The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Incorporated committee was created in March 2024. It consists of 10 members with an executive team that includes the Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Gavin Keeley
Chair
Gavin Keeley is an experienced technologist and business leader with a career spanning nearly 40 years in international consultancy and executive corporate roles across a diverse range of industry sectors, working in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
He has consistently supported the Sunshine Coast region having researched, then lobbied Federal, State, and Local Government for seven years, to establish an undersea fibre optic connection direct to the internet from the Sunshine Coast, with the network finally commissioned and operational in March 2020.
Gavin co-founded the Silicon Coast group in 2014, which has over 2,000 supporters, where he continues to mentor founders and support the growth of the Sunshine Coast Digital Economy, and has also served as The President of SunCoast Angels.
He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of The Sunshine Coast, serving as a current member of the Planning and Resources Committee of the University Council. In 2023 he joined Flower Group as Venture Partnerships Director at Australia’s first venture capital backed Venture Studio.
dalene wray
Deputy Chair
Dalene is a recognised and highly skilled communicator with the experience to engage effectively at all levels and sectors. She has lived and worked overseas for half her working life and has studied Spanish, Chinese and French abroad.
Dalene has a proven track record in contributing to strategic change, stakeholder engagement, a high-performance organisational culture, and delivering policy, advocacy and governance excellence.
Dalene grew up in the outback Queensland town of Birdsville. She started her career as a radiographer in regional Australian hospitals and in hospitals in the United Kingdom before spending three seasons in Europe as a tour guide.
She joined OBE Organic, a certified organic beef exporter, in 2003. Between 2009 and 2015 she gained invaluable international business experience whilst living in Beijing and then Hong Kong, driving business opportunities in Asia and the Middle East. Dalene returned from overseas to the Redcliffe Peninsula in 2015.
As Managing Director of OBE Organic, Dalene Wray is a major force for improving the sustainability of Australian agriculture by driving change, innovation and digital adoption and she acts as a role model for the rest of the industry. She has been a strong advocate of causes, such as mental health, indigenous reconciliation, diversity & inclusion.
With grit and smarts and compassion, she has made a difference. She is a champion of both people and planet.
sarah morgan
Treasurer
An accomplished executive leader, Sarah Morgan has an extensive track record of driving strategic growth, fostering innovation, and leading cross-sector collaborations. With expertise in building resilient ecosystems and securing sustainable outcomes, she has transformed organisations and initiatives across diverse industries.
As Vice President of Business Development at RSB Capital, Sarah leads global capital investment strategies, spearheading initiatives that create economic resilience, cross-border partnerships, and sustainable growth opportunities. As CEO of CapTech, she oversees international programs that align Federal, State, and Local Governments with global business leaders, ensuring seamless collaboration and delivering impactful outcomes.
As a Founding Board Member of the Fair Fight Foundation (Supertee.org.au), Sarah has played a pivotal strategic role in shaping the organization’s vision and long-term sustainability. She has developed frameworks, designed go-to-market strategies, and secured key partnerships to position the charity for national growth.
With a passion for leadership development, she has facilitated programs for diverse organisations, aligning leadership capabilities with business growth to foster innovation, accountability, and measurable outcomes. By leveraging her expertise in stakeholder engagement and strategic planning, she is able to strengthen organisations capacity to deliver meaningful impact at scale.
An advocate for regional and international opportunities, Sarah has represented initiatives at state, national and international forums, building robust networks to support regional development and investment attraction. Her work reflects a commitment to fostering secure, sustainable, and inclusive ecosystems while addressing complex global challenges.
Stacey Appleby
Secretary
Stacey Appleby is a passionate and dynamic leader with nearly 20 years of experience across a range of sectors, including for-purpose organisations and the private sector. As a long-term resident of Moreton Bay, Stacey is committed to the development and prosperity of both Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast, leveraging her extensive experience to contribute effectively to the growth and enhancement of these unique and beautiful regions.
Throughout her career, Stacey has provided employment solutions to some of Australia’s largest employers and to some of the nation’s most vulnerable job seekers. She is a lifelong learner, holding a Master of Organisational Development, a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources), Diplomas in Project Management and Marketing, and is a Graduate of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. In 2024, Stacey is proud to be a Fellow of the Social Impact Hub of Australia exploring Social Enterprise as a meaningful pathway to sustainable and ongoing employment.
