Our Leaders

National Executive Team

Andrew Cialini

General Manager (Southern & Western Regions)

Based in McKenzie Group’s Adelaide office, Andrew joined the business in 2025 as the General Manager (Southern & Western Regions) managing operations in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Andrew has over 35 years industry experience in the structural engineering and building surveying disciplines.

Throughout this time, Andrew founded and grew a successful building surveyor company, held director, executive and regional roles in large multi disciplined international organisations and, also in government, as the inaugural State Building Surveyor of Victoria.

His project experience is broad across all sectors and building types with a strong commercial understanding and particular strengths in aged care, health, and defence projects.

Geoff Pearce

General Manager (Eastern Regions)

Geoff has been with McKenzie Group for over 20 years, joining the business in 2003 and has been a key member of the Senior Management team since 2015.
Geoff held the position Partner from 2017 to 2024 and remains a key senior leader in the business following his January 2025 appointment as General Manager (Eastern Regions) managing operations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Geoff brings extensive flagship public and transport infrastructure project experience to the group, having successfully completed numerous large-scale projects across New South Wales & the Australian Capital Territory.
Geoff has also been involved in the development and building surveying profession for over 10 years and has served on many industry bodies including various Property Council of Australia (PCA) committees.

Michael Leighton

Chief Operating Officer

Michael has been providing Building Surveying and Private Certification services since 2004 and after joining the business in 2007, has remained a permanent fixture in a number of landmark McKenzie Group projects.

Michael held the position of Queensland Business Partner from 2011 which saw him responsible for the management of the state’s operations. During this time, Michael honed his experience across a diverse range of projects including a variety of large-scale health, multi-residential, institutional, industrial, retail and high-rise commercial development.

Since 2023 Michael has been the Chief Operating Officer for McKenzie Group Consulting where he oversees all operating groups nationally.

Natasha Jones

National Operations Executive

Natasha has been with McKenzie Group for over 10 years and is known for her strategic mindset and ability to drive complex operational projects that enhance efficiency, performance, and organisational alignment.

In her previous role as National Operations Manager, Natasha worked closely with corporate functions including Finance, People & Culture, IT, Legal, QHSE and Marketing, while also managing the Operations Support group to deliver initiatives aligned with national business goals.

Now, as National Operations Executive, Natasha partners with senior leaders and corporate functions across the organisation to shape and advance operational strategies that support integration, sustainable growth, and long-term success.

Stephen Natilli

Executive Director

Steve is the Executive Director of the National Group and has been involved in the building regulations industry for over 30 years.

Steve has successfully completed numerous large-scale projects across the country and has gained unique expertise over a range of project types in different legislative regions throughout Australia.

Steve has been involved in the development and building surveying profession for over 20 years and has served on many industry bodies including Property Council of Australia committees, Standards Australia committees and is currently on the Board of the Association of Accredited Certifiers.

Vanessa Hinge

National Lead, Growth & Strategy

Vanessa has been with the business for over 15 years, joining McKenzie Group in 2010 based in our Sydney office.

Vanessa’s talent in delivering exceptional technical surveying advice and building code consultancy saw her rise to a Senior Building Surveyor position within our New South Wales business in 2014.

Vanessa continued to hone her expertise throughout this time and was heavily involved in the successful delivery of numerous large-scale projects across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory with some of Mckenzie Group largest national and institutional and clients.

In 2024, Vanessa’s recognised strength in driving business growth and strategic initiatives, and ability to develop innovative strategies to expand market share saw her take a new role as McKenzie Group’s Lead in business growth and strategy where she leads a data-driven decision-making framework, leveraging business intelligence and analytics to drive informed strategic decisions.

National Leadership Team

Andrew Naylor

Regional Lead (ACT)

Andy has over 15 years’ experience in the building certification industry and currently works in the capacity of Senior Associate based in our Canberra office.

