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.

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 50 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 now known as Australian Public Policy Institute.

On Wednesday 14 December 2022 Joe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Western Sydney University. In December 2022 Became a Council Member of The Australian Banking Association.

Sally Loane is a Chair, Non-Executive Director, business leader and former journalist and broadcaster.

Chair of Destination NSW and Ignition Advice, she is also sits on the board of Chubb Insurance Australia and the Garvan Medical Research Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of consulting firm Orizontas and a mentor with McCarthy Mentoring.

From 2014-2021 Sally was the CEO of the Financial Services Council, the peak industry organisation for financial services, members of which included global and domestic fund managers, retail superannuation funds, advice licensees and life insurers.

Sally was the first female Director of Waratahs Rugby in its 135-year history (2010-2017), and is a former Director of Venues NSW, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and PanKind.

Sally’s passion is women’s financial independence and economic security, and to this end has utilised her experience in financial services policy development, mentoring (Minerva Network; Super Stars of STEM) and has advised government via corporate advisory boards.

She has had a long history of service to the community and charity sectors, currently as a Trustee of the ANZAC Memorial Building in NSW, Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, Ambassador for Business Events Sydney, a member of Chief Executive Women, patron of Lou’s Place and member of the Nominations Committee for Sydney University Sport and Fitness Ltd. Sally chaired the Salvation Army’s Sydney East Doorknock Appeal (2008-2011) and was Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sydney (2015-2018).

Owen has more than 50 years experience in the global mining industry: including 25 years with the Rio Tinto group where he worked in most of their commodities, companies, and countries, and ultimately was Managing Director of Rio Tinto Asia and the Australian copper and gold business from 1989 to 1994.

Owen was the founder and Managing Director of Oxiana Limited, where he led the growth of Oxiana from a junior explorer to a major Asia Pacific base and precious metals producer. Oxiana became OZ Minerals which remains one of the top performing resources stocks over the past 25 years. Owen was Chairman of the Tigers Realm Minerals Group and until end of 2016 was Vice Chairman of Fortescue Metals Group; and he was also the Executive Vice- Chairman of Hong Kong-listed G-Resources and CST Mining.

Owen is a co-founder and Executive Chairman of EMR Capital, a specialist mining private equity group. EMR has multiple mining projects and operations worldwide.

Owen holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from Monash University, is a Honorary Fellow of and former Director of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AUSIMM), and a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Owen has served and continues to serve as a member of a number of Government and industry mining advisory bodies; and is the recipient of a number of awards and citations for his achievements and leadership in the mining industry. He was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the June 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to the mining and minerals sector.

Antony Shaw is Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Australia and New Zealand. He also serves on HSBC Australia’s Board as an Executive Director. He is a standing member on the Council of the Australian Banking Association and is the Chair of the Business Council of Australia’s Global Engagement Committee.

Antony joined HSBC in Hong Kong in 2003 where he remained and worked across multiple global roles within its investment bank including leading institutional coverage for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, leading the Global Markets’ global service proposition for both retail and private banking clients, ESG and for emerging markets.

Prior to HSBC, Antony worked within investment banks including Macquarie Bank and Deutsche Bank in Sydney and London before relocating to Asia.

Beyond HSBC, Antony holds advisory positions across several institutions and not for profit organisations including Business Council of Australia’s economic committee.

His passion for driving equality extends to his participation in several inclusivity advocacy roles. He is an Ambassador for the Australia Indigenous Education which seeks to increase the tertiary and career opportunities for indigenous Australian students. Antony is an ally to the LGBTQ community through his role as an ambassador for Out Leadership.

He is a co-Founder of the AW Foundation which seeks to open education opportunities to young people across South East Asia with a specific focus on Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. To date, the Foundation has educated circa 5000 students across the 13 schools they have opened.

Maurice Lionel Newman AC (born 20 April 1938 in Ilford, England) is an Australian businessman who has served in a range of public roles, including as Chairperson of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, chair of the board of the Australian Stock Exchange, Chancellor of Macquarie University, and a member of the Prime Minister's Business Advisory Council from September 2013 to September 2015.

His political views are generally considered conservative. Born in Ilford, in what was then Essex, Newman migrated to Sydney at a young age with his family, settling in Pymble. He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School and the University of Sydney, where he obtained a degree in economics.

Newman's career spanned forty years in stockbroking and investment banking, including as Managing Director in 1984, and Executive Chairman from 1985 until 1999, of what is now the Deutsche Bank Group in Australia. He was Chairman of the Deutsche Bank Asia Pacific Advisory Board and a Director of Deutsche Bank Asia Pacific from 1999 to 2001.

He was also Chairman of Deutsche Asset Management (Australia) Limited from 1997 until 2000; retiring from Deutsche Bank in July 2001. Newman chaired a number of Asian business alliances including the East Asia and Oceania Stock Exchange Federation, and the Australia Taiwan Business Council.

He has been an adviser to Australian governments, as a member of the Consultative Committee on Relations with Japan (1984–1987); a Commissioner of the National Commission of Audit (1996); a member of the Business Advisory Panel established by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs (1997–2002); Chairman of the National Judging Panel for Innovation in Local Government (1997–1998); Chairman of the Commonwealth Government's National Year 2000 Steering Committee (1997– 2000) and the Business Mature Age Workforce Advisory Group (2000–2001); Co-Chair of the Singapore Australia Business Alliance Forum (1999–2002); Chairman of the Federal Treasurer's Financial Sector Advisory Council (1998–2007); Member of the New South Wales Premier's Major Events Board (2002–2004); Chairman of the Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau (2001– 2007); and Chairman of Tourism NSW (2002–2007). In 1997, he was Australia's Private Sector Representative to the First Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Business Forum held in London. In 1999 he led a delegation of senior Australian executives to New York promoting "Australia, the Dynamic Success Story of the Asia Pacific - A Centre for Global Financial Services".

