Mark McKenzie

Chair

Mark is a senior executive with formal qualifications in Civil Engineering (B.Eng) and Business (MBA) and considerable experience in public affairs, government relations and business leadership across multiple industry sectors. He currently leads the national industry body representing the Australian fuel industry and is working with this critical services sector and national stakeholders to position the industry positively for the delivery of Australia’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions.

Mark’s professional career is complemented by over 20 years of Board and Advisory Committee experience worked within the commercial and not for profit sectors in a diverse range of areas including: National Workforce Skills, Energy, Small Business, Transport & Logistics, and Higher Education Research.

Mark was the Chair of the Council of Small Business Organisations (COSBOA) between 2016 and 2021. During this time he worked cooperatively with the Federal Government and all State/Territory Governments to champion measures to support Australia’s 2 million small businesses (and their 4.5 million employees) through the COVID19 Economic Downturn.

Born in Sydney and raised in Canberra, Mark saw the light and moved to the Illawarra Region in 2010 with his wife Karen – a fourth generation resident of the Wollongong Region.

Mark was appointed Chair of RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven in December 2023 and commenced duties on 1 January 2024. He is committed to ensuring that the RDA works collaboratively with all stakeholders to leverage the strategic and competitive advantages of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Region for the benefit of current and future generations.