Our Leadership

Shane joined QAC as CEO in September 2025. He brings more than 40 years of global aviation and tourism experience to Queenstown Airport. He has held a range of senior aviation roles, including at Melbourne Airport, Launceston Airport, Qantas, Etihad Airways, and Royal Jet Air. He also founded Seair Pacific, a general aviation operator based at the Great Barrier Reef.

Shane was most recently the CEO of Launceston Airport in Australia, where he successfully led the organisation's post-pandemic recovery and business development. Shane holds an MBA from Bond University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Shane is committed to the Southern Lakes region and to guiding Queenstown Airport through its next transformative chapter.

Todd joined QAC as the Chief Operating Officer in 2022. He brings valuable and diverse experience to our team. He oversees all operational and safety accountabilities for QAC and is responsible for all commercial and infrastructure delivery and asset management activity across the business.

Todd has over 25 years of experience working in the airport environment, having held various senior airport roles with Air New Zealand. He started as Airports Strategy Manager, then moved to Head of Regional Airports, before becoming GM Offshore Airports, with accountability for the airline's global airport operations.

Melissa is responsible for all local, regional, and central government planning activity and also oversees the delivery of key projects and workstreams to bring our 10-year Strategic Plan to life. She joined QAC in 2019, bringing expertise in the development and delivery of innovative long-term strategies, as well as experience in the local government sector. 

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts (hons) and Law degrees from the University of Otago.

Sara joined the QAC team in 2019 and is responsible for legal and regulatory matters, government and community relations, marketing, communications, and sustainability. Sara has extensive experience as a sustainability and corporate affairs executive with a strong community focus. Before joining QAC, she was the director of communications and operations for First Peoples Disability Network in Australia.

Sara holds a master's in journalism and an undergraduate degree in communications.

Rachel joined QAC in 2015 and is responsible for the planning and development activities related to the company's property assets, as well as master planning. With more than 20 years of experience across the property management and development sector, Rachel brings strong capability and a long-term vision to her role. 

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts degree and a Diploma in Commerce from the University of Auckland.

Andrew joined QAC in January 2019. He has overall responsibility for all financial oversight, reporting and performance. Andrew brings a diverse mix of experience to the role, having worked across a broad range of business sectors in senior management roles.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accountancy) degree and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

Simon, who is Queenstown-based, was appointed to the Board of Directors in December 2019 and became Chair in November 2024. He is an experienced business leader with more than 25 years in the global investment management industry, having held a variety of senior leadership roles in London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Mike was appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2020 and became Deputy Chair in February 2025. He brings a wealth of global aviation experience across key markets, from New Zealand to Australia, Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. He is also a former member of the Star Alliance Marketing Committee and a current Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Andrew, who is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and Queenstown-based, was appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2020. Following a successful career in both the public and private sectors, he now undertakes governance roles and provides advisory services to a range of commercial, government and community organisations.

Jacqueline is a professional director, finance and sustainability specialist. She has 30 years of experience in financial audit and advisory services, including 11 years as a partner at Deloitte, where she also led the Sustainability Assurance and Advisory team. She is on the boards of Queenstown Airport, Pioneer Energy and EcoCentral. Jacqueline is the Deputy Chair of the External Reporting Board, where she chaired the project steering group for the development of the New Zealand Climate Reporting Standards and is a member of the Sustainability Reporting Board.

Don joined the Board of Directors in October 2024. He is an engineer with governance and executive experience in New Zealand and internationally across transport, infrastructure, energy, engineering, construction, banking, insurance, risk management, earthquake resilience, and tech start-ups. He lives in Wānaka.

Mary-Liz joined the QAC board in January 2025 as Auckland Airport's shareholder representative. She is the Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at Auckland Airport, where she has leadership responsibility for master planning, strategic capital planning, strategy, regulation, and sustainability. She is also a trustee for the airport marae Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa.