Staff

James McKee

Chief Executive Officer & Director of Regional Development

James is the CEO and Director of Regional Development for Regional Development Australia – Tasmania.

James has held a wide variety of senior professional and board positions across a range of sectors, most recently leading the Innovation and Performance Team at the City of Launceston, previously as the Director of Northern Transformation for the University of Tasmania, CEO of NRM North and Director of Northern Cities for the State Government along with board roles including the Chair of Tourism Northern Tasmania, AusCycling Tasmania, Anglicare Tasmania and Chair of the Launceston Airport CACG. James has a particular interest in regional development, innovation and strategy. His primary background is in agricultural science, he is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Murray Darling Basin Program and has been part of community development programmes in the USA and India.

Abby Trapnell

Business Manager

Abby plays an integral role at RDA Tasmania as the Business Manager. From managing logistics to organising events, she is the go-to person for all things RDA Tasmania. Abby’s role is multifaceted providing full support to the CEO and Board, smooth operation of our office, and as the Project Manager for key initiatives that support industry and stakeholders. Abby operates at the highest level when managing projects, many of which are public facing and high profile. In her spare-time you will find Abby with her husband and daughter enjoying what Tasmania has to offer.

Kaitlin Roach

Regional Development Coordinator

Kaitlin brings deep experience in public policy and stakeholder engagement, both within and outside of government, across roles spanning economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and digital technology. Kaitlin has worked with a broad range of organisations to develop, execute, and communicate programs of work and advocacy positions, including co-designing the first iteration of Tasmania’s only industry-agnostic incubator program at Enterprize, along with a number of federally-recognised policy positions during her time with the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance. 

Professional interests aside, Kaitlin is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys exploring Tasmania's trails, back roads and national parks by bike or on foot. 

Mikaela Carroll

Regional Development Coordinator

Community Development and Planning are Mikaela’s key sectors, and she has extensive experience and knowledge across the government, not-for-profit and private sectors. 

Since relocating to Tasmania in late 2024, Mikaela has worked closely with the for-purpose sector, and is currently a Board Member for Starting Point Neighbourhood House in Ravenswood. Prior to moving to Tasmania, Mikaela led the Women in Business portfolio for the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and served as the City of Bunbury’s Youth Mayor. While in WA, Mikaela managed state-wide grant rounds for the Youth Affairs Council of WA, and delivered grant-writing workshops all around regional and rural WA. She has also delivered professional development to planners via the Planning Institute of Australia in the areas of Social Impact Assessments and Equity in Planning. 

These accomplishments are all tied to Mikaela’s commitment to ensuring organisations and individuals have access to opportunities that are relevant to their wants and needs. 

When not at work, Mikaela is generally pottering in the garden, exploring Tasmania’s trails or reading a book. 

Liz Youd

Western Region Strategic Partnership - Project Officer

Tony McMullen

Project Director

Tony is the Project Director of a project to develop a Corridor Plan for the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor in Hobart.

Tony was GM/CEO at Glenorchy City Council for 8 years to June 2025 as part of a thirty-year career in local government.

He holds Master of Town Planning and Bachelor of Economics degrees from the University of Tasmania, a Graduate Certificate in Management from Curtin University and is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Tony is a Registered Planner of the Planning Institute of Australia.

After association with Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor issues for more than a decade, Tony has unfinished business with this project to create a clear pathway and stakeholder buy-in to realise the Corridor’s housing, social, sustainability and economic opportunities.  

In his spare time, Tony enjoys trying to keep fit, gardening and reading, as well as engaging in his passion for family history.