Damien Walker was appointed to the SUNS board at the commencement of season 2022 - he originally hails from South Australia and has been a life-long footy fan.
Damien is an experienced executive who has a broad background in strategic planning, industry development and public policy.
He was formerly Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, in the Queensland Government. In his various Director-General roles, he drove economic growth and job creation and successfully led Queensland's delivery of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Damien also played a key role in the 2020 Covid year in getting footy back up and running - and centred here in Queensland.
He was appointed to the role of Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet with the South Australian Government in may 2022. Damien leads the South Australian public sector, and in doing so has continued to forge a relationship with footy - playing a key role in the successful delivery of the 2023 Gather Round.
His background also includes senior executive roles in the South Australian Government in infrastructure planning and delivery, investment facilitation, contract management and reform implementation, including working on the construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Glenside campus redevelopment and the SAHMRI building.
Damien has also served on a number of boards in the areas of economic development, trade and investment.
His education includes a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Planning, and further academic qualifications in planning and property.
Damien is married to Tamara and has three young daughters - who are even crazier about footy than he is.