ACADEMIA

Alicia Rambaldi

Alicia has a PhD in Economics with fields in Econometrics and International Economics. She is currently a Professor of Economics at the University of Queensland. Her research interests are in applied econometrics, time series econometrics, state-space models and spatial time series models. She has published in journals that include the Journal of Econometrics, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Applied Econometrics. Her current research projects are in: spatial time series models with applications to modelling housing prices, international comparisons and sectoral productivity.

Alicia’s strengths:

1. Experience
2. Good at listening
3. Patience

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

Help the younger generation.

Begoña Dominguez

Begoña is currently Professor at the School of Economics, University of Queensland. Her research interests are in the area of Macroeconomics and, more specifically, in the design of optimal fiscal and monetary policies. Her research has been published in top journals in Economics, such as Journal of Monetary Economics, Journal of Economic Theory, among other outlets. Her teaching has also been commended with several Excellence Awards and with her application to Senior Fellow of the High Education Academy. Begoña has held numerous leadership roles both internally (as current Director of Operations and former Director of Education, Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee, Chair of Recruitment, and Chair of the Search and Visitors Committee) and externally (as current Vice-President of the Australasian Macroeconomic Society and former Associate Editor of the Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control). Begoña is the mum of Gisele and Loec, enjoys oil painting and is a feminist and a strong supporter of equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

Begoña’s strength:

1. I am a feminist and passionate about supporting females to help achieve gender equality in Economics

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

Whenever I had the chance I have informally mentored and supported junior females in Economics, WEN may help increase the support I can provide to other females in this profession.

Flavio Menezes

Flavio is a Professor of Economics at The University of Queensland and the Chair of the Queensland Competition Authority. He is an elected member of UQ's Academic Board and of its Standing Committee. He is the past President of the Economic Society of Australia (Queensland), Chair of the ERA 2018 economics and commerce research evaluation committee, a member of editorial boards and associate editor of a number of international journals, and a co-editor of the Economic Record. He has published over 75 journal articles on the economics of auctions, competition and regulatory economics, industrial organisation and market design.

Professor Menezes has extensive consulting experience, which includes advising the private sector, the Federal Government, AEMC, ACCC, IPART, QCA, the Federal, ACT and Victorian Governments on market design issues in regulatory environments such as defence, fisheries, gambling, energy, banking, health, transport, water and telecommunications.

Flavio’s strengths:

1. Combination of academic and industry/government experience
2. Management experience in a University context

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

To be able to help someone by providing career advice.

Louisa Coglan

Louisa is a Professor of Economics at QUT and leads the Behaviours and Decisions in Agriculture and Natural Resources Program in the Centre for Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology  (BEST). Her main research focus is the measurement and assessment of economic and social values to inform decision-makers in the management of natural resources.

Louisa has an extensive record of teaching innovation, and has received awards and commendations for her work in both the UK and Australia. At QUT, Louisa has led the teaching and delivery of economic literacy within the Business degree program for 30,000+ students.

Louisa is the current President of the Queensland branch of WEN. She is an advocate for women in economics and has extensive experience in mentoring women in academia, the public sector and industry.

Louisa’s strengths:

1. Deep understanding of the challenges facing females in academia in research and teaching
2. Previous experience both in UK and Australia of developing and participating in peer and mentoring programs
3. Highly developed interpersonal skills

What do you believe you can contribute to your mentee(s)?

I have a drop understanding of the challenges facing females in academia in research and teaching and have developed and participated in peer and mentoring programs in both the UK and Australia.

I am passionate about supporting women to further their careers as economists. It is a tough gig, and I can offer both practical support and guidance as well as help mentees develop the resilience to navigate the sector.

Radhika Lahiri

Radhika is an Associate Professor in the QUT School of Economics and Finance.

Radhika joined the QUT School of Economics and Finance in 2001. She received her PhD from the Southern Methodist University, Dallas in 1997 and has had academic appointments with the Southern Methodist University and the University of Western Australia.

