Experience

Australian Institute of Energy

• Australia
• Utilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• President, National Board

  • Dec 2022 - Present

• Director, National Board

  • Nov 2015 - Present

• Vice President, National Board

  • Nov 2021 - Feb 2023

• President, National Board

  • Dec 2019 - Nov 2021

  The Australian Institute of Energy (“AIE”) is a national not-for-profit organisation that raises awareness of energy issues, highlights new energy technologies, promotes discussions of policy issues and provides opportunities for members to network. It comprises of local branches in most of the Australian States. As President, Katharine has helped the organisation navigate through the challenges posed by the current COVID 19 pandemic, including overcoming business continuity, membership retention and revenue issues related to COVID-19; negotiated contracts for secretariat services and software platforms; and further strengthened her governance, leadership, communication and project management skills. Show less

• Vice President, National Board

  • Nov 2018 - Dec 2019

• Committee Member, Perth Branch

  • 2014 - May 2017



EY

• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Jul 2022 - Present

  As a director in EY’s Oceania Energy Practice, Katie assists governments and utilities in developing energy transition strategy, policy and regulation. As a director in EY’s Oceania Energy Practice, Katie assists governments and utilities in developing energy transition strategy, policy and regulation.



United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA)

• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President (WA Division)

  • Aug 2018 - Sep 2022

  The UNAAWA connects the WA community, government and other stakeholders with the United Nations’ work, goals and values. As Vice President, Katharine develops and delivers strategies to attract and retain members and volunteers. The UNAAWA connects the WA community, government and other stakeholders with the United Nations’ work, goals and values. As Vice President, Katharine develops and delivers strategies to attract and retain members and volunteers.



Macht Consulting

• Australia
• Oil and Gas

• Managing Director

  • Mar 2021 - Aug 2022

  Katharine provided strategic advice to mining, energy and infrastructure companies on decarbonisation opportunities, energy business models and market opportunities, policy, regulation and stakeholder engagement. Katharine provided strategic advice to mining, energy and infrastructure companies on decarbonisation opportunities, energy business models and market opportunities, policy, regulation and stakeholder engagement.



Climate-KIC Australia

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal Project Developer, Industry ETI

  • Mar 2021 - Jun 2022

  Katharine worked on the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative, which Climate-KIC Australia and Climate Works co-convene. Katharine worked with industry partners, including BHP, Woodside, Wesfarmers, AGIG and APA Group, to develop a portfolio of demonstration projects focussed on net zero emissions supply chains in hard to abate sectors, including steel, aluminium,LNG, metals and chemicals. Katharine worked on the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative, which Climate-KIC Australia and Climate Works co-convene. Katharine worked with industry partners, including BHP, Woodside, Wesfarmers, AGIG and APA Group, to develop a portfolio of demonstration projects focussed on net zero emissions supply chains in hard to abate sectors, including steel, aluminium,LNG, metals and chemicals.



Department of the Premier and Cabinet of WA

• Australia
• Government Administration
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Taskforce Member, Energy Transformation Taskforce

  • May 2019 - Mar 2021

  Katharine was an appointed member of the Energy Transformation Taskforce, actioning the Western Australian ‘Energy Transformation Strategy’. Katharine worked on projects to promote better integration of rooftop solar and battery storage and enable optimal investment opportunities across the State’s energy system to deliver lower emissions and costs.

• Principal Policy Adviser to the Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, Minister for Energy

  • Dec 2018 - Mar 2021

  Katharine developed and oversaw implementation of energy policy, advised government on major investment decisions and undertook stakeholder engagement.She played a central role in building the case for major structural energy sector reform including securing internal and external stakeholder buy-in to develop the WA Government’s ‘Energy Transformation Strategy’.

• Council Member, WA Renewable Hydrogen Council

  • Aug 2018 - Mar 2021

  Katharine was an appointed member of the Renewable Hydrogen Council, through which she provided strategic advice to the WA Government on the opportunities for development of a new renewable hydrogen industry for WA. Katharine contributed to the State’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, which sets the strategic focus areas to establish WA as a major producer, exporter and user of renewable hydrogen.

• Principal Policy Adviser to the Hon. Ben Wyatt MLA, Treasurer & Minister for Energy

  • May 2017 - Dec 2018

  I advised Treasurer Wyatt in respect of matters falling within the energy portfolio, including energy market reform and government owned energy corporations Horizon Power, Western Power and Synergy. My role was broad reaching, and included drafting energy policy, speech notes, cabinet submissions, talking points, media statements, and meeting with stakeholders. In July 2017, I acted in the role of Chief of Staff to provide leave cover. I was responsible for the energy, treasury, finance and aboriginal affairs portfolios. During this period, the Government was preparing for its first budget. Show less



Women in Energy - Perth

• Australia
• Oil and Gas
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder | Inaugural Chair

  • Nov 2014 - Dec 2017

  Through the Australian Institute of Energy (Perth), I launched a ‘Women in Energy’ network to connect, support and inspire women in the energy sector. I convened a steering committee, which I chaired, to assist in the planning and management of the network and its events. The WIE network has grown significantly and now runs a series of highly successful skills-based workshops and panel discussions, aimed at improving gender diversity in the energy sector, particularly in senior levels. Through the Australian Institute of Energy (Perth), I launched a ‘Women in Energy’ network to connect, support and inspire women in the energy sector. I convened a steering committee, which I chaired, to assist in the planning and management of the network and its events. The WIE network has grown significantly and now runs a series of highly successful skills-based workshops and panel discussions, aimed at improving gender diversity in the energy sector, particularly in senior levels.



