Michael Hopkins – Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner
Michael Hopkins brings significant expertise in transport reform to his role as both the National Transport Commission (NTC) CEO and as an NTC Commissioner.
Michael is focused on delivery of our work program, the provision of robust and independent evidence-based advice to Australia’s transport ministers and engaging with our many stakeholders. As a leader Michael is driving change at the NTC, focusing on staff engagement and ensuring the NTC is a great place to work.
He has previously been an Executive Leader at the NTC driving the organisation’s work program, the delivery of reforms and the Commission’s relationship with its partner governments.
As a consultant, Michael provided expert evidence-based advice to industry and national, state and local governments on responding to the contemporary challenges faced by a transport sector in transition.
As a senior executive in Victoria's Department of Transport, Michael delivered future-focused policy reforms, network strategy and planning, as well as stronger governance to improve the way transport works.
Michael has a Masters in public administration from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (via the University of Melbourne), a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and chairs the Monash University Institute of Transport Studies’ industry advisory group.
Sandra McKay – Executive Leader, Facilitated Reform
Sandra McKay joined the NTC in February 2020 and is responsible for the facilitated reform portfolio, which includes the safety program and rail reform. She has made a career out of navigating complex policy environments, having worked at senior policy and executive roles across transport, the environment and health sectors.
A Walkley Award winning journalist in her early career and the first female transport reporter at The Age, she went on to advise governments and private sector on sustainability, health, renewable energy and transport reform. From overarching transport plans, a white paper on climate change, road safety strategies and stakeholder engagement plans, Sandra enjoys building enduring relationships through supporting public policy change for the better. For 10 years, she headed her own strategic consultancy before re-joining the public sector in Victoria where she was Executive Director, Strategic Communications and Engagement at the Department of Transport.
As a Monash University graduate in Communications and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has held board directorships in government and the not-for-profit sector.
Dimi Rigas – Executive Leader, Strategy and Government Relations
Dimi is the NTC's Executive Leader for Strategy and Government Relations. Dimi brings significant experience in transport policy across Australian jurisdictions to the NTC where she helps navigate complex inter-government issues and opportunities.
In her role at the NTC, Dimi is focused on ensuring advice to Australia's Infrastructure and Transport Ministers' Meeting (ITMM) represents the views of jurisdictions and industry through robust independent advice.
Dimi joined he NTC in June 2021 from Transport for NSW where she was Director, National Policy and Reform for five years. In this role, she was responsible for directing the state-wide participation, governance and accountability arrangements for delivering the national transport reform agenda in NSW.
This involved complex stakeholder management and negotiations across government agencies, state borders and with industry, as well as the implementation of initiatives focused on customer and community improvements.
Having worked for more than 20 years in various strategic policy settings, including in the United Kingdom, Dimi has extensive experience in delivering best practice policy and governance frameworks as well as advising on operational, policy and strategy solutions.
With a passion for developing communication and consultation approaches which are responsive, Dimi helps drive positive outcomes across the NTC’s diverse portfolio.
Dimi has a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) majoring in Political Science, a Masters in International Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management.
Aaron de Rozario – Executive Leader, Regulatory Reform
Aaron de Rozario joined the National Transport Commission in July 2021 and is responsible for NTC’s regulatory reform initiatives portfolio including the automated vehicle, heavy vehicle and legislative reform programs.
Aaron has over 20 years public sector experience in both Australia and the United Kingdom and has as a strong record of achievement economic development, education, social justice policy and transport portfolios. He has advised the Western Australian and Victorian governments on industry reform, regulatory matters and the impact of technology on public policy.
Prior to joining the NTC, Aaron was Chief Executive officer of Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria, where he led the Victorian government’s commercial passenger vehicle reforms and heavily influenced Australia’s policy response to the emergence of ridesharing.
Aaron has a passion for technology and the political economy of software development. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Masters in Public Policy from Murdoch University.
Graham Giannini – Executive Leader, Business and Resources
Graham Giannini is responsible for the business and resources portfolio, which includes finance, human resources, ICT and information management, legal services and the Commission secretariat. The group works closely with internal and external stakeholders to build or improve organisational capabilities and to maintain an effective system of governance and compliance.
Prior to joining the NTC, Graham’s career has been centred on designing and delivering major organisational transformation change programs, either through senior executive roles or as a consultant.
Graham has a Bachelor of Economics, Graduate Diploma Strategic Marketing, Graduate Diploma Securities Industry, and has completed the Graduate Diploma Company Directors Course.