Panelists & Speakers
- Partners
- Captech2026 Speakers India
- Captech2026 Australia
- Captech2025 Speakers
- Captech2024 Speakers
- Captech2023 Speakers
- Captech2022 Speakers
Satish Ji
Satish Kumar Ji, born and brought up in Panipat, dedicated his life to the cause of Bharat Mata soon after completing his engineering education. A leading ideologue of the Swadeshi movement in India, he stands at the very core of the nation’s economic self-reliance thought process.
Currently serving as the National Co-Organiser of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Satish Ji has been a steadfast advocate of Swadeshi principles, shaping national discourse on indigenous development, self-reliance, and economic sovereignty. His ideas and vision have received wide recognition across government institutions, policy forums, and academic platforms.
He is the chief architect of the Swavalambhan Bharat Abhiyan, which evolved into a nationwide movement and later found expression in the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. A prolific thinker, wide traveller, and voracious reader, Satish Ji has authored over 15 influential books on diverse dimensions of the Indian economy, firmly rooted in Swadeshi philosophy.
Shri Suresh Prabhu
Shri Suresh Prabhu is a globally renowned policy strategist, visionary leader, and sustainability advocate with an illustrious career in governance, finance, infrastructure, climate action, and international diplomacy. A six-time Member of Parliament and former Union Cabinet Minister, he has held 10 key portfolios including Railways, Commerce & Industry, Civil Aviation, Power, Environment, and Heavy Industries.
He has worked extensively at village, district, state, national, and global levels across cooperative sectors, serving as the youngest Chairman of Saraswat Bank and being on the board of the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI).
As a global thought leader, he has represented India at the G20, G7, United Nations, and several multilateral forums, addressing top universities and policy platforms across 120+ countries. He has co-founded leading think tanks, including the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, and continues to guide global dialogues on
energy, climate, trade, and sustainable development.
Suresh Prabhu is also a distinguished academic, serving as Chancellor of Rishihood University and Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. Recognized globally, he has been conferred multiple honorary doctorates and awarded by prestigious national and international institutions for his lifelong contribution to public policy, innovation, and human development.
Mr. Raj Kumar Goel
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.
Raman Bhalla
Raman Bhalla is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Investors, Professionals and Business Networking Group Incorporated (SIPBN). SIPBN was set up in 2021.
Raman has extensive contacts in the private equity, debt, venture capital, family offices arenas as well as within high-net-worth individuals in Australia and overseas markets.
Previously, Raman worked with several Australian and Global investment banks in senior executive management roles. He has previously assisted clients to raise capital through public offerings, private equity, venture capital, debt instruments, cross border transactions and mergers/ acquisitions.
Raman is passionate about building businesses and facilitating international trade, business, and investment. His extensive international business, professional and political network reach includes Australia, India, Middle East, the US, Israel, Hong Kong and China.
Raman also acts as Non-Executive Director for private companies, start-up enterprises, companies in growth phase and not-for-profit organizations and adds significant value for stakeholders. He is focused on helping Australian businesses grow and become successful.
Raman completed his executive education at Harvard Business School in Private Equity and Venture Capital. He is a Chartered Accountant, FCPA, CIMA and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Giovanni Laudicina
Giovanni Laudicina is a results-driven and visionary CEO with a proven track record of transforming organizations into industry leaders. With over a decade of executive experience, he has successfully driven national and international growth and profitability across diverse sectors. Born in Italy, Giovanni began his career as a consultant and manager, establishing a solid foundation of expertise and leadership.
He played a pivotal role in establishing EasyPark's presence in Italy, leading the company to become the market leader. In 2018, Giovanni relocated to Sydney and joined Duncan Solutions, where he ascended to the role of CEO in 2020. Under his leadership, Duncan Solutions has continued to thrive and expand its market presence.
Dr. S Janakiraman
Claire Elkin
Jacob Elkhishin
Michael Kollo
Lee Hickin
Craig Scroggie
Craig Scroggie is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of NEXTDC, Australia’s leadingData-Centre-as-a-Service provider. Prior to becoming CEO in June 2012, Mr Scroggie served on theBoard of Directors since IPO (2010) as a Non-Executive Director, including as Chairman of the Audit andRisk Management Committee.
