Councils – Leanconstruction ANZ

Councils National Board

Lean Construction Australia and New Zealand is structured around a National Board, supporting 6 regional councils in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and New Zealand.

All LCANZ Council members are bound by the Lean Construction ANZ Constitution, and LCANZ State and Country Committees Roles and Responsibilities

Michael is a consultant who has specialised in assisting project teams achieve high performance outcomes. Building on more than thirty years of engineering and construction experience he has developed and applied an approach based on an agile business optimisation, built on the right organisation structure, trusting relationships and efficient work flow methods. Prior to joining Evans & Peck Michael was a relationship contract specialist with John Holland where he provided strategic advice to the organisation and its alliance teams in relation to the securing and delivering major infrastructure projects

Phil is an enthusiastic leader always driving productivity and sustainability improvement. He helps leadership teams with a unique skillset and ability to build an environment for sustained improvement through collaboration, continual improvement and innovation.

Backed by 25 years in key management and engineering positions on high profile projects throughout Australia and in New Zealand, Phil has played key roles on the delivery of many challenging projects focusing on Innovation and improvement in both project and corporate settings

Mani has taken up several construction-related positions since his graduation in 1998. He performed a wide range of roles in industry before his return to academia in 2012. His involvement in the Lean Construction community started upon this return. Since then, he has served the International Group of Lean Construction as a researcher, reviewer, member of the editorial team, and session chair. He currently works as an academic at the Auckland University of Technology with a specific focus on four research areas, including building construction management and project planning; building science and techniques; digital and interaction design; and design innovation

Christina is a Managing Partner of the Lean Construction Advisory, a Brisbane based consultancy which bring efficiency, productivity and LEAN methodology to the construction industry.

Christina has over twelve years’ experience as a consultant in the field of Organisational Development as a successful coach, facilitator, trainer, and change agent.

Jared is a Civil Design Consultant with a distinct vision for how Lean and Agile thinking can enhance the flow, resource sustainability, and effectiveness of change management in design projects.

As a certified Lean Practitioner, Jared brings over 25 years of industry experience in major design consulting, evenly distributed across Australia and the UK. Currently serving as a Principal Project Manager in the rail sector, Jared’s path to senior roles has been unconventional. Initially trained as a surveyor, he gained exposure to engineering consulting while working as a drafter in the UK. His innate problem-solving abilities, adeptness in engaging people, and skill in team building have created opportunities that led him to his current position.

Dr Matt Stevens has a significant background in the construction industry for over four decades and utilises this experience in research, teaching and engagement.

His textbooks include Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day (McGraw-Hill, 416 pages) and The Construction MBA (McGraw Hill, 512 pages). In 2021, John Smolders AM and Stevens will publish The Young Australian Constructors Guide (Routledge, 472 pages). In addition, Stevens has committed to a fourth book, Applying Lean to Construction Contracting for 2022.

He has published seven mobile computing applications (apps) for construction contractors. They include: 1) Construction Project Dual Rate Overhead Application 2) Construction Productivity Capture3) Unit-based Job Cost 4) Construction Contractor Breakeven Analysis 5) Construction Project Return on Investment 6) Construction Project Overhead Sizing Calculator 7) Construction Cost to Complete Calculator. His eighth app is planned for 2021and is focused on worker proactive and anonymous safety reporting.

Procurement, Supply Chain Strategy and business improvement authority with working experience across 20 countries in industries such as Government, Retail, Financial Services, Industrial Gas, FMCG, Engineering, Resources, Logistics and Construction. Passionate about delivering significant value through capability uplift, innovation, strong commercial outcomes.

Queensland LCANZ Council

LCANZ Queensland Council meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at QUT Gardens Point.

Contact our state chair for future details if you would like to attend.

Christina is a Managing Partner of the Lean Construction Advisory, a Brisbane based consultancy which bring efficiency, productivity and LEAN methodology to the construction industry.

Christina has over twelve years’ experience as a consultant in the field of Organisational Development as a successful coach, facilitator, trainer, and change agent.

With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, Jon is a passionate advocate for change, driven by a desire to ensure that every level of the industry is sustainable, resilient to boom and bust cycles and able to deliver the infrastructure society needs in a collaborative and efficient manner.

Jon is the CEO of the Queensland Master Contractors Association, and also a partner in Lean Construction Advisory.

Robin is currently a Professor of Virtual Design & Construction and the Discipline Leader, Construction and Project Management within the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

James leads the smart construction solution group for Komatsu Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, focusing on application of technologies and solutions to help improve both machine and site including operation efficiency, productivity, safety, autonomy and ecology in a continual Lean cycle.

James has over 30 years’ experience in the application of technologies and solutions in construction, quarry and mining operations, from pre-feasibility through design, construction and onto maintenance.

Ken is a Mechanical Engineer, and has been working in Construction for the past 19 years. His current position is Principal Methods, Lean and Innovation at EIC Activities, the CIMIC groups Engineering and Innovation company. Ken has been involved in supporting the lean community in Australia for the past 5 years.

An experienced Infrastructure executive, Harry has developed Business Units and accelerated growth and improved performance for large scale Construction companies providing design, project management, manufacturing, construction and maintenance services. Harry has held senior leadership positions within International Top Tier Construction Companies.

Chris is an Executive Director with RoadTek, a branch of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland. Chris has over 20 years experience, specialising in Civil Construction, Project, Program and Business Management. Through experience in managing various projects and operations across Queensland he has developed an approach based on relationships, optimisation and leadership.

Kent has over 30 years’ experience in the design, planning and construction of complex infrastructure projects. Notably, he spent 21 years with TMR in the Design and Planning sections specialising in project management of the design for complex major infrastructure projects, and 13 years with Construction Firms delivering D&C projects.

Kent thrives on innovation and challenging the design. He embraces the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment where all parties can work together to develop the best solution.

NSW LCANZ Council

David started his career in project based heavy manufacturing of steam turbines across Europe, the US and China. This gave David his grounding in what was then the Continuous Improvement movement. Since moving into the engineering services and construction sector David has been a passionate advocate of finding a better way of delivering projects through their entire life cycle. David has applied this approach in several senior leadership construction roles in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Michael is a consultant who has specialised in assisting project teams achieve high performance outcomes. Building on more than thirty years of engineering and construction experience he has developed and applied an approach based on an agile business optimisation, built on the right organisation structure, trusting relationships and efficient work flow methods. Prior to joining Evans & Peck Michael was a relationship contract specialist with John Holland where he provided strategic advice to the organisation and its alliance teams in relation to the securing and delivering major infrastructure projects.

Dr Matt Stevens has a significant background in the construction industry for over four decades and utilises this experience in research, teaching and engagement.

His textbooks include Managing a Construction Firm on Just 24 Hours a Day (McGraw-Hill, 416 pages) and The Construction MBA (McGraw Hill, 512 pages). In 2021, John Smolders AM and Stevens will publish The Young Australian Constructors Guide (Routledge, 472 pages). In addition, Stevens has committed to a fourth book, Applying Lean to Construction Contracting for 2022.

He has published seven mobile computing applications (apps) for construction contractors. They include: 1) Construction Project Dual Rate Overhead Application 2) Construction Productivity Capture3) Unit-based Job Cost 4) Construction Contractor Breakeven Analysis 5) Construction Project Return on Investment 6) Construction Project Overhead Sizing Calculator 7) Construction Cost to Complete Calculator. His eighth app is planned for 2021and is focused on worker proactive and anonymous safety reporting.

Experienced professional business operator with a demonstrated history of working across all industries. Skilled in Business Coaching & Advisory, Business Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Lean Management, Production Management, General Management, and Business Development.

Procurement, Supply Chain Strategy and business improvement authority with working experience across 20 countries in industries such as Government, Retail, Financial Services, Industrial Gas, FMCG, Engineering, Resources, Logistics and Construction. Passionate about delivering significant value through capability uplift, innovation, strong commercial outcomes.

Mona Salam is a Senior Lecturer in the School of the Built Environment at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she also serves as the Academic Lead for Women in Construction and Property. In this role, she leads initiatives that promote inclusive practices and support greater diversity and equity within the built environment, including mentorship programs designed to empower women entering and advancing in the construction and property sectors.

She holds a Master of Engineering Studies in Construction Management from the University of Auckland and a PhD in Design Management from UTS. Her research focuses on improving efficiency and collaboration in construction projects through Lean Design and Construction principles, advancing circular economy practices in waste management and material reuse, and enhancing the resilience of Australian homes in bushfire-prone areas, particularly in response to the 2019–2020 Black Summer Bushfires.

Victoria/Tasmania LCANZ Council

Phil is an enthusiastic leader always driving productivity and sustainability improvement. He helps leadership teams with a unique skillset and ability to build an environment for sustained improvement through collaboration, continual improvement and innovation.

Backed by 25 years in key management and engineering positions on high profile projects throughout Australia and in New Zealand, Phil has played key roles on the delivery of many challenging projects focusing on Innovation and improvement in both project and corporate settings

Dr Gao Shang is an academic at the University of Melbourne where he teaches subject of Lean construction. He is also the author of the book titled Lean Construction Management – the Toyota Way, which is the first book ever published to address the Toyota Way practices in the construction industry to achieve lean construction management. Dr Gao had experience in developing special Diploma in Lean construction for senior building professionals in Singapore. He has also served as consultant to large construction firms in China and Singapore.

Mark Betts has senior-level experience in major civil infrastructure and transport developments, procurement, and delivery of complex projects and strategies in multiple contexts over a 45 year career.

Recent history is in the heavy rail infrastructure industry including the Victorian Level Crossing Removal Project, Regional Rail Link, and prior across a broad range of building and major infrastructure projects including the iconic MCG Southern and Northern Stand redevelopments and Commonwealth Games preparations.

I have a strong interest in the progress and success of the infrastructure industry and its continuous improvement in terms of overall productivity; sustainability and that of its people’s well-being and safety. I see that Lean Construction provides the framework of opportunity for the industry to continuously improve performance and I am keen to assist in the understanding of its potential.

Alex Hamilton is a business development and project lead with experience across the environmental, infrastructure, and consulting sectors. His career has spanned laboratory operations, project management, client engagement and strategy, giving him a well-rounded understanding of both technical delivery and commercial outcomes.

Introduced to lean methodology early in his career, Alex has since applied these principles across diverse roles to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. He is particularly interested in how lean thinking can improve outcomes within the construction sector, reduce waste in complex projects, and create more resilient, adaptable organisations. Through his role on the Council, Alex brings a cross-sector perspective focused on practical application and long-term value creation.

With a tenure of more than 30 years in the manufacturing industry in Australia and South Africa, Sanita has established herself as a highly skilled continuous improvement (Lean and Six-Sigma) manager. She has honed her expertise through hands-on experience and has also extended her knowledge by mentoring and coaching in countries such as Ireland, Norway, India, and Germany. Sanita‘s true passion and strength lie in optimising value streams and assets by empowering the individuals who possess a deep understanding of and experience with the challenges and issues at hand. With her vast knowledge and expertise, Sanita is well-equipped to help you understand how to practically introduce CI methodology and drive improvement within your organisation.

Ali is an Industrial Engineer and Lean six sigma black belt practitioner with more than 20 years of experience working across a large variety of manufacturing environments, including implementing Lean methodologies at several prestigious European car manufacturers’ production lines such as Peugeot and Renault. He has reflected his “Lean” and “Six-Sigma” knowledge and experience in Australia in companies like BlueScope Steel, Downer, UGL, Orora, Yarra Trams, McConnell Dowell (Western Program Alliance), John Holland (North Western Program Alliance), and LXRP (VIC Level Crossing Removal Project) since 2010. Ali is currently working as Consulting Manager for ORBIZ consulting.

Jared is a Civil Design Consultant with a distinct vision for how Lean and Agile thinking can enhance the flow, resource sustainability, and effectiveness of change management in design projects.

As a certified Lean Practitioner, Jared brings over 25 years of industry experience in major design consulting, evenly distributed across Australia and the UK. Currently serving as a Principal Project Manager in the rail sector, Jared’s path to senior roles has been unconventional. Initially trained as a surveyor, he gained exposure to engineering consulting while working as a drafter in the UK. His innate problem-solving abilities, adeptness in engaging people, and skill in team building have created opportunities that led him to his current position.

Brad is an enthusiastic leader committed to finding smarter, more efficient ways of delivering complex infrastructure. With close to 20 years in the engineering and construction industry, he has played senior roles on many major Victorian infrastructure projects.

He thrives on challenging traditional approaches, building collaborative teams, and applying digital and Lean practices to improve efficiency, productivity and project outcomes. Brad’s passion is helping individuals, organisations and project teams work smarter, reduce waste, and create lasting value for clients and the community.

Zane is a construction professional with experience across both traditional domestic building and the modular housing industry. He has applied Lean Construction principles in practice to improve site efficiency, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and reduce waste, with a focus on bringing consistency and reliability to project delivery.

Having transitioned from conventional residential projects into the growing modular sector, Zane brings a dual perspective on how lean thinking can shape both established and emerging construction methods. His interest lies in advancing lean practices that not only improve productivity but also create more sustainable and people-focused outcomes across the industry.

Tolulope is a Quantity Surveyor and researcher at the University of Melbourne with a focus on lean practices and artificial intelligence. His experience covers cost management, project planning, and quality systems, with contributions to both residential and infrastructure projects. His vision for the Lean Construction community is to foster efficiency, adaptability, and innovation by embracing technology and practical solutions that improve the way projects are delivered.

