Interim CEO, Board Leader and Consultant

Trusted to Stabilise, Guide, and Deliver

Guiding Organisations Through Transformation and Renewal

David Waddell is a proven executive leader and board director with more than three decades experience shaping outcomes for government, infrastructure, sustainability, and regional growth.

As CEO of Orange City Council, he spearheaded major projects and governance reform, uniting diverse stakeholders and delivering measurable results.

Specialising in transformation, crisis leadership, and future-ready governance, David is trusted by organisations to restore stability, drive change, and deliver commercial and community-focused outcomes—even in the most complex environments.

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Experience

Capability Overview

Leadership & Continuity

Guiding organisations through transition—delivering stability, clear strategy, and crisis-tested results while maintaining day-to-day operations.

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Governance & Stewardship

Championing ESG responsibilities, renewable initiatives and meaningful community outcomes through strategic engagement.

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Community & Infrastructure

Board and committee expertise, reinforcing compliance, integrity, and strong decision-making in complex environments.

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Current board positions

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Orange Chamber
Music Festival

Charles Sturt University logo with an orange shield emblem and text.

Charles Sturt University Regional Advisory Committee

Wangaranga logo with a stylized orange sunburst and the text "wangaranga people with abilities" in blue.

Wangarang Industries
Orange

Logo with the words "Housing Plus" on a teal background.

Housing Plus

Logo of the New South Wales government, featuring a red stylized waratah flower above the words 'NSW GOVERNMENT' in navy blue.

NSW Audit and Risk
Committee Independent
Chairs and Members Scheme

Impact

Aerial view of a residential neighborhood with modern houses, tree-lined streets, and a park with a covered gathering area.

Redleaf, Orange

Delivering Affordable Housing at
Regional Scale

David led the strategic partnership with Landcom that unlocked a $30M development delivering more than 300 new housing lots — including a guaranteed 20% affordable allocation. A clear example of steady leadership, stakeholder alignment, and community-centred development.

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Sydney Desalination Project

Securing Approval for a $3B Critical Infrastructure Asset

As Project Manager, David guided the technical and environmental work that achieved statutory approval for Sydney’s desalination plant. His leadership coordinated a 40-person team through complex regulatory, environmental, and community challenges to deliver a project central to Sydney’s water security.

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ANSTO OPAL Nuclear Reactor

Guiding a National-Significance Project Through Federal Approval

David authored and managed the Environmental Impact Statement that secured approval for ANSTO’s $300M OPAL reactor. A demonstration of governance integrity, scientific rigour, and executive leadership in one of Australia’s most tightly regulated environments.

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David beyond the boardroom…

A man and a young boy standing in a vineyard during the day, both smiling and holding a fishing net with grapevines behind them, with trees and rolling hills in the background.
MORE ABOUT DAVID
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People marching in a parade, playing bagpipes, with a Subway store and a crowd of spectators in the background.