Our executive leadership

With nearly three decades of experience working in public policy, program development and service delivery across state and local government, Graham Fraine has been appointed as Director-General of the Department of State Development and Infrastructure.

As the Director-General, he is responsible for ensuring that the department delivers on the Queensland Government’s commitment to securing responsible economic growth, creating job opportunities and more liveable communities as well as providing continued prosperity for all Queenslanders.

Most recently, Graham was CEO of the Brisbane 2032 Coordination Office where he was responsible for the coordination and delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the Queensland Government, including overseeing infrastructure, First Nations’ engagement, sustainability, legacy and security.

Graham has previously held a number of senior roles within the Queensland Government, including Deputy Under-Treasurer. He was also the Director-General of the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water from August 2021 – March 2023.

He is known for his strategic leadership that inspires a strong sense of purpose and his extensive experience across government sees him bring a broad whole-of-sector perspective to the role.

In 2018, Graham was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to social science research and policy development in Queensland.

Graham also holds a bachelor degree in psychology from James Cook University of North Queensland and a PhD from the Queensland University of Technology.

Natalie Wilde is Deputy Director-General of Strategy, Insights and Advisory, coordinating key matters across the Deputy Premier’s portfolio responsibilities. She supports all touch points between the Deputy Premier’s Office and the department. Natalie is responsible for leading the portfolio work of the Director-General’s Office, South Bank, cabinet and parliamentary services, economic policy, and strategic communications, investment transactions, performance and delivery.

Natalie has more than 20 years’ experience in the public service at both state and local government levels. During this time, Natalie has specialised in leading policy and legislation in the areas of local government, planning, building, infrastructure and property.

As the previous Deputy Director-General, Local Government, Natalie led the government’s commitment to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for local governments and their communities.

Natalie has qualifications in public health and business and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.

Michael has more than 15 years' experience working in senior roles within the public sector. His strengths and interests include organisational development, corporate governance, strategy, operations and business partnering.

Michael’s career spans statutory bodies, commercialised business units, councils, and various government agencies. He has also worked in the private sector with a large chartered accounting firm.

Michael believes in the importance of developing strong client services. He leads the department with an emphasis on engagement.

Debbie McNamara, General Manager of Economic Development Queensland is a specialist executive leader across the public and private sector within an infrastructure environment including development of large-scale retail, commercial, education and health facilities.

An Adjunct Professor, Debbie recently led the development and opening of the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) for Metro North Hospital and Health Service, from inception to being an operational, specialist public health facility.

Having held Chief Executive and non-Executive Director roles in public private organisations in Glasgow, Debbie brings international experience in building lasting partnerships with statutory authorities, tenants, investors and key business and community organisations.

Michele is a senior executive with extensive experience in economic development portfolios with a focus on industry development, investment attraction and regional infrastructure programs. She has a background in the Office of the Coordinator-General leading complex environmental impact assessments, land acquisitions and negotiating agreements with major infrastructure providers and private sector investors.

Michele's career has included whole-of-government infrastructure planning for mineral processing and industrial development in North-West and North Queensland. Within her industry development roles, Michele has also led international trade and investment activities for state and commonwealth initiatives. Michele is experienced in policy development to support government priorities, including priority industries such as hydrogen, Biofutures, resource recovery, biomedical, defence and aerospace, METS, beef processing as well as advanced manufacturing.

Throughout her various roles Michele promotes stakeholder relationships and has extensive networks across regional Queensland and within government agencies. Michele is energetic and values-led, delivering outcomes through high levels of engagement and collaboration.

Leah leads the Infrastructure and Regional Strategy (IRS) group which plays an integral role in leading infrastructure planning and policy to inform government’s investment and delivery of coordinated and resilient infrastructure that supports the department’s outcomes of securing economic prosperity and liveable communities across the State. IRS also leads the State’s planning and delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Infrastructure program and the Queens Wharf Brisbane development.

Throughout her career, Leah has held various leadership roles in the infrastructure industry developing a broad set of skills in areas such as transactions, commercial advisory, infrastructure procurement and delivery, and business case delivery.

She has held senior executive roles in Queensland Treasury, Building Queensland, Aurecon and The University of Queensland, bringing a wealth of public and private sector experience.

As Assistant Under Treasurer at Queensland Treasury Leah led the final Build to Rent Pilot Project and played a key role in various Steering Committees including the Brisbane 2032.

Leah has a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Business Management and Graduate Diploma in Business (Accounting).