Mr Scroggie has more than 25 years’experience in the ICT industry, having held senior positions withSymantec, Veritas Software, Computer Associates, EMC Corporation and Fujitsu. Prior to joiningNEXTDC, Mr Scroggie was Symantec’s Vice President & Managing Director for the Pacific Region.
Mr Scroggie currently serves on the BoardofSovereign Cloud Holdings (ASX:SOV) and also serves on theUniversity of Southern Queensland Business School Advisory Board and is Chairman of the La TrobeUniversity Business School Advisory Board and holds the position of Adjunct Professor.
Mr Scroggie is a Graduate of the University of Southern Queensland and holds an Advanced Certificatein Information Technology, a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Postgraduate Diploma inManagement, a Master of Business Administration; and is a Graduate and Fellow of the AustralianInstitute of Company Directors.
Nicole Gibson
Nicole Gibson is the CEO of San Francisco based in TruthTechnologies, and a globally recognised leader in health innovation. Pioneering the world’s first technology capable of tracking emotions through wearable devices, she is reshaping how individuals and organisations approach emotional intelligence and well-being.
Nicole’s career began as a performer, but she quickly transitioned into social impact entrepreneurship, dedicating her life to solving the issue of emotional incapacity. With over 15 years’ experience in social entrepreneurship, she leads with a passion for revolutionising global systems, integrating advanced biometric tools to empower self-awareness and informed decision-making.
Nicole served as the youngest national mental health commissioner in Australia for three terms, advising a 27B$ budget. Under Nicole’s leadership, in Truth Technologies has become a platform for positive social change, driving innovation in the intersection of technology, empathy, and leadership, inspiring others to challenge conventional narratives and build more compassionate, connected communities. Featured by major media outlets and a trusted voice in thought leadership, Nicole’s mission-driven approach continues to create meaningful impact across industries and borders.
The Hon Mark Coure MP
Mark McCrindle
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
Jenny Junkeer
Veena Sahajwalla
Jua Cilliers
Tom Forrest
Stephanie Brantz
John Knox
Patrick Delany
Patrick is the Chief Executive Officer of the Foxtel Group which has interests that extend fromthe traditional Foxtel business and includes Kayo Sports, BINGE, Fox Sports, Foxtel Media and Hubbl. He was appointed to the role in January 2018 following his successful tenure as ChiefExecutive Officer of Fox Sports.
Since Patrick became Chief Executive Officer, the Foxtel Group has grown rapidly in streaming with the launch of Kayo Sports in late 2018 and the arrival of the highly anticipated entertainment streaming service, BINGE, in May 2020. Patrick is also leading the Group’s next major disruption in streaming, Hubbl.
Previously at Fox Sports, Patrick oversaw an extensive program of renewal and invigoration, including the rebranding of Fox Sports and the introduction of weekly entertainment shows that cemented the company’s reputation as the unrivalled home of sports and game-changing broadcast innovations.In 2005,
Patrick was appointed Executive Director of Content, Product and Delivery at Foxteland was responsible for introducing a string of product and service innovations including FoxteliQ, Mobile Foxtel, Foxtel On Demand and Ultra HD. In 2002, as Director of Digital, he lead there birth and reinvigoration of Foxtel as a digital product and reshaping its consumer proposition.
Patrick’s career in television began in 1998, at Southern Star Entertainment as Head of Non-Drama, before taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer, XYZ-the channel creation and production business-in 2000. At XYZ, Patrick successfully revitalised and relaunched theLifestyle Channel, Channel [V], Music Max and The Weather Channel for the Foxtel and Austarplatforms.
Kerrie Mather
Dr. George Margelis
Hon. John Ajaka
Bianca Solomons
Bianca Solomons is a Managing Director for Greystar’s Australia business, leading Investor Relations in the Asia-Pacific region, where she is responsible for managing and growing the company’s institutional partners across the region. She also supports Greystar’s Investment Management Asia-Pacific business development and capital structuring efforts.