Andy is passionate about the building surveying profession and was recognised for his expertise when he was awarded Master Builders (ACT), Professional of the Year in 2018.

In 2023, Andy became a member of McKenzie Group’s Executive Group and as our Regional Lead (ACT) and is responsible supervising our Canberra based Building Surveying teams, their project delivery and internal technical operations.

Andy’s vast range of experience across the public and private sectors enables him to contribute significantly to the success of our Australian Capital Territory and Regional New South Wales Building Surveying teams.

Angela Chambers

National Lead, Access

Ange specialises in Access Consultancy and joined McKenzie Group in 2012.

Ange’s primary professional background as both an Accredited Access Consultant and Building Surveyor underpins her ability to provide expert advice on current legislative requirements against the minimum technical provisions and providing recommendations to assist in the creation of a universally accessible environment.

In 2024, her specialist expertise across a broad spectrum of Disability & Equal Access design saw Ange appointed as McKenzie Group’s National Access Consulting Lead.

Ange has experience in a diverse range of projects including public realm, government, transport, health, infrastructure, sporting, tourism, education and commercial.

Brigette Thearle

National Technical Coordinator (Surveying)

Brigitte has been with the business since 2009 when she joined McKenzie Group as an Assistant Building Surveyor based in our Sydney office.

Brigitte’s talent in delivering exceptional technical surveying advice and building code consultancy saw her rise to a Senior Building Surveyor position within our New South Wales business in 2013.

Throughout this time, Brigitte was heavily involved in the development of internal technical operational process improvement projects, particularly in the areas of internal technical education, streamlining benchmarking standards and project delivery in our New South Wales and greater Eastern Seaboard regions.

In 2023, Brigitte’s recognised expertise saw her take the lead role in the technical space at McKenzie Group where she works to develop nationally consistent and industry leading technical capabilities within the business as well as quality and risk management functions for internal McKenzie Group technical processes.

Brigitte’s dedicated role as McKenzie Group’s National Technical Coordinator in combination with her invaluable and unique skillset, offers both our business and client’s competitive technical expertise.

Chris Scully

National Technical Manager (Compliance)

Chris has 24 years of experience in the property certification and compliance industry. With an extensive background in building surveying and safety measures compliance.

As the National Technical Manager for our Compliance division, Chris is responsible for ensuring that technical excellence and high‐level quality is delivered to our Safety Measures clients nationally ensure they are meeting their state based legislative requirements.

Chris ensures that our internal project teams have the required skills and up-to-date technical knowledge to perform on each contract and oversees a through structured audit and quality assurance program to ensure these required standards are maintained.

Chris provides specialist technical advice to internal and external parties on all matters of safety measures compliance and is currently an active member of the FPA Australia Victorian State Committee.

Daniel Sloan

General Manager (Compliance)

Daniel joined McKenzie Group in 2024 bringing a wealth of experience to the group having operated in the Fire Protection and Essential Services industry for almost 20 years, with an extensive background in Essential Safety Measures (ESM) and building compliance and maintenance.

Daniel is an experienced General Manager and prior to joining us, was the Victorian Principal ESM Specialist at Victoria’s authoritative industry body.

Daniel has a proven track record in business development, client relationships and team mentoring. Driven by building and retaining strong, diverse consulting teams, Daniel ensures that utilisations and KPIs are met, and client needs are satisfied through high-quality technical service.

Daniel has a profound knowledge of state-specific legislation in the property compliance space. This knowledge enables him to provide McKenzie Group’s clients with valuable insights into compliance requirements for their commercial property portfolios.

Jayden Wood

State Manager (VIC)

Jayden joined McKenzie Group Consulting in 2005 and currently works in the capacity of Registered Building Surveyor and Private Certifier across the Victorian and South Australian regions.

Jayden held the positions of Associate and Senior Associate from 2015 until 2024 and in 2025 was appointed McKenzie Group’s Victoria State Manager, responsible for the leadership and detailed supervision of our Victorian Building Surveying teams, quality and delivery of projects as well as key client liaison across our Victorian operations.

