VITARA: Tax Administration Governance

Robert Russell is a seasoned tax administration expert with an illustrious career spanning multiple international roles. His 32-year tenure in the Canadian public service culminated in a nine-year position as Assistant Commissioner at the Canada Revenue Agency. Following this, he transitioned to New Zealand's Department of Inland Revenue, initially as Deputy Commissioner of Service Delivery before being elevated to Commissioner and Chief Executive, a role he held for over five years. Since returning to Canada, Russell has significantly contributed to global tax administration through his work with the International Monetary Fund, completing more than 25 tax administration contracts across 12 countries. His expertise encompasses revenue mobilization, tax compliance improvement, and administrative reform in both developed and developing nations. A Canadian national, Russell has balanced his distinguished professional career with family life, having been married to Laurel for 45 years, with whom he has raised 4 sons and has 8 grandchildren.

Thomas Story is a distinguished revenue administration expert with over 22 years of experience at the International Monetary Fund. His career encompasses significant roles including Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office and Executive General Manager for Australia's anti-money laundering agency. At the IMF, Story served as Deputy Division Chief for revenue administration until his retirement in 2016, and continues to contribute as an external advisor. His expertise has been instrumental in establishing and reforming tax systems globally, notably as the in-country IMF advisor for East Timor's revenue system during the UN Transitional Administration in 2000/2001 and as advisor to the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan in 2003/2004. Story's work at the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, both from 2004 to 2006 and from 2009 to 2016, has focused on strengthening revenue administration across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia/Pacific regions. His comprehensive experience in international best practices spans tax administration, customs operations, social security collections, and anti-money laundering initiatives, making him a key figure in shaping modern revenue administration systems worldwide.