Tech Council of Australia appoints new Chief Executive

The Tech Council of Australia has appointed Brighte Founder and Chief Executive Katherine McConnell to its board and named Dr. Kate Cornick as its next Chief Executive.

McConnell fills a board position vacated by Robyn Denholm, with members confirming her appointment. Cornick will take over as Chief Executive from Damian Kassabgi, who will move into a special adviser role to the board.

The changes were announced at the organisation's annual general meeting, where chair Scott Farquhar was also confirmed for an additional three-year term as a director.

Board appointment

McConnell leads Brighte, an Australian technology company founded in 2015 that builds digital infrastructure linked to household electrification. The business operates across software, energy systems and capital.

She is a non-executive director and deputy chair of the Australian Finance Industry Association and serves as executive chairperson of Brighte. She previously served on the University of Wollongong Council from 2022 to 2024.

Farquhar described McConnell as a recognised figure in technology and sustainability. "Katherine's record on tech-based innovation and passion for sustainability is widely regarded, and her perspectives and experience will be a valuable addition to the Board," he said.

McConnell said the next decade would be significant for the sector.

"The next decade will define Australia's place in the global tech economy," said McConnell, board director, Tech Council of Australia.

"I'm excited to work alongside the Board and members to help ensure more Australian tech companies can scale and succeed," she said.

New Chief Executive

Cornick is currently Chief Executive of LaunchVic, the Victorian Government-backed startup agency. She will commence in May following an Australia-wide executive search led by Hourigan.

At LaunchVic, Cornick oversaw programs focused on founder skills and early-stage company development. LaunchVic reported supporting more than 13,000 entrepreneurs to upskill and 2,200 startups to grow. It also said it helped launch 16 venture capital funds and 10 angel networks, alongside accelerator programs across Victoria.

Farquhar pointed to that experience in explaining the appointment. "Likewise, Kate's decade leading LaunchVic will see her bring valuable skills and experience to the CEO role from across the startup ecosystem as well as in commercialisation, investment, and government collaboration more broadly," he said.

Cornick has held roles across government, industry and academia. She is deputy chancellor and a council member of Charles Sturt University and chairs the investment committee for the University of Melbourne's Genesis Pre Seed Fund. In 2024, the Federal Government selected her as a panel member for the Strategic Examination of R&D, a review of the national research and development system.

She previously founded a human resources technology startup and led it through an ASX listing. She also worked as a senior telecommunications adviser and deputy chief of staff to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, and held a general manager role at NBN Co. Cornick holds a PhD in optical telecommunications from the University of Melbourne.

"I look forward to working with the Board, team and sector to help support its growth," she said.

Leadership transition

Kassabgi has led the Tech Council through a period of membership growth and a sharper policy agenda. Farquhar said the sector had seen "real momentum and change" in recent years and credited Kassabgi's role in that progress.

"The last few years has been a time of real momentum and change for the sector as well as for the TCA and the role we play on behalf of our members, and Damian has been central to driving and successfully navigating both," Farquhar said.

"Damian will hand over the reins as CEO with the TCA in a strong position operationally and on the back of key wins for members from a policy, advocacy and engagement perspective," he said.

Kassabgi said he would work with Cornick during the handover and remain involved through the advisory role. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to have worked with the TCA Board, team and our membership to advocate for a home grown tech sector whose economic contribution and global standing will only continue to grow from here on in," he said.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work in, invest and contribute to the Australian tech sector which has provided me with so many opportunities," he said.

The Tech Council represents more than 170 member companies across the Australian technology sector. Cornick will take up the Chief Executive role in May, with Kassabgi continuing in an advisory role during the transition.