ACT Government Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

ACT Government has 10 executives leading key functions including executive governance, digital infrastructure, financial management, and public service delivery.

Committed to providing comprehensive public services to the Australian Capital Territory, ACT Government drives regional development through efficient healthcare, education, and infrastructure administration.

Leadership Roles at ACT Government

  • Chief Executive Officer - Coralie McAlister
  • Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim) - Liz Lopa
  • Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal - Suzana Stanojevic
  • Chief Financial Officer - Michael Jeremenko
  • Chief Operating Officer, City and Environment Directorate - Melissa Johnson
  • Chief Information Officer - Veronica Morados
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer & Senior Director, Transport Canberra & City Services - Dalle Wright
  • Chief Information Officer & Executive Group Manager, Digital Solutions - Holger Kaufmann
  • Chief of Staff To the Speaker - Elyse Heslehurst
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Mark Paviour
  • Coralie McAlister - Chief Executive Officer

    Coralie McAlister, the Chief Executive Officer at ACT Government, directs the overarching strategic vision for the territory. Overseeing the integration of healthcare, education, and legal services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with public policy objectives. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships across the Australian Capital Territory to maintain high standards of governance. By optimizing resource allocation, Coralie McAlister directly impacts the efficacy of public service delivery. The Chief Executive Officer coordinates with the Board to implement long-term development goals, ensuring that the territory remains responsive to resident needs. Through rigorous oversight of administrative functions, McAlister secures the operational integrity of the government. This executive position requires constant engagement with regional policy frameworks to drive sustainable growth and maintain the stability of the territory's essential public infrastructure.

    Liz Lopa - Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim)

    Liz Lopa, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim) at ACT Government, manages the daily execution of administrative mandates. Supporting the broader executive team, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim) facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to streamline public service delivery. This role involves navigating complex legal and financial requirements to ensure compliance across all government sectors. By refining internal processes, Liz Lopa enhances the responsiveness of the territory's governing body. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim) monitors performance metrics to identify areas for operational improvement, ensuring that public resources support the strategic goals of the Australian Capital Territory. Through consistent engagement with departmental leads, Lopa maintains the continuity of essential services, providing stability during periods of organizational transition and policy implementation.

    Suzana Stanojevic - Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal

    Suzana Stanojevic, the Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal at ACT Government, coordinates the administrative functions of the judicial branch. Managing the flow of information between the courts and the executive leadership, the Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal ensures that legal administration remains efficient and transparent. This role involves overseeing the logistical support required for tribunal operations across the Australian Capital Territory. By streamlining communication channels, Suzana Stanojevic facilitates timely decision-making within the judicial system. The Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal monitors compliance with legal standards, ensuring that the territory's justice services meet public expectations. Through meticulous management of court resources, Stanojevic supports the integrity of the legal framework, enabling the judiciary to function effectively within the broader government structure.

    Michael Jeremenko - Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Jeremenko, the Chief Financial Officer at ACT Government, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the territory. Overseeing the allocation of public funds, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial resources support critical infrastructure and service delivery projects. This role involves rigorous auditing and reporting to maintain transparency and accountability across all government sectors in the Australian Capital Territory. By optimizing revenue management, Michael Jeremenko secures the financial stability required for long-term development. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with other executive leaders to prioritize spending based on the territory's strategic objectives. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, Jeremenko mitigates fiscal risk and ensures that taxpayer funds are utilized effectively. This leadership role requires constant analysis of economic indicators to guide the government's financial policy and maintain the territory's overall economic prosperity.

    Melissa Johnson - Chief Operating Officer, City and Environment Directorate

    Melissa Johnson, the Chief Operating Officer, City and Environment Directorate at ACT Government, manages the operational delivery of environmental and municipal programs. Overseeing the maintenance of public spaces and the implementation of sustainability initiatives, the Chief Operating Officer, City and Environment Directorate ensures that the territory's natural and urban environments are preserved. This role involves coordinating field operations and policy execution to meet environmental targets across the Australian Capital Territory. By streamlining the delivery of city services, Melissa Johnson enhances the quality of life for residents. The Chief Operating Officer, City and Environment Directorate monitors the performance of environmental programs, ensuring that resources are directed toward high-impact sustainability projects. Through effective management of operational teams, Johnson drives the success of the directorate's mission, ensuring that the territory remains a clean, green, and functional environment for all citizens.

