20 Influential Business Leaders in Brisbane Today

Last updated: August 2026.

Brisbane is home to business leaders working across aviation, finance, technology, logistics, resources, tourism, education, sport and public-sector delivery. This current directory brings together people whose roles carry visible responsibility for organisations, industries or economic systems connected to the city.

The list is intentionally broad. It includes chief executives of major Brisbane-based companies, leaders of peak bodies and people responsible for economic development, infrastructure or large community systems. The names are presented alphabetically by surname for easy navigation, not as a measure of who is best.

The useful question is what each leader is making possible. Good management is rarely one grand gesture. It is the repeated work of setting direction, building capability, making trade-offs and keeping people connected to a purpose that can survive the pressure of daily operations.

Why Brisbane business leadership matters.

Brisbane is a city where large organisations, growth businesses, public institutions and industry bodies sit close together. That creates a leadership environment shaped by infrastructure, talent, technology, capital, community expectations and the practical work of making a growing city function well.

Leaders to know.

1. Anthony Ryan.

Chief Executive Officer, Brisbane Economic Development Agency.

Anthony Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer at Brisbane Economic Development Agency. That role places Anthony Ryan close to the decisions that shape economic development agency in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

BEDA describes his work as driving sustainable economic growth for Brisbane through reputation, visitation, investment and talent. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

2. Gert-Jan de Graaff.

Chief Executive Officer, Brisbane Airport Corporation.

Gert-Jan de Graaff is the Chief Executive Officer at Brisbane Airport Corporation. That role places Gert-Jan de Graaff close to the decisions that shape aviation and infrastructure in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

His leadership background spans major airports in Europe, Australia and the United States, giving him a wide infrastructure and aviation lens. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

3. Neil Stephens.

Chief Executive Officer, Port of Brisbane.

Neil Stephens is the Chief Executive Officer at Port of Brisbane. That role places Neil Stephens close to the decisions that shape ports and logistics in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Before becoming CEO, he worked across finance, business development, acquisitions, property and strategy in Australia and the United Kingdom. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

4. Andrew Harding.

Managing Director and CEO, Aurizon.

Andrew Harding is the Managing Director and CEO at Aurizon. That role places Andrew Harding close to the decisions that shape rail and supply chains in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Aurizon credits him with bringing a heavy-haul and resources background to rail freight and supply-chain leadership. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

5. Steve Johnston.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Suncorp Group.

Steve Johnston is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Suncorp Group. That role places Steve Johnston close to the decisions that shape financial services in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

He moved into the top role after leading Suncorp’s finance, investor relations and corporate affairs functions. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

6. Dave Emerson.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Virgin Australia Group.

Dave Emerson is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Virgin Australia Group. That role places Dave Emerson close to the decisions that shape aviation and travel in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

He brought airline strategy experience from Bain and previously led Virgin Australia’s commercial function. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

7. Rod Finch.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Queensland Group.

Rod Finch is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Queensland Group. That role places Rod Finch close to the decisions that shape banking in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

His appointment places a new chief executive at the centre of a bank with a long Brisbane history and a major transformation agenda. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

8. Edward Chung.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, TechnologyOne.

Edward Chung is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at TechnologyOne. That role places Edward Chung close to the decisions that shape enterprise software in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

TechnologyOne says he led the transition of its products and solutions division into a fully SaaS-based organisation. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

9. Michael Reid.

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Megaport.

Michael Reid is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Megaport. That role places Michael Reid close to the decisions that shape cloud and digital infrastructure in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Megaport describes his focus as transforming the company from Network-as-a-Service into a broader digital infrastructure platform. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

10. Craig Scroggie.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, NEXTDC.

Craig Scroggie is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at NEXTDC. That role places Craig Scroggie close to the decisions that shape data centres and technology in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

He has led the company since 2012 after senior roles with Symantec, Veritas Software, Computer Associates, EMC and Fujitsu. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

11. Graham Turner.

Chief Executive Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group.

Graham Turner is the Chief Executive Officer at Flight Centre Travel Group. That role places Graham Turner close to the decisions that shape travel and retail in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

The company’s FY25 report records him as CEO and traces his tenure back to the company’s founding years. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

12. Kathy Vincent.

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Retirement Trust.

Kathy Vincent is the Chief Executive Officer at Australian Retirement Trust. That role places Kathy Vincent close to the decisions that shape superannuation and investment in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

ART describes its executive team as responsible for day-to-day operations and carrying out the strategies set by the board. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

13. Heidi Cooper.

Chief Executive Officer, Business Chamber Queensland.

