After moving to Australia from Laos with his parents and brothers when he was just six, Anoulack attended Robert Townson Primary and Robert Townson High School in Raby. On the weekends and after school, Anoulack helped out at his family’s small grocery store where he learnt the value of hard work and the challenges of small business.

After graduation, Anoulack completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney and later undertook postgraduate studies in economics and public administration at the University of Sydney and the London School of Economics. Before entering Parliament, Anoulack worked as an economist for 13 years and served as a councillor and later as mayor on Campbelltown City Council.

After his election as Member for Macquarie Fields in 2015, he served as Shadow Minister for Finance and Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade between 2021 and 2022. Following the election of the Minns Labor Government in March 2023, Anoulack was appointed Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building and Minister for Corrections. Anoulack and his wife Anna live in South-West Sydney with their two children Audrey and Christopher.

Rod McGeoch has had and continues to enjoy a remarkable career at the forefront of business, sports administration and the legal profession.

He unites exemplary senior level management experience with an unparalleled commitment to achievement. Perhaps best known as the leader of Sydney’s successful Olympics 2000 bid, he is Chairman or Director of a wide range of major corporations and past Chairman of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, one of Australia’s largest law firms.

He was described in an ABN AMRO report as one of Australasia’s most influential Directors. His appointments include Chairman of Chubb Insurance Australia Limited, and Vantage Private Equity Growth Limited. He is a Consultant of the Group Board of Corporation America and a Director of Corporacion America International S.a.r.l, and Corporacion America Airports S.A. He is Chairman of Australasian Media Co, a member of the Board of Destination NSW. He Chairman of SureVision and APP Corporation Pty Ltd.

He completed lengthy terms as a Director of Ramsay Health Care Limited, Chairman of Skycity Entertainment Group Ltd and Mediaworks Ltd two major New Zealand companies and continues that connection as Honorary Chairman of the Trans-Tasman Business Circle and immediate Past Chairman of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum. He is a Trustee and Deputy Chairman of the Sydney Cricket Ground & Sports Ground Trust.

He is a past President of the Law Society of NSW and a Member of the Order of Australia, awarded in recognition of his invaluable services to the legal profession. On 26 January 2013 Mr McGeoch became an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his “distinguished service to the community through contributions to a range of organisations and to sport.”

In 2014 Mr McGeoch was appointed Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Australia. He completed his term of office in April 2021.

Courtney Houssos is the Minister for Finance, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Natural Resources in New South Wales.

She is the first female Minister for Finance and the first female Minister responsible for the mining sector in the New South Wales Government.

She was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 2015 • Courtney was born and grew up in Forster, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, where she attended local public primary and high schools.

Courtney studied at the University of New South Wales, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations, Industrial Relations)

Prior to entering Parliament, Courtney was elected to be the first woman to be Country Organiser for New South Wales Labor, serving for 9 years in the role.

During her time in Parliament, she has been a strong advocate on behalf of families, improving education outcomes and universal and accessible healthcare.

Courtney was previously the Shadow Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources. She has also served on a large number of Parliamentary Committees, including on Education, Health, Electoral Matters and Budget oversight issues.

Courtney lives in Earlwood with her husband George, daughter Anna and son Arthur.

Ron Hoenig is the Minister for Local Government and Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly.

In August 2012, Ron was elected to New South Wales Parliament at a by-election as the member for Heffron – an electorate where he grew up and has lived for most of his life.

Prior to entering State Parliament Ron served as Mayor of the City of Botany Bay for over three decades, finishing just shy of 31 years.

Ron is also a barrister and worked for the state of New South Wales as a Public Defender and Acting Crown Prosecutor for several years. He is married and has two children.

Could you please tell me what topic you would like the Minister to speak on and how long he may have so we can prepare a speech.

David Mehan is the State Member for The Entrance and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.  David was elected to the seat at the 2015 state election and returned in 2019 and again in 2023.  A geologist by profession he has worked in the building industry as well as the finance industry and also the trade union movement.

Joseph Rizk AM is the CEO & Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia has been Managing Director since 22 December 2010. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, Joseph held the position of Chief Banking Officer for over five years, overseeing the retail, commercial and trade banking operations as well as its branch network, and being responsible for all revenue generating arms of the Bank. Joseph has over 45 years of corporate, commercial and international banking and finance experience along with extensive experience across the banking spectrum with the ability to generate positive results in the face of tough market conditions and in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Victor is a seasoned government leader, having served as a Minister in NSW for 12 years, and is best known for his role as Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government.

He is considered a pioneer of digital government in Australia, and his achievements have been admired, studied and modelled by other governments around the world. Since retiring from politics in 2023, Victor has been appointed to Accenture’s Global Luminaries Program to champion the cause of digital government around the world.

