Our people

Kurt Baker

Chief Executive Officer (Acting)

Joined Synergy: 2014

Kurt started at Synergy more than 30 years ago as an engineering cadet at Muja Power Station in Collie. His experience in the Western Australian electricity industry includes roles in operations and maintenance, project development, wholesale markets, business development and strategy.

Kurt has been Deputy Chief Executive and Executive General Manager Future Energy since 2022. He oversaw the development and delivery of renewable energy projects by consolidating project capabilities and expanding resources, with his teams responsible for delivery of KBESS1, KBESS2, Collie big battery and King Rocks wind farm. 

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Graduate Diploma of Business from Curtin University.

Hayden Thomas

Joined Synergy: 2019

Hayden brings more than 25 years of international finance leadership experience in listed entities in the mining and oil and gas sectors.  

As the Chief Financial Officer at Synergy, Hayden leads all aspects of finance and treasury management within the organization including funding and financial sustainability. He is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of supply chain services to support business operations. Hayden’s team collaborates closely with the business, offering financial governance, performance measurement, and strategic analysis to drive informed decision-making.

Hayden is a Certified Practising Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Monash University and is a graduate of The Australian Institute of Company Directors.  

Hayden is a Director of Bright Energy Investments and also a Non Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of a not for profit entity in the healthcare sector on a voluntary basis.

Gary Peel

Joined Synergy: 2005 (then Western Power)

Gary has held several business and information communication technology roles throughout his career. With over 15 years’ experience in the energy sector, Gary has been a member of Synergy’s Executive team since 2015.

As Chief Information Officer of the Technology and Business Services business unit, Gary oversees the management of Synergy’s digital and technology landscape. His team is focused on improving efficiency and sustainability through technology, maintaining digital platforms, delivering IT transformational projects. He is also responsible for the coordination of Synergy’s processes, systems and platforms, including cyber security for both information and operational technologies.

Gary holds a Master of Business Administration from Murdoch University.

Pippa Marando

Joined Synergy: 2023

Pippa has 20 years’ legal and governance experience in the energy and resources industries. Prior to Pippa’s appointment at Synergy, she held senior leadership roles at Woodside for 12 years including in Legal, Risk and Compliance, Internal Audit and People and Capability.

At Synergy, Pippa leads the provision of legal, regulatory, compliance, risk and assurance advice and support to the organisation to ensure effective governance.

Pippa holds a Master of Laws and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance. Pippa is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Lesley Walker

Joined Synergy: 2022

Lesley has more than 20 years of customer engagement experience, including senior manager roles in the banking and finance sectors.

As General Manager of the Customer business unit, Lesley ensures Synergy delivers exceptional customer service and innovative solutions to enable and support our customers to meet their changing energy needs. Her team works to leverage market insights for application across sales and customer experience.

Lesley has extensive experience managing contact centres and holds a Graduate Certificate of Business (Leadership) from Edith Cowan University.

Brent Italiano

Joined Synergy: 1992 (then State Energy Commission)

Brent has more than 30 years’ experience in the thermal electricity generation sector in roles spanning Maintenance and Engineering, Operations, Emergency Management and Learning and Development. Brent also has experience in private sector small business management.

As Executive General Manager, Thermal Generation, Brent is responsible for multiple generation sites, asset optimisation, major projects and health safety and environment across Synergy’s sites. Brent’s team is responsible for safely and efficiently providing reliable energy and essential services to Western Australians through gas and coal generation, while managing the decommissioning and transition of assets.

Brent holds office bearer positions in Volunteer Emergency Services organisations. Brent holds a Graduate Certificate in Business.

Jason Froud

Joined Synergy: 2014

Jason Froud has over 15 years’ experience in executive and senior leadership roles in the Western Australian energy sector delivering strategic engagement and commercial outcomes. 

Jason is committed to leading the delivery of Synergy’s corporate strategy by embedding social value throughout the business and empowering our people to better deliver and develop. 

Jason has led Synergy’s involvement in Western Australian energy market reform, government relations, energy policy development, stakeholder engagement and advocacy. He was the project lead for Synergy’s Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System project from inception to final investment decision. He also acted in the position of Executive General Manager People, Strategy and Social Value in 2022, then Executive General Manager Strategy and Corporate Affairs in 2024.

Jason is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Murdoch University as well as a Graduate Diploma of Business Management and a Graduate Diploma of Public Sector Administration. 

Mark Chambers

Joined Synergy: 2017

Mark has held several senior management roles, including the Manager of the Coal and Gas Portfolio and the General Manager Wholesale. He has 17 years’ markets experience, with the last 12 years in the wholesale energy markets in both Western Australia and New Zealand.

Appointed as Executive General Manager, Wholesale in 2024, Mark is responsible for overseeing the wholesale activities of the business. This includes the optimisation of Synergy’s wholesale electricity and fuel portfolios.

Mark is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University Belfast.

Nadine Dennison

Joined Synergy: 2024

Nadine is a demonstrated people and culture leader and non-executive director with experience across the mining, infrastructure and education sectors.

She has worked with boards and executive teams delivering transformational business change and values-based outcomes through effective people, safety and organisational strategy. Nadine holds a Master of Science, Human Resource Management from Edinburgh Napier University, is a Fellow Certified Practitioner HR (FCPHR) with the Australian HR Institute as well as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Nadine joined Synergy as Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Environment in 2024. 

Ryan Callister

Executive General Manager, Future Energy (Acting)

Joined Synergy: 2021

Ryan has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy industry leading small and large teams across Australia and New Zealand.

As the Acting Executive General Manager Future Energy, Ryan oversees the development, delivery and operation of renewable energy projects including battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind farms and distributed energy resources (DER) projects. He has also held the positions of Head of Corporate Development and Manager Growth and Solutions at Synergy.

Ryan’s expertise includes the valuation and analysis of projects, wholesale markets and trading and the negotiation and execution of contracts.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Canterbury University.