Elena Trout was appointed the Chair of the interim establishment board for the Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and is a seasoned professional director. She holds an extensive portfolio of governance roles which includes being a director of Ara Ake Ltd, Callaghan Innovation, Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company, Contact Energy, Harrison Grierson, Citycare Ltd and is the Chair of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. She is also an external member of the Ministry of Defence/ NZ Defence Capability Governance Board.

Elena is a professional engineer and has significant experience in the development and delivery of large programmes notably in the infrastructure, transport and energy sectors and acts as an advisor to central and local government on a variety of major infrastructure projects. Elena is also actively involved with professional associations for engineers, is a Past President and a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.