Over his 20+ years in the building and construction industry, Jayden has had extensive experience in all sectors particularly transport, public infrastructure residential, health care and aged care across both the public and private sectors.

In 2025 Jayden will join the Property Council of Australia’s Mentoring Program to give his extensive experience back and to the further develop our valued industry and professionals who operate within it.

Kahlan Commerford

Regional Lead (WA)

Kahlan (KC) joined McKenzie Group in early 2022 in the position of a Senior Building Surveyor and currently is based in our Perth office.

KC joins McKenzie Group with over 13 years’ experience working within the construction and building industry and during his time at McKenzie Group has been responsible for the management of a multitude of diverse projects, varying in complexity and involving all classes of buildings across Queensland and Western Australia,

KC’s vast range of experience includes projects in high-rise commercial and residential developments, education, health and aged care, transport and public venues.

In 2024 KC was appointed an Associate position as a key leader of our Western Australian Building Surveying operations. As our Regional Lead for the region KC is responsible for supervising the project delivery of our Perth based Building Surveying teams.

Matthew Kennedy

National Lead, Defence

Based between McKenzie Group’s Brisbane and Melbourne offices, Matthew joined the business in 2017 and has been a permanent fixture in delivering some of McKenzie Group’s largest projects.

After holding Senior Building Surveying positions within the Queensland business for a number of years, Matthew was appointed as an Associate, joining our National Executive Group in 2022 responsible for the leadership and detailed supervision of the Building Surveying team, quality and delivery of projects as well as key client liaison.

In 2025, Matthew was appointed McKenzie Group’s National Defence Lead and will be responsible for driving the business’s expanding Defence operations nationwide.

Paul Curjak

State Manager (NSW)

Based in our Sydney office, Paul joined McKenzie Group in 2018 and has been a key member of the Senior Management team since 2022.

Paul’s involvement in the building certification industry commenced in 2012 and includes experience delivering both building code certification and consultancy roles.

In his capacity as a Senior Associate, Paul was responsible for the management of a multitude of diverse projects, varying in complexity and involving all classes of buildings across New South Wales. This experience now sees Paul possess a unique and extensive knowledge base of state and territory legislation.

In 2025, Paul remains a key senior leader moving into his new appointment as State Manager (NSW) where he is responsible for supervising our Sydney based Building Surveying teams, their project delivery and internal technical operations.

Scott McGovern

State Manager (QLD)

Commencing with McKenzie Group in 2016, Scott has been a key member of our Senior Management team since 2019.Throughout this time, Scott honed his major projects expertise having been involved in numerous major public sector and social infrastructure projects. Also responsible for managing a large component of the Queensland Building Surveying division, Scott’s strong leadership saw his rise to a Senior Associate appointment in 2021.In 2025, Scott’s was recognised again for not only his leadership, but his invaluable ability to share his knowledge and expertise across both our Building Surveying and Accessibility Consulting teams and was appointed as State Manager (QLD).Scott also takes a lead role in McKenzie Group technical space where he is was heavily involved in the development of internal technical operational process improvement projects, particularly in the areas of internal technical education, streamlining benchmarking standards and project delivery, not only in Queensland but across our Eastern Seaboard regions.

Stan Tsantis

Partner

Stan has been with McKenzie Group Consulting for over 20 years, joining the business in 2003 and has been a key member of the Senior Management team since 2010.

Stan has held the position of Victorian Business Partner since 2017 and in 2025, Stan remains a key senior leader within our National Executive Group.

Having successfully delivered numerous flagship public and transport infrastructure projects across Victoria, Stan brings extensive multi-stakeholder expertise to the group.

With over 25+ years’ experience, Stan has gained unique expertise across fire technology and performance-based design solutions which underpins his ability to deliver the best possible outcome for our clients and projects.