Our executive leadership

John is a long-serving Queensland and Commonwealth public servant.

He graduated from the University of Queensland with Honours Degrees in Law and Public Administration.

After serving as a private solicitor, he joined with Queensland Department of Justice in 1984 in the Policy and Legislation Division. Subsequently, he served in senior roles in the Department of Justice, Department of Consumers Affairs and Department of Emergency Services.

He served as Deputy Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet between 1996 and 1998. During that time, he acted as both Director-General and Coordinator-General on a number of occasions.

As a Member and Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal between 2000 and 2012 he mediated, arbitrated and negotiated native title claims and litigation throughout Australia.

Between 2012 and 2015 he was the Director-General of the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General and then was Deputy President of the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

He brings to the role of Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning many years of experience in both the private and public sectors, particularly at senior executive level.

Gerard Coggan commenced as Queensland Coordinator-General in January 2024, and has the responsibility to lead the coordination and facilitation of Queensland's major infrastructure projects and drive sustainable development and economic growth across the state.

Mr Coggan has more than 25 years’ experience in infrastructure project management and consulting and has a demonstrated history of steering work through complex environmental sustainability and community engagement processes.

Prior to this role, he has worked in both the private and public sectors, most recently engaged as a General Manager at APA Group.

As an independent officer of the state reporting directly to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, the Coordinator-General is relied upon to drive and deliver economic opportunities for Queensland.

As the Coordinator-General, Mr Coggan plays a critical role in leveraging significant, wide-ranging regulatory powers to plan, deliver and coordinate large-scale projects, while ensuring their environmental and social impacts are properly managed.

Mr Coggan is an advocate for the Queensland Government’s Path to Treaty, joint Government Champion for the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community and the department’s Executive Sponsor for the Yhurri Gurri framework and implementation plan.

Natalie Wilde is Deputy Director-General of Strategy, Insights and Advisory, coordinating key matters across the Deputy Premier’s portfolio responsibilities. She supports all touch points between the Minister’s Office and the department. Natalie is responsible for leading the portfolio work of the Director-General’s Office, South Bank, cabinet and parliamentary services, economic policy, and strategic communications, investment transactions, performance and delivery.

Natalie has more than 20 years’ experience in the public service at both state and local government levels. During this time, Natalie has specialised in leading policy and legislation in the areas of local government, planning, building, infrastructure and property.

As the previous Deputy Director-General, Local Government, Natalie led the government’s commitment to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for local governments and their communities.

Natalie has qualifications in public health and business and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.

Michael has more than 15 years' experience working in senior roles within the public sector. His strengths and interests include organisational development, corporate governance, strategy, operations and business partnering.

Michael’s career spans statutory bodies, commercialised business units, councils, and various government agencies. He has also worked in the private sector with a large chartered accounting firm.

Michael believes in the importance of developing strong client services. He leads the department with an emphasis on engagement.

Michele is a senior executive with extensive experience in economic development portfolios with a focus on industry development, investment attraction and regional infrastructure programs. She has a background in the Office of the Coordinator-General leading complex environmental impact assessments, land acquisitions and negotiating agreements with major infrastructure providers and private sector investors.

Michele's career has included whole-of-government infrastructure planning for mineral processing and industrial development in North-West and North Queensland. Within her industry development roles, Michele has also led international trade and investment activities for state and commonwealth initiatives. Michele is experienced in policy development to support government priorities, including priority industries such as hydrogen, Biofutures, resource recovery, biomedical, defence and aerospace, METS, beef processing as well as advanced manufacturing.

Throughout her various roles Michele promotes stakeholder relationships and has extensive networks across regional Queensland and within government agencies. Michele is energetic and values-led, delivering outcomes through high levels of engagement and collaboration.

As State Planner, Peta Harwood drives an improved planning system that champions responsible development and balances prosperity in Queensland with sustainability and liveability. She’s committed to partnering with local government, industry and communities to plan for considered growth and get the best outcomes for Queenslanders, including by unlocking more opportunities for housing.

Peta has been a leader in her field for more than a decade, most recently as Executive Director of Planning in the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, where she led the implementation of the Queensland Government’s commitment to change planning regulations to unlock church and charity owned land for community housing.

Her extensive public sector executive leadership experience includes heading the 300-strong development assessment function at Brisbane City Council and leading the first Local Government Infrastructure Plan in Queensland for Brisbane. Peta was also responsible for launching a new planning scheme, Brisbane City Plan 2014, including community engagement and pioneering work in e-plan technology and interactive mapping.

She is a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia and was the 2024 joint winner of Outstanding Woman Planner of the Year.

Leah leads the Infrastructure and Regional Strategy (IRS) group which plays an integral role in leading infrastructure planning and policy to inform government’s investment and delivery of coordinated and resilient infrastructure that supports the department’s outcomes of securing economic prosperity and liveable communities across the State. IRS also leads the State’s planning and delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Infrastructure program and the Queens Wharf Brisbane development.

Throughout her career, Leah has held various leadership roles in the infrastructure industry developing a broad set of skills in areas such as transactions, commercial advisory, infrastructure procurement and delivery, and business case delivery.

She has held senior executive roles in Queensland Treasury, Building Queensland, Aurecon and The University of Queensland, bringing a wealth of public and private sector experience.

As Assistant Under Treasurer at Queensland Treasury Leah led the final Build to Rent Pilot Project and played a key role in various Steering Committees including the Brisbane 2032.

Leah has a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Business Management and Graduate Diploma in Business (Accounting).

Donna is currently the acting Deputy Director-General for the Office of Industrial Relations, which is responsible for regulatory frameworks, policy advice and compliance activities for work health and safety, electrical safety, industrial relations and workers’ compensation – to improve the wellbeing of all Queenslanders by making Queensland safer and supporting fair and productive workplaces.

Donna’s previous roles include Executive Director, Electrical Safety Office, Regional Director, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland; Director, Agriculture and Manager, Coronial Liaison Support Services and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management.