Executive Management Team

Andrew Tenni, Chief Executive Officer

Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the public sector with qualifications including a Masters of Applied Science (Innovation and Service Management), Graduate Diploma in Business Leadership and Bachelor of Arts (Social Science).

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire, Andrew held an executive role at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as Director Program Administration with Jobs Victoria, and was the Chief Executive Officer of the Magistrates Court of Victoria for 7 years. Andrew also held numerous executive roles at VCAT over 6 years including Chief Executive Officer and Director of Corporate Services.

Andrew has extensive experience and skills in leading large, diverse and complex workforces, modelling positive values and driving a positive culture of innovation and change.

Ian Seuren, Community and Economy General Manager

Ian has over 25 years’ experience in the public service and not-for-profit sectors, with qualifications including a Master of Sport Business and Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement).

With considerable experience in both local and state government organisations, Ian’s career has focussed on community and business engagement and delivering on public sector policy. Ian has been employed with Colac Otway Shire since 2010, firstly as Manager Arts and Leisure before progressing to the position of General Manager Development & Community Services.

Prior to working at Colac Otway Shire, Ian held regional roles with Regional Development Victoria and Sport and Recreation

Doug McNeill, Infrastructure and Environment General Manager 

Doug is responsible for assets and engineering, services and operations and healthy communities, landslip and disaster recovery works, and sustainable environments.

Doug is a long-serving manager, with over 15 years of experience and has led many of Colac Otway Shire Council's critical functions including Environmental Health, Planning Compliance, Building Services and most recently Environment and Customer Experience.

Emma Lowes, Corporate Services General Manager

As General Manager Corporate Services, Emma leads Council’s core corporate and support functions to ensure financial sustainability and effective organisational performance.

The role oversees People and Culture, Information Technology, Information Services, Finance, Property, Procurement and Contracts, supporting the delivery of services to the Colac Otway community.

Emma brings extensive executive experience, including more than seven years in a senior leadership role with Standards Australia, along with experience from the not-for-profit and private sectors in organisational improvement roles.

Emma works closely with the Executive Leadership Team to support sound decision making and continuous improvement.

Anita Craven, Executive Officer Governance 

Anita is responsible for Governance, Risk and Council Business at Colac Otway Shire Council, having joined the organisation in 2025.

Anita has an MBA in strategy and planning and is a qualified leadership coach.

Anita has extensive experience across the public sector, with over 25 years across Local, State and Federal Government.

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire Council, Anita worked as a consultant, focussing on driving change and improvement of leaders and teams with Public Sector organisations.