Newman was Chairman of Acrux Limited (1999–2003); Chairman of the Sydney Legacy Citizen's Committee (1998–2004); Member of the Advisory Committee of Australasian Medical Insurance Ltd (January – August 2003); Member of the Advisory Council of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre (2001–2004); Member of the Business Council of Australia's Chairmen's Panel (2003– 2007); and Civil Patron, Royal Australian Naval reserve, Professional Studies Program (2005– 2009).

He served as Chancellor of Macquarie University from 2002 to February 2008. Currently he is an Honorary Professor at Macquarie University and Honorary Chair of the Macquarie University Foundation Patrons.

He was a Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 2000 to 2004; and served as Chairman of the ABC between 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2012.[5] On 31 March 2012, he stood down as Chair of the ABC and was succeeded by James Spigelman AC QC.

In 2002 Newman was appointed an Advisor to the Marsh Group of Companies. In June 2004, he was appointed a Director of the Queensland Investment Corporation. He retired as Chairman of ASX Limited on 24 September 2008.

Paul commenced his role as Executive Director for Business Sydney in September 2021. Prior to Business Sydney, Paul was Director for the Business Leaders Council, Membership and Events for the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) for seven years. Paul sits on the Board of The Gut Foundation, The Estia Foundation, Australian Marketing Institute and as a Non-Executive Board Member of Group Colleges Australia.

In addition, Paul is an ambassador of Start Up Australia and is a Member of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW Institute. Further Paul is a Non-Executive Director of Dymocks Children’s Charities. Paul is an Adjunct Professor at UBSS Australia and was awarded the Centenary Medal of Australia in 2001. Paul was the former Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Hotels Association of NSW (AHA).

Prior to the AHA, Paul was the Executive Chairman of the Millennium Forum, which was the fundraising and business engagement arm of the Liberal Party of Australia NSW Division. Paul was also the former NSW President of the Marketing Institute of Australia for 4 years, a member of the Council for ten years and is currently an Associate Fellow and Certified Practicing Marketer of the Marketing Institute of Australia.

Dr. Christian Baylis is the Founder and CIO at Fortlake Asset Management, responsible for overseeing the investment process and investment team. Fortlake is one of the fastest growing asset managers in Australia and has been recognized as the top performing asset manager within the fixed income peer group since the firm’s inception (Source: Morningstar).

Fortlake was also recognized by the acclaimed Hedge Fund Journal as one of the top 50 up and coming asset managers, globally. More recently, Fortlake entered into an economic partnership with Colonial First State (CFS) under the ownership of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), the first asset manager to do so under the KKR lead business.

The AFR recently named Fortlake as the “Bond fund with equity like returns” a notable acknowledgement in one of the toughest interest rate environments in history. Having worked at UBS Asset Management and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Christian managed over $8 billion in assets, and was a member of the Global Multi Strategy Committee. Christian holds a PhD in Econometrics and received the Exceed First Class Honours award with a perfect GPA.

He won the Australian Postgraduate Scholar Award at both UNSW and USYD and was a visiting scholar at Monash University in the Econometrics faculty. He was also a recipient of the Capital Markets CRC PhD Scholarship, focusing on inflation modeling, probability density functions, and option implied distributions.

Angela Phu - Master of Commerce & Master of Law, University of Sydney.

She is a seasoned leader in global capital markets with more than two decades of experience across top-tier international financial institutions. With deep expertise spanning investment banking, global direct investment, mergers & acquisitions, fund management (FOF, direct investment, secondary funds), and real estate finance (REITs), Angela has consistently delivered strong returns for a diverse range of investors.

Currently serving as Managing Partner of Shiny Fund Asia Pacific,  Angela leads strategies that unite world-class fund managers, unicorn founders, and cross-border investors to achieve long-term, sustainable growth. She is particularly focused on building collaborative pathways with Australian industries and institutional investors, leveraging her networks to connect capital with high-quality opportunities.

As Executive Director of AIMS Financial Group, Angela was fully responsible for Greater China operations, successfully structuring and delivering multi-billion-dollar projects in partnership with local governments, and major financial institutions. She has also holds senior leadership roles including:

• Partner, CICC Qianhai PE/VC Fund Management Co. – overseeing a fund with USD $3 billion AUM.
• CEO, Han’s Laser CVC – guiding the corporate venture capital arm of the world’s second-largest listed laser industrial company.
• Managing Partner, Peakvest – leading a global FOF platform with US$10 billion AUM, spanning fund-of-funds, secondary markets, and real estate.

Angela is recognized for her ability to navigate complex markets, mobilize large-scale capital, and foster cross-border collaborations. Her current focus is on partnering with Australian innovation ecosystems, industries, and institutional investors, where she sees significant opportunities to align global capital with Australia’s growth sectors.

Mr. Changmin Lee serves as the Senior Managing Director of the Global Growth Division at Korea Venture Investment Corp. (KVIC). He oversees KVIC’s international investment strategy and partnerships, focusing on cross-border cooperation with sovereign funds, top-tier venture capital firms. Under his leadership, KVIC has accelerated the formation of global VC funds and inbound co-investment initiatives, including the USD 200 million K-VCC program. With extensive experience in fund-of-funds management and global innovation finance, Mr. Lee plays a key role in expanding KVIC’s worldwide network and strengthening Korea’s position as a leading venture investment hub in Asia.

