Perth, Australia, June 2026 – Anna Dartnell has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tellus, effective 1 July 2026, marking a significant leadership transition for one of Australia’s most strategically important environmental infrastructure companies.
Dartnell succeeds Nate Smith, who has led Tellus for nearly six years and played a pivotal role in transforming the company from an ambitious vision into a nationally significant environmental services and infrastructure business. In announcing her appointment, Dartnell acknowledged Smith’s contribution in building the strong foundation that positions the company for its next phase of growth and impact.
Prior to her appointment as CEO, Dartnell served as Chief Operating Officer at Tellus, where she helped oversee operations across the company’s nationally significant infrastructure assets and environmental services portfolio.
With more than three decades of leadership experience spanning infrastructure, logistics, resources, energy, consulting, governance, and organizational transformation, Dartnell brings extensive operational and executive leadership expertise to the role. Her career includes senior leadership positions across some of Australia’s leading organizations, where she has successfully driven growth, operational excellence, customer-focused transformation, and large-scale business performance initiatives.
Before joining Tellus, Dartnell served as Group Executive Bulk at Aurizon, leading a diversified business with more than 2,200 employees delivering integrated transport and logistics solutions across rail, road, port, and terminal operations throughout Australia. During her tenure, she oversaw complex operations supporting mining, construction, agriculture, and emerging future-focused industries while managing significant infrastructure assets and customer supply chains.
Her leadership experience also includes serving as General Manager Bulk at Aurizon, Group Manager – Customers & Innovation at Bis Industries, Executive Director at The Lonsdale Group, as well as senior operational and transformation roles with GM Holden, Carlton & United Breweries, EY, and Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for operational leadership, business transformation, customer engagement, organizational development, and strategic growth.
In addition to her executive leadership experience, Dartnell has served on several boards, including Horizon Power, Brightwater Care Group, and Kimberley Ports Authority, contributing governance expertise across energy, community services, and infrastructure sectors.
As CEO, Dartnell will lead Tellus through its next phase of growth, focusing on advancing the company’s strategy, strengthening customer and stakeholder partnerships, supporting Australia’s transition to a more sustainable and circular economy, and expanding the role of Tellus’ environmental infrastructure in addressing complex industrial, hazardous, and radiological waste challenges.
Her appointment comes at a time when demand for advanced waste management, environmental remediation, critical minerals support, and circular economy solutions continues to grow across Australia, positioning Tellus to play an increasingly important role in the nation’s environmental and industrial future.
About Tellus
Tellus is an Australian environmental infrastructure and circular economy company focused on helping industries safely and sustainably manage hazardous, industrial, and low-level radioactive waste. The company owns and operates Sandy Ridge, Australia’s first and only nationwide geological repository for the permanent disposal of hazardous and low-level radioactive waste. Through innovative circular economy solutions, Tellus supports customers across critical minerals, mining, energy, manufacturing, and environmental remediation sectors by providing services that include waste removal, treatment, recycling, storage, and permanent disposal. The company works closely with government, industry, Traditional Owners, and local communities to create long-term environmental solutions that protect future generations.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