Victor is the inaugural Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Digital Identity Expert Panel.

Victor is also the inaugural Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Independent Advisory Panel for MyGov and Services Australia.In addition, Victor is a Professor at UNSW and Director of the Trustworthy Digital Society Hub, a joint initiative of UNSW and UTS.

Victor is a board member of the Tech Council of Australia and Adviser to the Brain and Mind Institute based at the University of Sydney. In 2023 Victor launched ServiceGen, a firm that provides advice to governments and complex organisations with a mission of profoundly reimagining services for the digital age.

Stephen has over 30 years of experience in the financial services, funds management, M&A, private equity and accounting fields. He primarily focused on the energy, technology, IT services, infrastructure, financial services, entertainment and natural resource sectors. He has held Directorships with international Fund Managers subsidiaries, Investec Funds Management and the Australian subsidiary of US-based fund manager Sanford C. Bernstein. He has been a founder and held Directorships in a number of Unlisted and Listed companies both in Australia and internationally.

He is currently Chairman of two Public Companies in Australia, NobleOak Life Limited and IncentiaPay Limited (ASX – INP)

Manish Gupta is a career diplomat and a member of the Indian Foreign Service since 1998. In the course of a diplomatic career spanning over 20 years, he has held various positions in New Delhi and abroad. He has extensive experience in dealing with multilateral issues.

Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, he served in the Ministry of External Affairs as Joint Secretary for Overseas Indian Affairs overseeing migration and mobility, emigration policy, labour and manpower cooperation, skill development initiatives and welfare and protection of Overseas Indians related matters. He was also CEO of India Centre for Migration (ICM), which is a think-tank of the Ministry on matters related to international migration.

Earlier, he has served as Consul General of India in Istanbul, Turkey (2013-2016) and in Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York (2009-2013). His other diplomatic assignments were in Dakar (2002-2005) and Brussels (2000-2002). He has also served as desk officer for Nepal in the Northern Division (2005-2009).

Mr. Gupta holds a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University. He is married to Nimeesha Gupta and has one son.

Matt Kean entered Parliament in 2011 and spent his early years advocating for stronger mental health policy.

Elevated to the NSW Cabinet in 2017, he was appointed Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation and following the 2019 NSW election, he was appointed Minister for Energy and Environment.

 During his time as Environment Minister, he added substantial expanses of land to the NSW National Parks’ estate, an increase of nearly 600,000 additional hectares (or 5%).

He championed a modern set of energy and climate policies in the Liberal Party, he has argued that the centre of Australian politics needs to be reclaimed in the political debate.

Matt has been a leading voice for modernizing the State’s energy system. In 2020, he delivered the biggest renewable energy plan in the Nation’s history, to deliver NSW some of the cheapest and most reliable energy anywhere in the world.

In October 2021, Matt Kean was appointed Treasurer in the Perrottet Government and in his first Budget he delivered reform to break the barriers to women’s opportunity – an investment that will pay dividends for both the economy and our society.

He has shown that when politicians make a concerted effort to find common ground and put aside tribal and ideological differences, real and lasting reform can be achieved.

Peter is a Global Singularity Group educator and practitioner on transhumanism and emerging technologies. He co-founded Transhumanism Australia and Transhuman Coin, a community of technologists dedicated to helping society transcend the limitations of our human biology using science and technology and funds scientific discovery and technological innovations that accelerate the transhumanism movement through decentralised finance.

Peter also leads global emerging technology initiatives at KPMG including generative AI, blockchain, web3 and extended reality technologies to help organisations navigate and flourish in these unprecedented times of accelerating change and disruption.

Peter is passionate about co-designing the strategy and developing solutions for businesses in preparation for the impact of disruption from emerging technologies including AI, Web3, XR and IoT in every industry. He manages projects which automate the delivery of actionable business insights to leadership using digital, data and design principles. Ultimately, Peter's mission is to accelerate R&D investment by governments and private sectors into science and technology to transcend the limitations of the human biological condition by enhancing our intelligence, healthy lifespan, and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce and Law at University of Sydney
• Data Science at John Hopkins University
• Machine Learning at Stanford University

Jacqui Munro is a Member of Parliament in the NSW Upper House, elected in March 2023.

Ms Munro is the youngest Liberal woman to be elected to the NSW Legislative Council, and the NSW Liberal Party’s first LGBTQI+ woman Parliamentarian.

Ms Munro holds a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Sydney and worked for state and federal Parliamentarians before beginning her career as a PR and communications professional.

She appears regularly as a commentator across TV, radio and print media on public policy matters and political leadership.

Ms Munro is particularly passionate about supporting innovation for the state’s prosperity and developing housing policy that is equitable and sustainable for all residents.

