Executive Leadership Team

Professor Shane Ahyong has been appointed the Acting Chief Scientist of the AM following a distinguished local and international career. He is also AMRI’s Principal Research Scientist.

Professor Shane Ahyong has spent a lifetime exploring all things marine and freshwater, being driven by a fascination for aquatic life. He has some 30 years’ experience in the systematics of aquatic invertebrates, especially crustaceans.

Professor Ahyong is a world authority on the phylogeny and systematics of stomatopod and decapod crustaceans, such as mantis shrimps, crabs and lobsters, making up some 15,000 species worldwide. His research examines all aspects of the crustacean tree-of-life, fossil to living, in order to understand how they have evolved and how they live today.

In 2010, Shane took on his current role at the Australian Museum where he maintains strong local and international collaborations. He has published widely, spanning research papers, book chapters and books, mostly on taxonomy and phylogenetics of marine and freshwater invertebrates, and has described more than 300 new species.

Maggie leads the People and Culture function for the Museum as Associate Director, bringing over 15 years of comprehensive human resources management experience to the Museum. Maggie holds a Master of Commerce (HRM), a Bachelor of Commerce (Bus Econ) from University of NSW and is an AHRI Certified Academic of Human Resources (CAHRI).

Maggie is a member of the Museum’s Executive Leadership Team, responsible for development and implementation of People and Culture policies, strategies and projects to support the mission, values and strategic priorities of the Museum. Maggie ensures that people and culture considerations are central to all executive decision making and that best practice change management practices and frameworks are in place and applied.

Richard Dilly is the Australian Museum's Director, Exhibitions and Engagament. Richard brings almost 20 years of leadership experience at world-class visitor attractions to his role at the AM, where he oversees exhibitions, public programs, visitor experience and engagement, as well as commercial operations.

Since 2016, Richard has led five of Sydney's most popular attractions; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye, Immersive Gamebox Sydney, as Cluster General Manager for Merlin Entertainments Australia and New Zealand. Under his leadership, these attractions have achieved consistent double-digit growth while dramatically improving visitor satisfaction. Richard has successfully introduced innovative attractions and revenue streams, including virtual reality experiences and strategic partnerships. He has built strong, engaged teams while maintaining the highest standards in safety.

Before his role as Cluster General Manager for Merlin Entertainments Australia and New Zealand, Richard managed Scarborough Sea Life Sanctuary in England and held senior positions across the United Kingdom and United States. His career began as an entertainment host at Thorpe Park before progressing through various roles within the visitor attractions industry.

As a conservation advocate, he served on the Board of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia from 2020 to 2024, helping set industry standards and securing pandemic support for tourism. Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Spanish from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Julie Ellmers is the Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI). Julie has built a successful career over 25 years, managing and supporting scientific research efforts. Previously, as Associate Director of AMRI, she lead the Life and Geosciences Branch, and facilitated the pursuit of high-quality research and collection management, taking oversight of the Australian Museum’s natural science collections.

During her three years in the role, she has represented the museum as a member of the Council Heads of Australian Faunal Collection, she has also overseen significant recent recruitment within the Life and Geosciences Branch and contributed to several cross-divisional projects across the museum.

Before joining the AM, Julie was Chief Operating Officer of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), a seven-year, $34-million program of research, headquartered at the University of Wollongong. A committed advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace, here Julie was joint-Chair of CABAH’s Equity, Diversity and Mentoring committee.

Amanda Farrar was promoted to Director, Strategy and Chief of Staff in 2024 and was previously the Director, Public Affairs and Development at the Australian Museum. She has held senior leadership positions within the public service, television and media sectors for over 20 years. Her role is responsible for the implementation of the AM’s strategic plan and major projects, securing government and philanthropic support the Museum’s flagship science, education and cultural programs.

Amanda also manages major cultural infrastructure projects, legal and business continuity and key stakeholder relationships and is the executive champion for access, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and the AM’s Reconciliation Action Plan. In 2022, Amanda’s leadership skills were recognised with a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to arts and culture in NSW.

Amanda was previously a senior advisor to former NSW Premier, Hon Mike Baird and the former Managing Director of National Geographic Channel Australia/New Zealand with a depth of marketing, advertising, communications and digital broadcasting experience.

Amanda has a personal interest in First Nations affairs and community building and has been actively engaged in several place management and community building committees and advisory groups.

Erik Maranik is the Director of Corporate Services at the Australian Museum and a seasoned expert in natural resource management, environmental engineering, and social infrastructure. With nearly three decades of experience, Erik is a leading advocate for infrastructure robustness and community resilience, making significant contributions to the utilities, housing, health, and education sectors. At the Australian Museum, Erik is the Senior Champion for accessible premises, procurement & ICT, embedding accessibility and inclusion into the Museum's facilities and purchasing practices in line with the Access and Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2028 and the NSW Procurement Policy Framework.