Before joining Greystar, Bianca was the Head of Institutional Capital and Head of Debt at Alceon, a multi-strategy alternatives investment manager based in Sydney, Australia. Prior to Alceon, she was a Director at ANZ Bank, arranging, underwriting, and syndicating structured loan solutions across project finance, leveraged finance, corporate, and real estate loans. Bianca is a member of the Capital Markets Committee for the Property Council of Australia and a member of Women in Investments.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Nicole Kidd
Michael Masterson
Michael Tobin
Michael is the Founder and Managing Director of Vantage Asset Management Pty Limited a leading Australian, independent, private equity management company.
Vantage provides investors with unique access to the high performing Private Equity asset class and offers professional investment management and advisory services to institutions and sophisticated investors seeking a diversified investment approach to private equity investing.
Michael has over 30 years’ experience in private equity management, advisory and investment as well as in management operations and is responsible for the development and management of all private equity fund investment activity at Vantage.
Since establishing Vantage in 2004, Michael has managed Vantage’s funds share of investment into over $14.5 billion of Australian Private Equity funds resulting in more than $9.4 billion of equity funding across 189 underlying portfolio companies.
Across its flagship fund of funds program, Vantage has made investment commitments across 34 underlying private equity funds who in turn have completed investments into 189 companies and sold (or exited) 99 of those companies, delivering Vantage’s funds a 2.9 X gross multiple on invested capital with an average gross Internal Rate of Return of 47.3% p.a. across all exits.
Michael holds a BE from the University of NSW, an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management (majoring in Finance and Strategy), a Diploma of Financial Services from the Australian Financial Markets Association and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Sheba Nandkeolyar
Melissa Monteiro
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
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.
Pascal Gouel
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.
Kapel Malhotra
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
Kala Philip
Mr. Manish Gupta
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.
Tony Shepherd AO
Tony is Chairman of Infrastructure SA and the Entertainment Quarter. He is a Director of Enviropacific Pty Ltd, Racing NSW and Virgin Australia International Holdings Limited. He also serves as a Member of the Veolia Australia & New Zealand Advisory Committee and is a Member of the Business Council of Australia.
Over a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors, in Australia and overseas, Tony has been at the forefront of nation-shaping infrastructure. He pioneered private infrastructure investment in Australia, helping to deliver landmark projects including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne City Link and East Link.
Tony was the inaugural Chairman of WestConnex and oversaw the successful listing of Transurban, Transfield Services and Connect East. His leadership experience extends across a wide range of industries and organisations, having served as President of the Business Council of Australia, Chairman of Macquarie Specialised Asset Management, Chairman of Venues NSW, Snowy Hydro 2.0, Bingo Industries, Chairman of GWS Giants, the National Commission of Audit and ASTRA.
He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Patron of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, as well as a Life Member of both the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the Australian Football League (AFL).
Tony’s contributions have been widely recognised. In 2024, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Melbourne, and in 2023, he was inducted into the Bradfield Hall of Fame. In June 2012, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Dr. GK Harinath
Ms. Bonnie Shek
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
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.
Raman Bhalla
Raman Bhalla is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Investors, Professionals and Business Networking Group Incorporated (SIPBN). SIPBN was set up in 2021.
Raman has extensive contacts in the private equity, debt, venture capital, family offices arenas as well as within high-net-worth individuals in Australia and overseas markets.
Previously, Raman worked with several Australian and Global investment banks in senior executive management roles. He has previously assisted clients to raise capital through public offerings, private equity, venture capital, debt instruments, cross border transactions and mergers/ acquisitions.
Raman is passionate about building businesses and facilitating international trade, business, and investment. His extensive international business, professional and political network reach includes Australia, India, Middle East, the US, Israel, Hong Kong and China.
Raman also acts as Non-Executive Director for private companies, start-up enterprises, companies in growth phase and not-for-profit organizations and adds significant value for stakeholders. He is focused on helping Australian businesses grow and become successful.
Raman completed his executive education at Harvard Business School in Private Equity and Venture Capital. He is a Chartered Accountant, FCPA, CIMA and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Roderick H. McGeoch AO
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.