Gary Zamel, Founder & Executive Chair, BE (Mining), Fellow ATSE, HonFIEAust, and Fellow RNSW, founded MST Global (1989) and Jellinbah Resources (1988). For 38 years he has built ventures including Pacific Tunnelling, Park Assist, and Videri ( formerly Group Homes Aust ), and launched 10 tech startups. He founded UNSW’s Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (2003), served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and former member of UNSW Faculty Engineering  Dean’s Advisory Board.

Now leads as Executive Chairman , New Medtek Devices P/L who have developed an  Australia first now TGA-approved post-surgical pain solution for a global market .

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.

Mr. Yogesh Mehta, Chairman of Vyankatesh Group of Companies, is a dynamic and visionary industrialist with diverse ventures in the extraction of critical minerals and metals, including lithium, cobalt, lead, rare earth elements, and antimony. His companies are pioneers in the recycling and processing of spent materials, and in manufacturing of advanced alloys like Extra Low, Low, Medium, and High Carbon Ferro Alloys, including Ferro Manganese, Ferro Chrome, Ferro Titanium, and Ferro Molybdenum.

Under his strategic leadership, Vyankatesh Group has emerged as a multifaceted enterprise with global recognition—delivering high-quality products and services across domestic and international markets. In addition to metals and minerals, Mr. Mehta is at the forefront of industrial park development, creating specialized infrastructure to support sustainable industrial ecosystems. A respected voice in policy, industry, and innovation, Mr. Mehta is actively engaged in shaping India's future in clean energy, electronics, defence, and strategic mineral independence.

He serves as
1. National Secretary of the Bharat Global Industry Forum (BGIF)
2. State Convenor of the BJP Madhya Pradesh Economic Cell
3. President, Association of Industries, MP
4. Member, Madhya Pradesh Science & Technology Council

He is a strong advocate of policy reforms, ease of doing business,industrial innovation, and sustainable development, especially in the mineral-based sectors.

Mr. Mehta’s integrated vision—spanning technical excellence, strategic policy influence, and forward-looking resource planning—positions him as one of India’s leading industrial thinkers and builders of the 21st-century minerals and metals landscape.

Mr. Pankaj Hans is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with proven excellence in both Construction Equipment Manufacturing and Real Estate Development.

1. As the Managing Director of Competent Industries Pvt. Ltd., based in Faridabad, India, he has been instrumental in establishing the company as one of the fastest-growing manufacturers of high-quality construction equipment and heavy engineering fabrication services.

2. As the Director of Chintamanis, making luxury apartment on Dwarka Expressway, Gurugram, India.

Since its inception in 2000, the company has consistently evolved under his strategic direction, meeting the ever-changing demands of India's infrastructure and construction sectors.

In addition to his achievements in industrial manufacturing, Mr. Hans has built a solid reputation in the real estate domain, particularly for delivering ultra-luxury residential and commercial projects at Dwarka Expressway, Gurugram. His keen eye for detail, quality execution, and client-centric approach have enabled him to execute landmark projects that reflect excellence in architecture, comfort, and lifestyle. His projects are often benchmarked for combining aesthetic appeal with structural integrity-making them preferred choices among elite buyers and investors.

With a deep understanding of both engineering and urban development,Mr. Hans has successfully bridged the gap between infrastructure needs and real estate aspirations. His dual competency has allowed him to seamlessly integrate high-end design with technical precision, redefining urban living standards in the region.

Mr. Hans' leadership continues to inspire growth and innovation across sectors, driven by his core values of integrity, quality, and visionary execution. His contributions are shaping not just machines and buildings, but the future of continuously contributing Nation Building Projects, Modern Infra and Premium Real Estates in India.

Peter Ford become the first Australian news anchor at CNN in the US, then NBC in Washington DC, covering the White House, the Pentagon, NASA, and reporting from Moscow, the Gulf War and, and Afghanistan, when he and his news team were embedded with mujahideen at Tora Bora, where Osama bin Laden was hiding out.

At CNN, Peter also worked as a coder at the US Veterans Administration Rehabilitation R&D Lab, creating new technology for people with disabilities,.  With scientist James Schorey he employed a person’s neuroelectric signals to control computers.  His programs were beta-tested by Prof Stephen Hawking.

In 2005 with investment from Sydney-based Phoenix Development Fund’s Lindsay Phillips, he founded Control Bionics PL.

In 2020 the company floated on the ASX [CBL] evolving advanced MedTech for Australia, New Zealand, North America, the UK, and Japan; and assessing patients from Beijing to Europe.

Control Bionics is constantly evolving, using AI in communications coding for disabled users, and designing technology for remote medical sensing, trauma care and sport.

This year Peter Founded Electric Body XPB, to help elite athletes improve their Personal Best with neuroelectrics.

Stela Solar is Managing Director for Data and AI at Accenture ANZ, where her team leads organizations through artificial intelligence transformation, generative AI adoption and digital innovation. Stela also serves on the Data & AI Advisory Council at Beyond Blue.

A recognized technology leader, she previously served as the Inaugural Director of Australia's National AI Centre and Co-chair of the Commonwealth AI Consortium, after holding several leadership positions at Microsoft, including Global Director of AI Solution Sales and Global Partner Co-sell Leader.

Throughout her distinguished 20 year career, she has driven business model transformations that enable organizations to capture new opportunities through emerging technologies including Cloud, IoT, and AI, and has developed nation-wide AI frameworks such as the Voluntary AI Safety Standard.

