Our Vision

Northern Tasmania, where people, ideas, businesses, and industries thrive and grow

Our Values

Be Connected, Clear, Creative and Curious.

What We Do

NTDC is the Regional Development Body for Northern Tasmania. We are funded by seven northern councils: City of Launceston, Dorset, Northern Midlands, Meander Valley, West Tamar, George Town and Break O’Day. We are tasked with growing Northern Tasmanian prosperity through: Economic development, Regional Collaboration, Advocacy and Communications.

Our team

Chris Griffin

CEO

Jade Kaye

Major Project Manager

Stephanie Lodder

Project Coordinator 

Steph Brake

Regional Planning Coordinator

Kamal Pokhrel

Administration & Communications Officer

Kimberley Pease

Business Manager - agriCULTURED

Sarah Blacklock

Executive Producer - agriCULTURED

  • Chris, originally from New Zealand, came to Tasmania to take up a Senior Executive role with Tourism Tasmania in 2008, before heading north in late 2012 to found and lead Visit Northern Tasmania.

    When appointed in October 2023 to lead the NTDC team, Chris said “I was delighted to accept the invitation from NTDC’s Board to work with the NTDC team. Over the last 11 years our family has made Northern Tasmania our home, and to continue to champion the development of the region as my day job is an absolute joy.

    To learn more, you can contact Chris on 0402 628 768 or email ceo@ntdc.org.au

  • Jade is the Tasmanian President of the Australian Institute of Project Management, is dedicated to evolving project management to meet society's changing needs. He specializes in major projects in complex, high-risk environments, fostering a collaborative culture and trusted advisor status within industry.

    Originally from Northern Tasmania, Jade lives with his partner Carmen and daughters, Harper and Lyla. He has managed major projects across Asia Pacific and has stepped into the role of Major Projects Manager, enabling the TransLINK Intermodal Facility project.

    To learn more, you can contact Jade at 0448 166 070 or email Jade@ntdc.org.au

  • Steph is a skilled facilitator and program designer with a background in health policy and service reform. She has qualifications in leadership, accounting and corporate governance and brings over 10 years’ experience in Tasmania’s public hospital and primary health system. Steph works as a health and social policy research consultant delivering a broad range of projects across government and the community sector, including coordinating the state and local government review of the Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy (NTRLUS).  

    Steph is known for her respectful, collaborative approach—creating space for diverse voices and turning complex challenges into practical, community-led solutions.

    To learn more, you can contact Steph at 0408 430 117 or email rlus@ntdc.org.au

  • Stephanie, originally from North-West, has lived in Tasmania most of her life and worked remotely for Melbourne and Sydney based companies, specialising in operational management and project coordination. Stephanie has recently joined NTDC and enjoys the collaboration and connection to the greater Launceston community. As a proud Tasmanian, she is committed to the growth and development of the Northern region. 

    To learn more, you can contact Stephanie at 0448 249 701 or email stephanie@ntdc.org.au.

  • Sarah began her performing arts career in Sydney with Belvoir Street Theatre and The Performance Space before moving to Japan for television production. Returning to Australia, she continued working in film, television, and visual arts, collaborating with renowned artist Rosemary Laing and serving as plenipotentiary at Grantpirrie Gallery. Shifting to corporate, she contributed to the St Vincent de Paul Society before leading Design Tasmania as CEO, driving innovation in design. With deep expertise in production and the arts, she is committed to creative practice, sustainability and the not-for-profit sector.

  • Kamal, originally from Nepal, came to Melbourne for a bachelor’s degree in 2017 before heading to Northern Tasmania in 2021 for further education. Kamal thrives on meeting the unique challenges within NTDC and believes that effective administration and communication are vital for continued success.

    To learn more contact Kamal on 0400 338 410 or email kamal@ntdc.org.au

Our board

Dr Alli Anderson

Chair

Shoshana Wall

Company Secretary

Greg Kieser

Director

Jonathan Harmey

Director

Mark Hogarth

Director

David Midson

Director

Linda Kelly

Director

Freya Griffin

Director

  • Alli has been on the NTDC board since 2020, and was directly appointed to the position of chair in 2021.

