Lara Colrain
CEO
Lara has a background in archaeology, cultural heritage, and museum studies, with experience spanning archival research, field archaeology, museum operations, and business management. She joined the Foundation in 2023 as Operations Manager of the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, working closely with the former CEO on broader strategic initiatives. Now serving as CEO, Lara is committed to conserving Australia’s Antarctic heritage, expanding education and public engagement programs, and supporting ongoing conservation expeditions to Mawson’s Huts.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in arts and Archaeology and is completing a master’s thesis with Deakin University.
Lara is based in Hobart
Katia Macias Diaz
Development and Operations Coordinator
Katia has a background in teaching, youth leadership, and community engagement, with strong experience in education, project coordination, Antarctic advocacy, and international collaboration. She joined the Foundation in 2025 as the Development and Operations Coordinator, supporting daily operations at the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, coordinating fundraising and sponsorship activities, and assisting the CEO across a range of Foundation projects.
Originally from Punta Arenas, Chile, Katia co-founded the Antarctic Youth Coalition and has led youth engagement initiatives in both Chile and Australia. Now based in Hobart, she is committed to promoting Antarctic heritage and advocacy while strengthening connections between the Antarctic gateway cities.
Layah Pluck
Education Outreach Specialist
Our Board
GREG HOLLAND
Chair
Greg Holland is Chair of the Mawson’s Huts Foundation, having served as a director since its establishment in 1997 (with a short break in 2020). He was formerly the Chief Executive of Spirits & Cocktails Australia and has held prominent national leadership roles, including Chair of Alcohol Beverages Australia and the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code. Greg also served on the Board of the World Spirits Alliance and was a member of the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Advisory Group. He was appointed to the Kamay Botany Bay National Park 2022 Project Board as the representative of the Hon. Scott Morrison MP. Earlier in his career, Greg served as an adviser to two Federal Government Cabinet Ministers and prior to this was the International Director of AAP Information Services Pty Ltd.
Greg has a strong commitment to community service and is the former Chair of Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, where he continues to contribute to strengthening the Club’s governance and community engagement.
Greg now provides strategic advisory services across the alcohol, tourism, and heritage sectors, with a focus on public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and governance. He is also active as a public speaker and historical commentator, particularly on Australia’s Antarctic legacy.
Greg Carter
Director
Director of the Mawson’s Huts Foundation since 2014. Greg has recently joined Antarpply Expeditions a leading operator of small ship expeditions to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Greg is co-owner of CCM Hotel Group which owns and operates a boutique hotel in Peru. He previously was COO for Albatros Expeditions from December 2021 October 2023. Greg was the joint founding director of Chimu Adventures 2004-2020.
He is a marketing specialist.
Rob Wooding
Director
Dr Rob Wooding served as the General Manager of the Support and Operations Centre at the Australian Antarctic Division from 2008 to 2018, and as the General Manager of Policy and International Branch from 2018 to his retirement in 2021.
In a career in the Australian Government spanning more than three decades, Rob was previously a senior executive in the departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration, Health and Ageing, and the Environment.
Rob was a Vice Chair of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) from 2014 to 2018.
Rob has a PhD in History from the University of Sydney and continues to undertake research into Australian history, as well as Antarctic geopolitical issues.
Elizabeth Leane
Director
Elizabeth (Elle) is Professor of Antarctic Studies in the School of Humanities at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). With degrees in science and literature, she has researched and taught about human dimensions of Antarctica for over twenty years. She was an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow in 2004 and has been Arts and Literature Editor of the Polar Journal since 2011. She has written or co-edited five books about Antarctica.
From 2020-2022 Elizabeth was Associate Dean, Research Performance in the College of Arts, Law and Education at UTAS, supporting researchers in and beyond the College to develop and deliver high-quality high-impact research.
Elizabeth co-leads (with Katie Marx) the Public Engagement with Antarctic Research Action Group with the international Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.
Karen Rees
Director
Karen Rees is currently the Convenor of the Antarctic Women’s Network under the Tasmanian Polar Network of which she was a past Chair. She is the immediate past Tasmanian Antarctic Advocate, a role she held from 2022 to 2025. Her previous role as Director of Antarctic Tasmania with the Department of State Growth was from 2017 to 2022. In this function she attended the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and other international Antarctic meetings on a regular basis.
Karen has worked in Antarctic-related roles since 2010 with Hobart International Airport Corporation and Tasports. She has spent a summer in 2016 with the French Antarctic program as a tractor driver on an inland traverse and is currently a volunteer observer for the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
Prior to that she worked in the tourism industry as part of the family-owned company Naturally Tasmania Tours as well as Innkeepers Marketing Group. She was a Director of the Tourism Industry Council for several years and has been a member of the Tasmanian Polar Network Executive Committee for several years.
Karen also works as leadership coach and is a joint founder of the Women’s Leadership Immersive Residential Program under the Gwen Pinnington Coaching and Consulting Group.
Daniel Sydes
Director
Daniel is a partner at a leading international accounting firm which he joined in June 2022. Prior to that he practiced as a tax lawyer at a leading Australian law firm from February 2001 being made partner in July 2011. Daniel is a member of the Retirement Living Council of Australia National Tax Committee, and formerly a member of the Property Council of Australia National Tax Committee. Daniel is also a board member of another not-for-profit organization in NSW.
Daniel has a double degree in Commerce and Law and Master of Banking degree from University of Wollongong. Daniel is a practicing solicitor and was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW Roll in 2001 and is an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand.
Patron
His Excellency General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd)
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
