Meet Our Helpful Team
Claire Wiseman
Chief Executive Officer
Claire grew up on a pastoral property in Northern SA, she completed her secondary education in Adelaide as a boarder and went onto study at the University of Adelaide.
As a way of exploring Australia, Claire spent her early career working in the tourism industry which allowed her to travel and work in businesses across Queensland and the Northern Territory, before returning closer to home and working across the Flinders Ranges. After working in this industry, Claire felt it was time for a change and commenced working in the Regional Ministerial Office based out of Port Augusta. This role provided Claire an excellent working understanding of government systems and how they relate to regional areas enabling her to continue working with the regional communities she grew up in.
It was Claire's passion for working with regional communities that led her to the then Northern Regional Development Board in 2005, where she was employed as an Economic Development Officer. Claire has undertaken a variety of different roles within the organisation including managing its transition to Regional Development Australia Far North in late 2010. Claire was appointed Chief Executive Officer in early 2012 and continues to lead an amazing team focused on delivering positive outcomes for businesses and industry in the Far North region.
Greg Williams
Regional Business Development Manager
Greg has lived in Booleroo Centre with his family for over twenty years and grew up in the Southern Flinders. Greg's business background is in operations management, mostly in retail and food service outlets in Port Pirie and Port Augusta. Recently selling his business in Booleroo after running it for the last 9 years.
Over the years Greg has gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge in business management. Greg is enjoys working with businesses and assisting them to be the best they can be sharing his experience and knowledge gained over many years in his own small business.
Tara Hogg
Tourism and Marketing Manager
Born and raised in Port Augusta, Tara spent her childhood weekends at the family shack, camping, and travelling around the state for sporting carnivals. Travelling has always been her passion, and her first trip overseas was spent living and working in a hostel in Edinburgh Scotland at 18 years of age.
Since 2006, Tara has been coming and going from Australia, living, working, and traveling to over 30 different countries. She has a variety of work experience in backpackers, hotels, cafes, and travel consultancy, which is complimented with a Certificate III in Tourism through TAFE SA. Tara is currently in her final year at the University of South Australia studying online a Bachelor of Communications.
Tara's 18 years of customer service experience gives her the ability to listen and connect with all kinds of people. And she is super excited to start networking and promoting tourism in the far north region.
The Tourism and Marketing Manager role is part-time, with Tara working Tuesday to Thursday.
Josh McDonnell
Economic Development Manager
Having grown up in close-knit towns in and around the Northern Adelaide Plains/Mid North, Josh has long-understood the importance of strong and prosperous communities for our individual and collective wellbeing. Josh has pursued his passion for building empowered communities through his decade of work in urban and regional planning and social policy in South Australian local and state government, where he has worked in senior policy and strategy positions, and in his six years of teaching and research in academia, where his PhD focused on how local democratic participation can empower and unite communities.
Through his career, Josh has been responsible for developing and implementing a range of organisational strategic plans and collective action initiatives, and is keen to work collaboratively with stakeholders in the Far North to identify opportunities and build unified and exciting solutions. Josh has degrees in urban & regional planning, public policy & management, diplomacy & trade, and social science research degree.
Josh is excited to be moving to the region with his family to join the team at RDA Far North, and to get involved with the local community. He’s a stellar C-Grade lawn bowler and will be searching for a new club – so selectors be quick and get in touch!
Renata Hackett
Leadership Program Manager
Renata comes with several years of experience leading her own consultancy business, working with a diverse range of clients to develop their marketing, create business plans, provide business solutions and update systems and procedures. This has given Renata the opportunity to work with a broad network of people, associations and industry groups across the region.
Additionally, Renata has an experienced volunteer background being Chair of the Port Augusta/Quorn District Landscape group for Landscape South Australia as well as being an active member of her local school governing council, and parents and friends committee all of which will be an asset in her role with RDA Far North.
The Leadership Program Manager role is part-time, with Renata working every Wednesday and Thursday.
Shari Dodd
Office Manager
Shari was born in Port Augusta, where she lived with her family for a few years before relocating to Leigh Creek. After 6 years in Leigh Creek, Shari and her family then moved back to Port Augusta and have made the town her home since. Shari now has a family of her own she gets to enjoy the Far North region with.
Shari began working for RDA Far North in May 2004 and completed two trainee-ships. After completing both trainee-ships Shari was then offered the opportunity to become a full-time employee with the Board.
The Office Manager role is part-time, with Shari working Monday to Friday.
Lee-Anne Dalla Santa
Administration Officer
Lee-Anne has lived in Port Augusta all of her life. Having worked in Local Government administration for 20 years Lee-Anne has a good knowledge of the local area and region.
Lee-Anne enjoys spending time in the region and volunteering in various organisations.
The Administrative Officer role is part-time, with Lee-Anne working Tuesday to Friday.