Our People
Meet the faces behind RDACC: local people creating local opportunities.
Our Committee
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Nicole Gerschel
Committee Member
Nicole Gerschel is a senior executive with over 20 years’ experience leading strategic development, infrastructure, and urban renewal initiatives across metropolitan and regional NSW, as well as London, UK. She has held executive roles within the NSW Government and senior management positions in local government, the not-for-profit sector, and private consultancies. Her leadership has driven multi-agency partnerships, complex precinct planning, and investment strategies that deliver inclusive economic growth and sustainable outcomes. Nicole has overseen the delivery of major housing and infrastructure programs, contributing more than $3.5 billion in economic benefit and thousands of new homes. Her work spans regional partnerships, First Nations engagement, gender equality, and community-led development, underpinned by strong governance, stakeholder collaboration, and policy alignment. She holds postgraduate qualifications in property development, infrastructure delivery, and planning law. Nicole is passionate about unlocking investment in regional communities and fostering innovation, equity, and resilience across the Central Coast. Her appointment to the RDA Central Coast Committee reflects her commitment to driving high-value outcomes for the region through strategic leadership, inclusive governance, and cross-sector collaboration.
Mike Goodman
Committee Member
Mike Goodman is a local leadership and business mentor with 30 years' experience in industry and 12 years delivering federal government initiatives to boost the growth of regional small-to-medium businesses nationally. As a former government advisor, he has worked extensively with many local business owners and managers, facilitating business capability-building initiatives and leadership skill development programs. As a local business owner and Central Coast resident for 35 years, Mike continues his commitment to the region through his long-term role as a Central Coast Industry Connect committee member and through previous roles with Central Coast Council's Employment & Economic Development Committee and the Innov8Central Committee. Mike brings expertise in forging productive multi-stakeholder partnerships across all levels of government, industry and the university sector. He is excited about catalysing new ideas that enable our region to thrive while celebrating and strengthening the unique character, lifestyle, and natural beauty we treasure.
Courtney Molloy
Committee Member
Dr Courtney Molloy is the Manager of the Central Coast Health & Wellbeing Living Lab, a partnership between the University of Newcastle and the Central Coast Local Health District. She leads a team connecting researchers, industry, community, and health partners to co-design and test innovations that improve health and wellbeing across the region. With a PhD in innovation management and a background in government, research, and facilitation, Courtney specialises in collaborative innovation, co-design, and systems change. She is passionate about translating research into practice and building regional capacity for applied, community-connected innovation.
Gail Cottrill
Chair
As Chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC), Gail Cottrill is dedicated to fostering economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development in the region. With over 30 years of experience in a family-owned manufacturing business, Gail has gained deep expertise across all aspects of business operations, from manufacturing and production management to finance, marketing, and executive leadership. Gail’s passion lies in empowering local businesses, particularly small and medium manufacturers, to thrive in an evolving economic landscape. Having transitioned from her role as Managing Director, she now focuses on mentoring and supporting businesses to drive innovation, create jobs, and profitability. Beyond her work in the manufacturing industry, Gail is a strong advocate for the arts and creative industries on the Central Coast. She actively supports local artists and plays a key role in the annual Festival of Creativity at Red Tree Theatre, celebrating the region’s talent and cultural vibrancy. Gail is committed to raising awareness of the Central Coast’s diverse industries, innovation, and world-class capabilities, ensuring the region gains the recognition it deserves as a hub for opportunity, investment, and growth.
Deputy Chair
As Chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC), Gail Cottrill is dedicated to fostering economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development in the region. With over 30 years of experience in a family-owned manufacturing business, Gail has gained deep expertise across all aspects of business operations, from manufacturing and production management to finance, marketing, and executive leadership. Gail’s passion lies in empowering local businesses, particularly small and medium manufacturers, to thrive in an evolving economic landscape. Having transitioned from her role as Managing Director, she now focuses on mentoring and supporting businesses to drive innovation, create jobs, and profitability. Beyond her work in the manufacturing industry, Gail is a strong advocate for the arts and creative industries on the Central Coast. She actively supports local artists and plays a key role in the annual Festival of Creativity at Red Tree Theatre, celebrating the region’s talent and cultural vibrancy. Gail is committed to raising awareness of the Central Coast’s diverse industries, innovation, and world-class capabilities, ensuring the region gains the recognition it deserves as a hub for opportunity, investment, and growth.