Denita Wawn has been a member of the National Australia Day Council Board since 8 October 2021. 

Ms Wawn is the CEO and Company Secretary of Master Builders Australia. She has over 35 years' experience as a leading advocate for industry and employers in the nation's capital, around Australia and internationally. Her previous roles include CEO of the Brewer's Association of Australia and New Zealand (Brewer's Association), Deputy CEO of the National Farmers' Federation and Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association (Tasmanian Division).

Denita is currently a Director of Cbus Super Fund, Member of National Workplace Relations Consultative Council and Director of Anminder Family Trust. Her previous corporate governance experience includes roles as Chair of the Worldwide Brewers Alliance, Chair of the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) Scheme and as a director of Hostplus industry superannuation fund and a Board Member of Canberra Grammar School.

Denita was born and educated in Hobart, Tasmania. She has Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Tasmania.

Richard is Bank of America's Vice Chairman, Global Banking and Markets, supporting the sector and product leaders on origination and execution of transactions, both with governments and corporations, and on building banker relationships with the C-Suite.

Previously, from 2007 to 2017 Richard was Bank of America (including Merrill Lynch) Managing Director for Transport, Infrastructure, Power & Utilities.

Prior to this Richard was with the law firm Allens Arthur Robinson for 20 years as an M&A partner.In 2017 Richard was appointed by the NSW Government as Chairman of Western Sydney Local Health District and continued in the role until July 2023. In 2018 Richard was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community particularly through health management roles and to the law, corporate governance, and higher education organizations.

In 2019 Richard became a Member of the Business Council of Australia Infrastructure, Housing and Construction Committee and continues as an active member of the Committee.

In 2021 Richard was appointed Doctor of the University of NSW for his contributions to public health. Richard was previously appointed by the Federal Attorney General to the Advisory Board of the Australian Government Solicitor and by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Board of the Australia Indonesia Institute.

Professor Al Muderis is an Australian trained Orthopaedic Surgeon. His day-to-day work involves hip and knee arthroplasty and reconstructive surgery. Munjed had the privilege of completing his Australian orthopaedic training in 2008 on the NSW Northside Scheme. He subsequently embarked on international fellowships in Germany and Switzerland. Early on in his career, Munjed commenced his academic pursuits and now holds several academic titles including Clinical Professor at Macquarie University, Adjunct Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Of Notre Dame Australia School Of Medicine Sydney and Honorary Associate of the School of AMME/Faculty of Engineering and IT at the University of Sydney. In 2022 Munjed completed a Higher Research Degree in the field of Osseointegration and was awarded a Doctorate of Medical Science from the University of Notre Dame Australia for his contribution to research and development in this technology.

Munjed and his team perform between 500-1000 primary joint replacements and complex revision arthroplasties. It has been well reported in orthopaedic literature that high volume surgeons generally have fewer revision procedures compared to low volume surgeons when using tried and tested implants. Munjed performs hip arthroplasty using direct anterior approach and knee arthroplasty using computer assisted robotic technology. He is also a world leader in osseointegration surgery, providing solutions to people with significant limitations to mobility and suffering from debilitating conditions.

Munjed’s life mission is to enable the disabled, restore mobility and give hope to the weak and vulnerable around the world, regardless of one’s creed or ethnicity. Apart from his academic and clinical roles, Munjed is involved in humanitarian work around the world. He has taken multiple teams to his former homeland of Iraq eight times, to help the victims of the conflict that he fled, as well numerous visits to India, Cambodia, Fiji, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Ukraine, and has educated other orthopaedic surgeons in the osseointegration technique and in complex limb reconstruction. Munjed is an Ambassador of the Australian Red Cross, Amnesty International Australia, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association and World Wellness Group, and Patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre, Sanctuary Australia Foundation and the New South Wales Amputee Association, as well as hold affiliation with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Since 2010, Munjed has been an Australian Air Force Reservist and an advocate of the Australian Armed Forces, and also involved in treating injured personnel from the Australian, British and American Defence Forces, for which he was recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2018 Munjed was recipient of the Asian Game Changer Award in New York and in 2019 he was rewarded with the Social Force Award at the GQ Men of the Year in Abu Dhabi, recognising the contributions he has made caring for others. In 2020, Munjed received the greatest symbol of Australia’s acceptance by being awarded the NSW Australian of the Year.

Ankit Jain is a weathered professional with over 10 years of experience in contact centre management, specialising in managing campaigns for telecommunications, energy, and insurance companies. With an innate understanding of the industry, Ankit has developed a reputation for his ability to optimise operations, drive efficiency, and enhance customer experiences.

Ankit’s journey to becoming the CEO of CIMET started during his time studying a Master of Commerce, Finance and International Business at the University of Sydney. Fuelled by a passion for improvement, Ankit embarked on a mission to revolutionise the industry with an online sign-up experience.

