CEIG

Our People

CEIG is a membership organisation with a governing board drawn from member companies who are leaders in the clean energy investment sector. Our policy, advocacy and governance team operates across the country bringing deep expertise and experience in public policy, energy market design, advocacy and corporate governance.

A man wearing hi-vis is talking on a walkie talkie whilst looking at a wind turbine on a hill
Neoen - Bulgana Green Power Hub

Our Board

John Martin

Board Chair
John has over thirty years of experience in the energy, infrastructure and investment banking sectors. Prior to joining Windlab, John was Chief Executive of the ASX listed New Energy Solar and LSE listed US Solar Fund Plc. In this role John lead the creation of a diversified portfolio of large scale solar power plants in the United States and Australia with total capacity of over 1.2 GWDC . Before establishing these renewable energy investment funds, John had a long career running corporate advisory and banking with a focus on the renewable energy, infrastructure and resources sectors while working for firms such as ABN Amro, Zurich, NAB and PwC.

Mitch King

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mitch founded Lighthouse Infrastructure in 2007 as a specialist infrastructure fund manager to provide investors with access to high quality sustainable infrastructure assets. As a Managing Director of Lighthouse, Mitch is responsible for the investment process and management of the business. Mitch is also a member of Lighthouse’s Audit, Risk & Compliance and Investment Committees. Mitch has over 30 years’ experience specialising in infrastructure asset management and finance and has acquired, managed and divested infrastructure assets through numerous market cycles and events.

Cesilia Kim

Non-Executive Director
Cesilia is a Senior Executive and Lawyer with over 20 years’ experience across renewable energy, water, infrastructure, corporate governance and M&A. Cesilia has a strong track record in corporate strategy, major project development and approvals, policy, regulatory reform, governance and risk management. Currently she is the Chief Legal Officer and leads the corporate services function at Iris Energy Limited.  Prior to this, Cesilia was Snowy Hydro Limited's Group Executive and General Counsel also with a broad commercial and multi-disciplinary remit, including procurement, corporate affairs, regulatory strategy and legal.

David Krsevan

Non-Executive Director
David is Canadian Solar's General Manager (Energy) in Australia. He has also previously worked at Infigen Energy, NAB and KPMG, focusing on risk advisory, energy trading and energy markets.

Nicholas Kuys

Non-Executive Director
Nicholas (Nick) Kuys is part of the Partners Group Private Infrastructure Asset Management team, based in Sydney. He is member of the Board of Directors of the firm's portfolio companies Evolution Rail, Ararat Wind Farm and Unity Digital Infrastructure. He has 15 years of industry experience.  Prior to joining Partners Group, he worked at Australian Industrial Energy, DUET Group, Macquarie Group, Westpac Banking Group and Deloitte and Touche.

Ritu Thomas

Non-Executive Director
Ritu is the Head of Business Development at TotalEnergies Renewables in Australia. Ritu has over 10 years’ experience specialising in the development, delivery and project financing of large-scale renewable energy projects across Australia. Ritu has also previously worked at Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Baker McKenzie.

Our Team

Richie Merzian

CEO
Richie brings almost two decades of experience in climate and energy policy and advocacy. Previously, he directed the international work of the Smart Energy Council and was a lead United Nations climate negotiator for the Australian Government. He is a leading voice in driving reforms and fostering support for the clean energy transition.

Marilyne Crestias

Head of Policy and Advocacy
Marilyne has over ten years’ experience in government and consulting, focusing primarily on the economics of energy markets, renewable energy auction design, climate change, and management of natural resources. In her past roles, she has led the design of the largest renewable energy auction in Australia and the delivery of legislation to support the Victorian Renewable Energy Target.

Daniel Zelcer

Policy & Development Manager
Daniel has been working in the renewable energy and sustainability space for over 10 years with a focus on providing energy market research, climate risk analysis and solutions for the transition to net zero emissions. He is the founder and director of Acacia Sustainability and holds a Masters in Energy Systems from the University of Melbourne as well as a Bachelor of Business (Management & Psychology) from Swinburne University.

Sydney Neijmeijer

Policy Officer
Sydney brings a wealth of expertise in climate policy and environmental consulting, with a focus on clean energy policy research and analysis, sustainable transportation, emission reduction strategies, and ESG reporting. Her diverse career has encompassed a range of sectors, including positions in the Federal Government, private industry, and the not-for-profit sector. Sydney is the Founder and Director of Flora Environmental and holds a Bachelor of Arts with dual majors in Environmental Studies and Geography from the University of Victoria.

Kelly Berghella

Marketing & Partnerships Manager
With over 20 years of experience working across various marketing, campaign, and communication roles in government and not-for-profits, Kelly brings significant experience to her role at CEIG. In past roles, Kelly has worked in Campaign Manager roles at the Department of Education and Hepatitis Australia, leading campaigns that aim to change perceptions and behaviours.