The Campus Plus Team
nick mcnaughton: co-founder, non-executive director, interim chair
WORK: Nick is a highly experienced executive who has been a successful entrepreneur, mentor, investor, and fund manager. In August 2020 he founded Campus Plus to help Universities commercialise their unique ideas, discoveries, and inventions. In November 2022 Campus Plus was appointed by the Department of Education to manage and deliver the $296M National Industry PhD Program as part of Australia's Economic Accelerator. Over the last two decades Nick has also been a highly successful Venture Capitalist. He led investments in several successful companies including Windlab (2017 ASX Listing) Lithicon (Trade sale FEI - US$68M), InterfereX (Trade sale - NYSE Dolby), Instaclustr (Trade sale NetApp for A$720M) & Liquid Instruments.
LIFE: Two fun facts and a fib 1. Nick presented an early version of the internet to Bill Gates, 2. He has cycled the Rhine from Source to Sea, 3. He runs a successful YouTube channel on recreational cycling
SUPERPOWER: Karaoke
Jason Steinwedel: Director National Industry PhD Program
WORK: Jason leads the delivery of the Federal Department of Education’s National Industry PhD Program and brings over 30 years of senior experience spanning advanced manufacturing, research translation, and industry–education integration. From multinational organisations to high‑growth start‑ups, Jason has built a career bridging the gap between concept and commercial reality. A passionate advocate for Australian advanced manufacturing, he has led globally recognised ventures, including as CEO of Partington CC, and was instrumental in founding ManuFutures—creating more than 150 jobs and attracting over $35M in investment. With a unique blend of public and private sector leadership, Jason is ideally placed to support emerging enterprises and the founders driving them forward.
SUPERPOWER: Coaxing old BMWs back to life
Zoe Fieldhouse
WORK: As Co‑Founder of Campus Plus, Zoe provides strategic and operational leadership, with an deep interest in encouraging research translation. Zoe has designed and delivered researcher commercialisation training programs since the inception of Campus Plus - educating thousands of researchers across Australia, New Zealand, UK and Canada on commercialisation and impact pathways. Previously, Zoe was COO of ANU Connect Ventures, a $37M seed investment fund, which successfully delivered strong returns to investors, and managed the Discovery Translation Fund supporting proof‑of‑concept research across multiple universities. Her career is defined by bridging research, capital and industry to drive meaningful economic and societal outcomes.
LIFE: Two fun facts and a fib 1. Reserve player for England’s Under 13 Hockey Team, 2. Black belt in Karate, 3. Rock climbed in Yosemite Valley
SUPERPOWER: Tile grouting
Hollie Bell
WORK: Hollie Bell brings a unique blend of technical innovation and entrepreneurship to Campus Plus. After extreme seasickness thwarted a career in the Navy, she started her first company BizzTools in 2004, building online loan calculators for mortgage brokers and banks. This allowed Hollie to continue inventing, designing products and getting them manufactured and then sold worldwide. With her hands‑on experience in product design, digital fabrication and commercialisation, Hollie worked closely with early‑stage founders and investors through the Canberra Innovation Network. Since joining Campus Plus in 2023, she has applied this practical, entrepreneurial perspective to supporting innovation and program delivery.
LIFE: Two fun facts and a fib 1. I have flown on a Concord, 2. I joined the Navy at 16, 3. I could get down to 7 inches in roller skating limbo
SUPERPOWER: Dress making
Sabine Straver
WORK: Sabine Straver is a highly experienced training and program designer working at the intersection of universities, industry and community‑led innovation. She specialises in developing inclusive, practical capability‑building programs that support academics, students, industry partners, rural and regional founders, First Nations entrepreneurs and multicultural communities to progress ideas with commercial potential. Sabine has played a central role in the design and delivery of large‑scale, award‑winning training initiatives, including the iAccelerate entrepreneurial training program and federally and state‑funded programs supporting regional and First Nations entrepreneurs. With decades of experience embedded in multicultural communities and national recognition for excellence in higher‑education learning design, Sabine brings a thoughtful, participant‑centred approach to building skills, confidence and pathways to impact.