Prior to academia, Radhika held research positions with the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy and the National Council of Applied Economic Research in New Delhi. Her research interests include topics at the intersection of macroeconomics and development economics. A strand of her work focuses on theoretical and empirical research on technology adoption, including the link between inequality, human capital and technology adoption and its implications for growth and development. In recent papers she has studied the implications of human capital in the form of health and education for inequality and growth, the macroeconomic implications of trading relationships such as NAFTA and the implications of urbanization and development for the environment.

Radhika’s strengths:

1. Research (Macroeconomics, development economics)
2. Teaching/ presentation skills
3. HDR supervision and mentoring

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

I have had a lot of success in mentoring PhD students and looking to extend this expertise to early career academics with similar interests.

Rasheda Khanam

Rasheda has over twenty years experience as a researcher in the field of child health and wellbeing and the social determinants of health and has gained both national and growing international reputation as a result. Her broad research fields are in health economics and development economics, and she has 80 publications in these fields. Her strong track record in research and publications is demonstrated by her research being published by highly respected international journals in these fields. In recognition of this excellence, she has received the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Publication Excellence Award three times, and has frequently been asked for media comments on her research.

In her role as an associate Head-Research at USQ she has led initiatives to promote a research culture and increase research productivity of academic staff at the University.

Rasheda’s strengths:

1. Higher Degree Supervision Skills
2. Publication in high quality peer reviewed Journals
3. Tips and Tools for Finding Where to Publish

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

I would like to know what types of challenges and barriers junior economists are currently facing and to know whether I can provide any help to them.

Rodney Strachan

Rodney received his PhD from Monash University in 2000. His research focuses on Bayesian analysis, econometric theory, time series analysis, inference in time varying parameter and time varying dimension models, identification in reduced rank models and invariance. His current work is looking at specification and computation of large dimensional macroeconometric time series models. Rodney came to UQ from the Australian National University where he was a professor and the deputy head of the Research School of Economics.

Rodney’s strenghts

1. Econometrics
2. Academic Networks
3. Academic Publishing

What do you believe you can contribute to your mentee(s)?

I have extensive experience at setting workloads and so can give empirical support for 'saying no'. I have extensive experience in promotion discussions and how narratives around 'relative to opportunity' arguments are built. I have supervised dozens of staff and understand strategies for building a career.

PUBLIC SECTOR

Karen Hooper

Karen joined the Queensland Productivity Commission as Principal Commissioner in March 2020. She has extensive policy and leadership experience gained from senior management roles at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and The University of Queensland. Karen is an economist with a PhD in economics from The University of Queensland and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has been heavily involved in industry and community engagement and has considerable experience in applying insights and intelligence to support economic analysis and policy development.

Karen is a strong advocate for the important role economists can play in helping to deliver improved community outcomes through evidence-based policy advice and community engagement. She worked for 10 years with the Queensland Economics Teachers’ Association to deliver seminars to high school economics students to promote an understanding of monetary policy and economic literacy. Karen was also a member of the Queensland University of Technology School of Economics and Finance External Advisory Committee and has participated in The University of Queensland Faculty of Business, Economics and Law Mentoring program. Karen is also past President of The University of Queensland School of Economics Alumni and formerly an Executive Director of the Economic Society of Australia (Qld Branch). Karen is currently a CEDA Trustee, a member of Women on Boards and Secretary of the Queensland Branch of the Women in Economics Network.

Karen’s strengths:

1. Policy experience gained from working across a number of economic institutions in Australia
2. Professional networks
3. International perspective

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

I hope to give back to the next generation of economists, having valued the advice I have received through my career.

Sally Noonan

Sally is a former CEO and seasoned public sector senior executive with a strong track record of delivering value, excellence and innovation in diverse areas including organisational strategy, economic development, infrastructure & transport planning, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

After a successful career spanning more than 30 years Sally is now focussing her energies and contributing her wealth of experience to improve governance across public sector and not-for-profit organisations.

Sally is currently a Director of the Board, and Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, 3rd Space - a not-for-profit organisation providing coordinated services for homeless people; an Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Department of Children, Seniors, and Disability Services; an Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee for the Queensland GasFields Commission; is an Executive Director of the Women in Economics Network (Qld Branch); and, provides executive coaching to private clients.

