Our leadership team

Scott Langford, Chief Executive Officer

Scott has had a 20 year career in housing development, management and investment spanning the private sector and community housing industry. He believes that affordable housing is the foundation for a healthy housing system with pathways to home ownership also crucial for social and economic well being.  

Prior to joining Housing Australia, Scott led significant innovation to mobilise institutional investment into affordable housing in Australia in his role as Group CEO of SGCH, a leading community housing provider serving 12,000 customers living in 7,000 homes. Bringing together capital and capability, SGCH had residential assets under management of approximately $3.9 billion, and mobilised over $1.01 billion of private sector investment. 

Scott held prior roles including General Manager of Housing and Urban Development for Junction Australia and Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Australia, after working in the private sector in construction and development. 

A Chartered Surveyeor (MRICS) with a housing management and development specialisation, Scott also holds an MBA and postraduate qualification in property development, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Rowena Johnston, Executive Leader NHIF CT

Rowena is leading the establishment of the $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Crisis and Transitional Accommodation.  

A highly skilled banking and finance professional with 25 years’ experience in property and infrastructure funding, including 6 years as Chief Credit Officer at Housing Australia, Rowena will apply her extensive knowledge of the market to support the national delivery of crisis and transitional housing for vulnerable Australians, including women and children experiencing family violence, and youth at risk of experiencing homelessness. 

Peter Anderson, Executive Leader, Housing Programs

Peter leads our Housing Programs Team which is responsible for the administration of the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility and National Housing Accord Facility, to support the delivery of 40,000 new social and affordable homes across Australia over a 5-year period. 

With over 30 years of experience in housing and property development, Peter has a strong focus on affordable housing, community development, and mixed-use projects. He has successfully spearheaded initiatives across various sectors, showcasing his financial acumen and deep understanding of market dynamics and real estate finance. 
 

Michael Camerlengo, Executive Leader Housing Capital Solutions and Partnerships  

Michael joined Housing Australia in 2024 and leads the team that brings together Housing Australia’s capabilities across debt and capital origination, transaction management and execution, portfolio management and valuations.    

Prior to joining Housing Australia, Michael worked with KPMG for approximately 20 years across their Sydney, Melbourne and Hong Kong offices including as KPMG’s Asia Pacific Head of the Government Sector. Michael is a corporate and project finance specialist and has led and advised on a wide range of infrastructure transactions and development projects, with a primary focus on social infrastructure including housing.  
 

Tim Elliott, Chief Financial Officer (from 13 February 2025)

Tim is joining Housing Australia to lead our finance and treasury teams. He is a seasoned senior executive and strategic Chief Financial Officer with a career spanning over 25 years in financial services.  

Prior to joining Housing Australia, Tim established and led significant organisational transformation programs including significant mergers, digital, data and finance transformation particularly in his role as Group Executive of Finance, Strategy and Transformation at Aware Super, an industry super fund serving over 1.1 million members and $180 billion in funds under management. 

Tim’s other prior roles including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of StatePlus, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of CP2 and Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Financial Services Group at Macquarie Bank. Tim is passionate about building organisational resilience, growth, and financial viability and cultivating high-performing teams with a clearly articulated strategy. 

Lisa Braid, Chief Operating Officer

Lisa joined Housing Australia in 2024, bringing 25 years of public sector experience. She most recently served as Deputy Secretary, Operations, Engagement, and Governance at the NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade. Prior to this, she held senior leadership roles at Investment NSW, Transport for NSW, and the Northern Territory Government.  

Lisa’s executive leadership spans a broad range of economic and social portfolios, including housing. She also has Commonwealth Government experience, having worked at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet early in her career and led intergovernmental relations in both NSW and the Northern Territory.  

Lisa leads our enabling portfolio that drives organisational performance, overseeing planning and performance, technology, and engagement and communications.  

Kirsten O’Donoghue, Chief Risk Officer 

Joining Housing Australia in 2023, Kirsten brings almost 30 years’ experience in financial services across Australia, Europe, and North America, including credit underwriting from small business to institutional corporates, risk management of mergers, acquisition and divestment, remediation and regulatory change program activities, as well as advising on strategy.  

Kirsten leads the Financial Risk (credit) and Operational Risk and Compliance functions at Housing Australia.

Nicola Jacobs, Chief Legal Officer 

Nicola’s legal expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including corporate, property, construction, finance and investment law, governance, regulatory compliance and risk management.  Prior to joining Housing Australia in 2024, Nicola led the Finance & Projects practice at national law firm Lander & Rogers.  She has a proven track record in advising corporate and institutional clients on large-scale residential development transactions.  

Nicola leads the Legal and Corporate Governance teams at Housing Australia, providing advice and support to the Executive and Board in relation to all aspects of Housing Australia’s investment functions and operations.

Sheree Wells, Chief People Officer  

Sheree joined Housing Australia in 2024 with extensive executive experience in Organisational Development and People and Culture roles. Sheree has worked in multinational organisations in the finance and advisory sector across Asia Pacific and led the Leadership, Talent and Diversity functions across the region for all divisions of the Citi Consumer Bank in Asia Pacific.  

Prior to joining Housing Australia, Sheree held senior roles with ASX Limited including as Interim Chief People Officer. At Housing Australia, Sheree will lead efforts to build a workplace where people thrive, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. Her focus is on enhancing organisational capability, leadership development, and workforce effectiveness to support Housing Australia’s mission of delivering better housing outcomes for Australians. 

Emma Jarman, Executive Leader Home Guarantee Scheme  

Emma leads the Home Guarantee Scheme at Housing Australia and commenced with the organisation in 2022. Emma is responsible for the administration of the Home Guarantee Scheme, which includes managing a panel of over 30 lenders who offer the Scheme in the market. 

Prior to joining Housing Australia, Emma has over 15 years’ experience in financial services. She has held senior roles at Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and Aussie Home Loans across product management, risk, governance, business management and sales and distribution. Emma has extensive experience across retail mortgages and other banking products.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Masters of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.