Mike believes in the inspirational power of cities and spends a good amount of time encouraginganyone in his orbit to get out of the house, to know their city and to have more fun.

While working as a lawyer in the Middle East, he spotted an opportunityto launch global lifestylebrand Time Out in Sydney in 2007 to achieve these aims.

In 15 years at the helm of Time Out Australia he has grew the brand across print, digital, eventand social channels, which now reaches 1,000,000 Australians monthly. Heco-founded theTime Out Bar Awards and the Time Out Food Awards. Time Out’s contribution to our cities wasrecently recognised in 2020 when Time Out was awarded the Mumbrella Publish AwardsPublishing Company of the Year, and Mike himself was awarded Publish Leader of the Year.

Since 2017 and prompted by the challenges facing Sydney's night time economy, Mike hasfocussed his efforts on aligning and empowering industry to actively engage in the politicalprocess in order to effect change. This saw him take a leading role in launching an independentbars association for Sydney in May 2018, followed by the launch of a Night Time IndustriesAssociation (NTIA) in November 2018 of which he was the inaugural Chair. The NTIA was atthe forefront of the development of the NSW Government strategy for a 24-Hour Economy, andin February Mike was announced as the State of NSW’s first 24 Hour Economy Commissioner,a role that commenced formally on 29 March 2021.

Mike is also co-host of leading hospitality podcast Back of House, a board member of UNSW Art& Design’s advisory council and a board member of Torrens University Hospitality advisorycouncil.Fun Fact:Mike worked as a trainee civil engineer for Leighton Contractors on the HomebushBay Rail Link in the lead up to the 2000 Games.

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)

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, built 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.

Dianne has enjoyed a long and varied career in international trade promotion and facilitation. Dianne has been Chair of the Export
Council of Australia for 10 years.

She is a commercially astute senior leader with a proven track record within the trade community. With over 40 years’ experience and a background in both business ownership and project management of greenfield projects Dianne is helping guide the growth of Australian trade by serving on several Boards and sharing critical knowledge and insights.

Dianne is involved with many public and private organisations dedicated to the betterment of international trade as well as a participant on numerous Government and Non-Government Committees including the ABF Customs Advisory Board, Dept. of Home Affairs’ National Committee on Trade Facilitation and the
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee as well as Co-Chair of the Australian
Department of Agriculture's Traceability Governance Group.

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.

Mark McCrindle is a social researcher, best-selling author, influential thought leader and TEDx speaker. He is recognised globally as coining the name for the emerging generation, Generation Alpha. Mark’s advisory, communications and research company, McCrindle, count among its clients more than 100 of the nation’s largest companies and leading international brands.

Mark’s highly valued social commentary is presented through his engaging keynotes, research, reports, infographics, videos and media input. He is a trusted advisor and sits on the board of a number of different organisations, after having developed his regard as an expert demographer, futurist and social commentator.

Mark McCrindle, BSc (Psychology), MA, is the author of five books on emerging trends and social change. Generation Alpha, Work Wellbeing: Leading Thriving Teams in Rapidly Changing Times, The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations, Word Up: A Lexicon and Guide to Communication in the 21st Century and The Power of Good

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.

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.

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. 

DD is a Chemical Engineer from IIT Kanpur and was a Gold Medallist from IIM Bangalore.

DD started his career with Unilever in Marketing and became a seniorExecutive. He also workedwith India’s 4thlargest group as Vice-President and established Greenfield Projects including theGherkins Industry in India which is currently largest producerglobally and employing 500,000 people.He worked as Managing Director of Bakrie Internationaland was handling a business over $1 billion20 years ago.

DD is the founder/promoter of Riverina Oilswhich is the largest Green Field Project in Australia.It is$150 Million investment which has become the second largest processor of Canola in Australia and isa landmark project.He successfully has established Unibic Biscuits in India which is $200 Millioncompanydistributing products in 150,000 outlets. DD has launched 9 Green Field Projects in hiscareer.

DD has won many awards includingAsia Pacific Entrepreneur of the Year byTimesNow(2016)andCEO of the year for Energy and Resources. He was awardedIndian Australian of the Yearin 2015

Mr Gupta is a Partner of the cross-over technology focused investment fund, AliumCapital which heco-founded in 2016 and has invested in over 100 companies and manages $600mn AUM. Mr Guptabegan his career at Goldman Sachs where he worked in the investment group in Hong Kong,Singapore & New York with a focus on listed & unlisted technology companies. He then utilised histechnology investment experience as a portfolio manager at both Tribeca & Merricks Capital wherehe ran global technology funds. He then built his own 25-person technology start up calledGeckolife, before establishing Alium Capital. Mr Gupta has an Honours degree in Economics/Lawfrom the University of Sydney. Mr Gupta sits on the Boards over several companies and foundations,including the Garvan Institute, Academy Xi, EatClub and Daisee.

