Premier’s Climate Change Council members
Council members can be appointed from a range of sectors, including state and local government, the business community, the environmental and conservation sector, the scientific community, and other sectors of the State’s community more generally.
Martin Haese (Chair)
Martin Haese is an entrepreneur, educator, public figure and strong advocate for Adelaide’s standing as one of the world’s most liveable cities. He was recently appointed as Special Envoy for Trade and Investment for Singapore and Southeast Asia for the South Australian Government. Previously, Martin Haese was the Chief Executive Officer of Business SA, Chamber of Commerce and Industry South Australia.
In 2014, Martin Haese was elected as the 78th Lord Mayor of Adelaide and held that position until November 2018. As Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese drove strong sustainability and technology agendas culminating in Carbon Neutral Adelaide 2025, Ten Gigabit Adelaide (one of the world’s fastest fibre optic data networks) and many Smart City initiatives.
He was a guest speaker at the Paris COP21 in December 2015 and continues to advocate that addressing climate change is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity. As a musician, he widely promotes Adelaide as a UNESCO City of Music.
As a former retail entrepreneur, Martin Haese built and sold a national retail chain prior to becoming the General Manager of the Rundle Mall Management Authority. He also holds an MBA and was a guest lecturer for universities and colleges across Australia for several years.
Daniel Bennett
Daniel Bennett is an award-winning registered landscape architect and urban designer with 20 years’ experience in cities, movement, places and green infrastructure. He has helped shape projects of all scales in both the private and public sector across Australia. His focus is on shaping better cities through infrastructure, including leading roles on Melbourne’s Airport Rail Link, Sydney’s light rail, Canberra’s capital metro, Gallipoli Underpass (SA), Adelaide’s light rail expansion, the Seaford rail extension (SA),and the O'Bahn City Access Project (SA).
Between 2014 and 2019 he was Associate Director of Strategy and Design at the City of Adelaide included development of the award-winning Adelaide Design Manual, the city’s guide to creating great public spaces and streets; the Adelaide Park Lands Strategy; and the Smart Move Transport Strategy.
Daniel Bennett is the State President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) South Australia, and Co-Chair of the National Advocacy Committee. He also co-hosts Adelaide (un)Planned, a podcast with Planner Michael McKeown, discussing design and planning in Adelaide. Daniel Bennett will provide knowledge and expertise relating to planning, transport and infrastructure.
Tiahni Adamson
Tiahni Adamson is a proud Kaurareg woman and a dedicated wildlife conservation biologist committed to embedding First Nations leadership in environmental stewardship. She is a strong advocate for increasing the participation of First Nations people and women in STEM careers and was recognised as one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM and an InDaily South Australian 40 Under 40 for 2023.
Currently, Tiahni is the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager at Bush Heritage Australia, working to heal and protect healthy Country for future generations. She has previously worked with CSIRO on Indigenous education programs, trained under Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in 2019, and served as a casual lecturer and tutor at the University of South Australia. Her leadership extends to her time on the National Leadership Team for Seed Mob Australia’s only First Nations-led youth climate justice group and as a youth dialogue member for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Tiahni is also a board member of Green Adelaide, contributing to initiatives that create a cooler, greener, and wilder metropolitan region. Her contributions to STEM and climate justice have been widely recognised, receiving the Dr Kaye Price AM Award for excellence and ambassadorship in STEM, the 7 News Young Achiever Award, as well as being one of two recipients of the inaugural Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship from CSIRO’s Marine National Facility.
A sought-after speaker, Tiahni has shared her expertise on thought leadership and the intersection of First Nations knowledge and climate justice to over one million people. In recognition of her contributions, she was named 2024 South Australian Young Australian of the Year.
Mayor Angela Evans
Mayor Angela Evans is a committed leader providing responsible governance in a framework of strategic planning, enhancing relationships and fostering community connections.
Mayor Evans has been the City of Charles Sturt Mayor since November 2014, and is the current Immediate Past President of the Local Government Association, having served as President from October 2020 to 2022.
