Katrina Kawaljenko appointed new CEO of Regional Development Australia Northern Territory

Regional Development Australia Northern Territory (RDA NT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katrina Kawaljenko as its new Chief Executive Officer. Katrina will officially commence in the role on Monday 19 May.

Katrina is a born and bred Territorian who has dedicated her career to enhancing the lives of Territorians through impactful leadership in government and the not-for-profit sector. With a wealth of experience in public policy, strategic partnerships and community engagement, she has worked across the health, disability and sporting sectors.

Most recently, Katrina was the NT Manager – Operations and Strategic Partnerships at AFL Northern Territory, where she played a central role in delivering key infrastructure and development outcomes while fostering strong community connections across the NT.

Katrina’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for RDA NT. She will guide the organisation’s strategic direction and continue to strengthen collaboration between governments, businesses and local communities to enhance liveability and support long-term growth across the Territory.

Chair of RDA NT, Kon Vatskalis, said:
“Katrina’s strong understanding of regional challenges, her passion for the Northern Territory, and her collaborative leadership style make her an outstanding choice to lead RDA NT. We look forward to her contribution to advancing opportunities across the region.”

RDA NT would also like to thank Margot Livsey, who has served as Acting CEO since November 2024. Margot’s steady leadership and dedication during this transition period have been invaluable in continuing to deliver outcomes for the Territory and supporting the organisation’s strategic goals.

We warmly welcome Katrina to the RDA NT team and look forward to her leadership in advancing our work to support a thriving and inclusive Northern Territory.