Media experts

Raj Aseervatham BE(Hons, Civil) MBA PhD(Eng) GAICD FIEAust CPEng joined the Engineers Australia Board in 2019 and is in his second term as a director. He was admitted as a Fellow in 2012. Raj has served as chair and has been a member of various board committees during his tenures at at Engineers Australia.

After graduating in Civil Engineering from the University of Queensland, Raj was initially a water, tailings and civil infrastructure engineer on mining developments. Later he focused on the ESG risks and strategies of mining and energy companies’ operational portfolios and capital projects.

His engineering and executive career includes more than 15 years with three ASX 100 companies (BHP, Rio Tinto and Origin Energy), and more than 15 years in global and boutique consulting and audit/assurance. He has lived and worked on most continents of the world.

Having ceased his executive career some years ago, Raj is a professional non-executive director, an auditor of responsible business practices in heavy engineering organisations, an accredited mediator and twice-published author.

Romilly Madew AO FTSE HonFIEAust was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2022. 

Prior to joining Engineers Australia, Ms Madew was CEO of Infrastructure Australia overseeing the organisation's critical role in helping governments prioritise projects and reforms that best serve our communities. 

Ms Madew served as CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) for 13 years. In acknowledgment of her contribution to Australia’s sustainable building movement, Ms Madew was awarded an Order of Australia in 2019.

She is currently a Member of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) Infrastructure Forum, Member of Placemaking NSW Advisory Committee, Director of Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Independent Chair of the Currawong State Park Advisory Board (NSW), Federal Government appointee on the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group and G20 EMPOWER – Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation, Member of the National Women in Transport CEO Advisory Group, Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers Enabling Better Infrastructure Steering Group (UK) and Director of Minerva Network (supporting Australia’s elite sportswomen).

Ms Madew is a Fellow of the ATSE, Honorary Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia and Life Fellow of the GBCA. 

Katherine Richards AM CSC HonFIEAust CPEng EngExec NER is Engineers Australia’s Chief Engineer. In this position Katherine advocates for the engineering profession both nationally and internationally, providing engineering insights to help deliver strategic initiatives of national importance. She engages with media, government and industry to amplify the voice of engineering in public discourse and decision making. 

Katherine is a Board Member of Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). In 2024, she achieved a post graduate qualification in quantum physics from the ANU.

Prior to joining Engineers Australia, Katherine served in the Royal Australian Navy. She joined the Navy as a midshipman and graduated as Dux of her Naval Class at the Australian Defence Force Academy and with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering. Katherine went on to serve in the Navy with distinction for over 36 years and retired from active service in December 2024 as a Rear Admiral.  

Her achievements during this time included Command of HMAS CERBERUS and the roles of Head Navy Engineering and the Defence Seaworthiness Regulator. Following the AUKUS announcement, Katherine was appointed to design the Australian Naval Nuclear Powered Submarine Safety Regulator to oversee the safety and environmental performance of the nuclear submarine program. 

For her service, Katherine has been awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross and is a Member of the Order of Australia. Katherine Richards is an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Chartered Professional Engineer. 

Bernadette Foley FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER was appointed Group Executive Professional Standards and Engineering Practice in December 2024. She has held several roles at Engineers Australia since joining in 2019, including: Head of Accreditation, General Manager of Professional Standards and over a year as Acting Chief Engineer.

Bernadette is a civil engineer with more than 30 years’ experience across industry and education in Australia and the UK. Her technical expertise is in urban concept planning, water resource management and sustainability. Prior to joining Engineers Australia, Bernadette was the Associate Dean (Curriculum and Accreditation) in the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide.

Bernadette has a background in engineering education including curriculum reform, improving educational outcomes and graduate employability, improving professional standards and strengthening connections between academia and industry. She was an International Engineering Alliance working group member for the 2021 review of the international Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies for the engineering profession.

Bernadette holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with First Class Honours and a Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) from the University of Adelaide.