Key Executives

Maria Leftakis is Managing Director and has more than 15 years experience in the proxy solicitation industry, specialising in strategic advice and execution of mergers and acquisitions, proxy fights and other extraordinary transactions. She was founding Managing Director of Georgeson Australia. Maria has been adviser on many of Australia's largest deals including BHPB's bid for Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers merger with Coles, the Alinta buyout from Babcock and Brown and Colonial's merger with CBA. Maria has a Bachelor of Economics Degree from the University of Sydney and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, UNSW.

Murray Williams is Executive Director. He has been solicitation adviser to a large number of Australian and offshore companies for over 20 years and has planned and directed many landmark campaigns. He was founding CEO of Georgeson Australia. At GPS, his focus is on solicitation strategies and tactics, shareholder research and campaign direction. Murray has been instrumental in introducing electronic shareholder voting (PhoneVote®) and development of the Global Proxy-Melbourne Institute Shareholder Confidence Index.

Melissa Gilson is Director of Research and heads up GPS’s shareholder research division. She specialises in shareholder issues, corporate and consumer finance and has conducted research for most of Australia’s larger banking, mortgage, insurance and superannuation providers. Melissa has over 10 years research experience and possesses an Advanced Diploma of Asia Pacific Marketing and a Postgraduate in Marketing Management and has authored and presented a number of large cultural studies on the Australian financial services sector.

Kerri Dunnachie is Account Director. She is responsible for the management and execution of proxy solicitation, canvassing on behalf of bidders and targets, beneficial ownership analysis, shareholder research, shareholder information helplines and other shareholder programs. Kerri has 25 years banking and finance experience in Australia and New Zealand and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Account Director. Prior to joining GPS she was an Account Director at Georgeson Australia.

Pauline Mencherian is Operations Director and is responsible for the contact centre operation. Her focus is on execution and compliance with special responsibility for training and quality control. Pauline has developed processes to maximise the efficiency and delivery of contact to millions of investors globally and her previous responsibilities included senior roles with Ipsos Mori in the UK and Georgeson Australia.

Ellen Birdsall is Account Manager. She is responsible for the management and execution of institutional and retail solicitation campaigns on behalf of bidders and targets. Ellen also manages a diverse range of shareholder programs including customised research and helplines. Ellen has a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, with dual majors in banking and finance, and economics. Prior to joining GPS she was Head of Client Relations at Orient Capital. Ellen brings extensive understanding of investor voting behaviour and beneficial ownership analysis to her role.

Harith Balasuriya is Account Executive. He supports the account management team in all logistical and operational aspects of campaign set-up and execution. Harith is also responsible for soliciting investors for mergers and acquisitions, proxy fights and company meetings. Harith worked as a financial planner and is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree.

Global Proxy Solicitation