The Board of Natural Hazards Research Australia is delighted to announce the unanimous appointment of Dominique Hogan-Doran SC as its Board Chair, effective Monday 1 June 2026, following the recent retirement of Board Chair Iain MacKenzie AFSM.
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC brings 30 years' experience as a barrister and trusted advisor to the role. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Since joining the Board in 2022, Dominique has served as acting Board Chair and as a member of several of the Centre’s governing sub-committees including as Chair of the Centre's Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee.
Dominique is widely recognised for handling significant, high-risk matters for state and federal governments, regulators, listed entities and other regulated financial bodies. Dominique’s strategic leadership as a leading silk of the Australian Bar aligns with her passion for evidence-informed decision making to improve outcomes for people and their communities.
Dominique served as Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements in 2020 among a broad range of other public inquiries. She was previously a Trustee Director of industry super fund Club Plus Super (now merged to AustralianSuper) and currently sits on the boards of Australian Cricket's retirement fund and its benevolent fund, Players Cordon.
Dominique’s research background includes as Research Director to NSW Chief Justice the Hon. Murray Gleeson AC and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Civil Law with First Class Honours from Oxford University as a Menzies Scholar. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and of the Governance Institute of Australia, she has held numerous academic appointments.
Dominique’s expertise and strategic leadership will be instrumental as the Centre continues to deliver on our mission into its next chapter, consolidating on its success from the first five years.
"We are delighted to welcome Dominique as our new Board Chair. Her extensive experience and knowledge of the Centre and the sector will contribute to a seamless transition and aligned with values and mission to keep communities safer, more resilient and sustainable.”
Andrew Gissing, CEO Natural Hazards Research Australia
The Board would like to thank outgoing Chair Iain MacKenzie who has served as Chair since November 2022 and a Director since September 2021. With more than 45 years of experience, Iain's leadership has stewarded the Centre's transformation from its inception to a strongly performing organisation, recognised and highly valued for its ability to deliver useable research to enhance the safety, resilience and sustainability of our communities.
Iain's passion for improving outcomes for communities and championing evidence-informed decision-making greatly benefited the sector. He has been a strong advocate for the Centre and will be greatly missed by us all. We are confident Iain will remain closely connected and may even occasionally join us at Centre events. On behalf of the team, we wish Iain all the best for the future.
“We will sorely miss your wisdom and the depth of experience in the emergency management sector over many, many years, you brought to us. We recognise and respect the decisions you've made, and we absolutely want to pass our best wishes to you and your family in retirement.”
Dominique Hogan-Doran, Director, Natural Hazards Research Australia Board
Before the election of a new Chair, the Board received notice from Andrew Gissing that he will step down as CEO in September this year following four years of incredible dedication and contributions. Andrew would like to spend more time with his wife and three young daughters.
“Serving as CEO has been a great privilege, over a time of immense success for the Centre, and I feel extremely proud of what we have achieved together. I am deeply grateful for the support of the Board, Centre staff and stakeholders who have been vital to our success.”
Andrew Gissing, CEO Natural Hazards Research Australia
Since his appointment in July 2022, Andrew has provided the Centre with dedicated, high-energy and impactful executive leadership. He has overseen the delivery of a natural hazard research program —with outcomes that are impactful and used by emergency services, governments and the communities the Centre exists to serve. He has built and strengthened partnerships across the Centre's Participants, end users and sector stakeholders, and has been a clear and effective voice for natural hazards research.
“Andrew has led the Centre with integrity and warmth. He has set the tone for a values-driven culture, supported the development of researchers across the Centre's network, and modelled the collaborative, end user driven research program that distinguishes the Centre's contribution to the sector.”
Dominique Hogan-Doran, Director, Natural Hazards Research Australia Board
On behalf of the Board, the Centre's Participants and all those who have worked alongside him, the Board sincerely thanks Andrew for his service, his energy and his contribution to the 27 million Australians who benefit from the Centre’s research. We wish him every success in his next chapter.
Up to September, Andrew will continue working hard to build on the Centre's success and provide leadership and guidance for the CEO recruitment process and mid-term evaluation. The Board looks forward to celebrating Andrew’s contributions at the Natural Hazards Research Forum, 10-12 June 2026 in Adelaide and the AFAC conference in August 2026.
The Board has full confidence the Centre is built on such strong foundations, with the capacity and capability to support this transition and look forward to the next stage of value creation and organisational evolution.
Iain MacKenzie AFSM
Chair
On behalf of the Board of Natural Hazards Research Australia