Nina Du Thaler exits Queensland Urban Utilities to join Uniting Care QLD

Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) CIO, Nina Du Thaler, is leaving the water utilities industry after four years and accepted a new role as group executive, digital and technology at Uniting Care QLD.

Du Thaler, who has more than 20 years' experience in IT, starts her new role on September 19 and said one of her big challenges will be dealing with the technology changes associated with the rollout of the federal government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Replacing Du Thaler is former Queensland Health executive and Brisbane City Council IT head, Susan Heath, according to QUU acting CIO Brett Stenson, who said she commences the role on September 26.

Reflecting on Du Thaler's time at QUU, she told CIO Australia she is most proud of her work in improving team effectiveness and culture through a sustained program of cultural improvements including leadership training and pulse surveys.

The delivery of the the QHubs solution was another significant achievement, she said, explaining the technology provided a single, geospatially intelligent user interface, integrating in real-time the information from QUU’s business systems required to manage its sewer and water networks.

QHubs uses location-based technology to conquer the traditional issues of network management, which include disparate systems and data not designed for integration, no geospatial network management tools, and ineffective field crew scheduling and dispatch, said Du Thaler.

Also during her time at QUU, she established a robust program and project governance framework to ensure business ownership of the portfolio of programs, and created a mature program and project management delivery capability.

She also developed and successfully delivered the Strategic ICT Vision and Roadmap in 2013, and hatched a cyber security function and roadmap.

After achieving success and a host of business and technology outcomes in the water utilities industry, she’s joining Uniting Care for the opportunity to take up a new challenge and work in a new industry (health, aged care, community services).

“The role is called group executive, digital and technology. It is an ELT member charged with leading and managing a new consolidated team (from a number of disparate teams). The business will be undergoing significant transformation as a result of digital disruption and the NDIS,” Du Thaler said.

Asked some of the challenges/opportunities of the new role, she said it will largely revolve around the impact the NDIS will have on all aspects of the business, and in building a high performing team from a number of disparate teams.

In addition to QUU, Du Thaler’s work experience includes: CIO of Allconnex Water; general manager, program management office at the Gold Coast City Council; executive manager, program manager for the Department of Emergency Services; manager of web services for the Queensland University of Technology as well as manager, support and infrastructure services for Queensland Police Service.