SPA Australia names Elise Poiner National Lead – Commercial
SPA Australia (Systems Planning & Analysis Australia), a leading provider of integrated legal, commercial, consulting and analytics services to government, has appointed Elise Poiner as National Lead – Commercial.
Having acted in the role since September 2025, Poiner has already led SPA Australia's Commercial practice across a wide range of government engagements. During that time, she has supported significant programs for agencies including the Department of Defence, Australian Taxation Office, Services Australia, Digital Transformation Agency and Australian Securities and Investments Commission. She has also helped expand the practice's capability, strengthen client partnerships and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture.
A highly experienced commercial, legal and governance leader, Poiner brings more than two decades of expertise spanning procurement, compliance, commercial strategy and public sector transformation. Her career includes more than ten years in senior government leadership positions, where she has overseen complex reform programs, procurement initiatives and commercial functions.
Poiner joined SPA Australia (formerly Proximity) in 2024 as an Expert Advisor and has since supported government clients on major procurement, governance and commercial strategy projects. Prior to joining the firm, she served as General Counsel at Services Australia and led the legal and compliance function at Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation.
Her experience includes commercial strategy, procurement reform, contract negotiation, ICT vendor management and governance, with a focus on strengthening organisational capability and supporting the effective delivery of government services.
SPA Australia Managing Director Zoe Lynam said Poiner's appointment recognises both her leadership strengths and deep understanding of the commercial challenges facing government.
"Elise brings a deep understanding of the commercial and governance challenges facing government agencies today, along with the practical experience needed to help clients deliver complex programs with confidence," Lynam said.
"She has a proven ability to build high-performing teams, strengthen client partnerships and deliver practical solutions to complex challenges, making her ideally placed to lead the next phase of growth for our Commercial practice.
"As a government-focused advisory firm, we have built our business around the unique needs of the public sector. Elise's appointment further strengthens our ability to provide senior-led advice that helps agencies deliver improved outcomes."
As National Lead – Commercial, Poiner will oversee SPA Australia's Commercial practice and its team of 30 specialists, supporting government agencies across procurement, contract management, business case development, cost modelling, negotiation support and probity services.
The Commercial practice forms part of SPA Australia's integrated advisory model, which combines multidisciplinary expertise tailored specifically to government clients. Under the firm's senior-led delivery approach, Principals, Expert Advisors and Special Advisors work directly with clients from strategy through to implementation, drawing on extensive experience across government and industry.
Poiner said she is looking forward to leading the team as government agencies navigate growing complexity, budget pressures and changing expectations around service delivery.
“I’m excited to work alongside our talented team, who are committed to solving problems and delivering tailored, high-quality services to meet our clients’ unique challenges. We have a strong foundation that combines market leading expertise and real-world experience, that means we can deliver meaningful outcomes for government.”
“Our Commercial solution sits alongside SPA Australia’s multidisciplinary capability to deliver integrated, end-to-end advice and services. This is backed by our global team and specialist analytics capability. We are uniquely qualified to support clients in making confident, informed commercial decisions.”
“My priority is ensuring we are well placed to help clients navigate complex and evolving environments, as well as advances in technology, with confidence. We’ll continue to deliver practical advice that drives strong outcomes for Australians and strengthens trust in government.”
In 2025, SPA Australia combined with Proximity, bringing together public sector expertise, analytical capability and evidence-based methodologies to support government clients in addressing complex challenges and achieving better outcomes.
Today, SPA Australia works with all major Commonwealth agencies and numerous state government organisations, including the Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Services Australia, Department of Social Services, and several Victorian and ACT Government departments.
Poiner commenced in the position this month and is based in Canberra.
