Christian Taubenschlag is the founder and President of CMAX Advisory.
Christian has been advising and assisting both private and public sector clients with their corporate and public affairs communication needs for more than 20 years.
Christian has worked across a range of industries and represented clients involved in areas as diverse as defence, national security, mining and resources, agriculture, infrastructure, health and media.
Christian has a wealth of government experience derived from roles heading several departmental communication units. Christian has also established himself as a trusted advisor to the federal government, having worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Minister for Defence and National Security Adviser and Director of Communications to the Minister for Home Affairs.
Christian is fluent in Spanish, has a Bachelor of Communications and prior to establishing CMAX Advisory he worked as a journalist.
Tara Taubenschlag has worked in government relations, communications and journalism for more than 15 years.
Prior to her career with CMAX Advisory, Tara worked as a print and television journalist both nationally and internationally, producing and presenting news and current affairs programs for Sky News and Channel Ten. During her time at CMAX Advisory, Tara has counselled clients from a range of sectors including digital, cyber, defence, agriculture and education in government relations, reputation management, corporate communications, issue management and corporate social responsibility.
Tara’s professional experiences also includes work for a variety of consultancy firms, where she supported clients in the development and execution of strategic communications campaigns, government relations strategies, stakeholder engagement plans, ASX company listings, the development and launch of company prospectuses, and campaign and media management of events.
Tara assists a number of non-profit and community organisations with their PR and communication needs on a pro bono basis. She sits on the Board of Fortem Australia and is a passionate maternal health advocate and works with charities including Every Mother Counts, and The Hands of Rescue to raise funds and awareness for maternal health programs in developing countries. Tara was a founding board member of Women in Media – Canberra Group, was named the 2013 Government Relations Practitioner of the Year and was a finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2015. Tara helped establish the East Timor Free Press Foundation following the independence referendum in 2000, receiving an Australian Government Award in recognition for her volunteer work there.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Queensland.
Tyson Sara has more than 25 years’ experience in defence, international relations and government.
Tyson has served in a number of senior executive positions in the Department of Defence, managing strategic policy, capability and personnel. Tyson has also managed Defence’s international relationships, with particular expertise on the United States, South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Tyson served in Parliament House as the Senior Adviser for Intelligence, Operations and International Affairs to the Minister for Defence and was lead adviser to the minister for the development of the 2009 Defence White Paper.
Overseas, Tyson served as the Policy Adviser to the Australian Commander in Afghanistan in Kabul. On a second tour he was seconded to the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division as Senior Adviser to the Commander of NATO Forces in Southern Afghanistan based in Kandahar, but travelling widely in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
At CMAX Advisory, Tyson is responsible for strategy development, political analysis, political engagement and geopolitical forecasting and analysis. Tyson assists our clients to understand and navigate the political and international landscape and develop ambitious but feasible strategies to help clients achieve their objectives.
Tyson grew up in rural South Australia and attended Flinders University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in International Relations. He has a Master’s in International Security and Strategy from King’s College London and is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies. Tyson has also completed the Senior Executives in National and International Security Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Ian Hampson has over 30 years’ experience in Defence and national security turning strategy into disciplined execution through strong governance and operational clarity.
Ian has held senior executive roles across national security, defence and industry, leading complex organisations in demanding operational environments briefing international ministers and senior officials on strategy, execution, governance and policy implementation.
Operating at the strategic level, Ian is known for translating strategy and policy into disciplined operational delivery. He has led organisations where strategic intent needed to be executed through clear organisational structures, accountable leadership, capable teams and effective governance to achieve measurable outcomes.
A veteran of the Australian Defence Force, Ian held senior command and operational leadership roles. In public sector executive appointments, he led complex capability programs that strengthened regional and national security, aligning delivery to government priorities ensuring strong governance, legal and policy compliance, and operational impact.
In industry, Ian has applied this experience as a Chief Operating Officer, leading diverse organisations and major programs. He has designed and implemented operating and governance models that improved performance, reduced operating costs and strengthened execution, while maintaining operational flexibility and effective risk management.
At CMAX Advisory, Ian serves as Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for the firm’s operations and delivery. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, he ensures strategy is translated into execution and that the firm operates with commercial discipline in support of high-quality client outcomes.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Management, is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served on non-profit boards in both director and company secretary roles.