Matthew is a leading corporate lawyer and business executive who has advised on over $20 billionofcomplex corporate and commercial transactions over more than 20 years. Matthew is a gifted strategistand persuasive visionary and has deep expertise in healthcare and renewable energy, having founded andled a London-based financial services consultancy focused on investment in health and renewable energytechnology. Matthew is currently the Managing Partner of Bridge Impact Capital, a private equity fundmanagement firm focused on investment in renewable energy and healthcare infrastructure in globalemerging markets.

Melissa Monteiro is an experienced and well-established expert in the field of settlement, having gained experience across several community issues and causes. Her passion for community work was evident early in life as a pre-teen, and during her studies in India at the College of Social Work, where she gained a master’s degree in Social Work. Melissa displays genuine appreciation and concern about people, providing a wealth of support and mentoring to individuals, groups and communities.

Melissa has strategically navigated diverse environments, through her broad knowledge and skills in community development practice and consultation methods. Her strength lies in the ability to build solid and trustworthy relations with community workers, local governments and key leaders within diverse communities.

As the CEO of the Community Migrant Resource Centre, over the past two decades Melissa has mentored hundreds of individuals, community leaders and not-for-profit ethnic community organisations in Western Sydney. She has fostered over 200 collaborations and partnerships through staff that she leads. Melissa advocates on behalf of vulnerable client groups, representing their interests to all levels of government.

Christopher Peralta is the Founder & CEO of SiliconValleyHQ - an online mentorship platform connecting to matter experts.  For the last decade Christopher has been living in SiliconValley, running 100+ accelerator and immersion programs for organizations and governments from 20+ countries.  He loves helping startups and has mentored more than 500+, leaning on his experience as an entrepreneur.  Christopher loves working with innovative founders, purpose driven projects and more recently the world of NFTs, DAOs & Metaverse.

Simon Cant is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Reinventure. Founded in 2013,Reinventure is a Founder-First Corporate Venture Fund with $150m under management,with Westpac as the primary investor.To date, Reinventure has invested in over 30companies which areprimarilyfocused on Fintech and adjacent areas.Simon led a numberof those investments including their 2015 investment in Coinbaseand 2019 investment inImmutable.

Simon also founded and wastheinaugural President of FinTech Australia, the industry’speak representativebody.

Simon has built his careeraroundventure and innovation. He was a founding team memberat Social Ventures Australia, Tinshed Angel Group, ninemsn and Austlii. Simon began hiscareer as a solicitor with Allens.

Steve Grace is the Founder of multiple businesses including The Nudge Group, Curious Media, Nudge Productions & The Pillars ranging from media, podcasts, technology, recruitment and a private members club in the heart of Sydney's CBD.

Lori Modde has had a diverse career in community and economic development ofover 25 years. From Regional Marketing Manager at Tourism NSW, Community andEconomic Development Manager at a Local Government Authority through to SeniorManager of PlaceActivation and Strategy at Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

In the past 17 years through her business, Lorick Management Management Pty Ltd,she has held roles such as Event Manager of the NSW Tourism Awards, MarketingManager of New England North West Tourism and CEO of Outback NSW Tourism,Hills Hawkesbury Tourism and South Coast Tourism. Through her business she nowhold the role of Project Manager for Sturt’s Steps in Outback NSW, CEO of OutdoorsNSW & ACT and General Manager of Visitor Economy Development.

She maintains a strong position for her community and industry through severalvolunteer positions and also is a passionate mentor for people in the tourism, retailand community development industries.

She attends this event wearing her Outdoors NSW& ACT CEO hat, driving thehealth and wellbeing outcomes for the larger community and working with policychange opportunities to empower the sector to work collaboratively across otherindusties to find solutions and sustainability of outcomes

Associate Professor Nicole Brooke is committed to improving the quality of care and serviceprovision in the community sector. Nicole has a strong background inclinical governance,corporate governance, workforce, clinical leadership, quality management and compliance,education and supervision, safeguarding, diversity and advocacy, operational management,research, and government relations. Nicole has more than25 years of experience across theresidential, community, and disability care sectors including commencing as a support workerand progressing as a Registered Nurse, Director of Nursing, and Chief Nursing Officer.