Drawing on his extensive experiences in sales and customer service, Ankit established his own contact centre, which quickly grew to employ over 500 people from four different nations. However, he realised that the business faced challenges during slow months. This is what prompted him and his team to think outside the box and explore alternative avenues.

With a vision to create more stable and lucrative business, Ankit seamlessly integrated his expertise and industry insights into cutting-edge technology. From energy comparison to broadband, telco, solar and upcoming credit card comparisons, CIMET transcends limitations. With CIMET businesses gain increased visibility and sales opportunities, while empowering customers to make informed choices.

As the CEO of CIMET, Ankit Jain continues to drive innovation and spearhead the company’s growth. His entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences, has positioned CIMET as a leading player in the industry. Ankit’s passion for improvement and his ability to transform challenges into opportunities make him an inspiring figure in the business world.

Stephen Bali MP’s professional career prior to parliament included accounting, business consulting, accounting academic, and union official. Stephen has represented the seat of Blacktown in the NSW Parliament since 2017. In 2023, Stephen was elevated to the position of Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces as part of the Minns’ Labor Government. Prior to his election to Parliament, Stephen has always strived to put his community first – serving as a Blacktown City Councillor between 2004 to 2019; including as Deputy Mayor 2009-10 and Mayor from 2014-19.

Stephen’s diverse career has enabled him to help businesses start-up and get established - through to supporting workers and industries in safety innovation and policy development. Stephen has taught accounting and finance at TAFE and universities. Stephen Bali MP’s life experiences have allowed him to become a strong advocate for Blacktown City. He is fighting for western Sydney to deliver improvements in health, education, and infrastructure to match the massive population growth.

Stephen is involved in many charities including the Blacktown City Lions Club and the establishment of The Better Foundation (Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals). Stephen Bali has been responsible for driving the modern transformational change across Blacktown City including the health and performance centre (BISP); Blacktown CBD redevelopment; Animal Rehoming Centre; and various other projects which led to his recognition of being identified on various lists as amongst the most influential people in Western Sydney.

Stephen strives to advocate for quality services and infrastructure to provide the best opportunities in life for local residents.

Mr Iqbal Singh is the Founder & Managing Director at Innovative Financial Management (IFM) a leading wealth management firm in India and Founding partner in LIFEDEKHO Living Solutions in India.

He is a passionate financial service leader with an experience of 24 years in Banking, financial Services & Insurance space. He is a keen believer in power of knowledge and with a passion for wealth management and financial services, have always strived to create new benchmarks in the industry. He is a self-made entrepreneur with "never say die" attitude, has worked and continues to do so. Now his focus is on 4Es e.g providing good Education to underprivilege, Employment for northern state in Banking, financial Services & Insurance, funding to young Entrepreneurship in agriculture and identify good Enterprises from this region to scale up their business and getting them listed on NSE emerge platform.

As a senior executive of more than 30 years across aviation, construction and retail, Simon Hickey leads the team developing the business and infrastructure for Sydney’s new airport, Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).

 Formerly CEO of Qantas’ International, Freight and Frequent Flyer businesses, as well as Greencross and Campus Living Villages, Simon currently serves on the boards of IAG Loyalty and Western Sydney University.

 Simon's role and goal is to leverage leading sustainability, people and digital outcomes to set a new benchmark for passengers, airlines and air cargo operators. Simon sees WSI as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate Western Sydney to the world stage and drive tangible and enduring socioeconomic outcomes for the region’s communities.

Professor Hélène de Burgh is Dean of the Graduate Research School at the University of Technology Sydney. Her areas of research include consumer communities, consumer agency and the intersection between markets and consumer meaning-making. Hélène has worked in Australia and Europe in a range of academic leadership roles.

Addie is a trusted finance & strategy professional with around 20 years of experience in developing and executing M&A transactions, design and operate in high governance environment with the executive boards, manage listed companies reporting requirements and handling investor relationships. He has successfully led leadership position in various multi-national organisation by focusing on optimisation and growth strategies along with creating new businesses through diversification and expansion into new territories.

In CIMET, he was instrumental in closing the capital raise process in an extremely efficient time bound manner, delivering the necessary growth capital for the company’s future. He is now the CFO of CIMET and spearheads the financial strategy for the organisation. Addie is responsible for building a strong finance structure, that delivers corporate finance, accounts, and taxation duties and he is committed to deliver a long-term shareholder return.

Prior, joining CIMET, he was the “Director investment banking” at Bluemount Capital in Sydney where he was mainly involved in raising capital and executing M&A opportunities in Australia-India market. Earlier to that, he was Head of Strategy & M&A for Essel group (parent of Zee Television group in India). He was leading the strategic landscape for 12 businesses across Infrastructure and Utilities. In this capacity he delivered more than US$500 Mn M&A/capital raise transaction. He is known in the market for his extensive knowledge into Mining, Infra, Utility and Technology companies, and building turn-around strategies in these companies.