Mayor Evans’ key areas of interest include developing effective governance structures for Council, implementing long term financial stability, facilitating economic development, contributing to planning reform to position council as a leader, conducting effective community engagement and creating partnerships with other levels of government, the community and the private sector to better serve the Charles Sturt community.
She also has experience in the business sector as a small business operator, as well as extensive experience from working within the Community Service Sector.
Mayor Evans will provide valuable knowledge and understanding of the practical application of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions relating to the local government sector.
Susan Jeanes
Susan Jeanes is a nationally respected leader with over twenty years’ experience in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors. She is currently Chair of the Heavy Industry Low-emissions Transition Co-operative Research Centre (HILT CRC) and a Director of Jeanes Holland and Associates (JHA).
Susan Jeanes has experience working with industry, research organisations and governments to build relationships and foster collaboration on shared goals, and is able to develop pathways for reaching agreed outcomes from differing perspectives.
She has previously held the roles of Director of The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), CEO of the Australian Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA), and of the Renewable Energy Generators of Australia (REGA).
Dr Penny Schulz
Dr Penny Schulz is a respected leader in the agricultural and livestock industries. As well as co-owner and manager of the agricultural production and consultancy business, Schulz Livestock, she is the current Chair of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board and member of the Minister for Primary Industries & Regions Agtech Advisory Group. She has also recently been appointed as a Livestock Production Specialist with the SA Drought Resilience, Adoption and Innovation Hub.
Holding a number of scientific qualifications, Dr Schulz is also an educator and researcher and has recently completed a PhD research project to assess and support the uptake of technology to improve agricultural practices. She will provide a valuable rural and agricultural perspective, as well as knowledge and experience within the scientific community.
Daniel Spencer
Daniel Spencer has been the Organising Lead and Energy Organiser at the Australian Services Union since 2018.
Prior to his work at the union, Daniel Spencer worked for several years on climate change and transition for the Repower Port Augusta campaign, as well as a number of non-government organisations. In 2010, he attended the United Nations climate talks in Mexico as part of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition delegation.
In 2012, Daniel Spencer received the Bob Brown Foundation's inaugural Young Environmentalist of the Year award, and was recognised by the Conservation Council of South Australia with the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection. In 2013, he received the Flinders Ports Environment Award at the Channel 9 Young Achievers Awards in South Australia.
He will provide knowledge and experience on renewable energy technologies and the importance of a just transition for workers.
Jodie van Deventer
Jodie van Deventer is the National Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Industry Group, a peak national employer organisation representing traditional, innovative and emerging industry sectors.
Prior to that she was the CEO of the Committee for Adelaide, ran a successful branding and communications business, held senior executive roles in Government and private industry and was a journalist for the BBC in the UK.
Jodie van Deventer serves on a number of Boards, is an ambassador for Crime Stoppers SA and has a keen interest in helping South Australian organisations factor climate risk into their business and investment strategy to ensure business success.
She will provide valuable knowledge and understanding on business and industry needs in the transition to net zero.
Craig Wilkins
Craig Wilkins’s career spans almost 30 years, working in the areas of public health, social services, environmental change, and politics with a variety of not for profit and government organisations. Most recently Craig served for a decade as Chief Executive of the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), leading and assisting community campaigns and movements for change. Craig Wilkins sits on a range of advisory boards and committees including the Adelaide Parklands Authority and the Electranet Community Advisory Panel.
Craig Wilkins provides valuable knowledge and understanding of the practical application of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions relating to environment and conservation as well as input relating to social justice.
Susan Smith
Susan (Susie) Smith is a member of the national Climate Change Authority Board and has extensive experience in corporate strategy, climate change, and sustainability.
Susie is also Chief Executive of the Australian industry greenhouse network – a leading forum for discussion on key climate change issues, providing information and analysis in considering national and international policy and the role industry can play in the urgent transition to net zero emissions.
Susie is a highly regarded climate change and sustainability specialist and is passionate about science and its role in healthy, vibrant economies. Susan brings particular expertise in low-cost emissions reduction, methane emissions, and the role of industry in the transition to net zero emissions.
As a former dual Australian representative in water polo and swimming, Susie also contributes to sports governance as a board member of the South Australian Cricket Association and Water Polo Australia.
