Finance Committee

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The Finance Committee is established by the University Council in accordance with section 17 of the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT) under resolution C1/11.

The Committee will monitor, advise and report to the Council on matters relating to;

the financial performance and sustainability of the University and its controlled entities
the management, allocation and investment of University capital and funds
University staff employment or diversity proposals or reports (as they relate to finance).

View Finance Committee Charter (PDF)

View 2024 Governance Meeting Schedule for Council and its Committees (PDF)

View Standing Orders for Meetings of the University Council and its Committees (PDF)

Committee members

Mr David Sturgiss

Chair

David is an experienced non-executive director and chartered accountant working on boards and finance, audit and risk management committees in the higher education sector. He has been on the Council at the University of Canberra for 6 years and is Chair of the Finance Committee and the Investment Committee, as well as a member of the Planning and Development Committee.

During his career, David has held several non-executive director and committee roles in companies and institutions in the higher education and media sectors. This has ranged from startups, development companies, not-for-profit, industry bodies as well as commercial broadcasters. Prior to his work as a non-executive director, he had a 25-year senior executive career in the university and media sectors holding chief financial officer, general management and manager director roles.

Having worked as an executive in the higher education sector and knowing what a positive impact education can have on the functioning of the community, David has been keen to apply his financial and business skills to assist in the governing of the University of Canberra.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, an Associate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Senior Member of the Finance and Treasury Association and has a BCom from UNSW.

Prof Lucy Johnston

Interim Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor Lucy Johnston is the current Interim Vice-Chancellor at the University of Canberra (UC). She was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise at UC in July 2022. In that role, she oversaw an extensive portfolio including Research Institutes and Centres, Research and Innovation Services, Enterprise Development and Partnerships, Graduate Research, Adjunct Engagement and Advancement.

Prior to joining UC, Professor Johnston was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) at Murdoch University, Dean of Graduate Research at the University of Newcastle, and Dean of Postgraduate Research at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. In 2004, she was a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Connecticut.

Professor Johnston completed her BA (Hons) in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and her PhD in Social Psychology at the University of Bristol and is a qualified sport psychologist. She is an internationally recognised experimental social psychologist, whose research focuses on the non-verbal behaviour of individuals in social interactions. She has also undertaken research on various aspects of tertiary education.

Ms Patricia Kelly

Ms Patricia Kelly PSM

Patricia is Deputy Chancellor, Chair of Council’s Legislation Committee and a member of both the Finance Committee and the Nominations and Senior Appointments Committee.

She is also a Council Member at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. She chairs the Australian Square Kilometre Array Regional Centre and Co-operative Research Australia (formerly the CRC Association). She is a Director of DMTC Ltd.

Prior to her current roles, Patricia had a public sector career spanning over thirty years. Between 2013 and 2018 Patricia was Director-General of IP Australia (the Australian patent and trademark office). Before joining IP Australia, Patricia was a Deputy Secretary in Commonwealth departments responsible for industry, science and innovation from 2004 -2013.

Patricia has a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in communication and is a graduate (and current member) of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Alice Tay

Alice Tay is a commercial lawyer with 30 years’ experience in the establishment of entities, intellectual property, capital raising, acquisitions and sales, contracting and governance. She retired in 2018 as a partner at Meyer Vandenberg and is now focussed on utilising her experience to build healthy, vibrant, innovative and strong communities through her non-executive board and committee appointments. The University of Canberra has a particular interest as it is the university established for Canberra. As an overseas student and migrant who settled and prospered in Canberra, her appointment to the Council is an opportunity to contribute back to the community. Education and research are the foundation to a fulfilled and successful community.

Alice has a strong background in audit and risk at a board level and has chaired a number of A&R committees. She is a graduate of the AICD and a Fellow of the Governance Institute.

Alice’s other current Board and Committee positions include:

Gambling and Racing Commission ACT - Deputy Chair and Chair, Audit and Risk Committee
National Heart Foundation – Director, Chair, Risk, Audit and Governance Committee, Member, National Board Executive Group and Member, Investment Committee
Master Builders Association ACT - Member, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
The Fly Program – Director (a health promotion charity start-up with a unique early and post clinical intervention program using nature and recreational fly-fishing as a tool for mental fitness)
Project Independence - Member, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (a social housing initiative aimed at providing home ownership for Australians with an intellectual disability)
Community Housing Canberra Ltd, Director, Member of Risk and Audit Committee
Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund (ACT Government), Member

Mr Medy Hassan

Mr Medy Hassan OAM

Medy Hassan is deeply committed to contributing to the University of Canberra (UC) as a Council member due to the alignment of values and his dedication to making a positive impact. As an alumnus and Adjunct Professor at UC, Medy is a nationally recognized advocate for diversity, inclusion, and belonging. UC's core commitments to its place in Canberra and its goal of becoming the most accessible university in Australia resonate strongly with both his personal and professional values.

Medy Hassan OAM is the Founder of Haus Holdings, Co-founder of Vitae Capital, and Chairman of GenCap Wealth. His passion lies in leveraging commercial strategies to enhance financial, social, and environmental well-being. His companies are driven by a vision to "reimagine the paradigm" for both current and future ventures, with a specialization in social enterprise, equity, property, and venture markets.

Medy is a recognised expert in private equity, property, and the delivery of complex infrastructure projects. His work focuses on driving innovation, achieving global excellence, and fostering sustainable and environmentally beneficial outcomes. In his leadership roles, he oversees the overall operations of his companies, always striving to fulfil their strategic ambitions.

With 25 years of global and national experience working across all tiers of government, corporate institutions, and private investors, Medy has overseen investments and transactions totalling $3 billion.

In 2021, Medy was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. He is a member of the University of Canberra Council, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Building. Additionally, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at multiple universities in Australia. In 2024, Medy was honoured as the APAC CEO of the Year (Australia) in Social Enterprise and received the Global CEO Award for Best Social Enterprise & Investment CEO 2024 (Australia).

Contact us

For all enquiries, please contact the Council Secretariat.

University of Canberra
11 Kirinari Street
Bruce ACT 2617

Email us 02 6201 5961

Finance Committee

Committee members

Mr David Sturgiss

Prof Lucy Johnston

Ms Patricia Kelly

Ms Alice Tay

Mr Medy Hassan

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