Erik's agricultural background led him to pursue an Honours degree in Natural Resource Management, focusing on water resource management, botany, and zoology. He later earned a degree in Civil Engineering, receiving the final year prize in structural engineering design. His career is driven by a passion for sustainable social infrastructure and community services.

As a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow, Erik served as the National Chair of Engineers Australia’s Environmental Engineering College, shaping the future of environmental engineering in Australia. 

Before joining the Australian Museum, he consulted for organisations such as the Climate Change Authority, NSW Reconstruction Authority, and Hunter Lakes Corporation. He was an original member of Sydney Water’s Climate Change Adaptation Expert Panel and supported the NSW Healthy Rivers Commission early in his career. Erik has authored several key documents in biosecurity and critical infrastructure risk management.

Laura McBride is a Wailwan woman and Director, First Nations at the Australian Museum (AM). Leading the First Nations strategic direction and operations, she oversees the management of the Archaeology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and Pasifika cultural collections.

Laura’s vision for the AM focuses on prioritising and amplifying First Nations voices, ensuring that Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Pasifika communities authentically represent themselves and their cultures within the Museum. She has been pivotal in guiding the Executive Leadership Team towards fostering stronger connections with First Nations stakeholders and knowledge-holders and building Indigenous self-determination into the interpretation, care, classification, access and use of cultural objects.

With over 15 years of professional experience in museums, Indigenous education, and cultural heritage, Laura is an acclaimed curator. She has received awards for her work and has led First Nations storytelling through exhibitions like GADI and UNSETTLED.

Since the Division was launched in 2021, Laura has guided her team in the delivery of the groundbreaking Wansolmoana permanent exhibition, exploring the interconnected histories and cultures of Pasifika nations; BURRA Learning Place; Her Name is Nanny Nellie documentary and display; and the AM’s repatriation operations that has led to the repatriation of nine Aboriginal Ancestors to seven communities and two Tongan Ancestors back to the Kingdom of Tonga.

Laura holds academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Arts (University of Sydney, 2008) with a double major in Psychology and Australian Indigenous Studies, and a Master of Aboriginal Education (University of Technology Sydney, 2012).

As Chief Financial Officer at the Australian Museum, Brett Ogier is responsible for the Museum’s financial and risk management, financial budgeting and forecasting processes, performance monitoring and analysis, and financial reporting to stakeholders. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team since May 2022, Brett plays a key role in developing and implementing the AM’s finance strategy. Brett is a Chartered Accountant and finance executive with over 25 years’ experience in financial leadership roles across listed, as well as Federal and NSW Government entities.

Brett has extensive experience managing, advising on, and delivering a wide range of financial, strategic and other key functions in large and complex organisations across both the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors. At Ausgrid, Brett led the Financial Control team through the company’s transition from a NSW State Owned Corporation to private ownership in the largest acquisition in Australia in 2016. At NBN Co, Brett established and then led the Commercial Finance function of the wholesale broadband provider. Brett also worked for the NSW Department of Education where he was Director, Financial Analysis and Partnership. In this role, Brett was a key member of the Finance leadership team, where he implemented changes to the Department’s reporting suite across more than 2,200 NSW public schools, enabling more effective and easier tracking of costs.

He was the Finance lead on the COVID-19 Intensive Learning Support Program which was awarded the Secretary’s Award for Agility in 2021. Since beginning his career at KPMG in the Sydney and Los Angeles offices, Brett has also held senior roles at Ecolab and UGL Rail. Brett’s demonstrated success in government roles, projects-based and infrastructure intensive businesses means he is well placed to continue to make significant contributions to the Australian Museum’s Executive Leadership Team.

Brett holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jacinta joined the Australian Museum as Director, Marketing, Communications, Commercial and Partnerships in 2016.

An accomplished executive with more than 30 years' experience across the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, she brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, fiscal management and commercial operations.

Prior to joining the AM, Jacinta spent eight years as CEO of the Eye Surgeons' Foundation, where she led a significant strategic and financial turnaround.

Earlier roles include Managing Director of the National Geographic Channel Australia/New Zealand and Managing Director of Sydney public relations firm Prue MacSween & Associates.

As a member of the AM's Executive Leadership Team, Jacinta oversees business development and revenue across marketing, communications, sponsorship and partnerships, visitation, membership, tourism, digital and other commercial activities.

She also serves as the Museum’s Senior Champion for Access and Inclusion in marketing, communications and digital, leading the development of accessible content and inclusive communications practices in line with the Access and Inclusion Action Plan.

Jacinta holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Canberra, majoring in International Marketing and Media Studies.

Her expertise spans international management, business planning, negotiation and the full breadth of communications - including media, digital, stakeholder and talent management.