27 March 2025
A message from Professor John Wiseman, Board Chair at The Next Economy
- Dr Amanda Cahill to step down as CEO and remain at The Next Economy in a new Founder role, and as a Board Director
- Lizzie Webb, current COO and former Board Chair, to step into the CEO role from May 2025
- The Board has every confidence in a smooth leadership transition, and the organisation’s continued commitment to navigate change and build momentum for a rapid, responsible and fair transition
- Hear from Amanda, and Lizzie, below
Professor John Wiseman, Chair of the Board at The Next Economy
The Next Economy was established in 2018 in response to growing calls – from community, industry and government leaders – to support regions to navigate the growing disruptions and challenges associated with the need to decarbonise the economy.
Since then, we’ve partnered with communities and decision makers to demonstrate how it is possible to manage change in ways that strengthen social, economic and environmental outcomes.
We’ve worked with regions holding the key to Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, focusing on those with carbon-intensive industries, including the Latrobe Valley (Vic), the Hunter Valley (NSW) and Central Queensland (Qld).
Over the past year, global economic and political systems have grown more complex and unstable. In response, The Next Economy has grown substantially. We have supported a new wave of regions and industries to navigate the transition and stepped up our work to give decision makers across government, industry and the investment community the confidence needed to hold the line on long-term policies and investments at a time of great political uncertainty.
Dr Amanda Cahill and Lizzie Webb with The Next Economy’s board and staff in late-2024
We are now working in regions with the capacity for critical mineral extraction and processing such as in North-West Queensland; communities that produce agricultural commodities while managing renewable energy projects and climate impacts, such as in Hay and the New England Renewable Energy Zone in New South Wales; and with significant levels of First Nations land and sea stewardship, such as in Northern Australia.
None of this would have been possible without the vision and leadership of CEO Dr Amanda Cahill and the dedication of staff, partners and supporters. After seven years leading The Next Economy, Amanda has decided to step out of the CEO role and transition into the new role of Founder.
In this new role, Amanda will continue working within the organisation to provide strategic advice, develop new content, mentor staff, manage key relationships and explore new opportunities for The Next Economy. She will also remain on the organisation’s board as a Director.
The Board would like to take this opportunity to both thank Amanda for her enormous contribution as well as congratulate her on the new role.
For this next chapter, we warmly welcome Lizzie Webb, our current Chief Operations Officer, as The Next Economy’s new CEO. An engineer by background, Lizzie brings 20 years of experience leading start-up organisations and teams in the non-profit and social enterprises sectors, including work with communities across regional and remote Australia.
Lizzie has a deep understanding of The Next Economy, first joining as a board director in 2018, before becoming board chair, and moving into staff roles where she has managed both the organisation’s operations as well as overseen initiatives. Most recently, she led collaboration with Mount Isa City Council on the successful development and launch of the city’s Future Ready Economy Roadmap.
Lizzie will officially assume the role on 5 May 2025 and will be supported by Amanda and the TNE leadership team driving key programs across energy, land use and systems change.
The Board has every confidence in The Next Economy’s new leadership and the organisation’s continued commitment to navigating change and building momentum for a rapid, responsible and fair transition.
In the coming months, you will hear more from both Amanda and Lizzie as we reflect on the organisation’s success to date and direction moving forward.
In the meantime, please join us in thanking Amanda for her extraordinary contributions in establishing The Next Economy and welcoming Lizzie to the helm.
Hear From Dr Amanda Cahill and Lizzie Webb
Long-time colleagues and collaborators, Lizzie Webb (L) and Dr Amanda Cahill (R), are working together alongside the board, staff and partners, for a smooth leadership transition at The Next Economy.
Dr Amanda Cahill, outgoing CEO and Founder, said:
“It has been an honour and privilege to work with inspiring people all over Australia to establish and grow The Next Economy into the strong, catalytic organisation it is today. I have learned so much from so many people who have been part of this journey that has spanned communities from Cairns in Far North Queensland, to the Latrobe Valley down South and across to Western Australia and even the Northern Territory.
“At this crucial time, when the impacts of efforts to decarbonise Australia are becoming increasingly felt, The Next Economy’s work is more important than ever. People across all sectors and regions, from government officials to industry executives, union delegates to Traditional Owners, small businesses to those who don’t always benefit from economic activities are all asking how can we achieve what we need to do in terms of emission reductions, but do it in a way that ensures the protection and regeneration of both nature and our communities.
“They are asking: What does good economic development look like? This is, and will continue to be, the guiding question for The Next Economy. And I look forward to the next seven years of figuring this out with communities across Australia and beyond.”
Lizzie Webb, incoming CEO, said:
“Amanda has worked tirelessly over the past seven years to support good decision making and action for a just transition. Her work is greatly respected by regions, government and industry alike, and she consistently works hard to inspire and support the climate and environment movement. We’re delighted Amanda will continue to work with us in her new role as Founder, and continue as a TNE Board Director.
“Supporting regions to navigate complex change to their economies will remain central to our focus. We have a strong team in place and through our 2030 Strategy we will work with a broader range of regions critical to a just transition in Australia, and integrate a strong focus on economic systems change across all aspects of our work.
“In the next six months, we’ll be working in partnership with multiple regions in western Queensland and central New South Wales on plans to strengthen their economies and maximise the benefits of new development across the energy and agricultural sectors. We will also commence work on a significant coral conservation project, supporting opportunities for First Nations participation and economic sovereignty.”