration and culture need to be reset and effectively communicated to key stakeholders and the community.”
State ACT
Brett Moore
Qualifications
Brett has held various roles in his 22-year professional career across frontline banking, enterprise strategy and delivery, human resources and industrial relations. Brett has spent five years as a Director of Athletics Victoria and eight years as a Director of the State Sports Centres Trust, including the last two years as Chair.
Brett has extensive experience across governance, government relations and commercial experience in the sporting industry and his professional career demonstrates extensive leadership experience in driving cultural and behavioural change.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“I have a passion for and demonstrated experience in driving effective change for sporting organisations which require it. Equestrian in Australia has a huge potential, but I believe the structure, administration and culture need to be reset and effectively communicated to key stakeholders and the community.”
State Victoria
Richard Vaughan
Qualifications
Richard was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Squash Australia where through his five years he led a resurgence of the sport, increasing turnover by 140%, increasing participation rates by 40%, hosted World Championship events, and demonstrated world-class success in the performance programmes by topping Commonwealth Games and World Championship medal tables.
Richard is a former Olympic badminton player, with previous successful Chief Executive Officer experience at Badminton Ireland and Digital Brand Director at the K3 Group.
He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), has an MBA from Leicester University and a Master’s in Education from Bath University.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“As an Olympian, I am passionate about the positive role Sport can play positively helping society through its values of excellence, respect, and friendship.
Equestrian is a great sport; it has a rich history in Australia, and I am committed to helping the sport and all its stakeholders prepare for Tokyo and beyond.”
State Queensland
Stephanie Lyons
Qualifications
Stephanie is the Chief Risk Officer of EISS Super and is accountable for oversight of EISS Super’s risk management framework, compliance management framework, project management framework and audit program.
Stephanie previously worked with KPMG, holds a Bachelor of Commerce (German), is a Chartered Accountant and a graduate of Harvard Business School (General Management Program).
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“I am passionate about equestrian sports, having competed very successfully in eventing both in Ireland and Europe until I was 18. Currently, as a very active sailor, having completed two Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, I understand the planning, preparation, pressure, exhilaration and of course the importance of safety when organising or being a competitor in a high-risk sport. I firmly believe in the importance of a strong organisational culture which ultimately drives success. With a clear focus on values, being an experienced professional and a lover of sport, I can help Equestrian Australia with their transitional program to deliver excellent governance and a risk managed safe sport.”
State New South Wales
Joanne Stubbs
Qualifications
Joanne has degrees in education, computer science, a Masters in Management Technology and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a senior technology executive with over 25 years’ experience in a variety of industry sectors including that of retail, financial services, international government, and airline transport.
With previous non-executive director experience, Joanne has a strong track record of leading and managing major organisational change and business growth initiatives.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“I believe that my blend of technology, change management and governance skills combined with my 40+ years of being an EA member, competitor, showjumping judge and course builder put me in a position to be able to help guide the organisation towards a stronger and more unified future.”
State Victoria
Lucy Galovicova
Qualifications
Lucy is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of experience in public practice, litigation and forensic accounting.
With extensive experience in the sport of equestrian, Lucy is well-positioned to leverage her unique skill set to lead EA through the next stage of reform.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“I would like to be part of the restructure of EA to allow for my beloved sport to move forward in the right direction, with a strong focus on delivering cultural change and improvement in governance.
My aim is to create an opportunity for growth in all areas, including grassroots, and utilising Australia’s resources to build all parts of equestrian sport.
Lastly, I see an opportunity to market equestrian, develop and commercialise its branches to let the sport flourish and improve.”
State Western Australia
Mark Bradley
Qualifications
Mark holds qualifications in law, financial services, assessment and workplace training, strategic management and corporate governance.
He is a successful senior executive in the financial services industry having also held non-executive director roles in various national and state sporting organisation.
Mark is the current board member of Pony Club Australia, Chair of the National Safety Committee and member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Mark possesses strong skills in financial management, risk management, governance, stakeholder management and communications.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
"I'm a passionate and enthusiastic participant, supporter, and volunteer in the equestrian sport community.
I'm personally committed to working towards achieving a level playing field for all participants, finding the right balance between building participation at grass-roots and high-performance results, the efficient use of resources and timely delivery of service to members with transparency and accountability, improving the cooperation between all horse sport organisations across Australia and optimising the safety of both riders and horses across all disciplines.
I believe my skills and experience will enable me to contribute to the work of the EA Board and the future direction of the organisation.”
State New South Wales
Michelle McLean
Qualifications
Michelle is an experienced non-executive board director and business advisor having served on multiple boards and committees in her professional career.
Michelle has comprehensive capability in the areas of risk management, strategic planning and management, human resource management, finance, audit and corporate governance.
Her ability to identify stakeholder risks and work collaboratively to generate solutions for reform, renewal and transformation has been developed over several years.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
To use my skillset to bring credibility and integrity back to Equestrian Australia and the sport of equestrian. I believe I can use my position to help the organisation reconnect with its stakeholders for the betterment of the sport and its future.”
State Victoria
Athlete Director
Elizabeth Owens
Qualifications
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, with Honours, and has been employed in technical support, sales, and management roles in the field of animal nutrition and animal production for almost 40 years. Elizabeth has served on advisory committees within RIRDC, Standards Australia and as a board member for a not-for-profit disability service provider.
As an equestrian, Elizabeth was Chef d’Equipe for dressage at 2014 World Games, is a B level judge and was previously an accredited coach. Elizabeth is an enthusiastic amateur and still competes with one horse starting at Grand Prix and a 3yo at preliminary.
Why did you choose to apply to be a member of the First Board?
“I want to be part of the solution to a sport that has given me such joy over the last 40+ years. There is so much talent and passion for equestrian within EA members – from the volunteers to the riders and officials. They deserve a cost-efficient, best practice, responsive and safe organisation in which they can enjoy their sport. I would like to part of the team that builds that organization for them.”
State Queensland