Panelists & Speakers

Managing Director @ Punjab Angels Network | Leading Financial Strategist

Founder and CEO of Cocoplum Design Studio and Boxareno Modular Constructions

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, Minister for Corrections

Chairman and Director of a wide range of major corporations

Executive Director, Business Sydney

CEO & Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia

Dr Joseph Rizk AM

CEO & Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia

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.

Prior to joining Arab Bank Australia, Joseph worked predominantly for the National Australia Bank in a senior executive capacity, leading and managing a series of large business units in Sydney and NSW and headed up the NAB’s NSW & ACT Property Finance Groups.
Joseph is a member of (MAICD) The Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a fellow of (AIM) The Australian Institute of Management. Joseph has been a Director of the Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce since 2007. In 2007 to 2014 was President of the (WMRF) Westmead Medical Research Foundation. In May 2015 Joseph was nominated the Chairman of the (IOFA) Italian Opera Foundation Association.

Joseph was also nominated in 2015 the Director for the (WMI) Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research. On Monday 8th June 2015 (Queens’ Birthday) – Joseph was awarded the ‘Order of Australia’ the Award has been given to Joseph in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the banking sector and community.

In January 2016 Joseph became Board member of (AACCI) Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In October 2020 Joseph became Board Director of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy Corporation. In July 2021 Joseph became a member of the Powerhouse Capital Campaign Committee. On Wednesday 26 January 2022 – Australia Day. Member of the Order of Australia Honours, AM announcement. Joseph was recognised for his significant service to the not- for- profit sector, and to banking and commerce.

In October 2022 Joseph became Director of the James Martin Institute (JMI) for Public Policy. On Wednesday 14 December 2022 Joe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Western Sydney University.

Chair & Non-Executive Director

Founder and CIO at Fortlake Asset Management

Chairman, Vyankatesh Group of Companies National Secretary, Bharat Global Industry Forum (BGIF)

Managing Director, SLR Metaliks Ltd

Mr. Raj Kumar Goel

Managing Director, SLR Metaliks Ltd

Mr. Rajkumar Goel, the Managing Director of SLR Metaliks Ltd, has been at the helm since the company's inception in 2007 and its successful commissioning in 2013. With a wealth of experience in the steel manufacturing sector, he has played a pivotal role in steering the company through various stages of growth, innovation, and sustainability.

Under his visionary leadership, SLR Metaliks has emerged as a key playerin the alloy steel industry. One of his most notable achievements has beenthe establishment of a fully integrated alloy steel plant, complemented by a progressive shift towards renewable energy sources. The company now operates solar, wind, and hydro energy plants that not only reduce its environmental footprint but also ensure long-term operational efficiency and energy security. These initiatives reflect Mr. Goel’s commitment to building a future-ready, responsible industrial enterprise.

However, Mr. Goel’s approach to leadership goes far beyond technical expertise. He is a firm believer in the power of Indian ethos and wisdom, particularly drawing inspiration from Lord Ram and the Ramayan as guiding principles for modern-day management. According to him, Ramayan is not just a spiritual text but a timeless management manual—teaching discipline, team alignment, ethical eadership, purpose-driven action, and crisis navigation. He believes that the character of Lord Ram embodies the ideal manager, who leads with compassion, strategy, and unwavering focus, inspiring others to rise above routine tasks with clarity and purpose.

He encourages contemporary managers and industry leaders to adopt thevalues of dharma (duty), sankalp (resolve), and maryada (discipline) in their daily routines—turning ordinary tasks into purposeful actions. His vision is to integrate these teachings into corporate life tocreate leaders who are not only efficient but also value-driven, resilient, and deeply rooted in cultural intelligence.

Embracing the adage "Every cloud has a silver lining", Mr. Goel hassled with a calm resolve even in the most turbulent times. His journey is marked by an enduring focus on resilience, sustainability, and cultural grounding—making him not only an industrialist but also a thought leader redefining management through the lens of Bharatiya wisdom.

Managing Director, Competent Industries

Award-Winning Innovator | Former CNN Broadcaster | Founder of NeuroNode

Director, National AI Centre, CSIRO

Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW & ACT).

