Deena Shiff appointed Chair of Comms Alliance

23 June 2025: Australian Telecommunications Alliance, the peak body of the telecommunications industry, has announced the appointment of Deena Shiff as independent Chair, commencing on 1 July.

“I am delighted to be joining Australian Telecommunications Alliance as Chair at a pivotal time for the organisation, and for the telecommunications industry more broadly,” said Ms Shiff.

“Australian Telecommunications Alliance has long played a central role in leading initiatives that grow the telecoms sector, enhance connectivity for all Australians, and foster the highest standards of business behaviour. I look forward to working with the Board and management to continue this important work,” she said.

Ms Shiff replaces outgoing Chair, the Hon. Michael Lee, who has served as Chair since 2010.

“Deena Shiff has a long professional history in Australia’s telecommunications sector and Comms Alliance is fortunate to welcome her as our new Chair,” said Comms Alliance CEO Luke Coleman.

“We also give our thanks to outgoing Chair Michael Lee, who has led the Board for a remarkable 15 years – thank you Michael for your strong and stable presence as Chair during a period of disruption for the Australian telecommunications sector,” he said.

Deena Shiff is a highly regarded Chair and Board director with a wealth of experience in the telecommunications sector, including previous roles as Chair of the Australian Broadband Advisory Council, Chair of the 2015 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, Group Managing Director of Telstra Wholesale and Telstra Business, and Founder of Telstra Ventures.

Her previous experience also includes a number of other Board roles including as a Director of Infrastructure Australia, Deputy Chair of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, and Chair of Boldyn Networks (then called BAI Communications).

She is currently Chair of Care Economy CRC, Chair of AROSE, Chair of the International Advisory Board of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decisions and Society, as well as being an Independent Board Member of GAVI and a Director of Opera Australia and Pro Medicus.