MEDIA RELEASE
Natural Hazards Research Australia is delighted to announce the unanimous appointment of Dominque Hogan-Doran SC as its Board Chair, effective Monday 1 June 2026, following the recent retirement of Board Chair Iain MacKenzie AFSM.
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC brings more than 30 years' experience as a barrister and trusted advisor to the role. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Since joining the Board in 2022, Dominique has served as acting Board Chair and as a member of several of the Centre’s governing sub-committees including as Chair of the Centre's Risk Audit and Compliance Committee.
Natural Hazards Research Australia was funded by the Australian Government from July 2021 as a collaborative research organisation, to address the major challenges arising from natural hazards, including bushfires, floods, cyclones, heatwaves, storms and other hazards. Our purpose is to deliver usable research and knowledge that creates safer and more resilient communities.
The CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, Andrew Gissing, said Dominique’s appointment to Board Chair and her extensive experience and deep knowledge of the Centre will deliver a seamless transition, and help deliver on our main purpose, to keep communities safer, more resilient and sustainable.
“Dominique’s expertise as a Senior Counsel will be instrumental as the Centre continues to deliver on our mission into its next chapter, consolidating its work from the first five years," said Andrew.
Dominique is widely recognised for handling significant, high-risk matters for state and federal governments, regulators, listed entities and other regulated financial bodies. She was Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements in 2020 among a broad range of other public inquiries.
Dominique’s strategic leadership as a leading silk of the Australian Bar aligns with her passion for evidence-informed decision making to improve outcomes for people and their communities.
Dominique previously served as a Trustee Director of industry super fund Club Plus Super (now merged to AustralianSuper) and currently sits on the boards of Australian Cricket's retirement fund and its benevolent fund, Players Cordon.
“As Board Chair, I will endeavour to continue to build on the strong governance and leadership by my predecessors, most recently, Iain MacKenzie. His contribution to guiding the Centre through its first five years has left an indelible impression on the field, guiding and preparing the Centre to meet the emergency managements challenges and opportunities of the future,” said Dominique.
Dominique’s research background includes as Research Director to NSW Chief Justice the Hon. Murray Gleeson AC and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney and Bachelor of Civil Law with First Class Honours from Oxford University as a Menzies Scholar. She has also held numerous academic appointments.
The Centre welcomes Dominique to this position and look forward to working with her to continue building on the strong knowledge and capability to help make communities safer, emergency services more supported and governments more informed.