Combining her background in sustainability and creative industries with deep technical expertise, Stela is known for delivering business outcomes anchored in business value, market differentiation and responsible impact. Beyond her professional endeavors, Stela enjoys sailing and tries to find time to play cello and piano.

Daniel Selioutine is a senior investment professional with extensive experience in asset management and financial markets. He holds a First Class Honours degree in Finance from the University of Melbourne and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Daniel spent eight years at Frontier Advisors, where he held senior roles including Head of Currency and was a member of the Capital Markets and Asset Allocation team. Earlier in his career, he worked as a currency analyst at Antipodean Capital. Since 2018, Daniel has served as Chief Investment Officer at ESSSuper, one of Australia’s oldest superannuation funds, where he is responsible for overseeing investment strategy and performance.

Daniel is based in Melbourne.

Cathy Russo is the Managing Principal Lawyer of Macpherson Kelley’s Brisbane office, a national commercial law firm that thinks differently. Cathy has earned her reputation for being a relentless commercial lawyer, making deals happen, no matter what. Whether Cathy is working with a large private lending group on a multi-million-dollar loan transaction or structuring a new acquisition for a business operator, she never loses sight of what’s most important and keeps the client’s best interests top of mind. Cathy provides a full range of commercial services acting for private owners through to multinationals including share and business purchase and disposals and associated due diligence, structuring and shareholder documentation.

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).

Lyall Gorman is currently the Group CEO of Evolve Housing, one of Australia’s largest Community Housing Providers. He is also the President of Business NSW, having served as a Board Director for the past eight years and Deputy President for two years. Lyall also holds the position of Deputy President at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

He has over 35 years of experience in senior management, project management and administration, in both the Public and Private sectors. He holds a Master’s Degree in Administration (UNSW) with majors in Finance, Organizational Culture and Change, Organisational Behaviour, Statistics and Marketing. Lyall was born in Griffith, NSW and has a passion for small business, mentoring emerging business leaders and aspirational youth while also figuring on the public speaking circuit in areas including Leadership, Building a Winning Culture, High Performance, Brand, Development, Consumer Engagement.

Tanya Raffoul joins the SIPBN Advisory Board with a formidable background in government, law, and business. With more than 15 years of experience across senior roles in the NSW Government, the legal profession and major not-for-profits, Tanya is widely respected for her political intelligence, legal acumen, and sharp business judgment. During her time in Government, Tanya steered complex strategies in national and global sectors ranging from health, transport to infrastructure and veterans’ affairs.

Tanya is also an elected Councillor for the City of Parramatta and a Committee Member for PCYC Parramatta. Tanya’s addition strengthens SIPBN’s capacity to guide business leaders through a fast-moving and increasingly global economic and policy landscape.

Chloé Brayne is Executive Director and Head of Unlisted Assets & Private Equity at Colonial First State (CFS), a leading Australian superannuation and investment company with over $160 billion in funds under administration. At CFS, Chloé leads the unlisted assets program, drawing on 17 years of experience across investing, M&A, and asset governance at institutions including CDPQ and AustralianSuper. She has also worked extensively in infrastructure development across Europe and served on the boards of major projects such as Westconnex, Port of Brisbane, and Sydney Metro. Under her leadership, CFS continues to set the standard for innovative, best-in-class portfolio management by leveraging global partnerships and cutting-edge investment strategies.

Mithilesh Bandiwdekar is a visionary entrepreneur and technology leader who foresaw thepotential of software outsourcing in the early 2000s and transformed that insight into aglobally respected enterprise. Under his leadership, Softlabs Group has grown into atrusted digital solutions provider, delivering 1000+ projects across 25+ countries over thepast two decades.

With the dawn of the AI era, Mithilesh is now steering the company into its next phase ofinnovation—building intelligent, future-ready solutions that address complex, real-worldchallenges. His passion lies in curating high-impact, scalable, and ethically responsible AIsystems that not only empower businesses but also contribute to societal progress.

Firm in his belief thatIndia's AI revolution is just beginning, he is committed to placingIndian ingenuity on the global technology map. A tech-savvy strategist and lifelong learner,Mithilesh thrives on turning bold ideas into practical innovations while fostering a culture ofcontinuous growth, knowledge-sharing, and purpose-driven development

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.

With 23 years of experience in financial data, news, and analytics, Giovanni sits on the executive committee of ION Analytics and is responsible for engaging with Influencers in the capital market globally and across asset classes. He organizes fireside chats and exclusive closed-door events to facilitate connectivity and knowledge among the influencers. Giovanni joined the company in 2001 where it held various roles in Italy, Germany, London including managing a global team of journalists and data analysts. Giovanni is now based in Sydney.

Stephen Walters is Principal and Chief Economist of Optimal Economics, based in Sydney.

He previously was Chief economist for the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and Chief Economist of NSW. Before joining NSW Treasury, Stephen was Chief Economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and, for 14 years, was Chief Economist for investment bank J.P.Morgan.

Stephen previously was Senior Economist with Access Economics in Melbourne and International Economist with Norwich Union and Alliance Capital in the United Kingdom. He also spent seven years as an Economist with the Treasury in Perth.

Stephen holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Western Australia and a Master's degree in applied finance from the University of Melbourne. He also has qualifications in journalism and graduated from the AICD's Company Directors Course in 2017. Stephen has published three books, with a fourth to be published soon.

Stephen is a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC) and is an associate director of the Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment (ACITI). He is a former chair of the Executive Committee of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) and is on the National Executive of the Australian Republic Movement (ARM).

