Executive team

Mr Kinley became AMSA’s Chief Executive Officer on 27 August 2014.

Mr Kinley was previously the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and held that position from October 2008.

Mr Kinley joined AMSA in Cairns as a Marine Surveyor in 1994. He has since gained experience across all of AMSA’s business areas with a focus on maritime safety and casualty response. 

Prior to joining AMSA, Mr Kinley had an extensive career with BHP. He started as an engineer cadet with BHP Transport and sailed with the BHP fleet before serving in various shore-based roles, including fleet safety instructor and project engineer. 

Mr Kinley holds an Australian Chief Engineer Class 1 Certificate, a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Bachelor of Engineering, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies.  Mr Kinley is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Linda Ward is the Chief Operating Officer at AMSA. She leads the Corporate Services Division, which plays a pivotal role in collaborating with business units throughout AMSA to enable the delivery of business outcomes and the achievement of service delivery expectations.

Prior to joining AMSA, Linda was the First Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer, Fiscal Policy Analysis Division, at the Parliamentary Budget Office, a role that she commenced in August 2018. During her time at the PBO, she also served as the Acting Parliamentary Budget Officer throughout most of 2020 and undertook a 6-month engagement as the interim CEO at the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust in 2021. Prior to joining the PBO, Linda was a senior executive at the Commonwealth Treasury. She has also previously worked as an economic adviser to a senior Cabinet minister, as a senior macroeconomist at BHP Billiton’s Singapore Office and at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr White was appointed to AMSA as the Executive Director, Future Operations Taskforce from August 2021. 

Mr White has extensive national and international executive leadership, change management and regulatory experience.  He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).  International experience has included the leadership of maritime safety and aviation safety and security Australian government projects. 

Mr White is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, a Fellow of the World Association of Professional Investigators, Member of the Australian Institute of Professional Investigators and Member of the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers. Mr White holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and post graduate qualifications in Management, Executive Leadership and Business.  Mr White also holds Diplomas in Government; Risk Management and Security; Intelligence; Investigations; Project Management and Journalism.

Mr Drake became AMSA’s Executive Director of Operations in November 2021. Mr Drake has an extensive career in maritime safety and joined AMSA as the National Operations Manager Regions in 2018. In this role, he was responsible for the effective delivery and implementation of AMSA’s national ship and vessel programs.   

 Mr Drake spent 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy where he served in a variety of roles at sea, primarily on submarines, and shore-based roles both within Australia and overseas.  

 On leaving the Navy Mr Drake retrained as a lawyer and practised at a commercial law firm before taking up roles in the NSW Public Service.  

Mr Drake held senior leadership positions within NSW Government agencies, Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for New South Wales prior to joining AMSA. 

 Mr Drake holds a Master of Public Policy, a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts.

Leanne became Executive Director, Policy and Regulation, Australian Maritime Safety Authority in June 2021. Leanne brings extensive experience in leading policy and regulatory reform at the Commonwealth level to this role. Leanne spent over 15 years working on complex national security issues, with a strong focus on strengthening maritime and border security.  She undertook a variety of other roles that included working closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to counter terrorism, foreign interference and serious and organised crime.  Leanne is also an experienced government lawyer, specialising in national security and administrative law.  Leanne has held senior leadership positions in the Department of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General’s Department and has worked across a range of other agencies including the Departments of Finance and Health and Ageing, and as a government lawyer in the United Kingdom. 

Mark Morrow joined AMSA in December 2018 as Executive Director of the Response division. Prior to commencing with AMSA, Mark held various executive/operational positions within the NSW State Emergency Service including periods of relief as both the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of that organisation.  

Mark has over 30 years’ experience in emergency management across terrestrial and maritime environments in his positions initially with the NSW Police and NSW State Emergency Service. Mark's career has focused on assisting Australian communities through emergency crises and as victims of crimes and the latter decade provided Mark with the opportunity to manage many large scale natural disasters and further develop his executive leadership skills and political/business acumen. 

Mark is passionate about transformation and change and has used his skill in that area to improve government services in the maritime and emergency management sector. His focus as a Public Sector Executive remains on innovative, community and customer focused services and a willingness to create public value.