Our Executive Team

Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Australia Group

Dave Emerson was appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2025. He has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, previously serving as Virgin Australia's Chief Commercial Officer, where he played a key role in the airline’s commercial transformation and growth. Before joining Virgin Australia, Dave led the Global Airline Practice at global strategy consulting firm, Bain & Company based in Dallas, advising major airlines undergoing substantial commercial and operational transformation. Dave holds a BA in Communication and Media from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Chief People Officer

Lisa joined Virgin Australia in February 2021 and has over 28 years of experience as a people and culture specialist working for significant ASX companies including BHP, Origin Energy, Jetstar/Qantas Airlines and The a2 Milk Company. Lisa is equipped with strong practical expertise in developing and executing successful ‘People and Culture’ strategies in organisations undergoing significant transformation and growth. 

Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer

Alistair joined Virgin Australia as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer in March 2021. Alistair has nearly two decades of experience in strategy in the aviation sector, including four years as Head of Operations Strategy and Crew Logistics at Virgin Atlantic Airways (UK) and five years with Jetstar Airways, including as Head of Strategy and as Executive Manager Network, Planning and Strategy. Alistair joined Virgin Australia following more than five years at International Airlines Group (IAG) in the UK, most recently as Director of Strategy. 

Chief Financial Officer 

Race joined Virgin Australia in the role of Chief Financial Officer in March 2023. Race brings extensive experience in the aviation and consumer goods industries, with roles in multinational listed companies, most recently as Group Chief Financial Officer of The a2 Milk Company. Prior to a2, Race held CFO positions with Qantas and Jetstar, and was the Vice President of Finance for Unilever Southeast Asia and Australia based in Singapore.

CEO, Velocity Frequent Flyer

Nick joined Virgin Australia in September 2021. Prior to this, Nick held several executive positions at Jetstar, including Co-CEO and Executive Director (Jetstar Japan) and Executive Manager of Customer and Strategy. He also directed the launch of Jetstar in Hong Kong. Before joining Jetstar, Nick was at The Boston Consulting Group, working in the Sydney and Dubai offices, for nearly eight years. He was a management consultant, providing advice to a range of international clients, including several airlines.

Chief Legal and Risk Officer

Susan joined Virgin Australia in 2012 and was appointed to the role of Chief Legal & Risk Officer and Company Secretary in March 2021. Susan has more than 17 years of legal and risk experience in Australia and overseas. Prior to joining Virgin Australia, Susan worked in the London office of international law firm Clifford Chance and in the Brisbane office of McCullough Robertson, advising on mergers and acquisitions and Corporations law.

Chief Commercial Officer

Paul was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in March 2025. He has extensive experience in aviation, fast moving consumer goods, and technology businesses in Australia, the UK, and the US. Before joining Virgin Australia as Chief Customer and Digital Officer in July 2021, Paul worked at Qantas in a variety of customer, operations and technology roles including as Chief Operating Officer. Paul has also served as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Integration at Mars, based in the US. In his current role, Paul oversees the Commercial, Customer, and Digital functions for the airline.

Chief Operations Officer

Stuart joined Virgin Australia in 2004. After working in a variety of operational roles for 15 years, spanning compliance and regulation, safety, and flight operations (including Director of Group Flight Operations), Stuart was appointed Chief Operations Officer in September 2019. Prior to joining Virgin Australia Stuart held roles at REX and Hazleton Airlines covering safety, compliance, quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

Chief Marketing Officer  

Libby was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in April 2021. Libby has over 20 years of experience in marketing, media, content and digital across Australia and the US. Prior to joining Virgin Australia, Libby held executive roles at REA Group, Foxtel Media and FOX Cable Networks in the US.  

Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer

Christian joined Virgin Australia in November 2022.  Most recently he was Chief Reputation Officer at Woolworths Group Ltd. He has extensive experience across senior corporate-affairs related appointments including General Electric, BHP Billiton and Santos. Before entering the private sector, Christian spent 14 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including diplomatic postings to Harare, Washington DC and as Australian High Commissioner to Brunei.  He also served on secondments as North Asia Adviser in the Foreign Minister's Office and as an International Adviser in the Prime Minister's Department.