Professionally accredited by IIM Kozhikode, I bring over 24 years of experience in leading high-impact initiatives across both private and government sectors. My expertise lies in employment generation, revenue enhancement, and operational efficiency, helping organizations drive sustainable growth and create meaningful impact.

Honored with a PhD degree by Kennedy University, Paris, France, for my contributions to the cooperative sector, I have been instrumental in designing and executing innovative strategies that strengthen businesses, empower startups, and foster economic development.

As an advisor and business strategist, I actively support startups and enterprises, guiding them toward scalable growth. I am also an active member of “Swavalambi Bharat Abhiyan” and “The Bharat Global Industries Forum”, both of which are dedicated to fostering a self-reliant, robust industrial ecosystem in India.

One of the most respected and accomplished hoteliers in the Australian market, Scott is highly regarded in the industry for his ability to build strong, capable teams and lasting partnerships. Scott worked at Accor for nearly 30 years, most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations, Pacific North, where he was responsible for 85 hotels throughout NSW, ACT, QLD and NT. His hotel operations expertise includes all segments from luxury to economy, and all facets of F&B strategy, from large-scale events to bespoke concepts.

Scott is now Chief Executive Officer at Trilogy Hotels, an independent hotel management company that celebrates everything about hospitality and meeting the needs of hotel owners, guests, brands and teams. Scott is a proud graduate of the Blue Mountains Hotel School.

Sanushka Seomangal is a Partner in Thomson Geer's Sydney office where she specialises in public and private equity and debt fundraising, initial public offerings (IPOs), and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving both private and listed companies. Thomson Geer is among the 10 largest law firms in Australia, with more than 800 people, including over 155 Partners operating out of offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth.

Sanushka's areas of legal expertise include advice on the Corporations Act, compliance with ASX listing rules, corporate restructuring, corporate governance issues and the duties of directors across various industry sectors including resources, financial markets, technology, health, online marketplaces, property, internet products and aviation. Sanushka also advises clients on joint ventures, acquisitions and sales of businesses and companies and on general corporate and commercial matters.

Sanushka's practice is largely cross-border with an Asia-focus and she has expertise in capital markets and M&A transactions involving clients in the People's Republic of China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and India, as well as clients in the USA, the UK and South Africa.

Sanushka has a particular interest in India and is a co-founder and director of the School of Policy and Governance (SPG), co-founder of the Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD), former National Vice Chair of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) and former member of the board of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Australia India Council (AIC). She also sits on the board of Nguvu Collective.

Sanushka is a committee member of the Law Council of Australia's Business Law Section, Corporations Committee. She is also a member of Women on Boards and UN Women. She is also a mentor in Macquarie University’s Lucy Mentoring Program and the Diverse Women in Law Program.

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.

Justin is Managing Director of Glow Capital Partners – a growth focused private equity investment firm, which he co-founded in 2021. Justin began his private equity career in 1997 at Catalyst Investment Managers. Prior to founding Glow, he spent more than a decade as a Managing Partner at Quadrant Private Equity and was also Managing Director and CEO of Alesco Corporation Limited– an ASX 200 listed company (now part of Dulux Corporation). In 2003, he served as Chair of the Australian Venture Capital Association, now the Australian Investment Council.

Justin holds a number of additional board positions, including Chair of the 20 Beaches Foundation, a Not-For Profit focused on preserving and protecting Sydney’s Northern Beaches; and IS a Director of Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC). He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of The Securities Institute of Australia and admitted to The Supreme Court of NSW.  Justin holds an MBA from Wharton and a BEc LLB from the University of Sydney.

Joe is a Founding Partner of Epsilon Direct Lending and member of the Investment Committee. Joe has 24 years’ experience, in a career covering direct lending funds management, corporate and investment banking, strategy and operations across Europe and Australia.

Joe’s experience includes navigating a Eur3bn private credit funds management business through the GFC in Europe from 2004 to 2010, overseeing the CBA’s A$25bn corporate credit loan portfolio from 2013 to 2019, and working as the Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2011 to 2013.

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.

Mr. Amit Tiwari, a distinguished government officer with over 13 years of exemplary service in defense, administration, and state governance. Currently serving as the Officer on Special Duty to the Governor of Punjab & Administrator U.T. Chandigarh.

Mr. Tiwari brings deep expertise in operations, policy advisory, security, and public administration.

A decorated professional with commendations from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding In Chief, Governors of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, and a seasoned leader from the Indian Air Force, he has consistently demonstrated excellence, discipline and innovation.

Murali Bukkapatnam is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and global ecosystem builder, currently serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at TiE Global, the world's largest network dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship across borders. With a career that bridges continents and cultures, Murali has been instrumental in shaping the future of startup ecosystems through innovation, inclusion, and strategic mentorship.

He is the Founder and Chairman of Volksy Technologies, a venture development studio that partners with emerging startups to shape business strategy, drive execution, and unlock long-term value. Through Volksy, Murali has contributed to the growth of several early-stage ventures, focusing on scalable models that address real-world challenges in sectors such as workforce development, home healthcare, and smart energy.

Murali's journey from Silicon Valley to India is a compelling narrative of purpose-driven leadership. He served as Managing Director of BSP Systems in the U.S. before returning to India to co-found enterprises that blended commercial success with social impact—including initiatives aimed at skilling women and youth from underserved communities.

At TiE, Murali's leadership spans over a decade, from serving as President of TiE Hyderabad to now leading the global network as Chairman. Under his leadership, TiE has sharpened its focus on building a globally connected and locally empowered ecosystem—scaling mentorship, expanding cross-border investor networks, and elevating thought leadership across continents.