He is an Engineer in computer science, MBA in finance from IBS, Hyderabad (India) and an LLM in commercial law from Singapore Management University. He is also a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors and presently sits on the board of CIMET group entities. Outside the work hustle, he likes to spend time playing Cricket and Golf, traveling to new places with the family and has tremendous zeal to follow tech innovations.

Garry Simonian is a successful and innovative Entrepreneur with an extensive hospitality background and a remarkable career spanning over 30 years. He has a strong emphasis on sustainability which is carried throughout his businesses. rough his visionary leadership, he has propelled himself and his businesses to great heights in the industry.

Along his journey, Simonian's unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability has driven his success. He has eectively combined his passion for hospitality with deep-rooted concern for environmental conservation, resulting in the acquisition and management of over 25 thriving venues across Sydney, Queensland and Los Angeles.

A keen understanding of sustainable practices has positioned him as a pioneer in the field. His innovative approach to operations has allowed Garry to implement eco-friendly initiatives within his establishments, leading the way in creating greener and more socially responsible hospitality spaces.

Jim’s career began as a teacher and Deputy Principal of a Catholic High School. Subsequently, he entered the financial services industry,  providing financial adviser soft-skill training and education and regularly speaking at conferences and seminars, in Australia and internationally.  Jim for some 25 years Build a very successful business in financial planning and ultimately sold it to a publicly listed ASX company.

In 2012 and 2013 respectively, Jim was appointed Adjunct Professor with Notre Dame University, Australia and Western Sydney University. He is actively involved in community activities, including the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal and Local Chambers of Commerce. Jim  was the Chairman of Mentor Education, and Chairman of APIC, a leading international educational organization. He  was  Deputy Chairman of Regional Development Australia for Sydney and sat  on three separate council bodies in Western Sydney , specifically dealing with audit and risk, asset management and other financial related matters , pertaining to each of the councils  that Jim has served.

Bernadette Janson is a serial renovator and the founder of the School Of Renovating. She is also a renovation mentor, published author and host of the popular podcast She Renovates.

Safe to say she lives and breathes renovating!

She successfully harnessed her passion for creating beautiful homes to replace her nursing income.  It has enabled her to stay at home to raise her children, fund family holidays and weddings, give her young adult children a start in their property journey and fund her retirement.

Bernadette helps passionate renovators and property lovers to profit from their passion and replace their income either now or on retirement

Dr. Sandra Krishnan is an Australian breast and general surgeon, and a Clinical Associate Professor. She is known for her expertise in oncoplastic breast surgery, which combines breast cancer surgery with plastic surgery techniques to reconstruct the breast after cancer removal. She is also involved in teaching and training other surgeons in oncoplastic techniques. 

Ashish is an ophthalmic surgeon, Glaucoma Fellowship trained in Oxford with appointments at Prince of Wales & Sydney Eye Hospitals. Dr Agar is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UNSW, Sydney, and Honorary Clinical Fellow at UTS. He is the Vice-President of the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists, Chair of the NSW branch and Reconciliation Officer of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and a Councillor for the AMA NSW.

Dr Agar hails from regional NSW, and has been providing specialist medical services to remote Indigenous and rural communities in western NSW for over 20 years with the Outback Eye Service of the Prince of Wales Hospital. This includes training future generations of eye surgeons as its Medical Director, and as Director of the Ophthalmology Service at Broken Hill Hospital.

Passionate about education and research, A/Prof Agar has a PhD in cell culture, with current projects into Indigenous health, Medical education, Micro-surgical technologies and Public health. Ashish also works in international development as a volunteer with Sight for All in southeast Asia and India.

Alistair is a leading expert on the subject of sustainability, an author and director in the Climate Change and Sustainability team at KPMG Australia. His expertise is broad and extends to both organisational change and sustainability in the built environment.

Alistair has assisted clients shaping their Sustainability and Social Impact strategies including advising on material issues including sustainable materials, transport, energy, water, waste, supply chain, and of course, climate risk and carbon. Alistair’s property and infrastructure experience spans the whole asset lifecycle and all asset types, including strategy and design for outdoor spaces, buildings, infrastructure, towns and cities. He is knowledgeable in developing strategies and facilitating leading edge sustainable outcomes for many clients. Alistair has an inherent talent for understanding the importance of creating places for people whilst keeping front of mind our reliance on the environment.

