The United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney (USSC) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Allen, Brendan Nelson AO, and Ian Saines to its board.

Chairman of the USSC Board, Mark Baillie emphasised how their collective extensive business, government and financial experience, as well as a strong commitment to the Australian-American relationship will bring an increased depth of expertise to the Board.

“Jane, Brendan and Ian are excellent additions to the board at a time when the US-Australia relationship has never been more critical and important,” Mr Baillie commented, “They bring outstanding professional and leadership experience along with a profound commitment to the relationship between our two countries.”

CEO Professor Simon Jackman thanked outgoing board member Kevin McCann AO for his many years of dedicated service to the USSC. He says, “Kevin has been a tremendous asset to the Centre during his time on the board. The Centre is deeply grateful for his service.”

Ms Jane Allen

Ms Jane Allen is a founding partner of Maritana Partners, a specialist advisory firm that focuses on governance related matters. Prior to this she was a Managing Partner at Egon Zehnder in Australia and Head of Asia for one of the firm’s largest practice groups. Jane is a Director of the American Australian Association Ltd and a member of Chief Executive Women. She has also been a Director of the Garvan Medical Research Institute’s Foundation Board since 2007.

Dr Brendan Nelson AO

Dr Brendan Nelson AO is president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. He is also Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) and a member of the Space Industry Leaders Forum and the Business Council of Australia. In 1995 Dr Nelson was awarded the AMA’s highest honour, the Gold Medal for “Distinguished Service to Medicine and Humanity”. Dr Nelson was elected to the Federal Parliament of Australia in 1996 and served as Minister of Education, Science and Training from 2001-2006 and Minister of Defence from 2006-2007. He was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Australia and served as Australian Ambassador Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO.

Mr Ian Saines

Mr Ian Saines was Chief Executive – Funds Management at Challenger Limited until November 2019. Before joining Challenger, Ian was Group Executive – Institutional Banking and Markets at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. He was a member of the Bank’s executive committee with responsibility for managing the Group’s relationships with major corporate, institutional and government clients. Ian currently holds the position of Deputy Chair of the American Australian Association Ltd and is an independent, non-executive director of Air Lease Corporation.

Media enquiries

Taylor Mellor
T 02 9114 2622 
E Taylor.Mellor@sydney.edu.au