Marianne Cullen, Board Chair
Marianne is a naturally curious, collegiate and accomplished senior executive. Collaborating with Ministers, boards and diverse stakeholder groups, she has made a tangible difference to the way Australians life their lives in the 21st century through the programs of work she has designed and delivered.
With a focus on strategy and governance, community and stakeholder engagement, business modernisation and change management, she has led nationally significant policy reform programs and financial transactions, including asset sales, the switch to digital TV, the development of the National Broadband Network, and the development of major water infrastructure projects in NSW. She has represented the Australian government internationally, including contributing to the development of OECD guidelines on the governance of government-owned entities.
Marianne is passionate about delivering public value through the design and implementation of innovative, customer-centric business models, enabled by technology and new ways of working. In 2022, she led the pre-polling and polling day strategy and implementation for the successful campaign to elect David Pocock as the first Independent Senator for the ACT.
In the 2013 Australia Day Honours List she was awarded the Public Service Medal for the development and implementation of the National Broadband Network.
Katherine Zhang, Board Treasurer
Katherine Zhang has over 11 years’ experience in various financial roles. Katherine is currently the Head of Finance at Mobo Group, leading Corporate Services with responsibilities including Finance, Information Communications Technology and Administration. She has previously worked with some of South Australia’s largest not-for-profit organisations including Business SA, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Hostplus and Uniting Communities. With extensive skills in strategic planning, operations improvement, financial risk management and ITC System Transformation, Katherine is passionate about the growth of BGANZ and securing its long-term financial sustainability.
Katherine holds a Master of Accounting and Finance, Bachelor of Finance and is a Chartered Accountant.
Wolfgang Bopp, Director
In 1991 Wolfgang moved from Germany to the UK to study the Botanic Gardens Diploma at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. He supported the research work for the World List of Threatened Trees book of the World Conservation Monitoring Centre before becoming Assistant Curator at Ness Botanic Gardens. In 1998 he became the first Curator of the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. In 2004 he moved to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens as Curator, later becoming the Director. For 10 years Wolfgang was a trustee of Plantnet, the plant collections network of the UK and Ireland. He has been a plant committee member of the Royal Horticultural Society, including a Vice-Chairman of the Woody Plant Committee. In 2018 Wolfgang moved to Christchurch where he is Director of the Botanic Gardens and Garden Parks. He is a trustee of the NZ Gardens Trust and the Horticultural Ambassador for Grow Ōtautahi, Christchurch Garden Festival.
Rohan Butler, Director
Rohan has over 17 years of senior-level experience, which has seen him secure competitive advantages and deliver solid and profitable outcomes across national and international markets. As a General Manager for Seasol International, Rohan significantly expanded Seasol’s brand portfolio and presence within the domestic gardening market, doubling revenue overall and tripling market share within New Zealand. As the National Retail and Business Manager for ED Oates, he led the >30% growth of key accounts with major retailers, including Coles, Bunnings and Woolworths. He has an appetite for challenge and a deep commitment to driving generational sustainability. This commitment led Rohan to apply for a position on the Board of BGANZ. The ability to support such an organisation is a big driver for him personally. He hopes to help drive the strategy for BGANZ as a whole and help the group strengthen and grow into the future, supplying sustainable environments for our future generations to learn and love all aspects of horticulture and gardening.
Peter Byron, Director
Peter has over 30 years’ experience in management of parks and gardens at commonwealth, state and local government levels. Peter has been the General Manager at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra since 2010.He is responsible for the operations of the gardens including strategic planning, management of the living collection, new developments, visitor programs and corporate services.
Chris Russell, Director
Chris Russell is an experienced botanic garden executive and is currently Executive Director of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. Chris has experience in the fields of strategic planning, public garden and natural resource management, tourism and education, coupled with tertiary qualifications in science and land management. He is immediate past President of BGANZ Council and serves on a variety of not-for-profit tourism and industry boards and committees. This combination provides Chris with broad insight into the challenges facing contemporary botanic gardens and the importance of effective membership organisations in supporting the growth of our sector.
Dr Leonie Scriven, Director
Leonie is an experienced strategist and leader, with over 25 years’ experience in botanic garden’s management, public realm development and maintenance, community development and visitor experience programming, master planning and infrastructure delivery. She has a doctorate in taxonomy and palaeobotany, as well as business administration and company director qualifications. Leonie has held executive and senior positions in three Australian botanic gardens, in local and state government and in university research administration. As State Manager and Principal Scientist of a highly successful environmental consulting company, she has worked on many important environmental issues in southern Australia. As well as working with and within boards, Leonie has contributed to local and national strategic committees and task forces. An engaging storyteller, she promotes the critical work of botanic gardens at every opportunity. Currently, Leonie is the Deputy Director Living Collections at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia.