The Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium consists of eight members appointed by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.
The Director, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium attends all meetings, which are held on a six weekly basis.
Presiding Member
Judy Potter was appointed to the Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium on 21 January 2010 and became Chairperson in July that year.
Judy has served on various boards in the community, Government and tertiary sector, including past Chair of the following Boards: Adelaide Fringe, South Australian Film Corporation and the Adelaide Central School of Art. She currently chairs the Adelaide Festival and is a Director of Musica Viva Australia.
Judy joined the Board in January 2010.
Andrew Kay is the CEO of the South Australian Business Chamber, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has worked with large multi-national corporations, small family businesses and everything in-between, across the financial services, FMCG and wine sectors both here and overseas and believes South Australia is one of the best places in the world to live and do business.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Business degree, an MBA in International Business and in 2014 undertook the Key Executive Program at Harvard Business School, so it is fitting that he finds himself working for South Australian businesses to remove complexity and create opportunity.
Andrew has had significant experience as a board member in the private sector and with State and Federal Government agencies. He currently sits on the Board of Wine Australia, the Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of SA where he is also Chair of the Foundation; and is a member of SA Leaders for Gender Equity.
Andrew joined the Board in July 2019.
Peter Kennedy brings considerable experience and knowledge in the fields of construction, superannuation, property, infrastructure investment and asset management.
He has served on a number of boards and committees including in recent times Master Builders Australia, Cbus Superannuation Fund and Utilities Trust of Australia.
He is currently Presiding Member of the Carrick Hill Trust, a member of the University of Adelaide Finance and Infrastructure Committee and has personal investments in property and shares.
Peter also has a personal interest in gardens having a large garden in the Adelaide Hills.
Peter joined the Board in March 2021.
Sally is an executive leader and experienced senior lawyer, with a focus on corporate and commercial law, governance, asset management commercial agreements and human resources management.
With a background in legal, commercial and HR roles spanning 30 years and across industries, Sally’s breadth of experience enables her to contribute well beyond traditional legal boundaries.
Sally is currently the General Counsel & Company Secretary for Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd, the Government Business Enterprise (GBE) responsible for acquiring, holding, developing and managing the strategically significant infrastructure assets required to support the Commonwealth’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan. Since October 2021, Sally has been on the Board of Guide Dogs SA/NT.
Sally was appointed to the Board in February 2022.
Professor Laura Parry is a medical researcher, research leader, and inspiring educator who is internationally recognised for her expertise and ground-breaking research in reproductive and vascular biology.
She has authored more than 100 journal articles and book chapters, and attracted over $11 million in research funding to her research team. From 2015 until 2019, Prof Parry was Professor in BioSciences and Associate Dean of Research and Industry at the Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne.
In September 2019, she was appointed as Head of School, Biological Sciences at The University of Adelaide. In this role, she is pursuing the strategic priorities of industry engagement in the fields of health, biotech and environmental science, as well as the overarching challenge of environmental sustainability. Furthermore, she is a champion of the greater participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Laura joined the Board in November 2019.
Elizabeth (Libby) Raupach OAM has more than 30 years’ experience in areas of performing arts, arts training, community engagement and fundraising.
Libby has previously worked as the Executive Director of the Helpmann Academy and General Manager of Common Ground, and currently manages a 90-acre rural and vineyard property.
In 2008, Libby was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for “service to the visual and performing arts, particularly in the areas of education, administration and training”.
Libby has served on various boards including as Chair of the State Theatre Company of SA and State Opera SA, Deputy Chair of the Jam Factory and Windmill Performing Arts Company and member of the National Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. She is also an Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation committee member.
Libby joined the Board in December 2017.
Sophie Thomson's love of gardens, plants and nature has been pivotal her whole life.
Growing up in the family nursery in the Adelaide Hills has led to her becoming a national figure in the environmental arena actively promoting the benefits of gardens and gardening. She is passionate about the role gardening can play in people's lives to improve both their mental and phsyical health and relishes her opportunities to publicly address these issues.
Her extensive multimedia career spans ABC TV's Gardening Australia program, weekly ABC Adelaide talkback radio, as well as national print columns and magazine contributions. Her book, Sophie's Patch, is a national best seller.
Sophie joined the Board in July 2023.
James Allen is a chartered accountant and Partner at Bentleys SA/NT, with a passion for entrepreneurism and a career focused on supporting the growth and development of Australian enterprises.
James is Chair of The Mill Incorporated Advisory, Member of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, and is National Chairman of the Bentleys Agribusiness Pillar.
His commitment to BGSH's continued success is evident in the voluntary service he has committed over many years. He has served as a member of the Board's Finance and Risk Management Subcommittee in a voluntary capacity since 2017 and as Treasurer of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation since 2016.
James’ appointment to the Board will ensure important continuity of robust financial acumen, governance expertise and cultural sector experience.
James joined the Board in July 2024.