Sally’s strengths:

1. Insight to the role of economics in government policy making
2. Accomplished in influencing economic, environmental and social outcomes
3. Experienced leader and mentor

What do you believe you can contribute to your mentee(s)?

With more than 30 years professional experience across Federal and State Government organisations in economic policy, advisory, and project management roles, plus experience in a large professional services firm, I have much to share with mentees.

Tracey Johnson

Tracey has a diverse background spanning banking, market research, tertiary education, business consultancy and development. All of these experiences came together just over a decade ago when working with firms commercializing medical devices and healthcare solutions. Since then Tracey has pushed healthcare frontiers by creating the Office of Health and Medical Research within Queensland Health and directing the Queensland Government’s investment attraction strategy for global healthcare businesses.

Her on-the-ground healthcare delivery experience includes establishing an integrated women’s healthcare centre and more recently becoming General Manager of Inala Primary Care Ltd. IPC is a charitable general practice in a disadvantaged region striving to prove, teach and replicate innovative models of care. The practice specializes in models of chronic disease care targeted at the aged, disabled, refugee background and mental health profile of the region.

Tracey’s strengths:

1. Extensive coaching experience
2. Women championing approach to mentoring

What do you believe you can contribute to your mentee(s)?

I am an experienced CEO who has used my economics skills across a variety of sectors and settings. I hope to inspire younger economists to embrace the breadth of their training to impact change, reform and business development. I am passionate about leadership development, equity, economic development and entrepreneurship having worked in the public and private sectors, NFP and tech start up spaces.

PRIVATE SECTOR

Dr Douglas Hunt

Douglas is an economist with expertise in economic research and evaluation and in undertaking benefit cost analysis. He has a PhD in Environmental and Resource Economics, Graduate Diploma of Education (SEC), Graduate Certificate of Religious Education, B.A (Honours) in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Business.

Currently Douglas is the Senior Regulatory Economist for Telstra analysing regulatory and policy issues to provide advice to the senior management team. In addition to this, his role involves liaising with external regulatory bodies such as the ACCC and ACMA, along with other government and industry bodies in the telecommunications sector. He is also a lecturer in economics and strategy at both the University of Queensland and Griffith University and was a Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University working for an ARC project aimed at improving financial and commercial literacy in Indigenous small businesses. He was previously the Manager for Economics at RPS Asia-Pacific and the Principal Adviser for Strategic Economic Development to Redland City Council. In addition to his role with Redland City Council, Douglas has also been employed in State Government funded roles in regional development within NSW and Victoria at a local government level before moving to Queensland.

Douglas’s Strengths:

1. Cross-sector and professional experience
2. Business relationship development skills

What do you believe you can contribute to your mentee(s)?

I have been an economist for the past 20 years with expertise in economic research and analysis and in the development of government economic policy. I hold a PhD in Environmental and Resource Economics, Graduate Diploma of Education (SEC), Graduate Certificate of Religious Education, B.A (Honours) in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Business. Currently I am the Senior Regulatory Economist for Telstra and was previously a Tertiary Educator and Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University working on an ARC project on improving financial and commercial literacy in Indigenous small businesses. I have also been the Manager for Economics at RPS Asia-Pacific and the Principal Adviser for Strategic Economic Development to Redland City Council. I have also been employed in State Government funded roles in regional economic development within NSW and Victoria at a local government level before to moving to Queensland.

Natasha Doherty

Natasha is the founder and CEO of Ethicol. She has 20 years experience in program and policy evaluation including health, and community services industry. Natasha works with government and non-profit clients to inform evidenced based practices and policy to enhance quality of life for Australians.

Natasha has worked in Federal and State government, she was the lead partner for the Health and Social Policy Practice in Deloitte Access Economics and a Managing Director in Accenture Strategy.

Natasha has worked in the design of innovative outcomes based funding models including payment by outcomes and impact investing. Her interests and passions lay in using evidence based research to inform future policy direction, and supporting how policy and investment should have more intersectional considerations in solving complex issues.

Natasha’s strengths:

1. Career Planning
2. Relationship development

What are you hoping to achieve from the WEN Mentoring Program?

To help other female economists to advance their careers.