The Executive is our strategic management and decision making team. This team reports to the Board. The Executive:
- develops our vision and values, sets strategic direction and regulatory approach to enable us to anticipate and respond to regulatory best practice, Government reforms and the changing industry context
- sets operational and risk tolerance parameters
- communicates key messages to all relevant stakeholders, including the board
- assesses the organisation, regulatory and industry impacts and sets organisational priorities
- manage accountability on all compliance levels, including statutory, fiscal and business
- communicates clear and concise information in support of our Minister, board and the board audit committee.
Members of the Executive
- Kaylene Dale – Chief Executive Officer
Kaylene Dale was appointed as AMSA CEO on 1 October 2024.
Kaylene joined the Australian Customs Service in 2000 and has since held senior leadership roles in the Australian Border Force, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Kaylene has worked extensively in a regulatory environment and has experience in civil maritime security, border operations and enforcement, strategy and capability, gender equality and emergency management.
Kaylene holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Studies in Applied Criminology.
- Julian Mitchell – Chief Operating Officer
Julian Mitchell joined AMSA in 2013 and was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer in 2023. In previous AMSA roles, Julian managed AMSA’s major response assets including search and rescue capability, emergency towage, communications, pollution response assets, and aids to navigation.
Before joining AMSA, Julian worked as a consultant and prior to that served in both the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. His previous leadership roles have covered many of the corporate functions including procurement, asset and contract management, human resource policy, finance, programme management and facilities management.
Julian holds a Master of Business Administration, Master of Management in Defence Studies, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
- Michael Drake – Executive Director, Operations
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 Loan - Executive Director, Policy and Regulation
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.
- Alex Barrell – Executive Director, Response
Alex Barrell became Executive Director, Response in September 2025. He has over 30 years experience across the maritime, regulatory, and emergency management sectors.Previously, Alex served as Commissioner and CEO of Marine Rescue NSW, following his role as Deputy Commissioner, Operations and Capability.
During his 24 years with the NSW Police Force, he served as a general duties officer, police diver, water police master, and held senior roles within the Marine Area Command, where he led the State’s marine search and rescue operations. He later held executive roles at NSW Maritime, leading regulatory and compliance, and overseeing the state’s marine pollution response.
Alex was awarded the Emergency Services Medal in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for his commitment to maritime safety. He also serves on the Trustee Board of the International Maritime Rescue Federation and its Asia-Pacific Regional Centre Board.
A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Alex also holds commercial seafaring, search and rescue (SAR) and incident controller qualifications, and a Diploma of Policing.