    A tourism strategy and research specialist consultant working across Australia, New Zealand and further afield, Alli has a PhD in Urban Design and Tourism, a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and a Science Degree (honours), and is an associate of the University of Tasmania.

    When asked why NTDC, Alli said “Developing regions has always been my passion. NTDC beings us all the opportunity to live our values through our work with stakeholders to build a powerful, connected and aligned region, with outcomes for the entire community.”

    To learn more contact Dr Alli directly via 0409 334 223 or email allison@ntdc.org.au

  • Shoshana Wall GAICD has been a NED in the not-for-profit sector for five years, following over 25 years in senior roles in ASX 200, government, and utilities. Over her career she has counselled CEOs and senior leaders of organisations such as the NSW Treasury, NSW Department of Customer Service, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, PEXA, the Property Council of Australia and John Holland Group. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she moved to Tasmania in late 2022. Shoshana is also a NED of Community Housing TAS Limited, Vice President of Meals on Wheels Tasmania, and the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania. She previously served as Vice President of the Burdekin Association and on the Audit and Risk Committee of Service NSW.

  • Greg Kieser is the Mayor of George Town, having been first elected to the role in July 2019. Greg has an extensive professional background in information technology, project management, and client engagement with over 25 years’ experience leading major projects for companies such as Cisco Systems, Novell Inc, IBM, and Drop Box. He is now the Principal of his own carpentry and art company, Blacksheep Works. Greg holds qualifications and training in commerce and business administration from the University of Witwatersrand and Charles Sturt University. Greg is heavily engaged with community groups across the North of Tasmania.

    Greg joined the NTDC Board in July 2022.

  • Jon is the General Manager at the Meander Valley Council, a role commenced in August 2023. Jon worked as a chartered accountant before moving to the Local Government Sector in 2009. Jon holds qualifications in commerce, accounting and management. Jon is proud to represent Local Government and advocate for high quality services and infrastructure for all Northern Tasmanians, he joined the board in February 2025.

  • Freya is local to the Northern Tasmanian region, raised on a thriving family-owned dairy farm in the Meander Valley and working in a range of industries from Launceston for much of her marketing communications career.

    Freya's focus is agricultural innovation, with a firm interest in enhancing health and wellbeing outcomes in regional and rural areas. Freya brings insights from leadership management, community engagement, stakeholder management and advocacy campaigns from her experience in entertainment and tourism sectors, media, finance, education, agrifood and healthcare.

  • Linda is the State Manager with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has worked in various sectors in policy combined with a career with a practical operational working knowledge of agriculture and food production, water utilities and waste recovery recycling operations. She has a Masters of Business Administration and the Company Directors Course Update 2024.

    Linda was fortunate enough to grow up in Taroona, Hobart but has enjoyed furthering her education living and working on the mainland and has returned with a new appreciation of our bountiful and unique northern Tasmania.

    Linda joined the NTDC Board in April 2024.

  • Mark is a dedicated father of four and a devoted husband to Launceston real estate professional Jessica. He brings over two decades of expertise as a professional accountant, currently in his 11th year at Shaw Contracting, a leading Civil Construction firm.

    Mark’s heart beats for Tasmania's future, with a keen interest in initiatives aimed at retaining and drawing in young talent to our State. With a fervour for sustainable industries and technologies, he believes strongly in environmental stewardship. Outside of work, you'll find him on his mountain bike, on camping adventures, on a run or at the Launceston Aquatic Centre swimming—he is passionate and committed to making a contribution towards building a resilient, vibrant and progressive Tasmania.

    Mark joined the NTDC Board in April 2024.

  • David is a Northern Tasmanian local, growing up in Bridport and Scottsdale. Joining the Royal Australian Navy, David's work took him around Australia and the world. He returned home in 2019 and has since worked in local government and regional development including as General Manager of the West Coast Council. David wants to support communities to use their strengths to grow into better places to live and work. He believes that the North of Tasmania is one of the best places in the world to live and is excited to support the work of NTDC in continuing to improve the region.

    David joined the NTDC Board in April 2024.

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