NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Executive

Our executive team brings a wide range of experience and qualifications to the EPA.

Tony Chappel

Chief Executive Officer

Leading the EPA since August 2022, Tony is a senior executive with extensive experience across the public and private sectors, specialising in sustainability, corporate affairs, risk and governance, regulatory strategy, and policy.

His background in highly regulated industries brings a strong perspective on license-holder obligations and the impacts of industry actions on NSW communities.

Tony has played a critical role in the delivery of the EPA’S Climate Change Policy and Action Plan and is committed to supporting all stakeholders through the transition to a net-zero economy, while driving new opportunities. 

Tony is a dedicated advocate for environmental protection and collaborative approaches to regulation.

He holds a Masters in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford and a Masters in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London.

Stephen Beaman

Executive Director, Regulatory Operations

Steve has more than 30 years' experience developing and implementing policy, regulatory change and programs to improve environmental outcomes across NSW. In 2017 he was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for his outstanding contribution to the environment.

He has worked across a diverse range of policy and program areas, including natural resources management, environmental planning and regulation, resource recovery and community programs. His expertise includes evidence-based analysis of complex issues and the delivery of innovative regulatory programs to protect communities and the environment.

Steve has a strong interest in building strategic relationships with stakeholders to achieve aligned outcomes, particularly in sensitive or contentious environments.

He leads the EPA's Regulatory Operations division through a unified, end-to-end regulatory approach encompassing licensing, proactive regulation, compliance and investigations. 

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science and is completing a Master of Emergency Management.

Jacqueleine Moore

Executive Director, Legal Governance and People

Jacqueleine is an experienced lawyer and executive who has focused her career on achieving better community outcomes through government.

She has held senior roles across NSW Government agencies, including in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, as well as positions in natural resource, environmental and regulatory agencies. Her legal career also includes roles with the Australian Government Solicitor and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

In her current role, Jacqueleine is passionate about addressing environmental challenges and takes a strategic approach to deliver better outcomes. She is committed to holding polluters to account and is proud of the EPA’s strong success rate in taking regulatory action.

Jacqueleine holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts.

Alex Geddes

Executive Director, Engagement Digital and Innovation

Alex is an experienced senior executive with a strong record in delivering major digital initiatives and community-focused initiatives, alongside leading strategy, advocacy and communications functions. She is passionate about working with high-performing teams to enhance service delivery and deliver meaningful outcomes. 

Before joining the EPA, Alex spent 5 years at Service NSW where she led teams recognised as finalists in the NSW Premier's Awards for world class customer service and excellence in service delivery. Her leadership experience spans disaster recovery, grants, fraud control and innovation.

At the EPA, Alex leads teams who are responsible for engagement with local government, communities, Aboriginal and industry stakeholders, who oversee our digital transformation and who drive our commitment to product stewardship.

Alex regularly shares her expertise through speaking engagements on customer experience, transformation initiatives, agile ways of working and digital disruption.​

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) / Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Alex began her career as a corporate lawyer for an international law firm. 

Asela Atapattu

Executive Director, Policy Programs and Finance

Asela is a senior public sector leader with close to 20 years’ experience in environmental protection roles across NSW and New Zealand.

Over the last nine years at the NSW EPA, Asela has led diverse teams spanning Aboriginal Initiatives, Circular Economy Policy, Climate and Environment Protection, Ecological Sustainable Development and Finance, as well as specialist functions including Hazardous Materials, Chemicals and Radiation, and Major Projects and Initiatives.

Prior to joining the NSW EPA, Asela held leadership roles at the New Zealand EPA, including oversight of chemicals and gene technology assessment functions. Before entering the public service, he worked in biotechnology research.

Asela holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Microbiology and a Master of Science in Molecular Biology.

Roo Rachna

Director, Finance 

Roo is a senior executive with experience across the public and private sectors, cultural institutions and independent integrity bodies, including the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Audit Office of NSW.

At the EPA, she leads teams responsible for financial strategy, budgeting, reporting, property and insurance, ensuring strong financial governance and effective support for EPA operations.

Roo holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Commerce and has qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and CPA Australia..

Liz Baxter

Director, People Culture and Capability

Liz is a public sector leader with more than 17 years’ experience and a strong focus on building inclusive, high-performing workplaces.

She was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service to organisational capability and culture at the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the national regulator for vocational education and training.

As a visible leader and ally who identifies as part of the LGBTIQ+ community, Liz actively advocates for inclusion and equitable workplace practices. She emphasises the need for continuous evolution, understanding societal shifts, and the importance of creating environments where people can bring their whole selves to work.

At the EPA, Liz leads teams responsible for strategic workforce planning, work health, safety and wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion, and capability development to support a high-performing culture.

Vanessa Grimm

Director, Corporate Affairs

Vanessa is a senior executive with close to a decade of experience leading public sector communications and government relations teams.

She has held executive and senior leadership roles across NSW Government, including Executive Director of Communications and Government Relations at the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, overseeing communications for Destination NSW, Hospitality and Racing, Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. She has also led strategy and major projects at Investment NSW and Transport for NSW.

Before joining the public service, Vanessa had a long career in journalism in Sydney and Newcastle, covering major national and international events including natural disasters and landmark economic transitions.

At the EPA, Vanessa leads teams across media, digital, marketing, behavioural insights, communications and government relations, with a focus on clear, informative and accessible communication for all communities.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications.

Larissa Kotlaroff

Director, Governance Integrity and Risk

Larissa is a senior executive with more than 25 years’ public sector experience in legal, risk, governance and compliance roles, including as Chief Audit Executive and Chief Risk Officer at the Powerhouse Museum and NSW Reconstruction Authority.

She has also held senior leadership roles across the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Communities and Justice, and most recently was a member of the Executive Leadership Team at the NSW Reconstruction Authority, where she led corporate services functions supporting organisational capability and performance.

Larissa is experienced in leading multidisciplinary professional teams and building governance and assurance frameworks in complex operating environments.

At the EPA, she leads teams responsible for risk management, information access requests, complaints, governance and internal audit.

Larissa holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), a Bachelor of Laws and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.