About Incolink

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Rebecca is the President of Incolink, which is the largest worker entitlement fund in Australia. She is the first woman to be appointed to that position in the organisation’s 34-year history.

Rebecca is also the Chairperson of the Victorian Government’s Building Industry Consultative Council, which is a forum for discussion on economic and industrial relations issues in the building and construction industry. She is the first woman to be appointed to that position in the Council’s 21-year history.

Previously, Rebecca was the CEO of Master Builders Victoria. She was the first woman to be appointed to that position in the Association’s 147-year history. In her time at Master Builders Victoria, Rebecca led the Association through what can only be described as a journey of positive transformation during a notably tumultuous COVID-impacted period.

Additionally, Rebecca steered the building and construction industry through one of the greatest challenges we will see in our lifetime by successfully navigating the complex waters of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of her efforts in leading through a crisis, Rebecca was inducted into the 2021 Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Rebecca has a strong background in government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. She has held senior roles across a wide range of portfolios including international engagement, government relations, corporate diplomacy, and major projects, together with public policy development and implementation. She is also a published author and academic.

Rebecca is currently an Advisory Board member on the Victorian Skills Authority, and she has previously served on the Boards of Master Builders Insurance Brokers, Development Victoria, and the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust.

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Earl has been actively involved in the plumbing industry for 30 years. In 2001 Earl was elected State and Federal Secretary of the Plumbing Trades Employees Union, and he has held both roles ever since. Earl is also Chair of the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre and Indigenous Plumbing and Sanitation Foundation, and is a Board Member of the Victorian Building Authority Plumbing Advisory Council, the Building Industry Consultative Committee, Incolink, CBus and the Plumbing Joint Training Fund.

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Born and bred in Melbourne’s western suburbs of Footscray, John Setka, has been a union man all his working life. Once he completed his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, from the age of nineteen he began working as a builders’ labourer, following in the footsteps of his father Bob, who was a Rigger and was working on the West Gate Bridge when it came down in 1970, he was able to see firsthand the improvements that the union made on the job.

“Seeing the union in action and seeing the results they delivered inspired me to be a union activist,” he says.

It was not long before he drew the attention of the union leadership of the late John Cummins President of the BLF, who employed him as an organiser in 1986 at the young age of 22.

John is proud of the achievements of the CFMEU and under his leadership wants to strengthen and broaden the union presence on building sites in Victoria, so that more workers receive EBA pay and conditions.

John served four years as Assistant Secretary of the Victorian CFMEU before being elected in 2013 to lead the Branch.

John joined Incolink as a director in January 2022, and has completed the AICD Foundation for Directors course.

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Michaela Lihou, CEO, leads Master Builders Victoria with a distinguished career spanning blue and white-collar services industries. With a Bachelor of Arts/Commerce from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma in Business from Monash University, her strategic expertise shines in human resources management, industrial relations, policy and advocacy, communications and stakeholder engagement, strategy development and execution, member services, governance, marketing and finance.

Beyond her CEO role, Michaela's influence extends across key industry bodies. She is a Director on the Incolink Board and plays a vital role within the BICC. Her visionary leadership propels growth, sustainability, and collaboration in the construction sector. With a unique blend of strategic acumen and industry insight, Michaela Lihou leaves an indelible mark on Victoria's built environment, shaping its future with a legacy of progress.

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With more than 20 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Peter has a deep understanding of membership organisations and a proven history of working successfully with government and industry to build consensus around business and public policy outcomes.

He is a Civil Engineer and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Peter is the CEO and Secretary of Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, member of various government advisory bodies and Director on the board of a number of business entities and charitable organisations.

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Adam is the Managing Director of Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd, an Australian owned foundation engineering contractor with operations nationally and in New Zealand. Prior to becoming Managing Director, Adam was the Group Finance & Strategy Director. Adam has a professional background in finance and law.

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Born and bred in Geelong, Rob has been a member of the CFMEU since 1996, coming from the FEDFA side of the Union.

Rob worked primarily interstate for the first 8 years of his working life both as a Rigger and Crane Operator.

Rob joined the CFMEU as an Organiser in 2006 and spent 5 years Organising in the Western District.

Moving from Geelong to Melbourne in 2011, Rob was appointed the Organiser for Mobile Cranes as well as Organising in the Eastern Suburbs.

He was elected as Vice-President in 2016 and at the turn of the 2020 ticket, was elected President.

Rob’s vision is to broaden and diversify the Union so more people can enjoy the benefits of being a Union member. He has a strong commitment to achieving justice, fairness, equality and dignity for all workers.

Rob joined Incolink as a director in January 2022, and has completed the AICD Foundation for Directors course.

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Claire is an experienced non-executive director with more than 20 years’ experience on State and Federal Government boards and in superannuation and infrastructure businesses.

Chairing audit, risk, finance, and remuneration committees, Claire has experience in superannuation, insurance, funds management, infrastructure and property including ports, roads, rail and utilities. Her knowledge and skills include corporate legal advice, strategic risk management, compliance and governance.

While working in private legal practice, Claire was a construction lawyer working for major national law firms in Perth and Melbourne.