Sue’s experience comes from 20 years in Defence and the public sector, specialising in civil-military relations.
Sue was an executive at the Australian Department of Defence and a human capital consultant. She has a wealth of experience in stakeholder engagement and has been a ministerial and strategic advisor. Utilising her expertise, Sue assists clients to navigate the interface between government and Defence to maximise exposure and success rates when competing for Defence Industry contracts.
Sue is a relationship specialist and has deep connections across the Defence organisation. She has managed capability and policy issues as an advisor to service chiefs and has managed complex logistics relationships in the Middle East. She has built a wide and influential ADF and APS network, having taught the emerging generation of leaders as an instructor at the War College.
Sue is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff Course and has a Masters in Strategy from the Australian National University.
Mitch has more than 20 years of leadership and management experience in the national security sector
Mitch’s deep national security experience supports CMAX Advisory partners in the defence industry, national security and higher education sectors to develop and implement superior organisational strategies to help them achieve their objectives.
Mitch’s diverse experience in Defence saw him serve in roles in strategy development and implementation, national and international stakeholder engagement, policy development, national training, operational planning and incident management. He supported delivery of capability projects as a user, by enabling trials of equipment, and by supporting the introduction of several large programs.
While in Defence, Mitch deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. On his most recent deployment to the Philippines in 2019, he assisted in the development and implementation of Australia’s strategy in conjunction with many federal agencies and international counterparts.
Mitch grew up in Bundaberg and holds a Master of Arts (Strategy and Security), a Master of Defence Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts (History and Management). He is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy, the Royal Military College – Duntroon, the Australian Command and Staff College and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kate Worden brings over 30 years of experience across various levels of government in the Northern Territory to her role at CMAX. Most recently, she served as a Minister in the Northern Territory Labor Government, overseeing portfolios such as Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Renewables and Energy, Territory Families, Urban Housing, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Essential Services.
Elected to the Territory Parliament in 2016, Kate previously served as an elected member of the City of Darwin Council for the Chan Ward. This period honed her skills in grassroots politics, stakeholder relationship building, and ethical decision-making in challenging situations.
Kate has also held senior advisory roles for several Northern Territory ministers, covering areas such as work health and safety, local government, health, and sport. Her professional experience includes serving as a Director within the Housing portfolio, where she played a key role in establishing the Public Housing Safety Division and managing complaints and legal compliance functions.
As an Account Director with CMAX Advisory, Kate provides clients with valuable insights and advice on parliamentary processes, as well as state/territory, and local government operations. She helps clients navigate complex political and departmental strategies to achieve their objectives.
Kate offers strategic leadership across diverse sectors, including energy, health, and transport. She specialises in political analysis, partnership negotiations, and advocacy to drive reform.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Aboriginal Affairs Administration from the University of South Australia, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has been a part the ANZOG Executive Leadership in Local Government program.
Sarah is an advocacy and government relations professional with more than 15 years of experience advising senior leaders, managing diverse stakeholder groups, and delivering campaigns. She is known for distilling complex analysis into clear, actionable advice and bridging the gap between technical expertise and policy communication.
Since joining CMAX in 2023, Sarah has supported clients to navigate government approval processes, secure access to grant and investment programs, manage sensitive issues, and strengthen governance for complex, multi-partner initiatives. She brings expertise across policy, strategic communications, and industry-wide advocacy, and is valued for her ability to quickly master new subject areas.
Before joining CMAX, Sarah spent six years in New York as senior adviser and political strategist to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, while serving as Executive Director of Ms Gbowee’s US foundation. She led operations, partnerships, fundraising, and public engagement, including securing media placements in outlets such as The New York Times, CNN International and The Guardian.
Earlier in her career, Sarah held leadership roles in Australian peak bodies and worked in the Australian Public Service, developing strong links between the for-purpose sector, government, and industry.
Sarah holds a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University, and a Diploma of Project Management.
Alyssa is a corporate strategy specialist who supports businesses to enter and grow in the Australian and Indo-Pacific markets, and manage complex stakeholder relations.
Alyssa has worked in a number of legal and public policy roles across state and federal government departments, as well as in the private sector, helping companies to navigate the Australian operating environment and build brands that resonate with Australian customers and decision-makers.
