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Michael Finney - Chief Executive Officer
Michael has extensive industry and academic experience in research management, technology transfer and investment management across the physical and life sciences, and social and creative sectors. Previously, he has been deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager - Technology Commercialisation at UniQuest Pty Limited and Vice President - Commercial Development at IMBcom Pty Ltd. In those capacities, he was also recruited to the Investment Committee of Uniseed Pty Limited—an early stage venture capital fund with investable funds of $60 million, where he managed and monitored various investments from different sectors and assisted in the implementation of its investment strategy and portfolio composition.
He is an experienced commercial manager with a multi-disciplinary background and international business experience throughout South East Asia, Asia Pacific and the USA. He has extensive business development and financial experience, and has provided advice to several public companies in the fields of commercialisation, management of intellectual property, new venture business development, business structuring and risk mitigation, commercial licensing and contract negotiation, investment due diligence upon nascent business opportunities, corporate governance, and strategic planning and implementation. He is a skilled negotiator and has a breadth and depth of understanding about technology, start-ups, joint ventures and business management , as well as operations across an array of diverse sectors.
Michael holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Queensland, and a Juris Doctor post-graduate degree in law. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Registered Professional Engineer, and has been admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He has sat on numerous technology startup boards as a non-executive director and acting CEO.
Salene Gallagher - Executive Assistant
Salene is a highly skilled and professional Administration Manager, with extensive and varied experience in both private and education sectors, including business management, recruitment, customer service, finance and human resources. Previously, Salene worked as a Senior Manager for Cambridge Assessment's Group Print and Operations (a division of the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom), where she was responsible for a team of administrators who oversaw a variety of tasks; ranging from site coordination to project management. She has further experience working for both local and international companies, including Truenergy (formally known as Eastern Energy), CITEC, mTec and Blue Arrow Pty Ltd to name a few.
At bluebox, Salene is responsible for the smooth operation of the Chief Executive's office through the coordination and organisation of all activities. She also assists with human resources and accounting activities, and is the Assistant to the Compliance Officer under bluebox's Financial Services Licence.
Jodie Mittelheuser - Company Accountant
Jodie is responsible for the accounting operations of bluebox, bringing 17 years of experience in accounting, compliance, administration, human resources and operations to the role. After completing her university degree in Business, Jodie became a chartered accountant with KPMG where she worked within the Audit division for six years. Leaving the charted sector, Jodie took on a position within the treasury division of CSFB in London, before returning to Australia to take up the position of financial controller with a Brisbane-based canegrowers non-profit organisation.
Jodie took some time out and kept herself busy raising two small children whilst keeping her professional development up to date by facilitating with the Institute of Chartered Accountants professional year program. Jodie's children are now school age and she returned to the workforce to take up a part time position with bluebox.
