Meet our Team

At the Shire we value Honesty, Empathy, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork. We are an organisation that cares about our people and community.

We are continuing to grow from a small rural Shire to a medium sized local government with a diverse population. The demands placed on the organisation to service the community’s needs continue to grow in scale and complexity.

The Shire is focused on improving the customer experience and is committed to excellence, technology and innovation, as major elements of our ongoing transformation to provide increasing levels of service quality and consistency.

Executive Management Team

Samantha Chamberlain

Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Samantha Chamberlain was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Capel in March 2026, becoming the first female CEO in the Shire’s history.

With more than 25 years’ experience across State and Local Government, Samantha brings extensive leadership, financial and strategic planning and community engagement expertise to the role. Prior to her appointment as CEO, she served as the Shire’s Director of Community and Corporate Services for five years, playing a key role in driving organisational progress, strengthening community connections and supporting positive workplace culture.

Having worked at Executive level within the organisation, Samantha has a strong understanding of the Shire, its communities, and the opportunities and challenges shaping the region’s future.

Samantha is passionate about fostering a collaborative, community-focused and forward-thinking organisation, with a strong emphasis on strategic leadership, innovation and meaningful engagement.

Her appointment coincides with an exciting new chapter for the Shire, including the transition to a three-directorate structure under the adopted Workforce Plan 2025–2029, helping position the organisation for continued growth and success.

Alex Bell

Director Corporate & Customer Relations

Isabel Fry

Acting Director Community Planning & Development

Isabel joined the Shire in June of 2025 in her substantive role as the Manager Development Services. She has 8 years of experience in various local governments working in town planning and management roles across the southwest and was born and bred in the region.

Isabel has a Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Business Administration, specialising in project management. Her priorities are to provide a high level of customer service to the community and prioritise facilitating great built form outcomes and growth that reflect the needs and character of the Shire and its various townsites.

Isabel is currently acting in the position of Director Community, Planning and Development and is responsible for the oversight of the following areas within the organisation:

Planning
Building
Environmental Health
Economic Development
Community Development
Libraries

Isabel is enjoying the experience of acting in this role through the recruitment process for the director position.