Nicole has an academic background that includes the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) in Case Management in Care, Master of Education, Master of Leadership, GraduateCertificate in Research Commercialisation, Graduate Certificate in Aged Care, and Bachelor ofNursing. She additionally holds qualifications in auditing, policy development, workplacetraining, return to work, workplace health and safety, food safety, training, and immunisation,and has a passion for career development and community outreach.Nicole holds a partnershipAdjunct Professor role with the University of Canberra

Sydney based tech entrepreneur, angel investor and startup community supporter.He is the chair of Fishburners, Sydney’s largest startup community.Clive is also the CEO and principal investor of Play Today a web3 sports tech companybased in Sydney.

Clive holds an M.B.A. and a Masters of Wellness from the University of Melbourne.

He was previously the Chair and principal investor of Sky Software and Open Learning,two leading Australian based edutech businesses.

Clive was also the founder of Netscape Australasia and led CDNow, the largest e-commerce store before Amazon in the early 2000s.

Clive has a passion for sport, health and wellness, he is the founder and director of hisfamily charity foundation–the Yoga Aid Foundation

Heath is the Founder & Managing Director of Holon, a global equities managerfocussed on innovation and investor aligned wealth management.Established in2018, Holon bringstogether a team of experienced investment and businessprofessionals. Holon is committed to growing the wealth of Australians throughintelligent and responsible investing.

Over the last twenty years, Heath has forged a strong career in investmentmanagement, developing a deep knowledge of equities markets and the financialservices sector. Prior to establishing Holon, he was the co-founder of Sigma FundsManagement.

With over two decades of expertise in investment management, strategic planning, and M&A, Pascal has cultivated a distinguished career across private equity, investment banking, family offices, and operational management. As Head of Private Equity at SRO Capital, he provides critical investment valuation, due diligence, and business valuation services, guiding superannuation funds, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals in alternative investments. His role involves serving on investment committees and boards , underscoring his strong leadership and strategic oversight skills.

In addition to his private equity experience, his role as Executive Director at Hunter Bay Silica involves the commercialization of high-purity quartz for the solar panel and semiconductor industries, showcasing his capability in executive management and navigating complex, high-stakes industries. As Chairman of C9 Chocolate & Gelato and College Circle Creamery, he leverages his strategic planning and franchising expertise to support brand growth across Australian states and the U.S.

His career includes pivotal roles as Vice President of Investment at Al Ritaj Investment Company and Head of Investments at ARP Phoenix Group, where he managed diverse portfolios, including private equity, venture capital, and real estate, across MENA and Europe. This extensive background in investment valuation, business strategy, and board administration highlights comprehensive understanding of global markets and investor expectations, making him adept at identifying growth opportunities and mitigating risks in dynamic environments.

For the past 20 years, Richard Yuan has been one of Australia’s most successful migrationagents, attracting millions of dollars in direct investment to Australia throughBusiness andInnovation and investment programs likethe Significant Investor Visa.

He established ABC World Pty Ltd in June 2000, specialising in a broad range of services, frommigration to trade facilitation and promotion.

In 2007 he founded the Australia China Entrepreneurs Club (ACEC), as both a businessnetworking forum for high-net-worth clients and business incubator identifying tradeopportunities in China for Australian exporters.

He maintains an extensive network of contacts amongst both industry leaders and trade policymakers and, though his China network, has facilitated numerous consumer good and bulkexport agreements.

He brings unique and invaluable insights into both Chinese and Australian business culture andtrade; and continues to promote business opportunities though his media company, ABCiMedia, which is one of the biggest Chinese social media platforms in Australia

Connie is the former General Counsel of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2017 to 2021).She has over 35 years’ experience as an advisor to the technology, media and telecommunications sectors.

She began her career in Australia as a law graduate with Mallesons Stephen Jaques in their IP/ITlitigation team, and was admitted to the partnership in the firm’s corporate practice in 1997specialisingin M&A and commercial work with technology , data andIP intensive businesses.In 2002 she joined the international firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, based in Hong Kong as thehead of their regional TMT practice in Asia–a position she held until May 2013.Connie is a Non-Executive Director of ASX listed OFX (a leading on line global fx paymentsprovider),Chair of the Media and Communications Law Committee of the Business Law Section of theLaw Council of Australia and a member of the Business Advisory Council of the UNSW Business School.

She is a graduate of UNSW (Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing), with merit / LLB, (1986) and a graduateof AICD

Kapil brings 20+ years of progressive leadership experience across Market Intelligence, Strategy &Planning, Auditing, Customer Satisfaction & Experience Index, Performance Enhancement Programsand Go-To-Market, specifically in the functional domains of Insights, Marketing, Sales, Pricing andSupply Chain. He is driven by his zeal which made him venture into different sectors of businessworld. Known for his business acumen and an eye for detail, Kapil is an active angel investor withover 17 investments to date. He has a midas touch which is evident in the four startups where hehad invested and then successfully exited as well as their angel investments which went on to raisesubsequent VC rounds.
SOME OF THE STARTUPS INVESTED IN
• GenuineMark–Anticounterfeiting, Digital Warranty, Customer Loyalty, Supply Chain Managementand Big Data
• DeliverFuel–Fuel delivery logistics and app based delivery
• Wobot–CCTV based camera AI
• iTRAIN–App based gamified learning management system
• iREPLY–Social Media review aggregator & social listening tool
• TSE–Energy efficiency audits and solutions

As CEO of Tourism Accommodation Australia, National/NSW, Michael calls on hisexperience within the hotelindustrywhich spansfourdecades across Australia andNew Zealand.Previously,Michaelmanagedfour andfive-starbusiness hotels, resortsand tourist attractionsandshares insight into all facets of the tourism accommodationindustry, from operations to senior management.Leadingthe team at Tourism Accommodation Australiasince 2019, Michaelliaisesclosely with member hotels, state and federalGovernments to combat hotel industryspecificissues.Thecurrentfocusison theindustry’s recovery fromCOVID-19,temporary and skilledmigrationandacutelabour shortages.

Dr Joanna Winchester is a leader in tertiary education, a trained teacher, and an advocate forleadership that creates social change. As Deputy Head of Education and Academic Lead for StudentSuccess at Australian Catholic University, Dr Winchester works alongside community organisations,schools, businesses and entrepreneurs to re discover the role of universities and of education in theworld today.

As creator and lead of AGILE (Academy of Global Impact and Leadership throughEthics), alongside other innovative student retention initiatives, Dr Winchester has developedpartnershipsthat elevate student performance and personal investment in their university studies.Anaward-winningtertiary lecturer for 13 years, and a teacher for 23 years, she uses artspracticeand collaborative pedagogies to create classrooms where students work together to enhance theirknowledge and understanding of their roles as teachers and leaders of learning. Dr Winchester ispassionate in creating future leaders whose actions drive social change for the communities theycare about, alongside finding ways to bridge thedomainsofhealth and education for a sustainableand equitable world for all

Paul Fletcher MP is theManager of Opposition Business in the House, Shadow Minister for GovernmentServices and the Digital Economy, and Shadow Minister for Science and the Artsin the 47thParliament.

Paul Fletcher entered Parliament in December 2009 as the Member for Bradfield; was appointedParliamentary Secretary to theMinister for Communications in September 2013; Minister for MajorProjects, Territories, and Local Government in September 2015; Minister for Urban Infrastructure in July2016; Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities in December 2017; Minister for Families and SocialServices in August 2018; Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts in 2019andforCommunications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts in December 2020,serving in that role until May 2022.

Before entering Parliament, Paul was Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, at Optus for eightyears, andestablished a consulting firm serving the communications sector. His 2009 bookaboutbroadband,Wired Brown Land, was published by UNSW Press; in 2021 his bookGoverning in theInternet Agewas published by Monash University Press

Earlier in his career Paul was Chief of Staff to the Minister for Communications in the HowardGovernment, Senator Richard Alston.

He has dual first class honours degrees in law and economics from The University of Sydney and anMBA from Columbia University in New York where he was a Fulbright Scholar.

Paul has been a member of the Liberal Party since he was 16 and was active in student politics at SydneyUniversity. He was a champion university debater, twice reaching the finals of the World UniversitiesDebating Championship.

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.

He is a Senior Adviser and shareholder. He has had an extensive and successful career in Australia and overseas in the private and public sectors. He helped to pioneer innovative private investment and development of critical transport infrastructure, including major projects like the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, EastLink (Melbourne) and Melbourne City Link. The latter was one of the first roads in the world to deploy electronic tolling.