Heidi Cooper is the Chief Executive Officer at Business Chamber Queensland. That role places Heidi Cooper close to the decisions that shape business advocacy in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Her current brief combines business advocacy with sustainable transformation, governance, strategy and stakeholder work. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

14. Kylie Porter.

Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Farmers’ Federation.

Kylie Porter is the Chief Executive Officer at Queensland Farmers’ Federation. That role places Kylie Porter close to the decisions that shape agriculture and regional development in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Before QFF, she led Greater Whitsunday Alliance and worked across regional economic development, industry advocacy and stakeholder engagement. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

15. Janette Hewson.

Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Resources Council.

Janette Hewson is the Chief Executive Officer at Queensland Resources Council. That role places Janette Hewson close to the decisions that shape resources and energy in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

QRC records her as a resources executive with more than 25 years of senior experience and previous ESG leadership at Santos. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

16. Nicole Duguid.

Chief Executive Officer, RDA Brisbane.

Nicole Duguid is the Chief Executive Officer at RDA Brisbane. That role places Nicole Duguid close to the decisions that shape regional economic development in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Her background includes policy leadership at the Queensland Resources Council and infrastructure policy work for the Queensland Government. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

17. Chris Eigeland.

Co-founder and CEO, Go1.

Chris Eigeland is the Co-founder and CEO at Go1. That role places Chris Eigeland close to the decisions that shape workplace learning technology in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

Go1 grew from a Brisbane start-up into a global workplace learning platform, connecting technology, learning and organisational capability. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

18. Andrew Barnes.

Co-founder and CEO, Go1.

Andrew Barnes is the Co-founder and CEO at Go1. That role places Andrew Barnes close to the decisions that shape workplace learning technology in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

EY describes Go1 as having begun in a Brisbane garage and Andrew as the founder who sets its strategy and direction. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

19. Robert Cavallucci.

Chief Executive Officer, Football Queensland.

Robert Cavallucci is the Chief Executive Officer at Football Queensland. That role places Robert Cavallucci close to the decisions that shape sport administration in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

The organisation’s 2025 annual report describes a focus on internal capability, customer support and service delivery across Queensland football. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

20. Julian Simmonds.

Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Queensland.

Julian Simmonds is the Chief Executive Officer at Economic Development Queensland. That role places Julian Simmonds close to the decisions that shape economic development and government in Brisbane and gives this list a useful view of business and management beyond one sector.

EDQ places its executive team at the centre of economic growth, planning, infrastructure and development delivery across Queensland. It is a practical reminder that leadership in Brisbane is often about joining long-term direction to the everyday work of people, customers, partners and communities.

What these leaders show us about management.

The people in this directory work in different sectors, but several patterns are visible. Strong leadership here is often boundary work: connecting a company to a city, a product to a customer, a policy to a business, or a long-term investment to the people who must deliver it. It also requires clear operating systems, because ambition without execution quickly becomes noise.

How to use this list.

Use the directory as a starting point for learning, context and thoughtful connection. Read the organisation’s own leadership page, look for the problem the person is responsible for solving, and notice the trade-offs their role makes visible. If you contact someone, make the message specific and useful. A clear observation about their work will travel further than a generic compliment.

Frequently Asked Questions.

The list focuses on current leaders connected to Brisbane across business, management, industry advocacy, technology, infrastructure and economic development. The scope is deliberately broad because Brisbane’s business ecosystem includes both private companies and organisations that shape the conditions in which businesses operate.

Conclusion.

Brisbane’s leadership story is larger than one industry or one style of executive. It includes people running major companies, building new platforms, representing industries, managing infrastructure and connecting the city to regional opportunity. Looking across those roles is useful because it makes management visible as a set of choices, not just a job title. Choose one person from the list, read their organisation’s current priorities, and write down one idea you could apply in your own work this week.

Related Reading.

Working Genius FAQ: https://www.consultclarity.org/working-genius

Leadership team offsite: https://www.consultclarity.org/leadership-team-offsite

Leadership consultant guide: https://www.consultclarity.org/leadership-consultant

A practical next step.

If your organisation is growing, changing or carrying more complexity than its current habits can handle, Jonno helps leaders turn strategy into practical behaviour through keynotes, workshops and facilitated leadership sessions. Email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Jonno White is a Brisbane-based leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and the author of Step Up or Step Out. He works with schools, corporates and nonprofits around the world. To enquire about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.