Curtin University Executive and Leadership Team

Vincent Lee, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer at Curtin University, directs the overarching strategic vision and academic mission of the institution. Overseeing the university's research output and educational standards, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with global academic benchmarks. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving institutional growth across international markets. By prioritizing high-impact research and student success, Vincent Lee directly influences the university's reputation as a leading public research entity. The Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous oversight of academic governance, ensuring that all faculties adhere to the core values of the university. Through consistent engagement with the Board and senior faculty, Lee secures the long-term sustainability of the institution while expanding the reach of the university's research initiatives throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

David Menarry, the Chief Operating Officer at Curtin University, directs the physical and digital infrastructure necessary to support a world-class research environment. Overseeing campus facilities, financial operations, and logistical support, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the university maintains a high standard of operational excellence. This leadership role involves managing large-scale capital projects and optimizing the use of university assets to drive efficiency. By implementing sustainable practices across all campus operations, David Menarry directly contributes to the university's commitment to environmental responsibility. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align operational capacity with the strategic growth objectives of the institution. Through rigorous financial management and process improvement, Menarry secures the resources required for academic innovation. The Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on delivering a seamless experience for students and staff, ensuring that the university's infrastructure supports its status as a premier research institution.

Rafael Marco, the President at Curtin University, leads specific student-focused initiatives and academic advocacy programs. Overseeing the development of student-led research projects, the President ensures that the student body remains actively engaged in the university's intellectual life. This leadership role involves representing student interests to the university administration and fostering a culture of academic inquiry. By promoting collaborative learning environments, Rafael Marco directly enhances the student experience and academic outcomes. The President works with various student organizations to coordinate events that highlight the university's research achievements. Through dedicated leadership, Marco drives participation in community outreach programs that extend the university's influence beyond the campus. The President remains committed to empowering students to contribute to the university's mission, ensuring that the student voice remains a central component of the institution's strategic development and long-term success in the higher education sector.

Carly Thompson, the President, Curtin Volunteers at Curtin University, directs the community engagement and volunteer service programs that define the university's social impact. Overseeing the coordination of student volunteers, the President, Curtin Volunteers ensures that the university maintains strong ties with local and regional communities. This leadership role involves managing partnerships with non-profit organizations and facilitating service-learning opportunities for students. By organizing impactful volunteer initiatives, Carly Thompson directly contributes to the university's goal of fostering civic responsibility. The President, Curtin Volunteers collaborates with faculty to integrate community service into the student experience, enhancing the practical application of academic knowledge. Through strategic outreach, Thompson expands the university's footprint in social development projects. The President, Curtin Volunteers remains focused on creating meaningful opportunities for students to give back, ensuring that the university's commitment to community service remains a core pillar of its institutional identity.

Dana Mardaymootoo, the President at Curtin University, manages specialized academic societies and student-led professional development programs. Overseeing the growth of industry-aligned student groups, the President ensures that students gain practical experience that complements their formal education. This leadership role involves organizing networking events and workshops that connect students with industry leaders. By facilitating these connections, Dana Mardaymootoo directly improves the employability of the student body. The President works with academic departments to ensure that student-led initiatives align with the university's broader educational goals. Through strategic planning, Mardaymootoo fosters a culture of professional excellence and innovation among the student population. The President remains dedicated to providing resources that help students transition successfully into their careers, ensuring that the university continues to produce graduates who are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the modern workforce and contribute to the global economy.

Zehrah Al Asaadi, the Co-Founder & President at Curtin University, drives the development of entrepreneurial initiatives and student-led innovation hubs. Overseeing the incubation of new student ventures, the Co-Founder & President ensures that the university provides a supportive environment for creative problem-solving. This leadership role involves mentoring student entrepreneurs and facilitating access to resources that turn ideas into viable projects. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, Zehrah Al Asaadi directly contributes to the university's reputation as a center for innovation. The Co-Founder & President collaborates with industry partners to provide students with real-world experience in business development. Through strategic leadership, Al Asaadi expands the university's influence in the startup ecosystem. The Co-Founder & President remains focused on building a sustainable platform for student innovation, ensuring that the university continues to nurture the next generation of leaders and creators within the competitive Australian research landscape.

Bridget Halbert, the Chief of Staff at Curtin University, coordinates executive communications and facilitates strategic decision-making processes. Overseeing the office of the leadership team, the Chief of Staff ensures that institutional priorities receive consistent attention and resources. This leadership role involves managing complex projects that span multiple departments, ensuring seamless integration of university-wide initiatives. By streamlining executive workflows, Bridget Halbert directly enhances the productivity of the senior management team. The Chief of Staff acts as a primary liaison between the executive office and various internal stakeholders, maintaining clear lines of communication and accountability. Through strategic oversight of daily operations, Halbert supports the implementation of long-term goals that define the university's market position. The Chief of Staff remains focused on maintaining organizational agility, ensuring that the university responds effectively to the evolving demands of the global research and education sectors.

Melisa Kaharevic, the Chief People Officer at Curtin University, architects the human capital strategy to attract and retain top-tier academic and professional talent. Overseeing talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement, the Chief People Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the university's mission. This leadership role involves fostering an inclusive culture that promotes diversity and professional growth across all departments. By implementing modern HR policies, Melisa Kaharevic directly impacts the university's ability to innovate and compete in the global education market. The Chief People Officer works closely with faculty leadership to ensure that staffing levels support the university's research and teaching goals. Through strategic workforce planning, Kaharevic drives organizational health and performance. The Chief People Officer remains dedicated to cultivating a supportive environment where staff can excel, ultimately strengthening the university's reputation as an employer of choice within the Australian higher education sector.

Beth Cubitt, the Chief Legal Officer at Curtin University, manages the legal framework and regulatory compliance for all university activities. Overseeing intellectual property protection, contract negotiations, and risk management, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that the institution operates within the bounds of Australian law. This leadership role involves providing counsel on complex academic and commercial matters, safeguarding the university's interests in research partnerships and international collaborations. By mitigating legal risks, Beth Cubitt directly protects the university's assets and reputation. The Chief Legal Officer collaborates with the Board and senior management to ensure that all policies reflect current legal standards and ethical guidelines. Through proactive legal strategy, Cubitt supports the university's expansion into new research territories. The Chief Legal Officer maintains a focus on transparency and integrity, ensuring that the university's operations remain compliant while fostering an environment of academic freedom and innovation.

Laura Wuetschner, the Deputy Director at Curtin University, manages operational workflows and supports the execution of departmental objectives. Overseeing administrative efficiency, the Deputy Director ensures that internal processes remain robust and scalable. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality educational support services. By optimizing resource allocation, Laura Wuetschner directly impacts the operational capacity of the university. The Deputy Director maintains close collaboration with senior leadership to implement policies that enhance the student experience and faculty productivity. Through meticulous planning and execution, Wuetschner drives improvements in service delivery across the Bentley campus and broader regional operations. The Deputy Director monitors performance metrics to ensure that all administrative functions align with the strategic goals of the university, ultimately fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence and institutional growth within the competitive Australian higher education landscape.