Board Members
The TUSA is governed by a state-wide Board of Management. For more detailed information about the governance of the TUSA, you can read our Constitution.
If you would like to see a copy of our Annual Reports or Board Minutes, please click here.
These are our current Board Members.
Dr Rachel Baird (Interim Chair)
Dr Rachel Baird is Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania Law School having returned to academia in 2023. She has previously held roles with the Department of Defence (as a senior military lawyer) and then practiced environmental law working in legal practice and the resources industry. Her prior academic career produced over 30 journal articles and several book chapters. Whilst at the University of Queensland she was awarded the Business Economics and Law Faculty, Best Paper by an early career researcher, the paper addressing illegal fishing within Australia’s Southern Ocean fishing zone. Rachel’s PhD focussed on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Southern Ocean and was published by Springer. She co-edited the text Australia’ Coastal and Offshore Jurisdiction. During corporate life, Rachel served on many boards whilst developing a corporate governance consultancy. She authored several industry publications during that time and developed expertise in sustainability governance. Rachel is currently researching governance issues within the Antarctic Treaty System and organisational adaptation to stakeholder driven sustainability disclosures.
Tyson Wienker (Deputy Chair)
Tyson Wienker is Chief Operating Officer of BlueForge Alliance Australia, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening Australia’s submarine and maritime industrial bases. He brings extensive executive experience across defence, government, and global digital services, with a strong track record in technology-enabled transformation and operational leadership.
Prior to this, Tyson was the Director of Digital Futures at the University of Tasmania, where he leads initiatives to build digital capability and innovation across the university, and he serves on the Tasmanian University Student Association Board as Deputy Chair. A former Royal Australian Navy Officer specialising in navigation and intelligence, Tyson also has significant experience delivering major defence capability programs and leading multinational businesses.
Ashley Amore
Ashley Amore is a Lecturer in the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics and the Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Business. Within this position, Ashley also works with the UTAS Tax Clinic and teaches into the University Connections Program.
Prior to joining the university, Ashley held a number of senior finance and operational roles across public practice, media and entertainment, and not-for-profit organisations.
Ashley is a Director and Treasurer for Karinya Youth Services Tas, a not-for-profit organisation providing crisis accommodation and specialised programs for young people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
Ashley holds a Bachelor of Business (Honours) from the University of Tasmania and a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting from CAANZ.
Alison Greenwood
Alison is passionate about financial literacy and empowering others to make smart financial decisions. With over 25 years in the financial planning industry, she has seen the huge change that has occurred within the profession and the need for more transparent, ethical and well researched advice. Alison has the foundational education and qualifications to assist others in business and finance areas. Her major in psychology and Diploma in Human Resources enables her to understand the importance of communication, relationship with others and the psychology surrounding money. Alison also has a Diploma in Financial Planning, a Diploma of Business Management, a Diploma of Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in psychology. She has more recently completed her Post Grad in Financial Planning.
Alison is excited to be a part of the TUSA Board as she is a past University student of UTAS and has two sons heading in to the current university environment. She understands the importance of TUSA’s role in benefiting students and ensuring they can make the most of their educational endeavours.
Dr Phil Leersen
Dr Leersen is a senior higher education leader with deep expertise in strategic campus operations, academic leadership, and organisational development. As Executive Director of Campus Services at the University of Tasmania, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the university’s physical and operational landscape, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and fostering a culture of responsibility, sustainability, and place-based engagement.
Dr Leersen has held senior leadership roles across both the media and higher education sectors, including with Fairfax Media and the University of Tasmania. His previous appointments include General Manager of the Australian Maritime College and Executive Director Transformation.
He was awarded a Doctorate from the University of Tasmania in August 2025. His research examines distributed leadership within a regional university context, exploring how such models complement other organisational priorities, particularly the integration of a place-based approach. Central to his findings is the role of ontological security in influencing academic leaders’ willingness to assume and share authority— offering valuable insights into the interplay between leadership, identity, and institutional change.