Stacey believes that providing people with opportunities for training, education, and employment can be life-changing and her passion lies in helping as many people as possible achieve these goals. As a board member of RDA MBSC, Stacey is devoted to fostering economic development and driving initiatives that benefit these regions, creating sustainable growth and opportunities for all residents.
Amanda Wilson
Committee Member
Amanda Wilson is the founding Director of Kings Lane Architects, a small though dynamic architectural firm located in Noosaville, which she established in 2016.
Amanda is an A+ Member with the Australian Institute of Architects and a member of the Design Institute of Australia.
After completing her Bachelor of Built Environments and Bachelor of Architecture at Queensland University of Technology, Amanda relocated to the Middle East to expand her career. This cross-discipline experience led the way to further opportunities in Singapore, her role as Regional Project Manager within the LVMH Group she lead new retail and commercial projects and construction work to emerging markets throughout South East Asia. Her position as a leader entailed social and environmental responsibilities and achieving high standards of integrity to stakeholders and governing bodies.
Amanda also currently holds a position within a local working group committed to the betterment of the community and positive social impact through building and design.
Murray Mccarthy
Committee Member
Murray McCarthy is a senior property professional who has held development positions at a range of major property developers in the UK and Australia, including Stockland , Multiplex and Walker Corporation. Most recently he was the Project Director for the Maroochydore City Centre development – a $3 billion project between Walker Corporation, Sun Central and Sunshine Coast City Council to create a new city heart for the region.
Murray has multiple business interests. He is the co-founder of Capture All – a market leader in the scanning and modelling of the built environment and provides services to asset owners, project managers, architects, and construction companies. He is also the founder of a boutique buyer’s agent business which sources both commercial and residential properties for local, interstate, and international clients.
Murray has worked in a corporate and legal capacity at QGC and Allens Arthur Robinson (now Allens Linklaters) in Brisbane.
Frank-Armin Faller
Committee Member
Frank Faller is the CEO of Elexon Electronics in Brendale, bringing over 25 years of experience as a leader in the manufacturing industry. Having lived in Moreton Bay City for over a decade, he is a dedicated advocate for the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast region.
Under Frank’s leadership, Elexon has emerged as a multi-award-winning innovation company known for its manufacturing excellence and resilience. Frank excels in engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders—including government, not-for-profit organizations, academia, and businesses—using a collaborative approach to drive success for both his industry and the region. His strategy for creating regional opportunities involves promoting consortiums to secure business locally, within Queensland, and internationally.
As a migrant and proud Australian since 1995, Frank values diversity and appreciates the significant contributions of knowledge, culture, and perspectives to the region’s success.
Lenore Simpson
Committee Member
Lenore Simpson is Manager Strategy and Operational Planning for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. She is also Chair of Blackall Range Care Group Ltd (BRCG) a medium-large community organisation providing aged care and disability services to the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland and recently appointed a member of the Registration and Compliance Committee of AHPRAs, Dental Board of Australia.
Lenore is a graduate of the Australia Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and holds a degree in Health Administration and Masters degrees in both in Business Administration and Public Health.
Lenore has over 30 years in leading and governing organisations and extensive experience in the Health, Community and Infrastructure sectors across government, private enterprise and the Not-for Private sector, in Australia and internationally.
During her tenure as a Senior Executive in the Commonwealth Government Lenore oversaw a substantial portfolio of Government Health and Social Service Programs. She led the health compliance function of Medicare and PBS and played a pivotal role in the development of the Unique Healthcare Identified (foundation of the My Health Record).
As an advisor and consultant, Lenore provided expertise on Health Sector rationalisation for the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, throughout Eastern Europe and contributed to service delivery through Australia’s Aid program in the South Pacific, China, and Vietnam. Notably, she led the team responsible for establishing the first Australian-standard private hospital in modern Vietnam, a groundbreaking joint venture project.
Throughout her career, Lenore has championed client and community-centredness, striving to deliver positive outcomes and services within the health and community sectors. Her strategic, collaborative approach emphasises strong leadership, good governance, innovation, and effective policy implementation.