The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) has appointed experienced scientist, geologist and award-winning business executive Dr Erica Smyth to its board of directors.
Smyth is a respected business leader with 45 years’ experience across a range of positions in the mineral and petroleum industries. For the past 15 years she has served as a professional company director.
She will become the ninth member of LEI’s board, and has been appointed as a non-executive director.
Smyth is currently chair of the Ministerial Advisory Board for the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority, as well as the Industry Advisory Board for the ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration.
Additionally, Smyth is interim chair of the Mining Industry 4.0 CRC bid, and was recently named 2019 Western Australian of the Year in the Business category. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she was presented with the organisation’s not-for-profit director of the year award in 2018.
“Erica brings vast experience to the LEI – not just through her exemplary governance leadership record, but through a distinguished and extensive career as a scientist, geologist and business executive,” LEI chairman Mr Peter Forbes said.
Smyth said she was keen to join LEI as she feels a personal connection with the organisation.
“I am so pleased to be invited onto the Board of the LEI. Within my close family we have experienced the fears and impacts of eyesight deterioration related to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts, so now being close to where the research action is will be very relevant and fulfilling for me,” she said.
In addition to her current chair roles and previous experience, Smyth holds non-executive director positions at the National Energy Resources Australia Growth Centre, the MinEx CRC and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research. She is also the business patron of the WA Youth Theatre Company.