Phaedon Stough
Phaedon Stough was born and raised in Adelaide before traveling to Hobart to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania. He is the founder and CEO of Innovation Bay, a vibrant community for tech investors and founders in Australia and New Zealand, which he started in 2003 in Sydney. Prior to that, he co-founded the Mitchellake Group in 2001 alongside another University of Tasmania alumnus, helping tech companies scale globally.
Phaedon is also an active investor in several tech startups and has spent his career fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. With over 20 years of experience, he has lived and worked in London, Sydney, San Francisco, and now calls Hobart home. He serves as an advisor and board member for various organizations.
Outside of work, Phaedon is passionate about the outdoors. He loves mountain biking, climbing, fly fishing, and snowboarding. He is married to Christina and is a proud father of two children, raising them to share his enthusiasm for adventure and the natural world. He is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of tech leaders and building a strong, connected community of founders across the region.
Liam McLaren (he/him)
Liam is undertaking his Honours year of a Bachelor of Science, with a passion for climate change communication, conducting social research within regenerative agriculture. Outside of university, Liam is your classic sports mad fan, whilst also enjoy hiking and travelling as far and wide as possible!
Liam sits on the TUSA Board as the immediate past President, having sat in the role in both 2023 and 2024.
Belle Smith (she/her)
Belle Smith is the immediate past General Secretary, a role that gave her experience in supporting student representatives across campus, education, and equity portfolios to ensure student voices are central to decision-making at the University of Tasmania.
Belle is a recently graduated Bachelor of Social Work with Honours student who brings lived experience as a rural interstate student balancing full-time work and study. Her experience navigating university systems, completing placement in allied and community health settings, and advocating for student wellbeing has shaped her deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and student empowerment.
Alongside her academic and advocacy work, Belle is passionate about connection to Country and the environment. She finds grounding and inspiration through time outdoors whether hiking, camping, or being near the water.
Jack Oates Pryor (they/he)
Jack Oates Pryor is the current TUSA President, and a fifth-year Bachelor of Arts and Laws student, majoring in Theatre Performance and German, with a passion for creativity, connection, and meaningful advocacy.
Jack brings to the role strong experience in student leadership, having served as the 2024 TUSA Southern Campuses President and the 2025 TUSA State President. They are committed to empowering student representatives across all campuses, championing inclusive policy, and ensuring student voices are front and centre in all university decision-making.
With a deep belief in the power of community, Jack balances the responsibilities of their role with a love for long chats with friends, and hiking in Tasmania’s wild places. Their leadership is grounded in empathy, integrity, and a clear focus on positive action.
Molly Doon (she/they)
Molly is a second-year Marine and Antarctic Governance student with a strong understanding of the challenges students face balancing study, work and life.
As the TUSA General Secretary, she supports the Campus, Education and Equity Presidents to ensure students receive clear guidance, advocacy and access to the help they need. She is committed to building a connected, empowering university community where every student feels heard and supported in their academic journey.
Kashif Azeem
Kashif Azeem is the Equity President at TUSA and a third-year PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering at the University of Tasmania. With extensive experience in student representation and advocacy, he is particularly focused on supporting students from diverse, under-represented and non-traditional backgrounds. As an international student, he brings a strong understanding of the barriers students may face and works closely with representatives, TUSA staff and the University to advocate for inclusive policies, fair access and meaningful support. He is committed to ensuring equity remains a core and active priority across the University community.
Solomon Doyle (they/he)
Solomon is the Undergraduate Education President for 2026 and is studying Political Science and Philosophy.
With experience in advocacy and a strong interest in how education and policy intersect, he works to ensure student perspectives meaningfully influence University decisions. His role involves engaging with key academic and policy processes, advocating for accessible, high-quality learning and a fair student experience. He is committed to hearing student concerns and using them to push for a more transparent, equitable and accountable University.
Kayla Fajrianto
Kayla is a fifth-year medical student based at the Cradle Coast campus in Burnie, and is the Cradle Coast Campus President for 2026. She is focused on fostering a safe, inclusive and connected campus environment where students feel supported and represented. Kayla is committed to strengthening the Cradle Coast student community by encouraging engagement, celebrating diversity and ensuring student voices are heard across the region.