Our Directors are appointed in accordance with the Tourism East Constitution. The Board comprises representatives appointed by the three Local Government Members, Industry Partner Board Members elected from nominations by eligible Industry Partner Members, Skills-based Board Members appointed in accordance with the Constitution, and an independent Chair.
Industry Partner Members have the opportunity to nominate candidates for Industry Partner Board positions. The Skills and Nominations Committee manages the nomination and selection process, including assessing candidates against the skills and requirements of the Board, and makes recommendations to the Board. Industry Partner Board Members are elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Industry Partner Board Members are appointed for terms of up to three years. At the conclusion of their term, they retire at the Annual General Meeting and may be eligible for re-appointment, subject to the requirements of the Constitution. An Industry Partner Board Member may serve a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms, unless the Members approve a further appointment by Special Resolution.
As a Board, Directors are collectively responsible for the governance, strategic direction and oversight of Tourism East and for acting in the best interests of the Company, visitors and visitor economy stakeholders across the Region. Working with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Team, the Board provides strategic leadership to support the promotion and sustainable development of the Region and to maximise the economic and social benefits of the visitor economy.
Leigh Harry, Independent Chair
With a long history in the tourism industry, many of our partners will recognise Leigh from his previous roles as CEO of Tourism Victoria and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. During his career, he’s held a number of significant board roles in the tourism and business events industry at a state, national and international level.
Leigh’s career experience includes roles in both the private and government sectors, and he holds a Commerce Degree with honours in accounting. Leigh joined the Board as a Skills Director in 2017 and has been Chair of the Marketing Sub Committee, Governance and Finance Sub Committee and a member of the Tourism Crisis Response and Recovery Sub Committee. He was appointed Chair in 2022.
Chair Resignation
Leigh Harry has announced he will step down as Chair of Tourism East in September, bringing to a close an extraordinary decade of service to our region.
Over the past 10 years, including four as Chair, Leigh has provided steady, thoughtful leadership through a period of significant change and opportunity. His deep connection to the region, combined with a clear understanding of the role tourism plays in supporting local jobs, businesses and communities, has shaped a strong and balanced approach to growth
We thank Leigh for his significant contribution and leadership. We’re fortunate that his connection to the industry will continue in new ways.
New Chair Appointed
Tourism East is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Anderson as Chair of the Board of Directors, with his appointment taking effect following the organisation's Annual General Meeting on 21 October 2026.
Mark brings extensive tourism, governance and leadership experience to the role, with more than 17 years' experience as a Director and 15 years as a CEO.
Most recently, Mark has been General Manager, Tourism at Phillip Island Nature Parks, home to the world-renowned Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island. He will leave this role in November to focus on the Chair role at Tourism East.
Over the past three years, Mark has led a team of 130 tourism staff in a regional environment attracting more than one million international and domestic visitors each year. During this period, the organisation and tourism team have achieved record visitation and retail growth, while working closely with government and key tourism partners including Visit Victoria and Tourism Australia.
Skills Based Appointments
Michael Hands, Skills Based Director & Deputy Chair
Michael has many years experience in the events and tourism industry, in both private and public sectors. He has previously built and sold a large events business as well as working as the strategic manager of the Victorian Major Company. Michael has held a number of board roles including the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, AFI Awards and others.
Jenni Rigby, Skills Based Director
Jenni is a senior executive in the Victorian public service, currently working in the emergency management sector, and has several years’ experience in strategic policy, public sector governance and program delivery across all levels of government. Jenni holds a degree in environmental management and public policy, as well as an MBA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jenni is passionate about forging partnerships between communities, government and businesses as a way of creating a shared vision for the future and building resilience in local communities.
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Tammi Rose, Yarra Ranges Council
As CEO of Yarra Ranges Council, Tammi Rose is an accomplished public purpose executive with over 20 years’ experience working in Local Government. With innate energy for driving innovative solutions to complex challenges, Tammi is a strategic, influential and engaging leader who is known for putting the community at the heart of all decision-making to deliver quality services and infrastructure. Tammi holds a degree in Commerce, is a qualified CPA and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Carl Cowie, Nillumbik Shire Council
A native of Scotland, with qualifications in economics, finance and an MBA, supplemented with studies at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed the Executive Colloquium at Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.
Carl Cowie became CEO of Nillumbik Shire Council in 2018, following his role as CEO at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Carl is internationally experienced, the result of previous work in healthcare, facilities management, transport, manufacturing and construction project management, and is highly skilled in maximising business performance and increasing customer satisfaction.
James Collins, Cardinia Shire Council CEO
James brings more than 15 years of executive leadership experience in local government to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Cardinia Shire Council. He has held senior positions across several neighbouring councils, more recently as Director of City Planning and Infrastructure at the City of Casey and previously Director of Social and Economic Development at Yarra Ranges Council. His career also spans leadership roles at Monash and Banyule City Councils.
James is a respected leader with a strong track record in infrastructure delivery, land use planning, and community development. Known for having a grounded and authentic leadership style, James has a strong ability to communicate a common sense approach earning him opportunities to represent the Local Government Sector on National and State Planning and other policy reforms. He has also been heavily involved in major advocacy initiatives such as the Thompsons Road extension and the South East Melbourne Airport project, working collaboratively with regional partners to secure outcomes for growing communities.
INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS
Matt Jones, Industry Representative Director - Nillumbik Tourism & Business Assoc.
Matt is the CEO of Montsalvat and an accomplished senior manager and strategic leader with a track record in enabling organisations to achieve unique cultural and commercial outcomes. Experienced across the events, creative and public sectors, his passion is leading the sustainable operation of dynamic, authentic destinations. Matt's background includes general management, event and program producing, venue management and strategic business development in Australia and the United Kingdom, with a particular focus on team leadership, stakeholder engagement and delivering ambitious, multi-faceted inspirational projects, usually in the public realm.
Rebecca Ritte, Industry Representative Director - Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
As the owner-operator of the award-winning Kangaroo Ridge Retreat in Healesville and shareholder of Watts River Brewing, Rebecca is a dedicated advocate for regional tourism excellence. Kangaroo Ridge Retreat earned Gold at the 2023 Victorian Tourism Industry Council Awards and Bronze at the Australian Tourism Industry Council Awards.
As a representative member of Tourism Network Yarra Valley and active participant in VTIC and Tourism East, Rebecca champions collaborative approaches to regional development. She brings experience in luxury accommodation management, sustainable tourism practices, and destination marketing. Having moved to Healesville seven years ago to establish Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, her background in data analytics and research, strengthens her strategic approach to tourism development, focusing on creating exceptional visitor experiences while promoting sustainable growth in the region.
Lynne Trensky, Industry Representative Director, Eastern Dandenong Ranges Business & Tourism
Lynne has 30 years of experience working in the graphic design and advertising industry developing strategic brand communications for businesses in tourism, hospitality, corporate, finance, health and fmcg sectors.
She has extensive experience in community development for the not-for-profit sector and a 25 year history of volunteering in the local community.
Tim Wilson, is the General Manager of Punt Road Wines and Napoleone Cider in the Yarra Valley
Tim is the General Manager of Punt Road Wines and Napoleone Cider, following winemaking and operations leadership roles in Australia and in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California. Tim started his career as a corporate lawyer in Sydney, before retraining and changing industries in 2011. Tim is an MBA candidate and also sits on the board of Wine Yarra Valley and is passionate about integrating winery experiences into the greater tourism infrastructure.