Tony was inaugural chair of WestConnex Delivery Authority (Sydney) and oversaw the listing of Transurban, ConnectEast (Melbourne) and Transfield Services. At Transfield Services, Tony was instrumental in the redevelopment of the historic Walsh Bay precinct (Sydney), the construction and delivery of 10 ANZAC class frigates for the Australian and New Zealand navies and negotiating public-private partnerships to develop and construct power stations in New South Wales and Queensland.

Tony is also a Director of Enviropacific Pty Ltd and Racing NSW. Tony was president of the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and chair of the National Commission of Audit. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Patron of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.

Professor Bennett’s career in applied biostatistics and epidemiology cuts across health, university and government sectors, including working on outbreak preparedness and response with NSW Health and the Australian Government.

After working as Olympic Public Health Coordinator for Northern Sydney in 2000, Catherine returned to academia and was Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Director of Population Health Practice with the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health before taking up the inaugural Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin in late 2009. Her research focusses on community transmission of infectious diseases, and Catherine is involved in a range of COVID-19 projects, including global analyses of excess deaths, public health risk communication, contact tracing methods and COVID-safe protocols.

Catherine has been a leading public analyst during the COVID-19 response, keynote speaker, and advisor to industry, governments, and institutions globally. Catherine is on the scientific advisory committees for Impact Biotech Healthcare and Res App Health. In 2022, Catherine’s research contributions were recognised with the conferral of the title Alfred Deakin Professor, the highest honour the University can bestow.

Stephen Halmarick is Chief Economist and Head of Global Economic & Markets Research at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) - the largest financial services company in Australia. He was appointed to the Chief Economist role in April 2020 - having been the Head of the Global Economic & Markets Research team since January 2018.

As Chief Economist and Head of Global Economic & Markets Research, Stephen is responsible for the team of economists and strategists that cover Australian Economics, International Economics, Rates, Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange, Credit and Commodities research.

Stephen and his team work to ensure that customers and clients are well informed and have a strong understanding of key macroeconomic factors in Australia and globally and their impact on a broad range of financial markets.

Stephen is also the key spokesperson to clients and media on macroeconomic themes and a broad range of financial market issues.

The Global Economic & Markets Research team produces a number of economic publications. These include short research notes on economic and market developments, presentation packs, longer thought leadership pieces on key structural issues, and a number of regular reports on key countries and regions of the global economy. The team also regularly appears in public forums and holds meeting with key clients both in Australia and globally.

Stephen has over 35 years’ experience as a financial markets economist and is widely regarded as one of the best economic communicators and presenters in Australia.
Prior to his role in CBA, Stephen was Chief Economistfor Colonial First State Global Asset Management (the wealth management arm of CBA) from March 2009 to September 2017. Earlier in his career, Stephen worked for Westpac, SBC Australia, the Nomura Research Institute and from 1994-2009 the Salomon Smith Barney Citibank group, where he held the title of Managing Director and Co-Head of Economic and Market Analysis.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, a graduate diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Stephen was Chairman of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) – the peak professional body for financial market economists in Australia from 2008-2017 and he has been on the ABE Executive Committee for over 20 years. He is a Life Member of the ABE.

In March 2016 Stephen was elected as a Member Director on the Commonwealth Bank Group Staff Superannuation Fund Board. He was re-elected to this position in November 2019.

Stephen lives in Sydney with his wife – and their ‘blended’ family of six children.

Kerry Chikarovski is a former NSW Liberal Leader and first woman to lead a major political
party in New South Wales.

She is also the founder and Director of Chikarovski & Associates, a government relations,

community engagement and stakeholder relations consultancy, which she founded in 2003,

whose expertise spans a wide range of industries including financial, government,

community, property and technology startups.

Knowing the ins and outs of working with government and its departments, has seen her assist

a wide range of clients achieve success in circumstances where bureaucracy has been

challenging to navigate. Removing these roadblocks via sound policy and strategic approach

is what Kerry is widely known for in the industry.

Kerry holds a number of non executive board roles including, Our Watch and the Humpty

Dumpty Foundation. She is the Chair of NSW Women’s rugby union, an ambassador for the

Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, and a mentor with the Minerva Network,

supporting professional sportswomen on and off the field.

Kerry can be seen and heard regularly as a media commentator across national television

and radio channels including Sky News, ABC Weekend Breakfast, 2GB Radio, ABC The

Drum, Channel 7 Sunrise and was part of the key panel for the Seven News NSW 2019

State Election Coverage.

