Current members
Carlie Darling, RAA Chief Executive Officer
Carlie is the CEO of the NSW RAA and serves as an Executive Director on the RAA Advisory Board.
Carlie joined the RAA in November 2022 with a broad range of knowledge and experience gained from various roles across the department, including large-scale infrastructure program delivery, project and program management and strategy. As CEO, Carlie provides high level strategic direction, risk management oversight and leadership to the administration of program initiatives, through the development of policies, operational programs and financial and non-financial controls that maximise outcomes for regional communities.
Appointed as Executive Director on the RAA Advisory Board – October 2024
Formally appointed as RAA CEO – February 2025
Contact email:
carlie.darling@raa.nsw.gov.au
Louise Clarke, RAA Advisory Board Chair
Louise Clarke is an Executive Leadership Coach with over 35 years of senior executive experience in banking and finance, social services and leadership roles.
Louise is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is the current chair of Centacare New England North West and is a non-executive director and risk and governance committee member for PN Bank and a non-executive director of Hastings Co Op.
In addition, Louise is a board member of Yarrowitch Hall and Trustees and a member of the Yarrowitch Community Group and the Walcha Tourism committee.
Louise is a grazier in the Walcha district in the New England Tableland, running a property using regen principles.
Appointed – 1 January 2023
Appointed as Chair – 1 January 2026
Term end – 31 December 2026
Joe Cashman, RAA Advisory Board Member
Joe Cashman is a senior executive with extensive leadership experience across the health, social services, and quality assurance sectors, with the majority of his career spent working in rural and remote Australia.
Joe is the Chief Operations Officer at Agsafe, where he is responsible for the operational oversight of national stewardship programs and the continuous improvement of organisational systems and processes. His expertise includes governance and board support, strategic and operational planning, quality assurance, risk management, and organisational transformation.
Joe has held senior executive roles in healthcare, community services, and standards accreditation, leading major service reforms and working closely with government, industry, and community stakeholders. He holds a Master of Social Work (Health/Health Care Administration/Management) from Monash University and a Bachelor of Social Work from La Trobe University.
Appointed – 1 January 2026
Term end – 31 December 2026
Peter Ernst, RAA Advisory Board Member
Peter Ernst is Head of Regional Ports at the Port Authority of NSW, bringing extensive experience across port logistics, bulk cargo operations, rail and the critical landside-quayside interface.
Peter has built strong capability in regulatory compliance and risk management, ensuring operations align with maritime safety and environmental standards. Based in Port Kembla, Peter is deeply committed to regional NSW, supporting resilient supply chains for producers and communities, and remains active in state-based initiatives, including seafarer welfare.
He brings pragmatic, region‑focused insights and collaborative leadership to the RAA Advisory Board.
Appointed – 1 January 2026
Term end – 31 December 2026
Louise Eyres, RAA Advisory Board Member
Louise Eyres is a Chief Marketing Officer with over 25 years of senior executive experience in mining, banking, superannuation, asset management and sport.
Louise is currently Chair of Hastings Co-operative, and is a Non-Executive Director for Netball Australia, Hunter Water Corporation, Garden Village, Afford and the 2027 Netball World Cup as well as advising regional organisations on marketing, brand and digital strategy.
Louise holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), a Graduate Diploma in International Trade, Master of Business Administration (Executive), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a certified Advisory Board Chair.
Louise lives in Port Macquarie with her family.
Appointed – 1 January 2026
Term end – 31 December 2026
Sarah Kruger, RAA Advisory Board Member
Sarah Kruger is an accomplished executive and board advisor with more than 30 years’ experience across consulting, people and culture, and organisational leadership. With a foundation in finance, she integrates commercial insight with deep expertise in human capital to lead transformation, strengthen governance, and advance leadership capability across diverse sectors.
As Chief Human Resources Officer for Accenture Australia and New Zealand, Sarah was a member of the Executive Team, overseeing more than 7,500 employees during a period of significant growth and change. Her experience extends across financial services, government, agriculture, technology, and sport.
Beyond her executive career, Sarah is an active beef and lamb producer and a strong advocate for community and women’s leadership. She serves as ACT Chapter Chair for Chief Executive Women, Chair of the Board Development Committee for the Minerva Network, and President of Radford Rowing.
Appointed – 1 January 2026
Term end – 31 December 2026
Victoria Taylor, RAA Advisory Board Member
Victoria Taylor is a seasoned statutory board director with experience governing and stewarding public assets and national investments in food, water and agribusiness.
She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of WaterNSW and Horticulture Innovation Australia. Victoria is also Chair of the Agrifood Innovation Institute at the Australian National University and is a former Chair of the Rice Marketing Board for the State of NSW, and a former Independent Director of Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd.
Victoria brings deep expertise in stakeholder, risk and investment oversight, and has a strong record delivering public value in complex and regulated environments. Her professional background in industry advocacy and research management, predominantly in irrigated agricultural industries, results in a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities of modern farming enterprises.
Victoria is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Graduate Certificate in Water Policy and Governance from Charles Sturt University.
Appointed – 1 January 2026
Term end – 31 December 2026