South Australia LCANZ Council

Dr Davidson began his career in theoretical particle physics, working on the modelling and analysis of heavy ion collision experimental data. After working for several years he changed direction and, after qualifying in engineering management, worked in the area of quality management systems as a trainer, auditor and program manager.

Following a move to Adelaide at the end of 1999, he joined Motorola as a metrics and measurement specialist, rising to the position of Principal Staff Engineer and Master Black Belt.

He has since worked at UniSA in the field of Systems Engineering, including contributing to a requirements analysis project for the new RAH, and as an independent consultant across multiple sectors including defence, resources and finance in systems engineering and business improvement. He is currently a Senior Consultant at Frazer-Nash Consultancy, a leading engineering consulting company specialising in systems engineering and technology strategy.

More than 30 years of transforming commercial functions, supply and category management, schedule/cost/scope/ change/document control, contractual claims & dispute resolution on mining, industrial, rail and information communication technology(ICT) Projects; and
most recently Andrew completed a commercial innovation and leadership role on $1 Bill Sidra Medical Research Centre (a 400 Room Digital Hospital Project in Doha, Qatar) – chosen by ENR of USA as the World’s Best Health Mega-Project in 2018

Vince Cosmai has been working in the Modular Construction Industry since 2003. After spending 13 years with two Northern based manufacturers’ Vince along with his partner, Dino Gallina formed Oneconstruct in 2016. Recognised Nationally as “Best Off-site Construction Building in Australia” the Company provides to the market with unique and bespoke Modular solutions.

Vince hopes to bring to the SA Board his learnings and experiences with Manufacturing in a prefabricated format. With the need in society to build faster, safer and or course leaner, the Modular Construction Industry is uniquely placed to capitalise on increasing need for satisfying the current and future market conditions.

West Australia LCANZ Council

New Zealand LCANZ Council

Mani has taken up several construction-related positions since his graduation in 1998. He performed a wide range of roles in industry before his return to academia in 2012. His involvement in the Lean Construction community started upon this return. Since then, he has served the International Group of Lean Construction as a researcher, reviewer, member of the editorial team, and session chair. He currently works as an academic at the Auckland University of Technology with a specific focus on four research areas, including building construction management and project planning; building science and techniques; digital and interaction design; and design innovation.

Stephanie is a consultant focussed on helping the construction industry to achieve Operational Excellence and develop a culture of continuous improvement (CI). Leveraging her background in management consulting with Deloitte, and lean industry experience across manufacturing and construction, she supports organisations to grow their CI capability in areas including leadership, accountability, visible performance, and ‘better practice’ processes/systems. Stephanie applies problem solving to reduce the recurring problems and inefficiencies that affect successful project delivery. Working in operational consultancy for several years she has experience creating sustainable change and led a large multi-site transformation programme. Stephanie is a consultant with Argon and Co and is a trained Toyota Kata practitioner. She supports LCANZ to achieve its goal of advancing the application of lean.

Ian is the Managing Director of Intentgroup, a professional engineer and a Master Black Belt. He is passionate about helping organisations to achieve world class performance. He has been doing this for over 30 years all around the world and understands deeply what is required to deliver and sustain improvement. His experience covers food and beverage, construction, plastics, pulp and paper, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, transport (airports / airlines) amongst others.

Councils National Board

Michael Ward

Michael Ward

Phil Hendy

Mani Poshdar

Christina Levinson

Jared Chesterman

Jared Chesterman

Dr Matt Stevens

Michael Parkinson

Queensland LCANZ Council

Christina Levinson

Jon Davies

Robin Drogemuller

James Muir

Ken Panitz

Harry Hartman

Chris Lunson

Kent Kieseker

NSW LCANZ Council

David Whatmough

Michael Ward

Dr Matt Stevens

Mick Jackson

Michael Parkinson

Mona Salam

Victoria/Tasmania LCANZ Council

Phil Hendy

Shang Gao

Mark Betts

Alex Hamilton

Sanita Van Dyk

Ali Eghbajoo

Jared Chesterman

Brad Gebhardt

Zane Zhang

Tolulope Akande

South Australia LCANZ Council

Position Open

Neil Davidson

Andrew Ng

Vince Cosmai

Jian Zuo

David Morris

West Australia LCANZ Council

Position Open

New Zealand LCANZ Council

Mani Poshdar

Stephanie Pretorius

Ian Walsh

Benefit #1 – Lean is Cheaper