Advisory Board Member

Lee Cordner, AM

ANCORS Principal Research Fellow
Commodore, RANR
MA (USA), MPA (Canb), GAICD

Lee brings considerable experience to ANCORS in strategic analysis, national security, maritime strategy and security, international relations and management. From 2001 to 2005 Lee was the Managing Director of Future Directions International Pty Ltd (FDI), an independent strategic “think tank”, where he oversaw a major program of research into matters of national and international significance to Australia. He worked with a senior Board, led the core staff and coordinated an extended team of 130 associates located around Australia and the World.

Lee joined FDI after a successful 33-year career with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). His last position was Director General Navy Strategic Policy and Futures in Navy Headquarters, Canberra. As principal advisor to the Chief of Navy on strategy, planning and international relations he helped develop Navy’s long-range strategic directions. Other senior positions included: the ‘Tomorrow’s Navy Team’ (TNT), tasked to present innovative change recommendations, which led to a major organisational renewal program; Director Navy Current Policy and Plans; and Director Naval Warfare. He commanded HMAS Adelaide (1997-1999) and HMAS Sydney (1990-1992), the latter during the Gulf War and operations in the North Red Sea.

In addition to Masters Degrees in international relations (USA) and management (University of Canberra), Lee is a graduate of the UK Principal Warfare Officers Course, the Australian Joint Services Staff College, and the US Naval War College. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has written and presented on a broad range of strategic issues.

Full publications list.