Brenda Read 

Brenda has extensive experience in general management positions within successful private and public companies. She has driven change and growth through a range of management consulting projects with large companies including Shell Australia through to regional micro businesses. Brenda’s industry experience spans service businesses, manufacturers, mining supply companies and government institutions. Over the last three years, Brenda has worked alongside a number of the Hunter regions, manufacturers and mining service companies, to identify and realise opportunities for improvement.

As General Manager of a Business Development Agency, Brenda designed and implemented various programs aimed at fostering innovative business practices. Her expertise has supported many businesses in reviewing their strategies and operational practices to identify and realise growth opportunities. Brenda has a keen interest in supporting innovation and through the Hunter Founders Forum and The Hunter Entrepreneurs program, has helped to establish a key pathway for the Hunter region's businesses to commercialise products and technologies.

Brenda’s key areas of expertise include identifying and developing business opportunities, planning, managing and achieving strategic goals, process management, financial and management accounting, human resource management and contract negotiation and administration for government and private funding arrangements.

In 2006, Brenda was awarded Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year in the Community Government sector. This was primarily for the role she played in recovering one of the Hunters leading business development agencies and steering it through five subsequent years of high growth. 

Brenda is a Director of the NIB Foundation Ltd and past Company Secretary of the Hunter Founders Forum Ltd.