The Hon David Elliott

Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW & ACT).

The Honourable David Elliott's keen interest in politics led him to join the Liberal Party on his 16th birthday and take on research roles on the personal staff of then Senator Bronwyn Bishop in her Parramatta office before spending four years on the personal staff of the Hon John Howard OM AC. After graduating in 1993, David joined the NSW Police Media Unit and worked on a number of high-profile operations, including Task Force Air, which led to the arrest of notorious backpacker murderer Ivan Milat.

In 1995, David joined the Regular Army and, following studies at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, was commissioned into the Australian Army Public Relations Service and promoted to the rank of Captain. He completed his Master’s Degree on an Army part scholarship. A long-time friendship with then NSW Opposition Leader, the Hon Peter Collins QC MP, saw David return to politics as his senior press secretary in 1997. Following the change of leadership in the NSW Liberal Party in 1999, David was invited to be the National Campaign Director of the “No Republic” campaign. Under his administration, David saw a successful “No” vote in every State of the Commonwealth. For his services to the referendum, he was awarded the Commonwealth’s Centenary Medal in 2001.

In 1999, he also completed his final Master’s dissertation on the relationship between the Liberal Party of Australia and the media. January 2000 saw David recalled to the Australian Regular Army and posted to the headquarters staff of the multinational peacekeeping forces in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, for which he was awarded the Australian Service Medal (Bougainville clasp). He returned to Australia in June 2000 and opted for a career sabbatical with the international charity, St John Ambulance, working as the Major Events Manager in Australia and the Manchester Commonwealth Games, UK.

In January 2004, David joined the Australian Hotels Association and served as the NSW Deputy Chief Executive until January 2008. He was responsible for tourism and accommodation issues as well as being the Association’s public affairs director. He was awarded the Australian Defence Medal in April 2007. During his time at the AHA (NSW), David served on a number of industry boards and committees, including Hotel Employers Mutual and The National Tourism Alliance. In January 2008, David was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Contractors Federation (NSW) based at Norwest Business Park, which employed 15 staff and operated as a Registered Training Organisation servicing more than 500 businesses ranging from publicly listed companies to small family concerns constructing infrastructure across Australia.

David was a Director of Castle Hill RSL Group from 2009 to 2016. From January 2006 to December 2007, he was a lay-member of the NSW Law Society Professional Conduct Committee. In October 2009, David was also appointed as a Member of the Sydney Business Chamber Policy Committee. He lives in Kellyville and is married to Nicole, and they have two sons, Lachlan (22) and William (20). His interests include travel, history, rugby, sailing, and golf. David was elected to the 55th Parliament as the Member for Baulkham Hills on 26th March 2011 with a 16 per cent swing to the Liberal Party. In June 2011, he was also elected as the Chairman of the NSW Economic Development Committee.

In 2011, he presided over the Inquiry into the NSW Parliamentary Budget Office. In May 2014, he was promoted to Parliamentary Secretary to then Premier Mike Baird. He has also served as the Chairman of Ministerial Consultative Council on India, Secretary of Parliamentary Friends of Papua New Guinea, and Chairman of the St John Ambulance Parliamentary Auxiliary. David was a member of the Australian Political Exchange Council’s 21st delegation to Japan in March 2013.

He also represented the NSW Parliament in October 2013 at the Global Conference on the Role of Parliaments and Extractive Industries in Vienna, Austria. Following the re-election of the Baird Government in March 2015, David was appointed Minister for Corrections, Emergency Services, and Veterans Affairs. In August 2015, David was appointed a Member in The Order of St John. In early 2017, Premier Gladys Berejiklian appointed David the Minister for Counter Terrorism, replacing Emergency Services.

Following the re-election of the Berejiklian Government in March 2019, David was appointed Minister for Police and Emergency Services. In December 2021, Premier Dominic Perrottet appointed David Minister for Transport and Veterans Affairs. David was subsequently appointed Minister for Western Sydney in August 2022. As his seat of Baulkham Hills was abolished in the lead-up to the 2023 State Election, David announced his retirement from State Parliament and in May 2023 was appointed the Chief Executive of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW & ACT).