At CMAX Advisory, Alyssa has supported Australian and multinational companies and non-profits across defence, aerospace, international development, technology, government and manufacturing sectors. She has led large corporate restructures, designed market growth strategies, and developed and executed government engagement plans for industry partners pursuing significant investment, commercial and branding campaigns in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.
During her time in the Australian Department of Defence, Alyssa worked in key defence industry and international policy sections, managing Defence’s international relationships with Southeast Asia, and multi-million-dollar bilateral defence cooperation programs with regional partners. She also administered the implementation of defence industry and innovation programs, which strengthened government partnerships with defence industry and competitively positioned Australian companies for export success in foreign markets.
Alyssa has a wealth of public sector experience in government and stakeholder engagement, having previously worked with the Attorney-General’s Department, the Federal Court of Australia and a number of New South Wales government agencies.
Alyssa grew up on the beaches of Newcastle and graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Public Policy and French).
Jeff is a seasoned executive with over two decades of global experience spanning government and stakeholder relations, legal advisory, policy analysis, regulatory affairs, communications, and sustainability. He has successfully led high-level negotiations, influenced policy and regulatory reforms, and shaped corporate strategy across diverse sectors such as energy infrastructure and Industry 4.0 technologies.
As co-founder of a UK-based company specialising in digitisation and sustainable technologies, Jeff played a pivotal role in driving international expansion across the UK and Europe. Under his leadership, the company secured strategic distribution agreements and achieved significant regulatory outcomes. Notably, he negotiated the company’s inclusion on the UK National Health Service (NHS) framework, enabling contracts with NHS hospitals and fuelling substantial business growth.
Following rapid success, Jeff and his partners sold the company to a Canadian firm after just two and a half years, marking a strong exit and demonstrating his ability to scale and commercialise innovative technologies in complex policy and regulatory environments.
Previously, Jeff held a senior global leadership role at a digitisation and sustainable technologies company in Australia, as well as senior leadership roles in multinational and national energy infrastructure organisations. In these roles, he led government relations, navigated complex regulatory environments, and developed ESG initiatives. Able to operate at the intersection of politics, law, and business, Jeff has consistently delivered successful policy and regulatory outcomes that have driven strategic transformation and business growth.
As a former barrister, Jeff brings deep legal acumen to the corporate arena, combining his legal expertise with strategic foresight to manage risk and enable sustainable innovation.
Jeff holds an Honours Degree in International Relations from the University of Queensland, and a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons) from Queensland University of Technology. Trained in advocacy and media relations, he is a skilled communicator and public speaker, with published articles in journals such as The Fifth Estate. He is widely recognised for his ability to influence decision-makers and shape industry dialogue. Jeff’s leadership continues to bridge the worlds of business, government, and regulation, fostering innovation and advancing sustainable progress.
Heather brings a breadth of experience spanning both Federal and State Parliaments where she honed her skills as a strategic thinker.
As Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia, Heather delivered a four-year disciplined campaign built on significant industry and community engagement and the prosecution of a concise message, resulting in an historic electoral return for The Nationals WA.
Having served as an Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister; Heather oversaw the design and delivery of regional development programs across Australia. The successful delivery of these programs often required intricate negotiations between stakeholders and scaled from locally-led projects to major infrastructure upgrades.
From campaign strategy and policy development to detailed legislative analysis, Heather has built a skillset which delivers immediate objectives and achieves long term goals for CMAX Advisory clients.
Dave has more than 28 years of leadership and management experience in the national security sector.
Dave is a capability acquisition specialist with strong connections across the Defence organisation. He has managed advanced strategic capabilities across the Defence enterprise and successfully led a major and complex project through the government approval process before introducing the capability into service. Dave has experience in operational planning as well as national and international stakeholder engagement.
While in Defence, Dave deployed to Bougainville, Timor Leste, Afghanistan and Iraq. Prior to joining CMAX Advisory, Dave worked in Korea where he managed international industry relationships.
Dave holds a Master of Arts (Strategy and Security), Master of Arts (Capability and Technology Management), and a Bachelor of Arts (Military History). He is a graduate of the Royal Military College – Duntroon, the Australian Command and Staff College and the Capability and Technology Management Course.
Patrick is a specialist in government policy and engagement, with expertise across health, maritime, national security, energy, infrastructure, and government sectors.