Bharat Angels Networks
All India Association of Industries
ANZ-INDIA
Bussiness Networking Reimagined
Abdal Banking
ICICI Bank
World Trade Centre (Mumbai)
One Point
INTENT
Titel
RSB Capital
ZetaTek
Cyclion
I.V. Merchant & Company
Project Zeta
Hops & Barrels
Wayscape
International Liquor Distributors P/L
Softlabs Group
Consulate General of India Sydney
Finkey Fueling Sustainability
Planar
Korea Venture Investment Corp.
Macpherson Kelley
Spinfra
Punjab Angels Network
The Royal Exchange of Sydney
HKTDC
Hamiltop Private
Shiny Fund
ICICI Lombard
ICICI Prudential Life insurance
Bharat Global Industries Forum
RSM
EYVA
Dr Joseph Rizk AM
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.
The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong, MP
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.
The Hon Anoulack Chanthivong MP
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.
Sarah Morgan
Sarah is a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of #CapTech2024, specializing in guiding SME organizations through strategic business development and leadership enhancement. With accreditations in psychometrics, emotional quotient, and motivational techniques, Sarah brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. She is a certified Board Facilitator, Neurolinguistics Practitioner, and Time-Line Therapist, reflecting her commitment to holistic business growth.
As the Founder of Influential Leaders Academy, Co-founder of Deep Neuro Analytics and founding Board member Fair Fight Foundation, Sarah is deeply entrenched in the world of entrepreneurship and business advancement. She understands that scaling a venture requires more than just a vision—it demands a comprehensive strategy, access to funding, invaluable advice, and a strong network.
Drawing from over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Sarah has navigated the complexities of scaling ventures firsthand. She has guided numerous entrepreneurs through this process, leveraging her extensive network and expertise to secure funding opportunities and foster collaborations.
Roderick H. McGeoch AO, LLB
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.
Sally Loane AM
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).
The Hon Courtney Houssos MLC
Courtney Houssos is the Minister for Finance, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Natural Resources in New South Wales.
She is the first female Minister for Finance and the first female Minister responsible for the mining sector in the New South Wales Government.
She was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 2015 • Courtney was born and grew up in Forster, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, where she attended local public primary and high schools.
Courtney studied at the University of New South Wales, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations, Industrial Relations)
Prior to entering Parliament, Courtney was elected to be the first woman to be Country Organiser for New South Wales Labor, serving for 9 years in the role.
During her time in Parliament, she has been a strong advocate on behalf of families, improving education outcomes and universal and accessible healthcare.
Courtney was previously the Shadow Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources. She has also served on a large number of Parliamentary Committees, including on Education, Health, Electoral Matters and Budget oversight issues.
Courtney lives in Earlwood with her husband George, daughter Anna and son Arthur.
Michael Rodrigues
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.
Hitesh Sachdev
Hitesh Sachdev is a veteran banker with ICICI Bank. He has spent more than 22 years at ICICI Bank building and leading diverse verticals including Innovation, Fintech Investments, Private Equity, Investment Banking and SME Business. Hitesh currently heads the Startup Engagement and Investments team at ICICI Bank. He has played an instrumental role in setting up the Innovation team and executing cutting-edge technology projects for ICICI Bank in collaboration with startups.
Hitesh manages the Startup Investment for ICICI Bank and has made 24 investments into startups including CarDekho, Open, Refyne, Kredit Bee, Fingpay, Arteria Technologies, EQL Fintech and Credgenics.
Hitesh mentors’ founders on domains including Payments, Digital Lending, SaaS, API Banking, Banking applications of emerging technologies such as Gen AI, Blockchain, Digital Public Infrastructure and SpaceTech.
Hitesh conceptualized Indian Banks’ Digital Infrastructure Company (IBDIC) in early 2021 and since then he has been the primary evangelist of the consortium (18 private, PSU & foreign banks) in India and overseas. Hitesh is a Director on the Board of IBDIC.
Hitesh’s contribution to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) also includes his role in Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Sahamati. Hitesh is a Director on the Board of ONDC. Hitesh participates in the Sahamati Advisory Council for promoting the adoption of India’s Account Aggregator (AA) Framework.
