Section 11(1) of the Government Trading Enterprises Act 2023 (WA) states that the role of the Board is to 'perform the functions, determine the policies and control the affairs of the port authority'.
As appointed by the Minister for Ports, the Pilbara Ports Board of Directors sets the strategic direction for Pilbara Ports.
Chair - Karlie Mucjanko BA, MBA(Exec), MAICD
Ms Mucjanko was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board on 5 October 2020 and was reappointed on 1 July 2026 for a term ending 30 June 2028. Ms Mucjanko was appointed Chair of Pilbara Ports Board with effect from 1 July 2024.
Ms Mucjanko is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Company Executive with experience across a range of sectors including agribusiness, supply chains, infrastructure, science and technology and regional development. Ms Mucjanko specialises in strategic communications, social licence, government and stakeholder relations. She has managed large-scale, complex stakeholder relationships, corporate reputations and communications across a range of sectors including not-for-profits, co-operative and mutuals, privately-owned commercial business and government.
She is the Chair of plant breeding company Intergrain Pty Ltd, Chair of Cowal Agriculture Holdings Pty Ltd and a Director of Land Services WA and Land Services SA.
Deputy Chair - Gaye McMath B. Comm, MBA, AMP, FCPA, FAICD
Ms McMath was appointed as Deputy Chair to the Pilbara Ports Board with effect from 1 July 2026.
Ms McMath is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Company Executive with over 40 years business experience across a broad range of sectors including Ports, Mining and Resources, Infrastructure, Property, Engineering, Energy, Higher Education, Finance and Culture and the Arts.
Ms McMath specialises in strategy and risk, finance and commercial, infrastructure planning and development, business transformation and stakeholder relations. She has been involved in a diverse range of Listed Companies, Government Trading Enterprises and Not-for-Profit organisations.
Ms McMath is currently the Chancellor of Edith Cowan University and a Board member of Dementia Australia.
Director - The Hon. Tom Stephens BA (ANU), OAM, JP
Mr Stephens was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board on 17 August 2020 and has been reappointed for a term ending 30 June 2027. He has been the Chair of the Pilbara Ports Organisational Development Committee since 1 January 2025.
Mr Stephens served in the WA State Parliament from 1982 to 2014, and in State Cabinet as Minister for Works and Regional Development and later also holding the Local Government, Heritage and Regional Development portfolios.
Since retiring from State Parliament, Mr Stephens has served on many Boards and Committees, drawing on his many years of involvement across regional Western Australia generally and with the Aboriginal community in particular.
He currently chairs the Kimberley Development Commission, is Deputy Chair of the WA Regional Development Trust, a member of the Regional Development Council, a Trustee for MercyCare, and a board member of Martu United Pty Ltd and WA’s Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation.
Director - Robert Scharnell BS Eng, MAICD
Mr Scharnell was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board on 1 July 2021 and has been reappointed for a term ending 30 June 2027.
He brings more than 30-years of world-wide experience within the resources and maritime sectors, encompassing engineering, project management, business strategy, operations, and governance.
He was a Nominee Director of the Marine Preservation Association which oversees the largest Oil Spill Response Organisation in the USA. Mr Scharnell is also a Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed South Africa gas exploration company, Kinetiko Energy Ltd.
Mr Scharnell has been the Chair of Pilbara Ports Major Projects Committee since 1 January 2025.
Director - Kirsten Rose FTSE GAICD
Ms Rose was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board on 11 December 2023 and has been reappointed for a term ending 30 June 2027.
She has held senior technical and innovation roles for more than 30 years in the US, UK and Australia, and her career includes deep experience in climate change, energy and resources technologies.
As the Executive General Manager, WA and Strategy for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Ms Rose is responsible for operating the South West Interconnected System and the Wholesale Electricity Market securely and reliably, for enabling the energy transition for WA and is also accountable for leading the Strategy Function for the AEMO.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and an active member of Chief Executive Women.
Director - Suzanne Hillier BSc/LLB, MEnvLaw, GAICD
Ms Hillier was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board on 1 January 2025 and has been reappointed for a term ending 30 June 2028.
Ms Hillier is an experienced senior executive and General Counsel, with over 30 years’ experience in Commonwealth and State governments working across a range of portfolio areas.
She has deep expertise in financial, audit and risk oversight and legal, governance and regulatory compliance. Working with Australia’s Offshore Energy Regulator she obtained extensive experience regulating the safety, integrity and environment of the energy and resources industry. She is passionate about the role businesses and government are playing in the decarbonisation agenda.
Actively serving for many years on boards and committees in the government and not-for-profit sectors, she is currently the Chair of Trails WA, a board member of Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and an Ethics Committee member of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Ms Hillier has been the Chair of Pilbara Ports Safety, Risk and Audit Committee since 1 July 2026.
Director – Christina Matthews AM CitWA, MAICD, FAIM
Ms Matthews was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board on 1 July 2026.
Ms Matthews is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Business Executive with a career that ranges across sport, infrastructure development, tourism, health, governance and leadership. Ms Matthews specialises in governance, organisational development, communications, stakeholder engagement and government relations.
Ms Matthews has been involved in infrastructure development in NSW and WA whilst an Executive working in sport as well as managing organisational change and building strong government relations within her remit.
Ms Matthews is a Commissioner with Tourism WA, President and Director with the Australian Cricketers Association, Director, Youth Focus and Leadership WA and Director, Perth Bears Rugby League Club.