Sarah El-Moselhi
Committee Member
With a passion for delivering results, Sarah is a Communications and Media Executive who drives comprehensive media campaigns and strategic communications that align with industry developments. Her expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of communications disciplines, including executive and corporate communications, with a focus on advocacy and stakeholder engagement to contribute significantly to regional development initiatives that foster economic growth within the community. Sarah is also dedicated to forging pathways to sustainable business communications, highlighted by her pursuit of the Pathways to Net Zero for Business certification from the Australian College of Business Intelligence. Her commitment to integrating sustainability into corporate communication ensures that her work not only drives business success but also contributes positively to environmental stewardship. Having resided on the Central Coast for two decades, the seasoned journalist is also a Bureau Chief and Senior News and Sports Reporter, who is proficient at delivering narratives that capture the true essence of a story, to give the region a voice with value. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sarah is a lifelong learner, continuously seeking new challenges and opportunities. But at her core, she is an eternal Central Coast Mariners fan and supporter, and a proud advocate of the yellow and navy.
Chris Smith
Committee Member
Chris is the sitting Deputy Chair of the Urban Development Institute of Australia – Central Coast Chapter, as well as a Senior Town Planner and Project Development Manager. Chris boasts over 30 years of industry experience, including 15 years in local government, and is supported by numerous qualifications or studies in accounting, business management, real estate, land valuation, town planning and sustainability. This training has allowed him to step beyond the traditional ‘town planning’ role and take on greater responsibility as a Development Manager; firstly with Landcom, and then in the private sector with Crighton Properties, as well as in his own self-employment. Celebrated for his strong network of industry stakeholders, Chris has also worked directly with many of the Coast’s major land owners, including our local Aboriginal Land Council, to find innovative solutions to overcome substantial impediments to local land developments.
Karen Tucker
Committee Member
Karen has more than 20 years’ experience in both State and Local Government, where she held senior management roles, and has successfully led teams in Project Management, Strategic Planning, Recreation Planning and Open Space. Karen's achievements demonstrate her ability to inspire innovation and drive participation, and she has a particular interest in striving to deliver the best outcomes for the Central Coast community. Throughout her career, Karen has been involved in delivering a wide range of projects, from major through to small projects, that each provide significant community outcomes. She has also worked to deliver noteworthy strategic plans that meet community expectations and achieve economic outcomes. Currently working in Tertiary Education at the University of Newcastle, Karen continues to provide leadership in supporting the reinvigoration of the University campuses following the impacts of COVID-19 on the education sector. As a Central Coast resident since birth, and having worked the majority of her career on the Central Coast, her passion and commitment to the growth of region is resolute. She has a particular focus on supporting continued growth in education, sustainable development, and supporting the local community organisations and businesses. Karen has also dedicated much of her professional and personal life to the betterment of the local community, with particular focus on sport and recreation across the Central Coast. She has spent many years volunteering her personal time to support local sporting clubs through coaching and officiating.
Dr Lisa Barnes
CEO / Director of Regional Developme
Dr Lisa Barnes is a long-term resident of the Central Coast with a strong commitment to the region and its community. She completed both her Master of Business and Doctor of Business degrees at the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus, where she later spent 15 years teaching and mentoring the next generation of business leaders. Lisa’s career has combined leadership in both education and the not-for-profit sector. She served as Head of the Arts and Business School at Avondale University before stepping into her first CEO role at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, where she successfully led the organisation through a period of growth and transformation. Her governance and community involvement extend across several boards, including Lasercraft, a local disability service provider, and the Academic Board of Alphacrucis University College. Lisa is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, bringing with her a wealth of expertise in business, finance, people management, and governance. With a deep understanding of the Central Coast’s unique culture, Lisa is passionate about building strong connections and creating opportunities that support the region’s growth and prosperity. “I look forward to working with the RDACC Chair and Committee, alongside our network of regional stakeholders, to help advance the Central Coast towards a future full of opportunities.”
Elizabeth Saltwell
RDACC
Office Manager
Elizabeth joined RDACC at the inception in July 2009. Previously being with the State regional organisation, Business Central Coast. She has over 30 years experience in administration and co-ordination roles with qualifications in management, administration and accounting. Elizabeth has been a resident on the Central Coast for over 40 years.