Prof. Teo was, and remains, instrumental in the development, dissemination and acceptance of the concept of keyhole minimally invasive techniques in neurosurgery. He runs a fellowship program that attracts over 600 applicants yearly and has trained many of the world’s leading figures in neurosurgery at distinguished centres such as the Karolinska and Barrow Neurological Institutes and Johns Hopkins, Yale, Duke, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Harvard Universities. He is recognised as a global neurosurgeon who has had academic appointments in Australia, Singapore, USA, Vietnam, Europe and India. Dr Teo has over 170 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has authored two books on keyhole approaches to brain tumours and is a guest editor for several journals. He is the Australian representative on the Tumour Section of the AANS and CNS. Prof. Teo strongly believes that a surgeon’s responsibility to his patients does not end after surgery. In keeping with his desire to find treatments and a cure for brain cancer he has raised over $50 million that has been used to fund research scientists both in Australia and abroad.

He has done this through the Cure for Life Foundation, the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation (Charity of the Year 2016) and currently the Charlie Teo Foundation. Charlie dedicates 3 months every year to pro bono work in developing countries, for which he has been recognised with awards from Rotary International, including the Paul Harris Fellowship (for contribution to World Health), and as a finalist in the NSW Australian of the Year awards in 2003 and 2009. In the 2011 Australia Day awards he was named as a Member of the Order of Australia (for contribution to the development of minimally invasive neurosurgery). In 2012 he was invited to give the Australia Day Address to the Nation and in 2013 was honoured to be the first non-politician Australian to address the US Congress on the need for more funding for brain cancer research. His profile in Australia is such that for the last 7 years Professor Teo has been voted Australia's Most Trusted Person.

Over the last few years, Professor Teo has used his innovative mind to develop and nurture several game-changing companies. Omniscient Neuro-technologies is a data software company that has technology that provides a patient-specific structural and functional map of the brain through connectomics. It won Most Innovative AI/ML company in the World at the 2022 SBSW Awards. Cingulum Health is a clinic dedicated to brain health and fitness using scientific rigour, an holistic approach and transcranial magnetic stimulation. The Teo Institute in Blacktown is his dream of creating a patient-centric, world class centre of excellence attracting patients from around the globe and offering the highest standard of care.

Charlie is a father to four fiercely independent and extremely capable daughters and supports the rights of girls and young women in impoverished countries such as Cambodia and India through various charities including his own Teo Family Foundation. He is a Patron for Voiceless, an Australian based charity that is dedicated to reducing cruelty to industry animals, a Director of Zambi Wildlife Sanctuary that gives a forever home to discarded wild animals and an Ambassador for CCT (Cambodian Children's Trust) which supports orphaned and impoverished children to secure an education and vocational skills for independent living.

Bonnie is a seasoned professional with marketing, business development and management experience in Asia/Pacific. Before joining the HKTDC, she spent over ten years in the telecommunications industry, being responsible for developing marketing strategy and leading the Asia/Pacific consumer team.

Having grown up in Hong Kong, then living in Australia and travelling back & forth to New Zealand for over 30 years, Bonnie understands the business dynamics among the three economies. With an extensive network of federal & state government agencies, industry associations, startup communities and companies, she has facilitated many deals and provided support to businesses across industry sectors. She leads the team to facilitate connections and further strengthen the bilateral trade & investment relations between Hong Kong SAR and the Australasian region.

From time to time, Bonnie speaks at seminars and workshops providing market insights into the business opportunities in Hong Kong and how to use Hong Kong to expand into China and Asia.

Bonnie holds a MBA (Executive) degree from the Australian Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Technology, Sydney. She is the National Treasurer/Secretary of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association.

Damon Rees is a business leader focused on customer centricity, culture, digital enablement, and innovation, with more than twenty years of experience driving transformational change, organisational performance, and better customer outcomes.

He is currently the Managing Principal & CEO at Better As Usual, a practitioner-led professional services organisation committed to customer success and positive social impact. Damon is the former Chief Executive Officer of Service NSW, and an independent Director at GP Synergy, Australia’s largest training organisation for GPs.

Damon’s experience spans the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors including as the inaugural Government Chief Information and Digital Officer for NSW Government, the Chief Digital Officer for Macquarie Group, the Chief Technology and Interim Chief Information Officer for Woolworths, and the Head of Integrated Delivery for Westpac. He has served as an independent Director of GP Synergy for the last eight years including three years as Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk committee, and six years as Chair of the Digital and ICT committee.

Damon was awarded the Sir James Wolfhenson scholarship to study at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2018, completed a Global Executive MBA with the University of Sydney in 2011, and holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from the University of Technology, Sydney.