Chris Pettit is the Director of the City Futures Research Centre, inaugural professor of Urban Science. He is Chair of the Board of Directors for CUPUM (Computational Urban Planning and Urban Management). He is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia’s National Plantech Working Group, and the NSW Government’s Expert Advisory Group for Planning Evidence and Insights.

Prof Pettit established the City Analytics Lab (CAL), a dedicated space designed to support collaborative city planning and user-centred design. He has led a number of city planning, property and Smart City projects including Value Australia - Sharpening our land and property decisions with Artificial Intelligence and the Rapid Analytics Interactive Scenario Explorer (RAISE) Toolkit. Currently he is leading the Australian Housing Data Analytics Platform which has launch the National Housing Data Exchange and Colouring Australia Cities.

Prof Pettit’s expertise is in the convergence of the fields of city planning and digital technologies including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Planning Support Systems (PSS). He has given numerous keynote addresses at conferences around the world and is on the editorial board for a number of journals including Computer Environment and Urban Systems, Over the last 25 years he has been conducting research and development in the use of digital tools to support what if? analysis and scenario planning of city futures. During this time he has published a number of books including “Real Estate and GIS” – Routledge, and over 200 academic papers.

Anuraj Gambhir is an internationally recognized Strategic Innovation Advisor, Technology Visionary, Exponential Thought Leader and multi-award winning Innovator. He has over 30 years’ global experience across 5 continents as a trans-disciplinary expert. His practical knowledge spans executive management, innovation, entrepreneurship, conscious leadership, exponential technologies, design thinking and holistic wellbeing. A key domain of his focus is the future of Health/Wellness incorporating cutting-edge Wellness tech and innovations that can be applied for smart – devices/homes/buildings/spaces/cities/communities.

Michael Sharpe has vast industrial experience and is recognised for his service to industry, community groups, & the arts. He is Chairman of the Sharpe Family Office and is involved with a range of organisations across engineering, infrastructure, energy, environmental sustainability, the Australian space industry and the global nuclear industry.

Michael served as the National Director for Industry at the Australian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and is a former Chairman of the HunterNet Co-operative, which is widely recognised as the most successful industry ‘cluster’ of its type nationally.

He is the Founder of the Nuclear Skills Forum; Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Australian Government’s Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub and Director of the AUKUS Forum regarding the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Michael is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders; a Fellow of The Royal Society for the Arts, Manufactures & Commerce; and has completed executive education in the Leadership Initiative at Harvard Business School.

Mike Conway is Founder and CEO of XVenture, a unique learning, leadership and media group. TV Director, writer, business leader, clinician and mental coach to elite sports stars, senior executives and entertainers. He’s a serial innovator constantly  working on World first projects reframing the strategic alignment between people, business strategy and technology.  XVenture has become a global leader in the development of business solutions and content creation and delivery in the meta.

He has a professional and deep academic background in social and behavioural sciences and strategy initially in London’s teaching hospitals then leading major health consulting projects for EY in the UK and Australia.

Prior to XVenture, Mike was business leader at The Wiggles for over a decade, and also spent five years as GM at Standards Australia focussed on cultural change and innovation in the application of standards.

His  role as mind, emotional and leadership coach for the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup has grabbed significant attention  and is one of the most sought after experts in the field, both for elite sport and business.

He consistently stretches the envelope on applied innovation around communication, emotional management, leadership and learning and is also known for his tv and written work in the area.   He’s just completed two major virtual reality projects for high school students in South Australia and NSW in this field. His interface between business and education has been recognised by both Macquarie and University of Wollongong in his appointment as an Honorary Professor where he has created leading edge undergraduate and post graduate programs.

Dipen Rughani is a highly experienced business leader with over 25 years of experience in trade and investment. He is the founder and CEO of Newland Global Group (NGG), a corporate advisory firm focused on strengthening trade and investment es between Australia and India. Since its inception in 2010, NGG has advised over 200 businesses in areas such as Market Opportunity Assessments,Mergers & Acquisi ons, Capital Raising, Private Equity, Corporate Strategy, and NGG Sports.

Dipen is also an accomplished commentator on Australia-India bilateral trade and investment issues and is frequently featured and referenced in publications. Dipen led the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) as its National Chairman from 2012 to 2016 and was also President of the NSW Chapter from 2010 to 2012. He is a proactive leader with strategic foresight, analytical mindset, tunnel-visioned focus on growth and fiscal sustainability, and yearns to add long-term value to the organisation.

Apart from his corporate advisory work, Dipen is also involved in various advisory board roles and memberships, including being a Director of Polycab Australia, an independent director on the board of Wollongong Resources, former Advisory Panel member for the Australia India Institute, and a member of the NSW Government’s Indian Ministerial Consultative Committee, among others.

Dipen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is the President and Trustee of the Anoopam Mission Australia Ltd, a charity which supports differently abled children, educating underprivileged women and providing medical assistance to underserviced villages in India.

