About Us
Our friendly and professional Board and Executive actively support the interests of local businesses and community, using their experience, knowledge and networks.
Cameron McDonald
President
Kathryn O’Brien
Vice President
Aaron Shelley
Treasurer
Profile
About Aaron
Aaron has been a Kiama resident for over 40 years and been an active member of various community and sporting groups.
Aaron joined the KDBC in part to represent the growing number of businesses in the area that contribute to our local ecosystem not just through retail but employment, investment and networking opportunities.
Michael Emmett
Secretary
Profile
About Michael
Michael is an active member of the Kiama business and sporting community. Michael is a Director of Bluestone Building Group and father of two young children.
Michael is passionate about assisting local businesses to connect and grow.
Michael also represents the Kiama region with a board position at the Regional Advisory Council.
Marie Beikmanis
Immediate Past President
Profile
About Marie
Marie Beikmanis (Marie’s Favourite Things)
Marie served at Chamber President for 6 years. Now running an online business, Marie’s Favourite Things following 7 successful years as owner of Lush Flowers and Gifts, Marie was named Kiama Local Woman of the Year in 2017.
Marie is a strong advocate for local businesses in Kiama and surrounds.
Cathryn Lyall
Director
Profile
About Cathryn
Partner Seed Space: Cathryn leverages her 30 year career in capital markets as a derivatives trader, exchange executive, NED on a UK Bank Board, strategic advisor and markets infrastructure specialist.
She Co-Founded Seismic Foundry in 2017, a discretionary fund investing in UK capital markets fintech. She has a portfolio of start-up and scale-up NED roles including on the Board of the peak industry body Fintech Australia. Through her founding Board role for Women In Listed Derivatives (WILD) she has spent 10 years developing networking, mentoring, & educational opportunities for women in Capital Markets.
She has been listed in Financial News 100 Most Influential Women, Innovate Finance 100 Women in FinTech, Cranfield FTSE Index 100 Women to Watch, Brummell Most Influential Women in the City and Qantas Australian of the Year (UK).
Rachel Edwards
Director
Profile
About Rachel
Rachel Edwards is the National Talent and Sourcing Manager at BlueScope Australian Steel Products. She is a Human Resources professional who has worked in the FMCG and manufacturing industries. She has led projects in Australia, Asia and Europe and brings experience in organisational design, industrial relations and communications, recruitment, governance, administration and all aspects of human resource management.
Rachel is currently on the Australian Human Resources Institute NSW Illawarra Committee and is a member of the UOW Human Resources Advisory Committee. She is a past President of the Kiama & Jamberoo Preschool Committee.
Rachel lives locally with her family and is passionate about Kiama businesses and the local community.
Michael Cains
Director
Profile
About Michael
Michael Cains is married to Cressida and together they are the parents of two teenage boys – Hugo and Darcy. Michael was born and raised in Wollongong. He now resides in Robertson, and with Cressida, owns and runs an award winning dairy farm, recognised as an innovative, industry benchmark cheese producer. Pecora Dairy also encompasses Pecora Cheese and Wine, a Euro inspired Wine Nar and Cafe, showcasing local produce in Robertson.
Michael’s career incorporates his current role as an agricultural professional and business owner, as well as executive roles in the corporate arena. He has held board member positions for various companies, and is actively involved in both the local community and food industry working as a volunteer or committee member for a number of community and non-for-profit organisations, as well as industry associations.
In 2020, Michael had the great honour of becoming a Nuffield Scholar.
Greg Langford
Director
Profile
About Greg
Greg is NAB Bank’s Business Banking Manager – Health Specialist.
Greg has been a Director on the Board for 5 years and joined the board to “better understand what is happening in local business and also to be able to have some input into things happening in the local community to support local business”.
