Parks Victoria Executive Team
Ben Skinner, Executive Director Infrastructure
Ben joined Parks Victoria in January 2018 as Executive Director of Infrastructure.Ben is responsible for Parks Victoria’s Infrastructure Capital Projects, and Infrastructure Operations. He oversees the delivery of the annual capital works program and asset management planning function including fleet and facilities management.
Ben has 16 years’ experience in engineering and capital project delivery across the private and higher education sectors in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Previously, Ben held the Acting Deputy Director Capital Works role at RMIT University and was responsible for the annual delivery of $150-200 million in capital works.
Ben holds a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical – CPEng).
Lisa Patroni, Executive Director Visitor Experience
Lisa joined Parks Victoria as Executive Director of Marketing and Communications in October 2017.Lisa is responsible for leading unified communication to raise Parks Victoria’s profile and maintain its brand and public reputation. She is overseeing Parks Victoria’s digital transformation, which involves a new website, social media presence and accommodation booking system. Lisa is committed to building relationships with government, the tourism industry and community organisations. Her division implements volunteering, accessibility, health and wellbeing and education programs as well as increasing profile of significant heritage places.
Previously Head of International, Tourism, Government, Community and Communications at Victoria Racing Club Lisa has a strong background in marketing, stakeholder management, government relations, tourism, and major events, with a proven ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.
Kylie Trott, Executive Director Operations
Kylie joined Parks Victoria in 2005, holding numerous operational and strategic roles before being appointed as an Executive Director in April 2016.Kylie is responsible for park operations across the state, ensuring high quality outcomes as a result of promoting a performance oriented culture that encourages accountability and service/project delivery efficiency. She is committed to connecting Victorians to nature by improving visitor experiences in our parks, waterways and the local ports (Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell). She is committed to maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of all.
Kylie has extensive leadership, planning, policy development, project management, strategic and business reform experience. She started her career in local government as a gardener and park manager in regional parks.
Kylie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management), Graduate Certificate of Applied Science (Environmental and Heritage Interpretation), Diploma of Business (Project Management) and a Diploma of Management.
Frances Li, Executive Director, Finance and Information Technology and Chief Financial Officer
Frances joined Parks Victoria in 2017 as the Director of Finance and Project Management Office and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2020. She also holds the position of Executive Director for Finance and IT. Frances leads and has responsibility for Finance, Information Technology, Procurement, Project Management Office, as well as Corporate and Business Strategy. She also has responsibility for managing the people and culture, risk, compliance, insurance, information management and health, safety and environment functions.Frances has over 20 years of experience working in finance and has held various senior leader position across the public sector in strategy and planning, financial management, shared services and project management office.
She holds a Master of Commerce (Accounting with Business Information Systems) and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).
Dan McLaughlin, Executive Director Conservation and Planning
Dan joined Parks Victoria in 2003, working across numerous roles in operations, planning and programming. Following 4 years as Regional Director, Northern Victoria, he was appointed Executive Director Conservation and Planning in November 2022.Dan leads Parks Victoria's Managing Country Together, Fire, Emergency & Enforcement, Environment & Science and Park Planning and Policy Directorates, focused on providing the strategic direction and guidance that enable Parks Victoria’s to deliver quality parks services to the Victorian community.
Raised in Wangaratta in Victoria’s north-east, Dan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and Graduate Diploma (Parks, Recreation and Heritage), a Master of Natural Resource Management, and an MBA from RMIT.
Dan served on the Dhelkunya Dja Traditional Owner Land Management Board in Victoria’s Central Goldfields for 3 years until December 2022, guiding implementation of the Joint Management Plan for the six Dja Dja Wurrung Parks in partnership with Djaara.