Stephen Galilee has been CEO of the NSW Minerals Council since 2012. In this role he has been a strong and successful advocate for the mining industry and the mining communities of NSW.

Prior to joining the NSW Minerals Council, Stephen worked in politics and government in a range of policy portfolios including Regional Development, Employment, Small Business, Industry, and Resources. He was also a Senior Adviser to former Prime Minister John Howard, and Chief of Staff to Mike Baird during his time as NSW Treasurer.

In addition to his public policy experience, Stephen also worked in a range of roles on multiple election campaigns at the state and federal level between 1995 and 2011. He has also worked in small business, family business, and as a consultant advising major corporations in construction, engineering and infrastructure.

Stephen has an Honours degree in Economics from Sydney University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. From 2018 to 2022 Stephen chaired the $10m Coal Services Health and Safety Research Trust, and is currently a member of the NSW Government’s Regional Development Reference Group.

He is the Deputy Chair of Cobalt Blue Holdings, a company developing minerals projects centered upon energy transition metals. With over 30 years of experience in the resources and investment sectors, he has a passion for creating value and delivering sustainable outcomes for our stakeholders, our environment, and our community.

His core competencies include strategy, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, and project development, with a focus on cobalt, energy, and disruptive technologies. I have led and contributed to numerous global primary and secondary offerings, as well as research advisory services, in the fields of battery technologies, renewables, electric vehicles, smart networks, and microgrid analysis. He has held senior roles with Bankers Trust, Deutsche Bank, and Five Oceans Asset Management, where he helped grow the business from seed to over A$1 billion in funds under management.

He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a graduate of the University of Sydney, Deakin University, Monash University, and the Governance Institute of Australia. He is also a former Engineering Officer at the Royal Australian Air Force.

Ada is currently an investment manager at AirTree, one of Australia's largest and most active funds, investing primarily in early-stage startups. She's one of the first points of contact for founders when raising, and/or in need of support. Before joining AirTree, she worked in Data & AI at Microsoft, in management consulting, and in an assortment of odd jobs.

Sarah is a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of #CapTech2024, specializing in guiding SME organizations through strategic business development and leadership enhancement. With accreditations in psychometrics, emotional quotient, and motivational techniques, Sarah brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. She is a certified Board Facilitator, Neurolinguistics Practitioner, and Time-Line Therapist, reflecting her commitment to holistic business growth.

As the Founder of Influential Leader Academy and Co-founder of Deep Neuro Analytics, Sarah is deeply entrenched in the world of entrepreneurship and business advancement. She understands that scaling a venture requires more than just a vision—it demands a comprehensive strategy, access to funding, invaluable advice, and a strong network.

Drawing from over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Sarah has navigated the complexities of scaling ventures firsthand. She has guided numerous entrepreneurs through this process, leveraging her extensive network and expertise to secure funding opportunities and foster collaborations.

Sarah recognises that scaling ventures necessitates not only business acumen but also access to capital and strategic advice. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise, providing entrepreneurs with the guidance and support needed to navigate the challenges of growth.

Driven by a genuine passion for helping others succeed, Sarah approaches each client interaction with enthusiasm and dedication. Whether advising on scaling strategies, securing funding, or facilitating valuable connections, she is committed to ensuring the long-term success of her clients’ businesses.

Sarah believes that strategic scaling is not just about expansion; it’s about safeguarding the future success of a business and its stakeholders. By combining the right plan, funding, advice, and network, she helps entrepreneurs propel their ventures to new heights and ensure their enduring relevance in the market.

Ian Prentice is the Managing Director at Technology Metals Australia Limited (ASX: TMT), a future-oriented mining company focused on the development of its flagship vanadium project, the Murchison Technology Metals Project (MTMP) in the mid-west of Western Australia. Ian holds a Bachelor of Science (Geology) from the University of Western Australia and has over 30 years’ experience in the global mining industry, spanning exploration, development, and open cut and underground mining.

Ian’s vision is for TMT to be a leader in the Australian and international vanadium industry, playing a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for a critical mineral that will help the world to decarbonise.

Penny Crawford is a podiatrist who founded Crawford Boots, an innovative footwear company with award winning waterproof PPE boots that have revolutionised safety in the mining industry. With over 25 years of experience in podiatry, Penny saw the need for specialised footwear that could withstand the harsh conditions of mining sites while also providing superior comfort, safety, and support for workers. Penny is passionate for improvement in health and safety standards in the mining industry and inventive initiatives for sustainability.

Vanessa is Ray White’s head of research and one of Australia’s leading property experts. She provides market commentary to a wide range of Australian media outlets across digital, print, television and radio. She also contributes to Ray White’s publications including Ray White Now and host’s our monthly commercial webinar, Between the Lines Live.

