Arrow Di Dixon's move to head up innovation district, Lot Fourteen

In this episode we talk to Di Dixon, State Lead at Lot Fourteen about her move to South Australia, and her vision for the Innovation Precinct.

Di leads the development, delivery, governance, curation and operations of the 7ha ideas, innovation and cultural precinct in Adelaide’s CBD on behalf of the Government of SA. This involves overarching project management, development of governance and operating models, effective high level stakeholder engagement, strategy development and delivery in areas including investment and business attraction, technology and security planning, public art and marketing & communications, program curation of supportive activities and leading delivery of over $720m of key pieces of infrastructure including a flagship Entrepreneur & Innovation Centre, Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre and an International Centre for Food, Hospitality and Tourism Studies as part of the Adelaide City Deal.

Prior to this Di held a leadership role to drive the City of Gold Coast's economic agenda and a range of strategic projects including the development and delivery of the city’s Economic Development Strategy and projects including the city's international and precinct economic and innovation zone plans and projects.

She also led the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP) Precinct Delivery Team focused on identifying business, research and investment attraction opportunities on behalf of City of Gold Coast, Griffith University, Gold Coast Health and the Queensland Government.

This included delivering the targeted global investment attraction strategy and leading the initiation and outcome focused establishment of international investor, industry and development partnerships alongside global clinical and research collaborations to drive end user targeted facilities to create a world class knowledge hub driving employment, investment and economic outcomes.

Diane states "Lot Fourteen is part of a broader ecosystem , the state of SA has a really strong narrative to share with the world around its innovation ecosystem and its other hubs. We are also trying to work really closely with our other innovation district partners and focus on how we use the growth and attraction of having such a special precinct which are located so close to the CBD."

Di's book recommendation is Women in Leadership – Julia Gillard

Di's podcast recommendation is Bit of Optimism -  Simon Sinek