LIFE: 2 fun facts and a fib 1. I travelled the world in 2025, 2. I have a purple belt in Karate, 3. I speak 3 languages
SUPERPOWER: Decluttering
David Beecham
WORK: David brings more than 15 years’ experience working across higher education and research environments in Australia and the UK. Based in Adelaide, he has worked closely with researchers and industry partners to design and deliver collaborative projects that address complex social challenges and generate tangible outcomes. With a background in sociology and deep experience in research development and grants management, David specialises in supporting researchers to connect with industry, shape impactful projects and translate research into practical benefit. His work is grounded in building strong partnerships that deliver value for industry partners and wider society.
LIFE: 2 fun facts and a fib 1. Got lost in a city where I didn’t speak the language and ended up being invited to a family dinner, 2. Keen on DIY and construction, 3. I am a toxophilite.
SUPERPOWER: Connecting the dots other people don’t see.
Andrew Walsh
WORK: Andrew brings more than a decade of experience working across higher education, research training and industry engagement. Based in Perth, Andrew has worked closely with universities, government and industry to strengthen pathways between research and real‑world impact. During his PhD, he collaborated with the Western Australian Government to assess innovation programs and better understand how targeted support and training can benefit metro and regional businesses. Following this, Andrew played a central role at Murdoch University in designing and managing HDR internship and engagement programs, serving as a key connector between academics, research students and industry partners. He also helped establish Western Australia’s university internship community of practice, focused on maximising research internship outcomes across the state.
LIFE: Two fund facts and a fib 1. Plays basketball 2. Once owned a cat 3. State representative
SUPERPOWER: Data
Lauretta Grasso
WORK: Lauretta brings more than 14 years’ experience across both the professional and academic sectors of Australia’s higher‑education system. With a PhD that saw her working across James Cook University, the Australian National University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, she has deep insight into research training and cross‑institutional collaboration. Most recently, Lauretta led the Graduate Research School at James Cook University, where she created multiple pathways for industry partners to collaborate with research students. Based in Townsville, Lauretta brings a strong regional perspective to the National Industry PhD Program, working closely with universities, industry partners and students to support meaningful, industry‑engaged research outcomes as the program continues to grow.
LIFE: Two fun facts and a fib 1. I live in a town with no shop, 2. I want to write a novel, 3. I bought a 1 euro house in Italy
SUPERPOWER: Bringing humour to almost any situation
Stephanie Berta-McGhie
WORK: As Senior Bookkeeper at Campus Plus, Stefanie brings extensive experience across financial management, compliance, and operational finance. With a long-standing career in finance, including successfully establishing and running her own bookkeeping business, she has developed strong commercial acumen and a client-focused approach across a diverse portfolio. She partners closely with leadership teams to deliver accurate, timely financial insights, strengthen financial controls, and support strategic decision-making. With a focus on process improvement and efficiency, Stefanie streamlines systems, enhances reporting, and brings clarity to complex financial environments.
LIFE: Two fun facts and a fib 1. Certified Florist, 2. Model, 3. Circus Performer
SUPERPOWER: Lego Master Builder (no instructions needed!)
Callie Forest
WORK: Callie supports the delivery and coordination of Campus Plus programs, with a focus on professional development, communications and participant engagement. As Program Associate, she manages the end‑to‑end delivery of Campus Plus webinars—regularly acting as MC, liaising with presenters, and supporting clients through post‑event reporting. Callie also contributes to marketing and communications across the business and supports the National Industry PhD team through content development, cohort onboarding and data management. Alongside her role at Campus Plus, Callie is completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the Australian National University, specialising in International Business, Finance and Economic Studies.
LIFE: Two fun facts and a fib 1. Marathon runner, 2. Regular thrift-shopper, 3. National’s Snowboarder