Career and Achievements:  Kathleen has practised in tax for over 16 years, with experience spanning Big 4 accounting firms, the ATO, and both small and mid-tier legal practices. This breadth has given her practical understanding of tax issues from multiple perspectives, including advisory, compliance, administration, policy and dispute resolution.

Kathleen joied The Tax Institute in 2011 as a very junior practitioner and has been a Chartered Tax Adviser since the designation was first introduced. Kathleen also holds a Master of Laws (Taxation Law) from the University of Melbourne and has served for many years on the Law Institute of Victoria’s Taxation and Revenue Committee. Throughout her career, Kathleen has maintained a strong commitment to technical excellence, professional development and contribution to the broader tax and legal professions.

Contributions to The Tax Institute Community: 

Kathlee has been an active participant in The Tax Institute community since joining in 2011, beginning with the Younger Tax Practitioner series. Over time, she regularly attends Local Tax Club events (including during its earlier iteration as the Breakfast Club), as well as major conferences, retreats, and conventions such as the Noosa Convention, Private Business Tax Retreat, Tax Summit, and the Vic Tax Forum.

In addition to attending events, Kathleen actively contributes through volunteering. She currently serves on the Local Tax Club Organising Committee for Melbourne and Geelong and is a member of the Membership Engagement Working Group. Through these roles, Kathleen has been involved in event planning, practitioner engagement, and initiatives aimed at strengthening member connection and participation.

Why They Want to Be on State Council: Kathleen would like to be on State Council because she is committed to the ongoing strength, relevance and inclusiveness of The Tax Institute. Having been a member for nearly 15 years, Kathleen has seen first-hand the value that The Tax Institute provides at every stage of a tax professional’s career, from early development through to senior practice and leadership.

What distinguishes her candidacy is the combination of long-standing involvement with The Tax Institute, breadth of professional experience across Big 4 accounting, government and legal practice, and ability to contribute perspectives that are not always well represented in governance and leadership settings.

Specifically, Kathleen brings the perspective of a neurodivergent practitioner. This has shaped how she engages with complex technical material, professional environments and organisational structures. It has also made her particularly attuned to how professional bodies can unintentionally privilege certain ways of thinking, communicating and participating over others.

Kathleen is not seeking to advance a separate agenda, but rather to contribute to thoughtful, practical discussions about how The Tax Institute can remain accessible and inclusive to a diverse membership. This includes considering how events, professional development, committee structures and engagement opportunities are designed so that they support different working styles, communication preferences, and career paths.

Kathleen believe this perspective complements the experience already represented on State Council and allows her to contribute a lens that supports better engagement, retention, and participation across the membership, ultimately strengthening the Victorian section of The Tax Institute, and perhaps The Tax Institute as a whole..

Career and Achievements: Russell Krupp has over 20 years of experience as a lawyer across both public and private sectors. In addition to being a lawyer, he is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor, and one of only six accredited specialists in tax law in Victoria. Russell is also the chair of the Tax & Revenue Law Committee at the LIV. 

Russell’s practice focuses on commercial and tax law, with particular expertise in complex tax and duty advice for private clients, high-net-worth individuals, and family groups. He regularly advises on structuring, succession planning, and asset protection strategies, as well as drafting commercial agreements to implement tailored tax solutions.

Russell has expanded his capabilities in tax law, capital raising, and start-up advisory. His clients include entrepreneurs, professional services firms, tech and media businesses, and private investors. Known for his practical approach and ability to simplify complexity, Russell is a trusted advisor for navigating novel tax and legal challenges.

Contributions to The Tax Institute Community: Member, Organising Committee of the Victorian Tax Forum, 2025 and 2026

Why They Want to Be on State Council: 

Russel is passionate about contributing to a strong, connected, and future‑focused tax community in Victoria. Throughout his career Russell has benefited greatly from the expertise, advocacy and professional standards championed by the Tax Institute, and he is keen to play a more active role in shaping its direction.

Serving on State Council would give Russell the opportunity to support member engagement, encourage the next generation of tax practitioners, and help ensure the Institute remains relevant and responsive to the challenges facing our profession. Russell is motivated to collaborate with fellow Council members to strengthen the Institute’s presence in Victoria and to contribute meaningfully to initiatives that enhance the value and impact of the professional community.

Career and Achievements: Gary has 46 years in public accounting practice and the last 20 years in tax Advisory Services. He is a Fellow of CAANZ,  former partner in Curtis & Thomas (Stawell),  A former Senior Partner, Tax Advisory (Findex - Vic & Tas) (to January 2023) and has  25 years governance experience including public hospitals, industry bodies, Ambulance Victoria and 2 Industry superannuation funds (Health Super and First State Super - now Aware Super). 
Gary is the Principal of his own tax advisory firm Gary Thomas Chartered Accountants as well as the organiser and facilitator of a full day quarterly tax technical discussion group for lawyers and accountants engaged in tax advisory (15 years).

Contributions to The Tax Institute Community: 

In recent couple of years, Gary has been on the organising committee for the Agribusiness Intensive conference (2024, 2025 & 2026) and the Yarra Valley Tax Retreat (2024). Gary presented at the Agribusiness Intensive (twice) as well as the Victorian Regional Masterclass in 2025.

Why They Want to Be on State Council: Gary believes time to make a contribution to the governance and direction of The Tax Institute