A dynamic speaker and cultural narrator, Murali frequently delivers keynotes that inspire action and spark dialogue—from “Innovate for the Globe: India’s Moment to Shine” to “Finding Sita”, a reflection on choices, challenges, and the entrepreneurial spirit. His vision is clear: position Indian and emerging market entrepreneurs as architects of global solutions—particularly in areas like sustainability, health tech, climate innovation, and digital inclusion.

Murali holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Southeastern University (U.S.), where he received the Dean's Award, and a Bachelor's degree from Sri Krishnadevaraya University (India). He is also a mentor to founders, an angel investor, and a regular contributor to entrepreneurship programs at institutions like IIT Hyderabad.

Passionate about building ecosystems that transcend boundaries, Murali brings his deep interest in behavioral psychology, productivity, and the power of networks to every initiative he leads.

Dr. Andy Kuper is an investor and entrepreneur whose Profit with Purpose philosophy has shaped diverse industries and countries. He founded LeapFrog Investments in 2007. Within a decade, Fortune ranked LeapFrog as one of the top 5 Companies to Change the World, alongside Apple and Novartis. In 2022 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, Andy was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for “distinguished service to the impact investing industry, to global business leadership, and to financial inclusion”.

LeapFrog’s companies now serve 559 million people in Africa and Asia with healthcare, financial tools or climate solutions. Those companies also support more than 33 million jobs via the 24 million MSMEs they finance and protect.

Global investors, including many of the world’s leading financial institutions, have committed several billion dollars to the firm’s growth equity funds. With this backing, LeapFrog’s portfolio companies have grown on average 22%  per year since investment. Several have been sold successfully to industry leaders including Prudential Plc, Swiss Re, AXA XL, Allianz, Standard Chartered and Fidelity.

Andy has been recognised by the Economist Group for demonstrating how “to change the way we invest as individuals, institutions and societies”. He has received global leadership awards from WEF, YPO, IIS, EY and other institutions. He has been a faculty member or visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge, Harvard University and Columbia University.

Born and raised in South Africa, now an Australian, Andy holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge. He has authored two books on globalisation and governance and is co-author of publications with diverse leaders and Nobel laureates.

Sukruti Narayanan is a multi-award-winning technologist, journalist, and global STEM advocate whose work spans robotics, AI, Space education, and ethical media.

In 2012, she co-founded the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Foundation (RAIF), leading programs that reached over 500,000 students across 23 Indian cities, championing tech access for underprivileged youth. Her efforts earned her the Young Visionary Award (PRCI) and recognition as one of India’s Top 10 Women Technologists by TechStory.

Now based in Australia, She is the Global Head of Partnerships for Mission ShakthiSAT, a historic all-female-led lunar space mission involving 12,000 girls from 108 countries, providing 120 hours of hands-on Satellite Building Training.

She also serves as Head of Social Media for the UN-endorsed - World Space Week Organization, amplifying global space awareness across 90+ countries.

She is the Australia Country Chair for Space Technology & Aviation Wing of Mission Million – G100.

As a seasoned Journalist, she contributes to Desi Australia, Hustler Journalist and PreSense Publications and she is the Advisor for DiJAI (Digital Journalists Association of India)

Her academic work on science journalism was recently presented at the GloCal Butterfly Effect - Conference in Finland, proposing new frameworks for reporting on space, education, and public policy.

Suk is also the author of two books — Excuses to Empowerment and Mentor Code — reflecting her deep commitment to mentorship, equity, and ethical storytelling.

With a rare blend of grassroots innovation and global influence, Suk stands at the intersection of technology, education, and journalism—driving inclusive change, one mission at a time.

Prof Mohan Yellishetty boasts extensive research and academic expertise spanning nearly three decades across esteemed institutions such as Monash University, CSIRO, Yale University, and IIT Bombay.

Recognised as a leading authority and a Global Thought Leader, Prof Yellishetty’s research interests encompass diverse areas including Critical Minerals, Mine Rehabilitation and Closure, and Mine Tailings and Waste within the framework of the Resources Trinity.

He co-founded the Critical Minerals Consortium at Monash University; Founded the Australia-India Critical Minerals Research Hub; and served as the Convenor at Critical Minerals National Industry Group, Australia-India Chamber of Commerce (2019-23).

His research has had a significant impact on both public policy and industrial practice. A notable example is the Australian Government’s Senate Standing Committee report on Mine Rehabilitation, which cites his research group extensively and adopts many of their key recommendations.

He is an Honorary Academic Fellow at the Australia India Institute, a Fellow and Chartered Engineer of the AusIMM, and a recipient of the Australian Endeavour Fellowship (2014). He holds a Visiting Professorship at IIT Bombay and serves on the Advisory Committee for Civil and Infrastructure Engineering at IIT Dharwad. Currently, he is a Member of Resources Victoria’s Critical Minerals Advisory Group (2025–26). In recognition of his impact, he was featured among the Herald Sun’s most influential Indians in Melbourne (2024).

Prof Yellishetty is pioneering a new mineral diplomacy model that fuses science, sustainability, and strategic alliances to secure a greener future for Asia. His efforts have contributed significantly to fostering robust relationships and knowledge exchange through the facilitation of numerous bilateral and multilateral workshops and symposiums within the Indo-Pacific region (i.e. Australia-India; Australia-Japan; Australia-Korea; Australia-Vietnam; Australia-Indonesia and Australia-India-Japan-Korea-UK).

Shabarika specialises in public and private mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate advisory matters for a broad range of clients, including domestic and international corporations, sponsors and investment banks.

Shabarika worked for a number of years for a major US firm and is qualified as an attorney in New York.