Claire currently sits on the board of Greater Western Water in Victoria, and is the Deputy Chair of the Port of Hastings Corporation, the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority and the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation.

She is also Chair and independent member of the City of Kingston Audit and Risk Committee.

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Giovanni has 15 years of Human Resources experience and 12 years in Senior Leadership roles, predominately within the building and construction sector. Currently Giovanni provides leadership to the Master Builders Association Victoria’s (MBAV) People and Member Services teams, covering, Advisory, People and Culture, Marketing and Communications, Projects and Membership.

Giovanni is also an Alternate Panel Member on the Victorian Building Industry Disputes Panel.

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Elizabeth Doidge has a proud career in the trade union movement, leading advocacy and policy initiatives for the CFMEU Construction division across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

In addition to her role at the union, Elizabeth was elected to Melbourne City Council in 2020 where she chair’s the council’s Sustainable Buildings, Environment and Creative Melbourne portfolios.

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Erik has been in leadership positions in the private sector, unions and politics for more than twenty years. Prior to joining Incolink in 2019, he worked as a Chief of Staff in three jurisdictions, held senior management positions in public relations, professional associations, political parties and the union movement.

He has worked in the investment banking sector in London, and while managing public relations firms counted some of Australia’s largest corporates, unions and NGOs amongst his clients. Erik sat on the Board of Andrew Denton’s charity, Go Gentle Australia and played a senior role in the marriage equality postal survey. He studied at UWA, Murdoch and Griffith Universities, collecting Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Communications, Australia and the Asia Pacific. He is a member of and is currently completing his AICD course.

In his role as CEO, Erik is responsible for leading Incolink’s corporate strategy and ensuring the member is always put first. Erik works with our stakeholders and industry to ensure the health and safety of workers is always at the forefront.

Throughout his time at Incolink, Erik has led the organisation to deliver covid testing and vaccinations whilst supporting members by implementing industry-first covid payments. Erik’s leadership has been instrumental in the funds growth and innovation over the last several years.

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Niall is a financial and investment leader with a strong track record in the financial services sector. In his role at Incolink, Niall is responsible for all financial and investments functions ensuring strong returns allowing the organisation to invest back into the industry through programs and services. Niall also works closely with the CEO and Leadership team to design and execute key strategic planning initiatives.

Since joining Incolink in 2014 Niall has delivered consistent industry leading investment returns, built out an in-house finance and investment team alongside external provider expertise, and implemented contemporary financial systems to streamline functional processes and improve efficiency.

Prior to joining Incolink, Niall was CFO at Perennial, a multi-boutique Australian Fund Manager and previously was in a similar role at Victorian Funds Management Corporation.

Niall is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in both Australia and Ireland, holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Monash (Mount Eliza Business School) and is a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Benjamin is an executive leader in funds management and wellbeing services to the Australian building industry with over 15 years of experience. Throughout his career Benjamin has advised on major infrastructure projects, including Melbourne Metro Tunnel, Airport Rail and NBN Co on their government relations and corporate affairs strategies.

With strong stakeholder, engagement and business acumen, Benjamin has led project teams with complex interest groups in the delivery of new financial products and services across the Australian building industry.

In Benjamin’s role at Incolink he is responsible for business development, member engagement, stakeholder engagement as well as services and wellbeing program delivery. Throughout his time at Incolink Benjamin has led the rollout of covid testing and vaccinations on site and the relationships between industry, government and stakeholders.

Over the last 6 years Benjamin has sat on the board of Merri Health as a Director and Deputy chair, improving community health outcomes is an area which he is passionate about. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Business at Monash University.

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Christian is a respected workplace leader having held positions in finance, public policy and industrial relations sectors over the last 20 years. Prior to joining Incolink Christian worked as a Senior Adviser to the Premier and Senior Manager of Industry Partnerships at CBUS Super. Recognised as being an excellent communicator, negotiator and strategist he has a consultative approach to decision making.

In his role at Incolink Christian oversees the growth, marketing and communications areas of the business ensuring a member-first approach. Christian has a lifelong commitment to representing the interests of working people and always approaches responsibilities with integrity. Managing processes that deliver effective business outcomes are important to Christian and he strongly believes that his considered approach to building and managing relationships, allows him to effectively deliver outcomes.

Christian holds a Bachelor of Social Science, Industrial Relations and Sociology from RMIT and a Masters of Social Policy from Melbourne University.

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Samantha is an experienced lawyer with a diverse background in legal practice. With many years of dedicated service in private practice, Sam has honed her expertise in property law, general commercial law, and corporate law. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to collaborate with businesses across various sectors, guiding them through complex contract negotiations, offering sound legal strategies for risk mitigation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.

In her role at Incolink, she is responsible for providing vital legal guidance on various regulatory regimes, trust law, and intricate compliance issues. She oversees the critical portfolios of legal, risk, governance and compliance, industry grants and members insurance.

Samantha is committed to the highest standards of legal practice and professionalism and prides herself on facilitating transparent stakeholder communications. She is a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Governance Institute.