Prior to this, Hitesh has played a pivotal role in setting up Emerging India Fund (EIF) and has successfully led the investments in sectors including Agri-business, Logistics, Education and Healthcare. Prior to setting up EIF, Hitesh led the investment banking practice at the Bank where he specialized in M&A and PE fundraising for mid-market enterprises and executed multiple M&A and private equity transactions. Hitesh has also managed the SME & Mortgage business for the Bank.
Hitesh is an active mentor to startups from elite accelerator programs from institutions such as IIMA Ventures, IIM Lucknow, IIT Bombay, BITS Pilani, RBI Innovation Hub, SPJIMR, FICCI Flo, castartups.org, ICAI and 100X VC
Hitesh has received several Awards for his contribution to the startup ecosystem and has been an active Keynote Speaker at several industry forum and marquee events.
Industry Awards
1. AI Award at CISO Forum 2025
2. Best Organisation in Innovation 2024 at ET Now Global Innovation Network, 2024
3. Emerging Leader Fintech & Innovation of the Year at SABT, 2024
4. Blockchain Leader of the Year Award at BFSI Leader Meet & Awards, 2023
5. ‘Best in Future of Trust’ category won for “Trade Chain” Project by IDC Future Enterprise Awards, 2022
6. Indian Banks' Association (IBA) Banking Technology Award for “Best Fintech Adoption”, 2022
7. 'Most Innovative use of Blockchain in the Banking' category at the IBS Intelligence (IBSi) Global FinTech Innovation Awards, 2021
8. Award for “Product Innovation” category at the Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards, 2021
9. Indian Banks' Association (IBA) Banking Technology Award for “Best Fintech Adoption”, 2021
10. Award for 'Fintech Engagement' category at the Business Today - KPMG Best Bank Awards 2018.
11. Award for Excellence in Business Model Innovation by Retail Banker International Asia 2016
List of Marquee Engagements
1. Speaker at BFSI Confex & Awards, January 2026
2. Speaker at BharatNetra FinTech Road Show, January 2026
3. Speaker at Startup Shield, January 2026
4. Speaker at IIMA Ventures Summit, January 2026
5. Speaker at Ahmedabad Management Association, January 2026
6. Speaker at BW Emerging Business & Summit, December 2025
7. Speaker at Huddle Global, December 2025
8. Speaker at InnovateAI: Emerging Trends, December 2025
9. Speaker & Jury at IFTA India FinTech Forum, December 2025
10. Speaker at IDC Tech Symposium, December 2025
11. Speaker at ICICI Bank Startup Manthan, December 2025
12. Speaker at CISO Forum: Leading in the Age of AI, November 2025
13. Speaker at ET: Legacy to Digital Resilience Roadshow, November 2025
14. Speaker at IMC: Panel Discussion on AI in Finance & Monetary Policy Framework, October 2025
15. Speaker at Global Fintech Fest (GFF), October 2025
16. Speaker at Solana APEX, October 2025
17. Speaker at ETCISO Annual Conclave, September 2025
18. Speaker at Economic Times CDO Conclave, September 2025
19. Jury at IITM Global Demo Day, September 2025
20. Speaker at Kore Reimagine Tour, August 2025
21. Speaker at Athera Workshop, August 2025
22. Speaker at FinVision, August 2025
23. Speaker at BFSI Insights Forum 3.0, August 2025
24. Speaker at Kyndryl Design Thinking Workshop, July 2025
25. Speaker at AI Dialogue, July 2025
26. Speaker at MV Day, July 2025
27. Speaker at Viksit Bharat 2047, July 2025
28. Speaker at Bharat Inclusion Sprint, June 2025
29. Speaker at Credit & Collections Summit India, June 2025
30. Speaker at BFSI Technology Conclave, June 2025
31. Speaker at ETCIO Annual Conclave, May 2025
32. Speaker at FinAI Summit, May 2025
33. Speaker and Jury at BeyondXcelerate, May 2025
34. Speaker at Finserv, May 2025
35. Speaker at BFSI Tech Summit & Awards, April 2025
36. Speaker at Fintech Fusion India, April 2025
37. Speaker at IGF Mumbai: NXT25, April 2025
38. Speaker at MET Institute of Management: International Conference, April 2025