Multi-asset portfolio manager with a decade of broad experience in both buy-side and sell-side institutions. Strong understanding of fund mechanics with proven delivery of new fund set-up, launch and subsequent growth. Strong advocate of the value investing school as the foundation for investment decisions and asset allocation.

Highly motivated with a strong appetite for personal growth and constant challenge (including a passion for problem solving!). Natural leadership ability combined with a strong winning mentality. Competitive by nature, and an accomplished distance runner - completing 11 marathons in the past decade.

Costa Casiou is an infrastructure development, investment and M&A transactions specialist. In 2023, he founded SPINFRA ("Square Peg Infrastructure") to bring together expertise, market insights, strategic relationships, investment opportunities and capital to niche asset owners, developers, investment firms and service providers across the decarbonisation and energy transition supply chain.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in project delivery and investment advisory across the energy, mining, critical minerals, oil and gas, ports, water and transport sectors, Costa has developed significant projects and facilitated strategic asset and business transactions across infrastructure related markets throughout Australia. His expertise in strategic advisory, market intelligence, investment and technical due diligence and M&A origination and transaction support combined with his deep relationships in engineering, consulting, construction and investment banking provides a unique and compelling offering.

SPINFRA’s mission is to facilitate globally relevant infrastructure investment between Australia, India, ASEAN and RCEP nations. Our relationship-first approach brings together the concept, capability, connections, capital, and clarity to create “solutions that fit” by engaging both “in the market” and “on the market” to deliver growth through investment.

Atiya heads the credit function, overseas portfolio management and is a voting member of the Investment Committee. Atiya has over 25 years of through the cycle lending experience in debt capital markets, structured finance and private equity across Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa.

She has advised both large listed corporates and mid-cap private companies on capital structuring and led their debt deals for acquisition, project, hybrid capital, leverage and structured finance. Previously she ran the multibillion International Debt business at Barclays (UK) with her team originating, structuring and risk managing clients across 20 markets.

She was a voting member of the Underwriting Committee, Capital Allocation Committee and Debt Exco at Barclays. Prior to Barclays, she led Standard Chartered to the top of league tables across South Asia, the Middle East and Africa for syndicated lending.

She has been a board member of various companies. Atiya holds a MSc – International Accounting & Finance, from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a MBA – Major in Finance – IBA, from the University of Karachi – Pakistan.

Rajat is a Co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Space Machines Company, which is building a “Roadside Assist in Space” capability to service and protect critical space infrastructure and ensure their availability to enable key on-earth capabilities. In March 2024, Optimus, the first demonstrator spacecraft and the largest single Australian-designed and built satellite, launched on the SpaceX Transporter-10 Mission.

Rajat is also the founding partner of 11point2, delivering entrepreneurial innovation to major corporations in sectors such as energy and resources. The firm is dedicated to innovating solutions for complex challenges, with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, energy transformation, and public welfare. 11point2 collaborates exclusively with partners focused on making a positive impact on climate change, decarbonization, national security, and health.

Throughout his diverse career, Rajat has held various roles, including investor, advisor, founder, director, and executive across technology-driven sectors. He trained as an aerospace engineer and his professional experience spans from a senior technology, product, and research leader at Microsoft to being an early senior executive and co-founder of 3 start-ups. He has managed businesses across multiple international markets to drive growth and profitability. His leadership extends beyond corporate roles, serving as an advisor for digital health and cybersecurity platforms.

Bao Hoang is the Founder and CEO of Roll’d Vietnamese, one of Australia’s fastest-growing food brands with more than 100 restaurants nationwide. A proud Australian-Vietnamese entrepreneur, Bao has built a business that bridges cultures — bringing the flavours, traditions, and spirit of his family’s Vietnamese kitchen to millions of customers every year.

Since opening the first Roll’d store in Melbourne in 2012, Bao has redefined what fast, fresh food can look like in Australia — introducing authentic, nutritionally balanced Vietnamese dishes such as banh mi, pho, and fresh rice paper rolls to the mainstream. Guided by his mother’s original recipes and his parents’ values of resilience, hard work, and generosity, Bao has built Roll’d into a national franchise success story that continues to scale domestically and abroad.

Under his leadership, Roll’d has grown from a single store to a nationwide network employing more than 2,000 people and serving over 10 million fresh rolls each year. The company’s next chapter is focused on global expansion, with operations now extending into New Zealand and further international growth planned across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Beyond commercial success, Bao is deeply committed to giving back. Inspired by his mother’s wish to “share what you have with others,” Roll’d partners with the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam to build schools and homes for children and families in need. To date, more than 80 projects have been completed, with many more underway.

Bao’s journey - from his family’s migration story to leading a 100-store food empire - reflects the best of Australian multiculturalism and entrepreneurship: courage, purpose, and community at scale.

Lee Spitler, PhD, is Head of Space Projects at the Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO), a market-facing business unit within Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. Lee has been instrumental in transforming AAO's focus from ground-based astronomy to commercial space applications. He led the delivery of AAO's first space-bound optical payload to Gilmour Space Technologies. He also collaborated with space tech startup, HEO, to achieve the world-first simultaneous observation of a satellite from ground and space. Additionally, Lee's team designed a critical component for Advanced Navigation's LUNA sensor, enhancing autonomous lunar landings. Lee is Principal Investigator of the Huntsman Telescope, which is being adapted to daytime tracking of satellites in Low Earth Orbit. Lee won the 2025 Australian Space Award for Scientist of the Year.

