Our Executive Team
Stewart Christie
CEO
Stewart has CEO of Advance Cairns since June 2011.
He is passionate about developing the regional economy, protecting the environment and maintaining the Tropical North Queensland lifestyle.
Prior to joining Advance Cairns, Stewart spent 16 years with Arup, a global planning, design and management consultancy. In his most recent role with Arup, he led the Program and Project Management (P&PM) consultancy business in Cairns and was also a member of the P&PM national executive, which developed business strategies and monitored the performance of 125 staff across Australia.
Stewart led Arup Cairns from 2003-2008, expanding its range of services and growing the team from 8 people to 30. While at Arup Stewart was responsible for providing strategic advice and leading and managing various infrastructure programs and projects in Far North Queensland, Cape York, the Torres Straits, Papua New Guinea, Brisbane, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK.
Stewart relocated to Cairns in 2001 from the UK after spending 6 years working with Arup in London, Birmingham and Manchester. Stewart originated from Aberdeen, Scotland and graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 1995 with a civil engineering degree.
Margaret Darveniza
Regional Development Officer
Margaret is a born and bred Tropical North Queenslander having spent most of her life in the Innisfail area.
After careers as a primary school teacher and vocational trainer, Margaret’s passion for the community led her into work as a community and business development consultant.
Margaret’s role as the Regional Development Officer with Advance Cairns is a partnership with the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) and involves facilitating strategic economic development initiatives across the Cassowary Coast, Tablelands and Cook local government areas and the Yarrabah and Wujal Wujal aboriginal councils.
Margaret, an avid student, is currently undertaking an MBA to add to her existing M Ed and vocational qualifications.
She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds the Chair of Skill360 Australia.
Colleen Hallmond
Skills Formation Strategy Project Officer
Colleen has worked in the employment and training sector in Far North Queensland for over 15 years.
Originally based on the Tablelands, Colleen managed the Atherton and Mareeba campuses of TAFE where she initiated the development of the pre-vocational automotive program that continues to be offered as a partnership between Tropical North Queensland TAFE and Reddings Motors today.
During this time she also led the development of a Spatial Information vocational training program, the first of its kind in Queensland, in response to local industry demand.
Colleen completed her Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Sociology with James Cook University in 2007 and moved to Cairns the same year to take up a role with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in Employment programs.
Her most recent role with DEEWR involved leading the Indigenous Employment Program team.
Her strengths are in engaging with a range of agencies, employers, community and government to identify and implement solutions to local workforce needs.
She is passionate about building the capacity of the regions workforce to meet the needs of the regions industry and improve economic outcomes for all.
‘The Skills Formation Strategy is funded by Skills Queensland’
Kim Kelly
Business Enterprise Centre Manager
Kim Kelly has a Bachelor of Business in Management & Marketing and has worked in the Banking & Finance Industry for the past 15 years specialising in Corporate Finance.
Kim has extensive skills in Business Management across a diverse range of businesses and industries including Property Investment & Development, Tourism & Accommodation, Transport, Construction, Hotels/Pubs, Retail and Franchise Business.
Kim has been working with the small to medium enterprise market for the past 5 years through her own Management Consultancy business and now leads the Advance Cairns Business Enterprise Centre in the delivery of Business Advisory services for the Region.
‘The services provided by Advance Cairns Limited are partially funded by the Australian Government’
Amanda Hinrichsen
Business Enterprise Centre Assistant Manager
Amanda Hinrichsen has over 15 years experience in Executive Administration having supported industry sectors including Regional Development, Childcare, Hospitality, Construction, Property Development, Town Planning and Real Estate.
Through her work experience both domestically and internationally, Amanda offers has strong skills in Business Operations and Office Management and is highly committed to achieving successful outcomes for small business.
Amanda is based in Cairns and will provide additional support for small business within the Region.
Juliana Doupe
Corporate Communications Officer
Juliana Doupe is a qualified and experienced print, radio and online journalist with a background in web development and event management.
Juliana has worked as a website developer, website content writer, online producer and Search Engine Optimisation specialist, freelance print journalist, audio and online producer for ABC Far North and as a presenter on Cairns Community Radio.