Meet the team – our CEO

Simone is the founding Chief Executive of the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP). Under Simone’s guidance ICDP has been implementing the Australian Government’s Pacific Connect Program which provides a platform for entrepreneurs from the Pacific & Australia to work together to support business and economic development outcomes across the Pacific. She is an experienced senior executive with a distinguished public sector career. Simone’s diverse career path over the past 20+ years has spanned the government and business sectors where she has focussed on international development, privatisation, restructuring, and infrastructure provision, public sector reform and digital transformation.

• What do you love about your job?

I am passionate about empowering Pacific people, particularly women and I love finding ways to help them progress their business dreams. I love my job because I get to do a variety of things everyday – I enjoy the planning, meeting new people and building relationships, learning about the Pacific, the creative aspects and my colleagues. I enjoy being able to try new ways of doing things and collaborating with talented Pacific and Australian people.

• Who inspires you?

I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. I’m so lucky to have a job where I meet different people every day and I find their stories inspiring. I really enjoy hearing what people in the network are up to and hope to catch up in person again one day.

• What’s your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Outside of work I like to hang out with family and friends. I enjoy spending time outside whether it’s in the garden, watching my beloved Hawks play, exercising or walking my two westie dogs – Molly and Ivy. I love travelling and exploring new places and I also run a small side hustle with my sister – we make dog collars, leads and accessories.