Our Team
Michael Johnston
Chief Executive Officer
Michael joined the Committee for Geelong as CEO in February 2023, bringing over a decade’s experience in senior leadership roles in the Federal Government and not-for-profit sectors. Michael most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel with Hockey Australia, including a 6-month period as Interim CEO. Prior to this, Michael spent an extended period with the Australian Sports Commission, having commenced his career with Coulter Legal in Geelong.
Michael is on the Geelong Football Club Corporate Governance Committee and is a non-executive director with sport technology platform, Tidy HQ.
Michael grew up in Highton, attended The Geelong College, and completed his Commerce/Law degrees at Deakin in Geelong. Michael now resides in Geelong with his family.
Contact Michael
Ellen Fox
Events, Marketing and Communications
Ellen has been working with the Committee for Geelong since March 2022, initially supporting the organisation’s comms and marketing needs, before expanding into the management of all Committee events.
Ellen has a Post-Graduate Degree in Arts and Entertainment Management from Deakin University, as well a plethora of hands-on experience working across the corporate landscape, not-for-profit sector and more recently with a range of local organisations.
Geelong born, Ellen spent many years in Melbourne before returning in 2014 with her husband to raise their family in proximity of both beach and bush.
Contact Ellen
Caroline Webster
Business, Membership and Finance
Caz has been at the Committee for Geelong since 2017 and has seen her role grow from a part time casual to a full-time staff member. Caz currently provides administrative and financial assistance, membership support and is EA to the CEO.
Caz lived in the UK until 2010 where she worked in engineering and sales for many years, with extensive background in Office Management, finance and onsite administration services.
When Caz moved to Austrtalia with her daughter they originally lived in Melbourne but moved to Geelong in 2012 to enjoy a more rural lifestyle and all that Geelong has to offer.
Contact Caz
Lauren Carnegie
Community Leadership Facilitator
Lauren joined the Committee for Geelong in January 2024, bringing extensive experience collaborating with leaders at all levels across a range of organisations within the Victorian State Government, Local Government, Education, Retail and Creative industries. Her work has always revolved around connecting people to strategy, organisational design, change, and developing capabilities at an individual, team and organisational level. Lauren is the Vice President of Awkwardstra Geelong, an inclusive community orchestra established in 2022.
Lauren grew up in Geelong before moving to Melbourne to study at Monash University and launch her career. She returned to Geelong with her partner in 2009 and they couldn’t think of a better place to raise their family!
Julie-Ann Forsyth
Finance
After a career in Business banking and then working as a finance manager in the private sector, Julie-Ann originally came to the Committee for Geelong as a short-term finance contractor. Five years later Julie-Ann is now a permanent member of the team.
When not working at the Committee, Julie-Ann does finance and contract management work for other not-for-profits.
Julie-Ann moved to the Greater Geelong area in 2002 with her family and completed her Business Analytics degree at Geelong’s Deakin University in 2018.
Karen MacAdie
Community Leadership Manager
Karen joined the Committee for Geelong in May 2022 as the Community Leadership Manager after a long stretch working at Deakin University. Her career at Deakin ranged from community liaison, coordinating graduations and most recently she headed the Merchandise function.
Karen is excited to be a part of the Leaders program, one which enriches people’s lives and contributes to providing a positive benefit to the region.
Karen and her husband have raised their family on a few acres in the Surfcoast area.