Nolan uses evaluative thinking, methodologies and a culture of evaluation to create environments where evaluation is accepted as a holistic approach to inform and guide policy, investment and project implementation. In his current role, he evaluates Regional Development initiatives to demonstrate the impacts of these interventions on regional communities.

Nolan’s career in the public sector in Western Australia has involved providing commercial advice and facilitating access to private and government funding across a variety of industries. He has managed a range of industry, innovation and science functions catering to clients ranging from small businesses to the university sector. This involved complex commercial and financial assessments across multiple levels in government, industry and commerce.  He has negotiated funding agreements, sourced financial resource, supported the resolution of commercial problems and developed strategies to ensure sustainable commercial operation.