39. Speaker at Startup Mahakumbh, April 2025
40. Speaker at ETCISO Secufest Summit, March 2025
41. Speaker at IDX India CIO Summit, March 2025
42. Speaker at Post Budget Webinar, Ministry of MSME, March 2025
43. Speaker at RBIH & ICICI Bank - FinXcelerator 2.0, February 2025
44. Speaker at Google & IIMA - Fintech Immersion Day, February 2025
45. Speaker at SmartTech Asia 2025, February 2025
46. Speaker at Vodafone IoT e-Conclave, February 2025
47. Speaker and Jury at Bharat Fintech Summit'25, February 2025
48. Speaker at BFSI Revolution Summit & Awards, January 2025
49. Speaker at Dialogues with Bower, January 2025
50. Speaker at RBI HaRBInger Grand Finale 2024, January 2025
51. Speaker and Jury at IFTA India FinTech Forum, December 2024
52. Speaker at VIPCA Startup to Capital Market, November 2024
53. Speaker at ETBFSI Converge Summit 2024, November 2024
54. Speaker at RBIH Fintech Day, November 2024
55. Speaker at Sahamati SamvAAd 2024, November 2024
56. Jury at IIT Kanpur Upstart’24, November 2024
57. Speaker at SolarX Startup Challenge, November 2024
58. Jury at RBI HaRBInger 2024, October 2024
59. Speaker at ETCIO CDO Conclave, October 2024
60. Speaker at Fintech Future Summit, October 2024
61. Speaker at Morgan Stanley India CTO Innovation Summit, October 2024
62. Speaker & Jury at International Startup Festival (ISF), September 2024
63. Speaker at August 2024
64. Speaker at ICICI Bank Founders Day, August 2024
65. Speaker at iCreate, August 2024
66. Core Member of International Startup Foundation (ISF)
67. Jury at Innopreneurs Season 11, July 2024
68. Speaker at ET Now Global Innovation Network, June 2024
69. Jury at TiE Toronto Summer Collision Mixer, June 2024
70. Speaker at Beyond Borders VC Strategies for Building Great Business, San
Francisco, June 2024
71. Speaker at ETCIO Annual Conclave, May 2024
72. Speaker at IITB FinTech Summit, April 2024
73. Speaker at DLAI Conclave'24, March 2024
74. Speaker at Bharat Fintech Summit'24, March 2024
75. Speaker at South Asian BFSI Tech Summit 2024, February 2024
76. Speaker at Innovation Summit in partnership with Karnataka Govt. & the Abu Dhabi Royal Family, January 2024
77. Speaker at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, January 2024
78. Speaker at Global Professional Accountants Convention, November 2023
79. Founding Member of FinX Accelerator Program in partnership with RBIH
80. Speaker at Global Fintech Fest, September 2023
81. Panel Speaker at Startup Summit of Gujarat State, organized by ICAI, August 2023
82. Member of Advisory Council at IAMAI’s Global Fintech Festival 2023
83. Speaker at Startup Sphere, organized by ICAI, June 2023
84. Keynote Speaker at BFSI Gamechanger Summit, June 2023
85. Speaker at Fintech Festival India, May 2023 & August 2022
86. Award Jury and Panelist at W3, Tech & Innovation Summit, March 2023
87. Speaker for Bharat Fintech Summit, January 2023
88. Speaker at DLAI Conclave, January 2023
89. Founding Member of CAstartups.org: a platform for accelerating startups for CA founders
90. Keynote Speaker and Panelist at BFSI Leader Meet & Awards, May 2023
91. Speaker for ETBFSI Converge, November 2022
92. Speaker for India Fintech Awards, November 2022
93. Speaker for India Startup Festival, October 2022
94. Panel Speaker for Singapore Fintech Festival, December 2020
Owen Hegarty OAM
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.
The Hon Ron Hoenig MP
Ron Hoenig is the Minister for Local Government and Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly.
In August 2012, Ron was elected to New South Wales Parliament at a by-election as the member for Heffron – an electorate where he grew up and has lived for most of his life.
Prior to entering State Parliament Ron served as Mayor of the City of Botany Bay for over three decades, finishing just shy of 31 years.