    Veronica Morados - Chief Information Officer

    Veronica Morados, the Chief Information Officer at ACT Government, architects the digital infrastructure supporting territory-wide operations. Overseeing the modernization of information technology systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that data security and accessibility remain top priorities for all public services. This role involves integrating advanced software solutions to improve the efficiency of government departments across the Australian Capital Territory. By driving digital transformation, Veronica Morados enables more effective communication between agencies and residents. The Chief Information Officer manages the technical roadmap, aligning IT investments with the long-term strategic goals of the government. Through the implementation of scalable cloud platforms, Morados enhances the resilience of the territory's digital assets. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of emerging technology trends to ensure that the government remains at the forefront of digital service delivery and data management.

    Dalle Wright - Deputy Chief Information Officer & Senior Director, Transport Canberra & City Services

    Dalle Wright, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Senior Director, Transport Canberra & City Services at ACT Government, directs the technological integration of urban transport and city maintenance systems. Overseeing the digital platforms that manage public transit and municipal services, the Deputy Chief Information Officer & Senior Director, Transport Canberra & City Services ensures that city infrastructure remains connected and efficient. This role involves leveraging data analytics to optimize traffic flow and waste management across the Australian Capital Territory. By modernizing the systems used by city services, Dalle Wright improves the daily experience of residents. The Deputy Chief Information Officer & Senior Director, Transport Canberra & City Services coordinates with urban planning teams to implement smart city initiatives. Through the strategic application of technology, Wright enhances the operational capacity of city services, ensuring that urban infrastructure meets the evolving needs of the territory's growing population.

    Holger Kaufmann - Chief Information Officer & Executive Group Manager, Digital Solutions

    Holger Kaufmann, the Chief Information Officer & Executive Group Manager, Digital Solutions at ACT Government, leads the development of digital solutions for government service delivery. Overseeing the creation of user-centric digital platforms, the Chief Information Officer & Executive Group Manager, Digital Solutions ensures that residents can access government services seamlessly. This role involves managing the software development lifecycle and digital product strategy across the Australian Capital Territory. By fostering innovation in digital service delivery, Holger Kaufmann improves the accessibility of public information. The Chief Information Officer & Executive Group Manager, Digital Solutions collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement digital tools that simplify administrative processes. Through the strategic deployment of digital solutions, Kaufmann enhances the efficiency of government interactions, ensuring that the territory's digital presence remains modern, secure, and highly responsive to the needs of the community.
    Holger Kaufmann

    Elyse Heslehurst - Chief of Staff To the Speaker

    Elyse Heslehurst, the Chief of Staff To the Speaker at ACT Government, manages the legislative office and supports the Speaker's parliamentary duties. Overseeing the coordination of legislative agendas and public communications, the Chief of Staff To the Speaker ensures that the Speaker's office operates with maximum efficiency. This role involves facilitating communication between parliamentary members and the executive branch to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislative process in the Australian Capital Territory. By managing the Speaker's schedule and priorities, Elyse Heslehurst enables the effective representation of the territory's interests. The Chief of Staff To the Speaker monitors legislative developments, providing strategic advice to support the Speaker's decision-making. Through the careful management of parliamentary resources and staff, Heslehurst maintains the integrity of the legislative process, ensuring that the Speaker's office remains focused on its core governance responsibilities.

    Mark Paviour - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Mark Paviour, the Deputy Chief of Staff at ACT Government, supports the executive leadership in managing daily operations and strategic initiatives. Overseeing the implementation of policy directives, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that the government's objectives are executed across all departments in the Australian Capital Territory. This role involves coordinating between various executive offices to maintain alignment on key projects and public communications. By managing internal workflows, Mark Paviour enhances the productivity of the leadership team. The Deputy Chief of Staff monitors the progress of critical government initiatives, providing support to ensure that deadlines and performance targets are met. Through the effective management of administrative tasks and stakeholder engagement, Paviour facilitates the smooth operation of the government, ensuring that the executive leadership remains focused on delivering high-quality public services to the residents of the territory.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding ACT Government Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads ACT Government?
    ACT Government is led by Coralie McAlister (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Liz Lopa (Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim)) and Suzana Stanojevic (Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal).
    Who is part of ACT Government’s executive team?
    The executive team of ACT Government includes leaders such as Coralie McAlister (Chief Executive Officer), Liz Lopa (Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim)), Suzana Stanojevic (Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does ACT Government have?
    ACT Government has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in ACT Government’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of ACT Government includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Director, General (Interim), Executive Officer To the Chief Executive Officer, ACT Courts and Tribunal, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, City and Environment Directorate.