Executive Team

Director and Chief Executive

Chris Russell, BSc (Hons), Grad Dip Land Rehab

Responsible for overall strategic leadership and management of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, including achievement of horticulture, land management, and science objectives as well as the development and delivery of stimulating and impactful programs and events, major projects, fundraising, and financial management. Chris was Acting Director and Chief Executive from 5 February 2024 before assuming the role on 1 July 2024. Prior to this, he was Executive Director of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne from 2001, overseeing the development of the award-winning Australian Garden. Chris is an inclusive leader, passionate about the role of botanic gardens in fostering a world that values nature as the foundation of life on the planet. He is a previous Board member of Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand Ltd and Deputy Chair of Casey Cardinia Tourism.

Chief Operating Officer Corporate Services

Virginie Hoareau, BCom, CPA, MBA, GAICD

Responsible for providing strategic leadership across the corporate and operational functions of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, with responsibility for finance, information and communication technology, people and culture, infrastructure, governance, and risk. With over 20 years’ experience in financial management, operations, and organisational transformation, Virginie has held senior leadership roles across higher education, research, media and communications, and the not-for-profit sector. Virginie was previously Executive Director at Deakin University’s Research Portfolio, Chief Financial Officer at the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, and General Manager of a newly established research institute. She brings deep expertise in financial strategy, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong track record of leading major transformation initiatives and managing complex budgets. A GAICD, Virginie has also contributed as a non-executive director, drawing on her governance and finance experience to support purpose-driven organisations. She is a values-led leader, passionate about creating sustainable impact, building collaborative cultures, and enabling high-performing teams to thrive.

Executive Director Commercial and External Relations

Alice Molan, BSc, Grad Cert (Cross-Sector Partnerships)

Responsible for the strategic oversight of commercial, philanthropic, and external relations functions of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Alice is an accomplished leader with over 20 years’ experience driving strategic growth, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence in public and not-for-profit organisations. She leads diverse teams across revenue generation, marketing and communications, and commercial operations. Alice is known for delivering strong financial outcomes, cultivating high-value partnerships, and navigating complex stakeholder environments with empathy and clarity. Her leadership has resulted in increased fundraising, revitalised commercial performance, and greater public engagement. With deep expertise in strategy, communication, and relationship management, Alice is passionate about advancing the mission and impact of purpose-driven organisations through innovation, collaboration, and thoughtful stewardship.

Executive Director Science

Professor David Cantrill PhD, BSc (Hons).

Responsible for directing research into plant biodiversity, systematics, and conservation and management of the State Botanical Collection. This entails statutory responsibility under the RBG Act and the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981. David worked as a senior research scientist in Europe for 15 years, first for the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge and later at the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm. He has published more than 130 scientific articles; is Chief Editor for Grana, an international journal for pollen studies; and sits on several international editorial and scientific advisory boards. His research interests focus on integrating information from fossil and living floras to understanding the origins of patterns of diversity in the Southern Hemisphere. He holds an honorary professorship with the School of BioSciences at the University of Melbourne. David has been Executive Director Science since 2006. 

Executive Director Experience and Engagement

Émer Harrington, BA (Hons)

Responsible for providing strategic leadership across the visitor experience and engagement functions of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria with responsibility for visitor experience, creative and tourism programming, placemaking and interpretation, learning and community engagement, and creating   innovative and impactful programs and experiences for diverse audiences. Émer was Acting Executive Director Engagement and Impact from April 2024 before assuming this role on 12 June 2025. Prior to this, she was Head of Programming and Audience Development since July 2017. Émer is a highly respected leader, collaborator, and change agent in Melbourne’s cultural sector, with over 35 years in Australian and international companies. Many of her projects have attracted significant philanthropic, corporate, and government funding, highly successful commercial outcomes, excellent evaluation results and won a number of awards, most recently a 2024 Victorian Tourism Gold Award for Lightscape and a Victorian Premier’s Design Award 2023 for Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s new wayfinding, digital mapping, and interpretation system

Executive Director Living Collections and Environment

Tim Sansom, BAppSc, GradDipHort

Responsible for providing strategic leadership for the creation and stewardship of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s world-class gardens, landscapes, and natural areas. Tim has over 30 years’ experience in horticulture, ecological restoration, and organisational leadership across the not-for-profit, commercial, and community sectors. He was previously Group CEO of The Diggers Club and The Diggers Foundation, Manager – Communications and Horticulture at Plants Management Australia, and General Manager of the Australian Ecosystems nursery. Tim brings a deep understanding of garden design, plant production, ecological management, and public education, and is passionate about advancing environmental sustainability through landscape leadership. He maintains long-standing involvement with industry organisations including the International Plant Propagators Society, the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria, and the Global Gardens of Peace.