Vanessa is involved in a number of industry bodies and sits on the CPD, Kiparra and National Conference committee for the Australian Property Institute and has held committee positions and been an active participant in the 500 Women in Property initiative by the Property Council of Australia.  Due to her service, she was awarded their Meritorious Service award from the API and has been the recipient of excellence awards pertaining to her quality research publications.

Vanessa has more than 20 years of property research experience across Australia and has held senior research and consulting positions within commercial agencies, valuation and developer groups during this time. Her experience covers commercial, special use and residential property and been involved in a number of high value government consulting assignments, investor and developer due diligence projects as well as specific and high-level market analysis.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Property Economics, from the University of Western Sydney and Masters of Property Development, from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Ozge Fettahlioglu is an interior design enthusiast, dedicated renovation expert, and academic, teaching at prestigious Sydney universities. Her journey in the world of design is guided by a passion to elevate lives by elevating their surroundings. She believes in custom creations to get the best results, where homes truly sing the right song.

Her forte lies in uncovering creative, personalised solutions for interior design, renovation or property sales challenges, ensuring that your dream design becomes a living reality while staying within budget.

At the core of her design philosophy is a commitment to timeless elegance over fleeting trends. She ardently advocates for investing in quality, crafting interiors that stand the test of time and hold sentimental value, destined to be cherished by generations to come.

She firmly believes that a home should be a mirror reflecting its inhabitants, echoing their personalities, lifestyles, and stories, rather than merely conforming to passing trends or glossy magazine covers. As an academic, she draws on scientifically researched design principles to curate environments that empower you and your family to flourish and create the future you desire.

With a deep dedication to creating spaces that resonate with your senses and aspirations, she guides you on a transformative design journey. To make your dream home a reality, where every element harmoniously contributes to your unique living experience.

Professional Memberships: Masterbuilders, Women Building Australia, WIDAC - Women in Design and Construction, Head of Interior Design and Renovation Committee SIPBN, Design Matters National.

Helen Liossis is a professional company director and former deputy chair. Helen is currently on the Board of HVTC and is also an audit and risk committee member of HVTC and Invertebrates Australia.

In addition to her non-executive director activities, Helen is also an NSW Division Councillor for the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and an adjudicator for the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). She was a former non-executive director of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) and former house committee member of the Australian Motor Yacht Club of NSW.

Previously, Helen was a senior executive with a background in strategy, planning, corporate services, investor relations and corporate affairs. In her last role at Sydney Water Corporation, Helen was Head of Strategy and Business Planning and responsible for the strategy, city shaping, policy, business planning, board reporting, strategic analytics, science, research and innovation functions.

Helen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD); holds a Bachelor of Business from UTS; holds an MBA from MGSM; is a CPA and a Justice of the Peace.

Katherine Hawes, Principal Solicitor at Digital Age Lawyers, SMSF Lawyers and Aquarius Lawyers is a multi-talented professional based in Sydney, Australia. With over 20 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, Katherine has developed a wealth of knowledge and expertise that makes her a sought-after business and property legal strategist and consultant.

Throughout her career, Katherine has worked on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate and commercial and property law, dispute resolution, and intellectual property matters. Her clients have included both startups and multinational corporations, and she is passionate about supporting businesses at all stages of development.

In addition to her legal expertise, Katherine is also a successful business influencer, social entrepreneur, and media personality. She is a regular contributor to various publications and media outlets, commenting on legal developments and providing insights into the latest trends in AI, robotics, and blockchain technology.

Katherine's unique qualities and interests set her apart as a business legal strategist and consultant. She is known for her ability to think outside the box and find creative solutions to complex business and legal problems. Her keen interest in technology and innovation also allows her to provide clients with valuable insights into the legal implications of emerging technologies.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Katherine is also an active member of her community. She is involved in various philanthropic efforts,  has served on the board of several non-profit business organisations, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Overall, Katherine Hawes brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to every project she undertakes as well as her sense of humour. Her ability to combine legal expertise with business acumen and innovative thinking sets her apart as a thought leader and innovator in her field.

Sarah Fairhurst holds multiple Board roles as a Non-Executive Director across four energy sector companies and has recently served on the Advisory Board of an ESG services firm. With a career spanning the UK, Asia, and Australia, she brings deep expertise in electricity and gas markets, as well as a nuanced understanding of regional cultural and regulatory complexities.

A key highlight of Sarah’s executive journey is co-founding The Lantau Group (TLG) in 2010 — a boutique energy economics and strategy advisory firm. She is known for her strategic insight, commercial acumen, and analytical rigor, paired with practical, cross-border experience. Sarah excels in addressing complex energy challenges with a blend of pragmatism and innovation.