As a Senior Advisor at CMAX Advisory, Patrick supports industry partners with the development and execution of government engagement strategies and market analysis across various sectors that interface with state and federal governments. His client-focussed work has included support to strategy development, policy analysis, government submissions and reports, stakeholder relations, and media and event management.
In addition to his support to private-sector clients, Patrick has also developed public-facing strategies for state government partners and supported stakeholder engagement campaigns.
Patrick has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne. Before joining CMAX Advisory, he engaged in government relations and administrative activities in the non-profit sector.
Will is a corporate strategy specialist who enjoys helping organisations succeed.
Will has worked in professional IT and advisor roles across state and local government, as well as in the private sector, helping drive results and providing data-based advice and analysis to help support decision-makers.
During his time at an ASX listed Australian Bank, Will led the data analytics team and was a function lead for a business wide IT transformation project to implement a new core banking system, a project which entailed managing catastrophic risk and delivery of core functionality.
Outside of work, Will is intellectually curious about how the world works, is a voracious reader, and loves to travel with an autobiography or book never too far away.
Will graduated from the University of Tasmania majoring in Information Systems, he also holds a diploma of financial services and has served as vice president of Volleyball Tasmania. Will is currently chair of the Hobart City Council place and wellbeing committee focused on public health.
Travis brings enthusiasm, a professional attitude, and a strong academic foundation to his role as an Advisor with CMAX Advisory.
He recently graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Political Science, a joint venture that has given him a solid grounding in political and financial analysis, research methods, and communication skills.
In his role as an Advisor, Travis provides strategy development, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement support to clients. He is motivated by the opportunity to apply his academic training to real-world problems and deliver clear insights that contribute to solutions to help clients achieve their objectives.
Travis is particularly interested in the links between policy, markets, and the geostrategic environment. He is committed to keeping clients well informed of emerging issues across government and industry, and ensuring they are well-prepared to respond to an ever-changing political landscape.
Passionate about politics and public policy, Travis is excited to support CMAX Advisory’s clients.
Carli is CMAX’s Executive Support Officer with more than seven years of experience providing high-level office management and executive support, predominantly within the legal sector.
Originally hailing from the South Coast, Carli made the move to Canberra in 2018 and completed a Bachelor of Business majoring in Legal Studies at the University of Canberra. Carli combines a strong academic foundation with hands-on experience in professional services.
Carli has a clear understanding of the demands of high-performing workplaces, where attention to detail, confidentiality, and adaptability are essential. Her expertise spans a wide range of administrative functions, including executive assistance, office coordination, business development support, and process improvement.
Carli is passionate about optimising office operations and delivering seamless support that adds tangible value to businesses. She approaches each role with a professional mindset, a warm and approachable attitude, and a creative problem-solving style. Whether managing day-to-day workflows or contributing to strategic initiatives, Carli is committed to supporting clients with efficiency, integrity, and a genuine focus on outcomes.
Jennifer Doggett has more than 20 years’ experience in government, working with professional, industry and consumer groups and specialising in the health sector.
Jennifer is a Fellow of the Centre for Policy Development and Chair of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance. She is a contributing editor to online health publication Croakey and has worked for a broad range of consumer, industry and professional groups in the health sector.
Jennifer’s previous roles include policy officer in the Department of Health, Communications Manager for a national medical organisation and political adviser to a federal senator on health and social policy issues.
Jennifer is the author of a number of publications on health issues including: “A New Approach to Primary Care in Australia” and “Out-of-pocket: re-thinking co-payments in the health system”. She is a contributing author to books More than Luck, Pushing our Luck and Creating and Implementing Public Policy.
Jason Staines has worked as a journalist and editor in Australia, the UK and India. He has also worked in economic diplomacy and policy analysis for the Australian Treasury.
Prior to joining CMAX Advisory, Jason worked for the Commonwealth Treasury as an analyst in Canberra and before that in New Delhi, where he was the senior research officer for Treasury’s post at the Australian High Commission. This economic diplomacy role combined his journalistic experience in reporting on the Indian economy with establishing and maintaining relationships with the Indian government.
Jason has a strong background in editorial production, having worked as production editor on business titles in Sydney and London, as a senior sub-editor for Australian Associated Press and as a news editor for the Age in Melbourne. While in India he was an editor for Dow Jones Newswires.
Jason was raised in Sydney, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from the University of Technology, Sydney and his Master of International Studies from the University of Sydney.