Mr Paul Laband - Chair

Paul Laband has worked extensively in investment management and asset consulting throughout his professional career, bringing significant leadership skills and portfolio and investment experience to the Funds SA Board.

Mr Laband has held management positions across the investment management and asset consulting sector. He served as Managing Director of National Asset Management, Head of Asset Consulting at both Towers Perrin Australia and Russell Investment Group (Australia), and as the Managing Director of Abbey Life Investment Services in the UK. At UniSuper, he held senior roles including Head of Public Markets (listed asset classes both domestically and globally) and Head of Strategic Tilting.

Emeritus Professor Bill Griggs, AM, ASM

Bill Griggs has significant leadership and board experience, with highly developed skills in corporate governance, people and culture, superannuation, investment, and insurance.

Dr Griggs is widely respected in government and the private sector and is also known for his military and medical experience as a trauma specialist. As a result of his extensive career, he has been able to share his experience in managing and coping during times of uncertainty and stress, and in evidence-based decision making.

He has held several Board and Chair positions in government and the not-for-profit sectors and is currently serving as a Director of Griggs EMS Pty Ltd, Director and Investment Committee member of ReturnToWorkSA, Director of St John Ambulance (SA), Director of Super SA, Director of Southern Select Super Corporation and member of the SA Government Superannuation Federation.

Mr Christopher Hall

Christopher Hall brings extensive knowledge and expertise in investment and funds management, gained through 30 years professional experience in the industry.

During his career he has held a range of senior portfolio management and business leadership roles in Australia and Asia, most recently with Argo Investments, Blackrock Asset Management, and Ellerston Capital.

Mr Hall is currently Chair of BiomeBank, Investment Committee Chair of Perks Private Wealth, Independent Non-Executive Director of AMP Superannuation Ltd, Independent Non-Executive Director and Investment Committee Member of N.M. Superannuation Pty Ltd, Director of CC Hall Consulting Pty Ltd, Member of the Investment Committee – Bedford Group, Director of the International Centre Financial Services – University of Adelaide, and a Director of the Prince Alfred College Foundation.

Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars, AM

Elizabeth Dabars has broad leadership experience within the medical and industrial sectors combined with extensive qualifications in nursing, education, management and law.

Adj Assoc Professor Dabars has worked in a diverse range of settings in metropolitan and rural settings and is widely recognised for her significant service to medical administration, and community and mental health organisations.

She is currently the Chief Executive Officer/Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch), CEO of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre, Secretary and committee member of the SA Government Superannuation Federation. Adj Assoc Professor Dabars is also a Director and Trustee of Union Legal, Director of the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre and Rosemary Bryant Research Centre Foundation.

Dr Guy Debelle

Guy Debelle has tremendous depth of experience in financial and economic policy, having spent 25 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia, the last 6 year as the Deputy Governor.

His current roles include Co-Chair Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative Taxonomy Technical Experts Group and Adjunct Professor, School of Economics, Adelaide University. Dr Debelle holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Adelaide, and a PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ms Judith Smith

Judith Smith has had a strong governance and risk focus throughout her career, with extensive knowledge and experience in funds management.

Ms Smith has worked in senior investment management roles in the funds management industry where she has been responsible for evaluating and investing in listed and unlisted companies.

Ms Smith serves as a Committee Member on the South Australian Venture Capital Fund, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk & Audit Committee of Universal Biosensors Inc and Acorn Capital Investment Fund Ltd, and a member of the Finance and Risk Committee for Breast Cancer Trials.

Ms Melinda OLeary

Ms OLeary is a highly experienced and well-qualified Director with over 10 years of Board experience, in a wide cross-section of organisations. She has served in various roles, including Co-founder, Chair, Deputy Chair and Board Member. These responsibilities have provided her with a deep understanding of good governance, financial and risk management practices.

She is the co-founder and consultant with Nova Systems, an engineering and project management company with more than 300 staff across the globe.

Ms OLeary is the Deputy Chair of the Training and Skills Commission and a member of the external review team of the First Principles Review of Defence Oversight Board.

She is also a member of the Institute of Personal Consultants, has a Professional Certificate in Management from the Adelaide University Graduate School of Management, and has successfully completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.