The Super Members Council of Australia (SMC), the recently merged entity of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) and Industry Super Australia (ISA), has named Misha Schubert as its inaugural chief executive officer.
Ms Schubert joins SMC from Science and Technology Australia where she was CEO for almost four years.
Prior to that, she held a series of senior communication and advocacy roles including a four-year stint at Universities Australia as director of strategic communications. Before this, she worked as a journalist for almost 15 years.
Ms Schubert will commence with SMC in late February, where she will be based in Canberra with regular presence in Melbourne to lead the existing team.
Commenting on the announcement, interim chair Nicola Roxon said a key driver in establishing SMC was the need for “deliberate and thoughtful” leadership in superannuation policy.
“The skills, fresh insight, and gravitas Ms Schubert will bring to the role as CEO will help SMC achieve those goals,” Ms Roxon said.
“She will bring energy and perspective to this important work, just at the right time.
“Her experience as a journalist, shaping community campaigns and leading a complex peak body means she will be armed with vital skills to lead SMC at this crucial moment of change.”
Ms Schubert added that she was honoured to be chosen for the role.
“This is a great responsibility and opportunity to build a powerful voice for those 10 million Australians who entrust their savings with profit-to-member super funds,” Ms Schubert said.
“I thank the SMC board for their confidence and am excited to help write the next chapter of the great Australian superannuation story together.
“It will be a privilege to help secure the very best retirement for so many millions of Australians.”
The combined entity of SMC now represents the interests and retirement savings of more than 10 million Australians.
Its funds are eight of Australia’s largest – Australian Retirement Trust, AustralianSuper, Aware Super, Cbus Super, HESTA, Hostplus, Rest Super, and UniSuper – SMC has since confirmed.
“The Super Members Council will advocate for the interests of the more than 10 million Australians who belong to a profit-to-member super fund – to ensure superannuation policy is stable, effective, and equitable,” Ms Roxon said in September.
