Leadership

Aaron MacNish is the Chair of the of Young IPWEA WA and currently serves as Manager Fleet Services at the City of Wanneroo. Since starting his career as a graduate engineer at the City of Swan in 2015, Aaron has gained broad experience across asset management, project management, civil design, and transportation engineering. Aaron is passionate about developing future leaders in public works and advancing innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions that continue to meet our communities needs.

Courtney Shadbolt is the Principal Alliance Performance in the CDSIP Delivery Branch of Toowoomba Regional Council. She has over seven years’ experience delivering local government projects including waste, community, and water infrastructure. Courtney is passionate about knowledge sharing and is actively involved with IPWEA, serving on the South-West QLD Branch Committee and as the current Chair of the QLD Young IPWEA Division.

Gurpreet Grewal is an asset management professional with extensive experience in local government. As Acting Coordinator Engineering Assets at Ku-ring-gai Council, he leads a team responsible for long-term asset strategies, renewal programs, and ensuring infrastructure continues to meet community needs. Gurpreet is committed to evidence-based decision making that delivers sustainable outcomes and strengthens community resilience. In his role as Deputy Chair of Young IPWEA, he is passionate about collaboration, innovation, and supporting the development of future leaders in the public works sector.

Leenah is a qualified civil engineer with 10+ years’ experience in transport infrastructure. She has worked in both consulting and local government, delivering traffic and transport assessments, road safety reviews, and end-to-end project delivery from concept through construction support. Leenah is passionate about the public works space and the impact well-designed infrastructure has on thriving communities. A committed advocate for women in engineering, she mentors emerging engineers and early-career professionals, and champions inclusive, collaborative teams. Known for a practical, outcomes-focused approach and clear communication, she enjoys turning complex problems into buildable, community-minded solutions.

Paige Johnson

Chair, Young IPWEA NSW & ACT

Paige is passionate about public infrastructure that supports liveable, sustainable and inclusive cities and places.

Current roles in local government:

• Senior Civil Engineer for Asset Management at Lake Macquarie City Council

• Councillor at City of Newcastle

• Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee member at City of Newcastle

• Committee of Management member for Local Government Engineers’ Association | Professionals Australia

Qualifications and education:

• University of Newcastle: Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours)

• Australian Institute of Company Directors: Company Directors Course

• IPWEA Australasia: Professional Certificate Asset Management Planning

Links:

https://www.ipweansw.org/young-ipwea-nsw

https://au.linkedin.com/in/paige-johnson-au

www.paigejohnson.info

Shraddha is an Infrastructure Engineer at Mount Barker District Council. She completed a Bachelor of Civil and Structural Engineering with Honours at the University of South Australia in 2022 and served as President of the UniSA STEM Society of Engineers. She is committed to nature-based, sustainable infrastructure and supports professional development in this space. As Vice Chairperson of Young IPWEA SA, she plans and delivers events that build the knowledge, experience, and networks of early-career engineers. Drawn to the district’s rapid growth and outstanding landscapes, she focuses on water sensitive urban design, sustainability, and the management of natural assets that align with Council and community goals. Since joining the team, she has tackled immediate engineering issues, designed for long-term resilience, protected existing trees, and created spaces for future canopy planting. Her goal is continuous improvement in engineering that advances sustainable cities and communities.

Tom is the newly appointed Chair of the Young IPWEA Aotearoa (New Zealand) Committee, a position aimed at continuing the growth of the organization nationwide. His focus is on how we can empower the next generation of public works professionals, supporting collaboration and opportunities across the sector. As a Facilities Asset Planner at Christchurch City Council, Tom plays both a tactical and operation role within the corporate services unit. As part of this he advises and directs a diverse portfolio of buildings that includes their libraries, community facilities, community housing, and other council-owned entities. His approach to asset planning supports the delivery of a broad range of services to the city’s communities.

Tom brings a dynamic background, having previously held strategic roles in civil construction, human resources, and marketing. He also enjoyed a career as a professional rugby player, bringing discipline, teamwork, and drive—assets he has brought through to his professional life.