Foundation Directors

Brigadier Wayne Budd – Chair

Brigadier Wayne Budd, AM CSC FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER APEC Engineer IntPE(AUS)

Wayne joined the Foundation Board in 2008 and became Chairman in 2015. He is a qualified Civil Engineer, is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, has a Masters in Strategic Studies, management qualifications and is a graduate of various Australian and overseas Defence study courses.

Wayne has served in the Australian Army for over 43 years, the last 16 years in senior leadership group positions.
His career is underpinned by his role as a Royal Australian Engineers officer where he commanded at all levels and held the Head of Corps role for 10 years.

He has extensive Corps and Army training management experience; operational planning and development background; held Defence construction roles; and has force development experience. He served as Chief of Staff of Headquarters Australian Defence Force. With input to all recent history projects for the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers, Wayne balances the Corps legacy with modern aims to support the Corps family of veterans, serving soldiers and their families. Wayne lives in Canberra with his family.

Nicholas Brown CSC

Nick comes to the Foundation having enjoyed a varied career in the Australian Defence Force as an Army Officer.

Hailing from the Riverland region in South Australia, Nick, his wife Lisa and their daughter Winnie currently live near Ipswich. His career has taken him from Puckapunyal to Hawaii and everywhere in between, including Afghanistan and significant periods in Townsville. After studying at the Australian Defence Academy and the Royal Military College, Duntroon Nick has spent the majority of his regimental time as a Combat Engineer.

His staff experience has seen him support the Army’s partnerships with international armies and industry.
He continues to serve in Army Headquarters. Nick is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was appointed as a member of the Advisory Board to the Organ and Tissue Authority in January 2022. He also holds a Masters in Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University and has supported SANE Australia as a Peer Ambassador.

Tara Bucknall

Tara Bucknall joined the Foundation Board in 2013 after providing a number of years administrative support to
the Board.

She has had over 30 years of service with the Australian Army in a range of leadership, management and representative roles; with her most valued and enjoyed positions being those within the Royal Australian Engineers. Her civilian experience ranges from leading teams within marketing and sales environment, providing training and development across sole trading business models and mentoring other business owner on the development of personal business strategies to achieve personal and business goals.

Tara has worked with a range of government agencies as part of the ACT Emergency Services and ACT State Emergency Service as a paid or volunteer member; providing preparedness, planning and response activities during emergency events. Tara also supports the next generation of leaders in a number of businesses, industries and government agencies that she has been involved with through a personal mentoring program.

Tara is passionate about supporting the community around her. This is demonstrated through her mentoring, volunteering and membership of the RAE Foundation Board.

Ken Daly

Ken Daly was appointed a director to the RAE Foundation Board in 2022. He has held a number of senior roles in banking and finance having worked in the industry for some 43 years. His experience includes but is not limited to, corporate structures, commercial lending, marketing and risk management.

Ken was a member of the Australian Army Reserve for 29 years. He had a diverse military background as a Combat Engineer, Civil and Military liaison operator and in positions aiding the Civilian authorities. He has been President of the RAE Association SA Division for 14 years and serves on the committee of the Royal Regimental Council of South Australia. He has been involved in numerous community-based organisations either as President or as a Committee member including Rotary, sporting clubs, community and Government based initiatives. Ken provides a skill in finance and leadership, derived from his military and civilian careers.

Craig Egan OAM

Craig Egan was appointed to the RAE Foundation Board in 2013. He has previously served on boards and committees associated with welfare, career and promotion advisory, honours and awards, non-public moneys accounting and Engineer Corps heritage.

Craig is an active member of the Australian Army with over 40-years of service. After a career in enlisted leadership in Australia and overseas, he commissioned in 2019, and continues to advocate for the well-being, education, professional development, and recognition of others. He has a diverse background with Command Senior Enlisted Leader appointments in Joint, Interagency, and Multinational environments at the operational and strategic levels. This has allowed Craig to contribute to organisation, workforce, capability, and cultural modernisation initiatives.

With these select professional and contemporary exposures, an analytical and reasoned mindset, and an ability to lead and influence through collaborative interpersonal skills, Craig continues to advocate balanced perspectives for the benefit of others. Craig and his wife currently live in Melbourne. They have two adult children.

Michelle McCormack

Michelle’s executive and non-executive careers have spanned many roles within Defence, private industry and state government.  Throughout all, the common thread has been a strong desire to devote her energies into providing a positive impact to the lives of communities and individuals.

Michelle has a passion for the work of the Royal Australian Engineers Foundation. Having served in both the Regular Army and Army Reserves since 1994, she has seen first-hand how the work of the Foundation has supported our People and our Heritage, and continues to do. Michelle was registered as a Director of the Foundation in 2022.

She has extensive experience in leadership, planning and execution, risk management, governance and compliance, and financial management.  Her Board and Committee experience has included multiple appointments within the education, engineering, community and government sectors. All these experiences have enriched her knowledge
of how to develop an organisation to thrive.

Michelle lives in Melbourne with her husband and two school-aged sons. 

Previous Directors

Colonel John Wertheimer AM (Founding Chairman)

Major Peter Don

Lieutenant Colonel Rex Wright CSM

Brigadier Denis Magee

Colonel Bruce Murray AM

Brigadier Ian Gilmore OAM

Colonel Stephen Gliddon AM

LTCOL Robin Youl

Colonel Howard Ellis RFD

Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Thomas Bowyer CSM