Welcoming Dr Bill Petreski as Chair of the ISS Institute

The ISS Institute is delighted to formally welcome Dr Bill Petreski as Chair of the Board, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the organisation. Following more than a decade of exceptional leadership by Professor Amalia Di Iorio AM, Bill steps into the role with deep strategic expertise, governance experience, and a strong commitment to advancing Australia’s applied skills capability.

New Chair; Dr Bill Petreski, alongside CEO, Dr Katrina A Jojkity

Bill is a highly regarded strategic advisor and governance leader with more than 25 years of global experience spanning government, higher education, industry, and the social sector. As Founder and Principal of Strategy61, he has led national and enterprise-level engagements across digital transformation, M&A integration, policy reform, and ESG-aligned venture development. His work is recognised for distilling complexity into practical, sustainable outcomes that create enduring public value.

Having joined the ISS Institute Board in 2025, Bill has already demonstrated a deep appreciation for the Institute’s mission and impact. “My experience with the Institute to date has been inspiring,” Bill said. “Its mission is both practical and visionary - connecting global expertise with local industry in ways that genuinely shift capability. I’ve been particularly impressed by the passion of Fellows and the integrity of the organisation’s purpose.”

As Chair, Bill is focused on strengthening the Institute’s position as Australia’s leading catalyst for applied skills excellence. “I hope to deepen the impact of our Fellowships, expand industry partnerships, and ensure that global knowledge exchange translates into tangible capability uplift at home,” he said. “My focus will be on sustainable growth, governance maturity, and measurable outcomes that benefit industry, education, and the broader community.” Bill is also particularly passionate about expanding industry co-investment models, strengthening research-to-industry translation pathways, and leveraging digital platforms to amplify the reach of Fellowship outcomes.

At a time when skills development, innovation, and workforce productivity are central to Australia’s economic resilience, the work of the ISS Institute has never been more relevant.

“Skills development is central to Australia’s economic resilience and innovation capacity. Being part of an organisation that directly contributes to that national capability - through practical, real-world exchange, is both a privilege and a responsibility.” Bill said. Under Bill’s leadership, the ISS Institute will continue to build on its strong foundations - championing applied research, international knowledge exchange, and industry-connected skills development that delivers real-world outcomes. We look forward to working closely with Bill, our Board, Fellows, partners, and supporters as we continue advancing the Institute’s mission.

It is a privilege to welcome Dr Bill Petreski as Chair of the ISS Institute.