The Team

Michael Lucas is an anthropologist and civil engineer with experience in project management, cultural advising and sociological research and impact assessment. 

Michael’s on-ground anthropological experience in remote areas of the Northern Territory and north-west Queensland has involved major mining resource and infrastructure projects. Michael’s academic qualifications in global development (M. GlobalDev), engineering (B.E) and anthropology (B.A) are complemented by his training in mediation and human resources.

Sharon Cowden is a former Senior Executive with the Australian Federal Police and a former Commander with over 35 years experience in Law Enforcement domestically and internationally. Sharon has broad experience in people and organisational management, capacity building, investigation, governance and building solutions and structures for sustainability. She complements her practical experience with academic qualifications in Transnational Crime Prevention, Applied Management and Business (HR)

The Honourable Paul Lucas is a legal consultant as well as being admitted as a Lawyer for over 30 years, he brings 11 years as a Cabinet Minister (with essentially all that time on CBRC – the inner Cabinet) and 4 years as a Deputy Premier. He has had numerous Board level appointments (public and private) in the Rail, Aviation, Energy, First Nations, Industry Development and Health sectors. He is an Adjunct Professor at  two universities and an Industry Fellow at a third. He has provided training and lecturing to industry bodies including the Australian Institute of Company Directors in areas including strategic planning, issues and crisis management and engagement with government. He has extensive experience with international course  and content design for  overseas officials – usually in DFAT funded courses - Asian, Southern/Eastern and sub-Saharan African, and Pacific Countries. Courses delivered include Governance, Public Policy, PPP’s, Finance, Anti-Corruption, Urban Planning, and Communications.