Jackson McDonald

• Australia
• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Senior Associate, Energy & Regulation

  • Jul 2015 - May 2017

  Katharine is a commercial and regulatory lawyer. In her role as a Senior Associate at Jackson McDonald, one of Perth’s largest commercial law firms, she developed specialist experience in energy law and major infrastructure access, across both the electricity and gas industries. Katharine Has experience drafting key energy contracts, including power purchase agreements for both conventional electricity supply and renewable energy (such as solar PV, wind and energy from waste), gas sales and transportation agreements and gas trading agreements. Katharine has specialist knowledge of multi-user access regimes, having assisted owners of iron ore railways and ports, pipelines, LNG export facilities and electricity networks, and access seekers on these and other assets, in the application of relevant access regimes and the preparation of regulatory submissions to the Economic Regulation Authority. She also has experience advising on the electricity and gas licensing regimes, the renewable energy target scheme and the (now repealed) carbon pricing scheme. Show less

• Associate, Energy & Regulation

  • Jul 2013 - Jun 2015

• Solicitor

  • Mar 2010 - Jun 2013


UN Women National Committee Australia
• Volunteer Committee Member, International Women's Day

  • Dec 2014 - Dec 2016


ATCO Gas Australia

• Australia
• Utilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Acting Regulatory Policy Analyst (Secondment)

  • Aug 2013 - Jan 2014

  ATCO owns and operates the Mid West South West Gas Distribution System – a regulated pipeline which reticulates gas to Perth. Katharine assisted in the preparation of submissions to the independent regulator in support of ATCO’s “access arrangement”, which defines services to be delivered, service levels to be achieved and rates to be paid for those services. Katharine analysed historical capital expenditure and operating expenditure, and prepared business cases for proposed future spending, articulating how the spending was prudent, efficient, and in the long term interests of consumers. Show less



Rotary International

• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vocational Exchange Participant, Group Study Exchange

  • Apr 2012 - May 2012

  Received a grant for, and attended, a cultural and vocational exchange for professionals who are in the early stages of their careers. Met with state and federal court judges, attorneys, legal counsel from power companies and representatives from various chambers of commerce. Presented on energy and resources in Western Australia and the introduction of the Australian carbon pricing mechanism at various meetings. Received a grant for, and attended, a cultural and vocational exchange for professionals who are in the early stages of their careers. Met with state and federal court judges, attorneys, legal counsel from power companies and representatives from various chambers of commerce. Presented on energy and resources in Western Australia and the introduction of the Australian carbon pricing mechanism at various meetings.

• Cultural Exchange Participant, Australia Japan Youth Cultural Exchange

  • Jan 2011 - Feb 2011

  Presented (in Japanese) at a number of Rotary functions. Stayed with 2 Japanese host families. Presented (in Japanese) at a number of Rotary functions. Stayed with 2 Japanese host families.



Supreme Court of Western Australia

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate to the Hon Justice Rene Le Miere

  • 2009 - 2010

  Katharine assisted the judge in preparing for court hearings; attended and kept records of court hearings; proofread judgments; liaised with parties to proceedings and their legal representatives; conducted legal research; managed court files; and listed court hearings. In this role, she gained exposure to a diverse range of legal matters. This role required a high level of organisation and attention to detail. Katharine assisted the judge in preparing for court hearings; attended and kept records of court hearings; proofread judgments; liaised with parties to proceedings and their legal representatives; conducted legal research; managed court files; and listed court hearings. In this role, she gained exposure to a diverse range of legal matters. This role required a high level of organisation and attention to detail.



McKenzie Legal

• Australia

• Law Clerk

  • 2005 - 2009

  McKenzie Legal was a boutique commercial law firm, focussing on property developments and real estate. Katharine drafted deeds of settlement; caveats; transfers of title; enduring powers of attorney; letters to clients and others; and conducted legal research. McKenzie Legal was a boutique commercial law firm, focussing on property developments and real estate. Katharine drafted deeds of settlement; caveats; transfers of title; enduring powers of attorney; letters to clients and others; and conducted legal research.

• Youth Exchange Student

  • Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Presented (in German) at a number of Rotary functions. Stayed with 4 German host families. Attended German Highschool. Presented (in German) at a number of Rotary functions. Stayed with 4 German host families. Attended German Highschool.