Leadership Team

Michael Holmes was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of OceanaGold in April 2020. An accomplished mining engineer with more than 30 years’ experience working in Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, and North and South America, he brings to the role extensive operational experience in underground and open pit gold, copper, lead, zinc and nickel mines. Most recently, as Chief Operating Officer for OceanaGold, Mr Holmes was integral in leading responsible open pit and underground mining and processing of gold. Prior to this, he was General Manager of the Minera Alumbrera Operations in Argentina (Xstrata Copper), responsible for the large open pit, processing, transport, and port facilities and for the management of the feasibility study for the Agua Rica Project. Prior to this he held several senior mine management positions in Australia, including General Manager of the Mount Isa Copper Operations (Xstrata Copper) where he oversaw operations at the large-scale underground mine and concentrator. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) Degree from the University of Queensland and is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Appointed in July 2017, Scott McQueen has more than 25 years’ multi-disciplinary finance experience covering public practice, before moving into the energy, gas, and mining sectors. Throughout his career he has held senior management roles in Australia, Asia, and Europe. Prior to joining OceanaGold, Scott worked at Iluka Resources Limited for more than seven years as General Manager Commercial. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, a Masters in Taxation Law, and is a Certified Practising Accountant.

Mark Cadzow is a metallurgist with over 40 years’ experience in mineral processing, precious metals, sulphide minerals and coal. He spent 10 years with BP Australia and Carbad PL in coal and mineral research and development, before joining OGL in 1991, holding a number of positions within the company until his current position as EVP and Chief Development Officer. During his time, Mr. Cadzow has been responsible for the major upgrades at the Macraes Gold Processing Plant, development of the Frasers Underground and Reefton Gold Project in New Zealand, Didipio Gold Project in the Philippines and the Haile Gold Project in South Carolina USA. Currently he is responsible for the OceanaGold’s New Zealand activities including the operation at Macraes, the development of the Waihi District including the Martha Underground Project and the studies associated with the development of the high grade WKP Project, as well as the Reefton Rehabilitation Project. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Metallurgy).

Craig Feebrey was appointed in November 2015 and is an experienced geologist with over 25 years of global exploration and commercial success. He has held several executive, senior technical, and management positions across major international mining organisations and junior exploration companies. Craig’s focus has been in gold and copper exploration, business development, and mining across Australia, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Craig is a Chartered Professional Geologist and holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Geology) and Master of Science degree from Hokkaido University, Japan, and a Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diploma of Science from the University of New England, Australia. Craig is a fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists, and a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Appointed in September 2017, Sharon Flynn is an accomplished leader with more than 20 years’ experience designing and implementing sustainability strategies with global multinational companies in the mining, oil and gas, construction, and forestry sectors. Sharon has also worked in the non-profit sector in community development, biodiversity conservation and peace building. Prior to joining OceanaGold, Sharon worked with the One Earth Future Foundation, Rio Tinto, Bechtel, GrupoNueva and Conservation International, among others. She holds a Masters in International Relations and Management from the University of California, San Diego.

Cody Whipperman was appointed in May 2018. Prior to joining OceanaGold, Cody held the role of regional Chief Financial Officer for Barrick Gold Corporation in Santiago, Chile, where he was responsible for planning, business development, valuation modelling, finance and accounting functions, including the Pascua-Lama project. Prior to this, Cody served as General Manager of Business Development for Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Perth, where he was accountable for all iron ore related business development and inorganic growth activities within Australia. Cody spent the first decade of his career working for CONSOL Energy, a multi-commodity energy company based in the eastern United States. In his role as Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and M&A he led six major coal and natural gas transactions totalling nearly US$8 billion. Cody has Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Utah and a Juris Doctor of Laws from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Appointed in January 2013, Liang is a practising lawyer with a broad range of legal and corporate experience in the gold mining sector, including capital markets, debt financing, and corporate and commercial law. She joined OceanaGold’s legal and company secretariat team in April 2009 and is currently responsible for legal affairs, compliance, and corporate governance across the company. Prior to joining OceanaGold, Liang was a commercial lawyer in private practice. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne. She is fluent in Chinese Mandarin.

Graham has extensive experience in project development, exploration and mine operations with tier-one mine owners and contractors and has led a diverse range of departments with accountability at regional and global levels in the mining, construction, retail, airline and supply chain industries. Prior to joining OceanaGold, Graham was employed as a Managing Director with Fedex. Graham’s global experience is spread across Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, APAC, Eastern Europe and Latin America. His experience spans People and Culture, HSEQC, Risk and Compliance and Project Management, with experience leading teams at an executive level in Supply Chain, Maintenance, IT, and Engineering Services. He has also served as a Board Risk Committee management representative. Graham is a Fellow with the Australian Human Resources Institute and a Chartered OHS Professional with the Australian Institute of Health and Safety. He holds an International Company Director Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Bachelor in Business and Education from the University of Melbourne, a Masters in Labour Law and Relations from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma in OHS from Curtin University, and is an alumni of the Michigan University Ross School of Business Advanced Human Resources Program.