MWPA Leadership Team

Dr Rochelle Macdonald is an accomplished strategy and development executive with extensive experience in the resources, energy and transport industries.

Rochelle was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mid West Ports Authority in 2018, having previously led the strategic planning and organisational change of some of Australia’s leading Ports.

Rochelle is the former Director of Strategy and Development at Dampier Port Authority where she was responsible for assembling and directing a professional team focused on the development of Port of Dampier, Port of Ashburton, Port of Anketell and Port of Cape Preston East, and success of infrastructure projects, including Wheatstone and Pluto.

As the fourth female Port CEO in Australian history, Rochelle is also a strong advocate for gender equality in the workplace.

Rochelle holds several academic achievements, having completed her PhD in acid sulphate soils, Masters in Engineering Management, Bachelor of Science with honours and the AICD Company Director’s Course.

She is also internationally educated after completing an accelerated leadership development course at Harvard Business School.

Rochelle now plans to use her knowledge and acquired skills to lead MWPA in becoming bold supply chain enablers for the sustainable long-term future of regional Australia.

Sandra Pigdon is a senior finance executive with a wealth of experience in the mining and resources sector, having led operational and cultural change through the application of a proactive management style, strategic leadership and innovative problem-solving skills.

Sandra joined MWPA as the General Manager Trade and Corporate Services in 2018 after previously assuming financial stewardship for businesses with sales turnover ranging from $180 million to $3.5 billion.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Sandra is responsible for delivering value for money for Port customers, ensuring a culture of good governance and controllership and providing appropriate technology and systems infrastructure to support our operations.

Sandra brings with her numerous academic accomplishments including a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a Graduate of the AICD Company Director’s Course.

She has also a completed the AICD Chair’s Mentoring Program and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.

With over 20 years’ experience at the Geraldton Port, General Manager for operations, Geoff Mackin has a sound knowledge of the Port of Geraldton’s landside and marine operations.

Having first commenced in the position of Port Services Superintendent in 1999, Geoff rose through the ranks gaining experience and knowledge in all facets of port operations.

He has played an integral role in several strategic developments at MWPA. This included helping the organisation embrace a forward-thinking direction with the development of the Port's first Port Security Plan and the management of the organisations first state-wide marine oil spill emergency response exercise.

Geoff has also assisted to guide several infrastructural changes including the refurbishment of the South Pens 2 jetties and pens in the Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour and early works surrounding the original Taranaki shore mooring system.

Geoff’s years of local knowledge and understanding of the Port’s people, customers and operations has assisted MWPA in becoming a proactive and engaged organisation.

Diversifying the Port of Geraldton’s trade base in order to expand and reinforce our infrastructure are Peter Duplex’s main goals in his role as General Manager Asset Development and Strategy.

Commencing with MWPA in 1998 in the role of Port Engineer, Peter has assisted and often led the delivery of major projects, port operations and strategic planning before being offered a new position on the Executive Team in early 2019.

Immediately prior to joining MWPA, Peter was involved with major global projects including the fit out of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the town and mine site development of Kuala Kencana in Indonesia.

He hosts a range of academic achievements including a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Graduate Diploma of Management, Graduate Diploma in Municipal Engineering and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.

Vickie Williams is a practiced organisational development professional with many years’ experience in organisational culture development and transformation, governance, change management and employee engagement.

Commencing with MWPA in 2018 as the General Manager Sustainability, Culture and People, Vickie oversees the strategic direction of the Human Resources, Community Engagement, Communications and Cruise, Health and Safety, Environment and Sustainability, and Quality at the Port of Geraldton.

Prior to this, Vickie has worked in both the corporate and government sectors where she utilised her organisational development skills to lead organisational and cultural change. Her experience also includes communications and public relations, human rights, community development and learning and development.

Vickie’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology from Deakin University, an MBA with a focus on Human Resource Management, and the AICD Company Director’s Course.