Industry Advisory Committee
Industry Advisory Committee
The Industry Advisory Committee brings together some of the most influential and forward-thinking leaders in workplace health and safety, both locally and abroad. Their collective expertise and strategic vision guide the direction of our programs, identify emerging challenges, and highlight critical areas within WHS where new research and benchmarking is needed.
Through their deep industry knowledge and leadership, the committee empower our members to continually pursue safety excellence by ensuring the right support, resources, and tools are always within reach.
Together, the committee ensures that everything Safety Sphere develops for its members, from forums and research initiatives to practical tools, assessments, and resources, is innovative, actionable, and aligned with the evolving needs of industry. The committee is in place to enable organisations to de-risk both immediate and future WHS initiatives, shaping a safer and more resilient workplace landscape.
By driving forward-thinking solutions in compliance, safety culture, wellbeing, leadership, and technology, the committee plays a pivotal role in helping organisations achieve stronger WHS outcomes now and into the future.
To learn more around the structure and setup of the industry advisory committee please review our constitution.
Patrick Murphy
CHAIR
General Manager, HSE, Transurban
Patrick is currently the General Manager of HSE for Transurban, former General Manager of HSE at Origin Energy and is the Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for Safety Sphere.
With more than 25 years of global experience, Patrick has held senior HSE leadership roles across Australia and abroad, driving safety excellence in high-risk sectors that include Utilities, Construction, Industrial, Mining, and Oil & Gas.
A passionate ambassador for positive reform, he is committed to shaping Australia’s WHS landscape through industry-led leadership and collaboration, firmly believing that sustainable legislative change can only be achieved when driven by those at the forefront of workplace safety, and it is this conviction, combined with his leadership and oversight of Safety Sphere, that makes him the ideal Chair to drive our body forward.
Patrick’s extensive background provides him with a rare, multi-dimensional view of WHS. His experience spans across a range of industries, active engagement with WHS regulators, and service on several WHS and community safety boards, including his tenure as Chair of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) for several years. This experience, coupled with his conviction and leadership of Safety Sphere, positions him as the ideal Chair to drive our body forward
Patrick sees an incredible opportunity to bring the industry together, to speak with one voice and create real, lasting change in workplace health and safety across Australia. With deep experience and genuine passion for protecting people, he is devoted to inspiring progress and lifting safety standards across every industry, through the support and collaboration of our members.
Sarah Cuscadden
DEPUTY CHAIR
General Manager HSE, AGL
Sarah is currently the General Manager of HSE at Australia’s largest renewable generator, AGL. A visionary who challenges the norm, where she serves as the Deputy Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for Safety Sphere .
Sarah is driven by a passion for developing innovative, out-of-the-box solutions to complex health and safety challenges. With more than two decades of experience, she has led teams across renowned organizations such as OneSteel, Multiplex, and Amazon.
Her diverse career spans industries including manufacturing, construction, fast-moving consumer goods, and energy generation. Throughout this journey, Sarah has leveraged her deep operational expertise to design and implement health and safety strategies that elevate leadership and performance. Her approach focuses on fostering genuine engagement among employees and subcontractors, driving sustainable cultural change.
At Amazon, Sarah spearheaded the Safety Leadership and Engagement strategy for the company’s global operations. In this role, she proactively explored technology and AI-driven tools to empower frontline workers to actively participate in shaping safety outcomes. She also developed innovative resources to strengthen safety leadership capabilities among frontline leaders worldwide.
As one of the country’s most respected and influential women in safety, Sarah’s extensive knowledge and firsthand experience, both in Australia and abroad, working with safety teams at all levels, positions her as the ideal leader to serve as our Deputy Chair, providing genuine support in delivering meaningful change for WHS leaders, executives, and boards.
Christian Frost
Principal Advisor
Safety Sphere
Christian serves as a Principal Advisor for Safety Sphere and is an active member of our Industry Advisory Committee.
A strategic and results-driven safety and transformation leader, Christian specialises in safety strategy, leadership enhancement, and capability-building programs that deliver measurable value. With experience as both a consultant and senior executive, he offers unique insight gained from leading large-scale transformation initiatives across start-up, growth, and IPO environments.
During his tenure at Ventia, Christian held several senior roles, including Executive General Manager – SHEQ and General Manager of Business Evolution and Transformation. He led major programs such as a three-year SHEQ transformation incorporating the Broadspectrum acquisition and integration ahead of Ventia’s IPO, as well as transformation initiatives within the Telecommunications division and ERP upgrade program.
With deep expertise in strategy development, cultural transformation, and operational excellence, Christian continues to influence and advance safety leadership, through his work with Safety Sphere.
Dr Megan Tranter
GLOBAL ADVISOR
Safety Sphere
Megan serves as the Global Advisor for Safety Sphere and is an active member of our Industry Advisory Committee.
A globally recognised visionary in HSE leadership, Megan is one of the few women globally to have held top EHS executive roles (VP/SVP level) across major brands that include Amazon, PepsiCo, Novartis, and Netflix.
Originally from Australia, Megan currently resides in the United States, while spending half the year back home, supporting organisations and safety leaders in major EHS transformation programs.
Today, Megan is focused on driving a global safety culture revolution, helping leaders and organisations elevate their impact and create workplaces where safety excellence is a natural part of success. Her engaging leadership style and practical insights continue to shape the future of WHS management across industries worldwide.
With extensive experience in safety leadership, strategy development, risk management, and cultural transformation, she works closely with Boards and CEOs to embed safety and wellbeing as core elements of business success.
Bringing a global perspective to safety practices, her involvement with Safety Sphere ensures members receive comprehensive support through both local and international lenses, offering valuable insights to help de-risk upcoming WHS investments and initiatives.
David Burroughs
Head of Psychosocial Risk Committee
Chief Mental Health Officer, Westpac
David is currently the Chief Mental Health Officer at Westpac, and serves as the Head of our Psychosocial Risk Committee for Safety Sphere.
Dave is a trusted advisor to many high profile national and international organisations, where he provides strategic guidance and practical support in psychosocial risk management, workplace mental health strategy, and the development of psychologically safe and high-performing cultures. His approach focuses on translating the latest research and evidence into real world, actionable outcomes that drive meaningful and lasting change.
Known for his ability to navigate complex people challenges, Dave is often sought after to support organisations through periods of transformation, crisis, or cultural renewal. He is widely respected for his commitment to evidence based practice, his clear and grounded communication style, and his passion for innovation and challenging traditional ways of thinking. Whether he’s designing large-scale organisational frameworks or working one on one with executive leaders, Dave’s goal remains the same, to help build mentally healthy, resilient, and sustainable workplaces.
Nicole Lawler
EXECUTIVE ADVISOR
General Manager Safety, Health and Environment, Metcash
Nicole serves as the General Manager of Safety, Health and Environment at Metcash, Australia’s leading wholesale distribution and marketing organisation. She also contributes her expertise as an Executive Advisor to Safety Sphere and is a valued member of our Industry Advisory Committee.
Known across the industry as a motivated and results-driven HSE leader, Nicole brings over 25 years of experience in senior national roles spanning warehousing, wholesale and retail, agriculture, construction, mining, rail, manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics. Her expertise adds an invaluable layer of strong leadership and strategic insight to Safety Sphere, particularly in shaping new tools and frameworks designed to support our members.
With extensive experience in HSE strategy development and implementation, compliance, training, auditing, stakeholder engagement, behavioural safety, and environmental sustainability, Nicole provides WHS leaders, executives, and boards with more than just guidance, she delivers practical action plans and models that drive immediate results and meaningful change across WHS initiatives and challenges for companies.
