Welcoming WA’s new Investment and Trade Commissioners

The Governor today met with Western Australia’s new Investment and Trade Commissioners at Government House.

The Commissioners Ms Nicole Fasana, Ms Krista Dunstan, Ms Jennifer Mathews and Ms Juan Lu – were recently appointed to the roles within the WA Government’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI)

The Governor also welcomed the Department’s acting Director General, Mr Richard Sellers, along with Deputy Director General, Strategy and International Engagement, Ms Simone Spencer, and Chief Scientist of Western Australia, Professor Peter Klinken AC.

Photo – (l-r) Ms Nicole Fasana, Ms Krista Dunstan, Chief Scientist Professor Peter Klinken, the Governor, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Director General Mr Richard Sellers, Deputy Director General Ms Simone Spencer, Ms Jennifer Mathews and Ms Juan Lu

The newly appointed Commissioners will play an integral role in driving further opportunities for Western Australia in an increasingly competitive world of trade and investment.

The Governor offered his personal congratulations to the four appointees and wished them well as they work with their teams to diversify WA’s market opportunities.

The new WA Investment and Trade Commissioners are:

Investment and Trade Commissioner for ASEAN – Ms Krista Dunstan

Ms Dunstan has a strong background in strategic stakeholder engagement, policy development and project management and implementation, particularly in Crown land activation, regional economic development and across the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio. Prior to entering the Western Australian public service, she practised as a lawyer in corporate and commercial law, contract negotiation and dispute resolution, specialising in the resources and construction industries. Ms Dunstan has a Bachelor of Laws and is studying a Master of International Relations and a Master of International Law at The University of Western Australia. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Director of Celebrate WA, and Richmond Wellbeing, and an Advisory Council member for the Noongar Charitable Trust. Ms Dunstan is also a reservist Specialist Capability Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Investment and Trade Commissioner for China – Ms Juan Lu

Ms Lu has over 25 years’ experience and expertise in international investment and trade in Australia and China, with a proven track record in facilitating strategic and productive relations between Western Australia and China. Ms Lu has strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, demonstrated understanding of government policy and a deep knowledge of the Western Australian investment and trade landscape. She has held a number of leadership roles at the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, including managing the Greater China teams and the Australia China LNG Fund, and facilitating Chinese investment in Western Australia’s mining, energy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors. Ms Lu has also acted as a China Advisor to various State Government Ministers and Premiers on overseas missions. She has a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Accounting and being a native Mandarin speaker she also has an excellent understanding of Chinese business and culture.

Investment and Trade Commissioner for North East Asia – Ms Nicole Fasana

Ms Fasana has extensive experience in investment and trade across multiple sectors and markets and has held a wide range of roles in both state and local government. In her previous role within Invest and Trade Western Australia, she managed a team which focused on investment attraction and facilitation. This work included servicing high profile clients, assisting local companies to export into global markets, business matching, site selection and the development of investor visit programs. Ms Fasana also has a strong background in managing high profile projects and leading the development of government programs and strategies. Prior to entering the Western Australian public service, she held several positions in marketing and communications within the private sector. Ms Fasana has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Economics from The University of Western Australia with majors in Economics, Asian Business and Communication Studies. Being of Japanese background, she is a Japanese speaker with an excellent understanding of Japanese business and culture, as well as having language skills in Mandarin Chinese and Italian.

A/Investment and Trade Commissioner for India-Gulf – Ms Jennifer Mathews

Ms Mathews has extensive experience in international investment and trade having previously served as Western Australia’s Commissioner for Indonesia from September 2017 to February 2021, and as a diplomat for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade across Asia. Prior to this, she served as Director-General of the Department of Local Government and Communities. Earlier in her career, Ms Mathews held senior Commonwealth roles in Western Australia as State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as State Manager of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. She has also worked overseas as a legal consultant with Herbert Smith Freehills. Ms Mathews has a Bachelor of Laws and Arts (majoring in Indonesian studies) from the University of Melbourne and is proficient in Indonesian and Thai languages.

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