Dr Sara Webb is an astrophysicist, science communicator, and educator at Swinburne University of Technology. Her research focuses on fast-evolving astronomical transients and the application of artificial intelligence to astronomical discovery. She leads Swinburne’s microgravity research platform and student space programs that have launched multiple experiments to the International Space Station. Named to the 2025 Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 in Science & Healthcare, Sara is an advocate for international collaboration, diversity in STEM, and inspiring the next generation of explorers.

Shankar founded Eartheye Space, a leading space-tech company offering near-real-time situational awareness from space for Earth and space. The company is a cohort of Seraphim Space and CDL-Space. Shankar was a co-founder of Antaris Inc., a venture-backed start-up. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Shankar consulted for leading NewSpace companies such as Satellogic and Spire—both publicly listed. Before then, Shankar was a vice president at the space start-up Planet Labs, a publicly listed company. Before working in space technology, Shankar held leadership positions at technology corporations, including Hewlett-Packard and OpenText. Shankar graduated in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, and holds an EMBA and PhD from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia.

Dr. Clyde Webster is the Founder and Managing Director of Crest Robotics, a Sydney-based company pioneering advanced robotic tools and assistants for the blue-collar workforce. With a PhD in Robotics and experience at both the Space Machines Company and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Clyde’s career has spanned from extraterrestrial exploration to the reimagining of work on Earth.

Under his leadership, Crest Robotics first made headlines with the Gorilla Robotic Puller, now in use by Transgrid to modernise Australia’s energy transmission network—enhancing safety, reducing costs, and demonstrating the transformative potential of robotic systems in heavy industry.

A recognised thought leader in pragmatic robotic adoption, Clyde advocates for human-centric design and the adaptation of existing workforces to emerging technologies. In 2025, he led his team to unveil Charlotte, a world-first large-scale construction robot, at the International Astronautical Congress, earning international media attention from outlets including Forbes, ABC, BBC, and Reuters.

Lloyd Jacob Lopez is the Co-Founder and Founding CCO of HEX20, a Space Tech startup with offices in Australia, India, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. HEX20 builds cost-efficient and reliable satellite platforms ranging from 3U to 27U nanosatellites and microsatellites up to 250 kg, for customers worldwide for academic, commercial, and government missions derived from flight heritage programs and hence comes with a proven assurance for successful mission completion.

Before HEX20, Lloyd was Co-Founder and Director of Reflections Info Systems and was responsible for Middle East, Europe, and North Africa operations. With over 25 years in the public and private sectors, Lloyd has experience in management consultation, business development, team building, corporate innovation, digital transformation, startups, and strategic partnerships.

Lloyd earned his Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Kerala, India. He completed his Management and Innovation studies at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), India, and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Germany.

Kirby Ikin has been involved in the space industry for more than 30 years and has done so as a space businessman, as a space entrepreneur, as an advocate for the space industry, and as a public advocate for space settlement and development.

He is Managing Director of Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants based in Sydney and Emeritus Chairman of the Board of the National Space Society (headquartered at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida) where he succeeded Apollo XI astronaut Buzz Aldrin. He was the Founder and Chairman of the Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Space Industry Association of Australia).

He has worked in various space businesses from attempts to establish a spaceport on the Australian territory of Christmas Island through to businesses developing satellite life extension capabilities.

In 2012 he was one of the Co-Founders of Deep Space Industries, one of the original pioneering companies planning to harvest asteroid material for use in space. For ten years he also ran one of the ten largest space insurance underwriting businesses in the world (GIO Space) – a business he took from a $2m per year line of business and built into a $175m per year standalone business. Kirby lives in Sydney, Australia.

Raj is a founder of Green Iron and Steel Australia and Green Steel of WA, coming from an investment banking and financing background with a strong focus on energy and infrastructure financing.

Raj developed his advisory capability in the infrastructure arm of Macquarie Capital where he was responsible for the financing and economic assessment of large infrastructure projects across WA, Australia and Asia for a period of 12 years. Raj’s role was primarily focused on private sector financing structures Governments on the commercial and structure opportunities for PPP as a way to deliver energy and water projects.

After Macquarie, Raj has worked with some of WA’s largest companies including Woodside and Synergy where he was a Commercial Manager and has a solid understanding of energy sector and upcoming technologies and trends. In 2019 he advised the WA Government on how it can procure steel for its transport projects and this lead to an in-depth analysis of steel making technologies, sector coupling with low carbon energy solutions and how to methodically shift the steel making industry. This lead to the development of Green Steel WA, which now has a series of projects under development in the iron ore and renewable resources rich areas of Australia.

Raj has worked on iconic projects in the energy sector across wind and solar farms, waste to energy, carbon farming and hydrogen production, and these skills are brought together in steel making.
Raj has consulted companies at senior executive and board level and is experienced in investment analysis, financial modelling, strategic advice, assessment and recommendation on risk allocation and assessment of project structures.

Lyndon Ryan is a seasoned project development leader with over 17 years of experience in the mining and resources sector, specialising in capital project development, mineral economics, and sustainable innovation. Currently serving as Manager, Business & Project Development at Sedgman Pty Limited, Lyndon leads multidisciplinary teams across feasibility studies, EPC/EPCM bids, and strategic M&A initiatives. His work spans a diverse range of commodities, including copper, zinc, lithium, vanadium, iron ore, and rare earths.

His career includes international assignments in Australia, Chile, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the USA, where he has led complex engineering, commissioning, and optimisation projects for both major mining companies and junior developers.

He holds a Master of Project Management from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) from the University of Queensland, and has completed the  Mergers & Acquisitions Programme at Imperial College Business School. Lyndon is an active member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and a regular panel speaker at industry events.