Ron is also a barrister and worked for the state of New South Wales as a Public Defender and Acting Crown Prosecutor for several years. He is married and has two children.
Could you please tell me what topic you would like the Minister to speak on and how long he may have so we can prepare a speech.
Ashwin Johar
Dr Ashwin Johar is a prominent Indian businessman and public figure. He is the Chairman of the Sigma Group of Companies, Real Assets Resources Ltd, Amenda Ventures, and Bioryca Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
He is a Central Committee Member, Foreign Affairs Department, BJP, and Chairman of the Centre for Development of Regional Economies.
He is the Ex-Chairman, Foreign Investment & NRI Department, Government of Haryana.
Antony Shaw
Antony Shaw was Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Australia and New Zealand from 2022 - 2026. He also served HSBC Australia's Board as an Executive Director during that period. Whilst CEO he was a standing member on the Council of the Australian Banking Association and currently remains the Chair of the Business Council of Australia's Global Engagement Committee since 2024. He has been a board member of the Asia Society since 2025.
Antony joined HSBC in Hong Kong in early 2003 where he worked across multiple global roles within its investment bank division. This included leading HSBC's institutional coverage for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, being globally responsible for the Markets' service proposition for retail, wealth and private banking clients and leading the division's Global Emerging Markets teams. He also was Global Head of Digital Markets for the division.
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 the Business Council of Australia's economic committee.
David Mehan MP
David Mehan is the State Member for The Entrance and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer. David was elected to the seat at the 2015 state election and returned in 2019 and again in 2023. A geologist by profession he has worked in the building industry as well as the finance industry and also the trade union movement.
The Hon Victor Dominello
Victor is a seasoned government leader, having served as a Minister in NSW for 12 years, and is best known for his role as Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government.
He is considered a pioneer of digital government in Australia, and his achievements have been admired, studied and modelled by other governments around the world. Since retiring from politics in 2023, Victor has been appointed to Accenture’s Global Luminaries Program to champion the cause of digital government around the world.
Victor is the inaugural Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Digital Identity Expert Panel.
Victor is also the inaugural Chair of the Commonwealth Government’s Independent Advisory Panel for MyGov and Services Australia.In addition, Victor is a Professor at UNSW and Director of the Trustworthy Digital Society Hub, a joint initiative of UNSW and UTS.
Victor is a board member of the Tech Council of Australia and Adviser to the Brain and Mind Institute based at the University of Sydney. In 2023 Victor launched ServiceGen, a firm that provides advice to governments and complex organisations with a mission of profoundly reimagining services for the digital age.
Dr Joseph Rizk AM
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.
Milan Naik
Milan, after 20 years of being in the corporate world, across consulting & insurance, in 2017 he founded Goals101, his first entrepreneurial venture, which recently got acquired by M2P Fintech. Goals101 is a deep tech enterprise co., which uses the power of banking transaction & demographic data to drive personalisation & build newer monetisation models for global banks & payment networks, all this with end to end automatic & in compliance with local regulations. Goals101 works with banks in multiple markets & have recently signed a global partnership with Visa & with NPCI in India.
BOXX Insurance, his next venture, a Consumer & SME Cyber Protection company recently got acquired by Zurich Global Ventures. BOXX today operates in 5 continents & has been rated as the top 50 insurtech globally.
Prior to BOXX & Goals101, Milan has worked with leading global insurance companies (Royal & SunAlliance & Liberty Mutual), responsible to set up & build businesses in India & across Asia & Middle East. He is deeply passionate about Insurtech & Embedded Insurance & is actively involved globally in unlocking its potential.
Milan truly believes entrepreneurs are/will be the catalyst to change & enablers to better, sustained living in times to come. He is currently on a few Advisory Boards of Growth stage Global companies operating in Insurtech : Fintech : Healthtech, advising Founders on Growth : Monetisation : Fund Raise. Milan is passionate about giving back to the entrepreneurial world, by sharing his experiences, network & guiding young entrepreneurs. That apart, he is an avid angel investor.
Beyond work, Milan loves indulging in travel, food, music, fitness & enjoys the best, novel experiences the world has to offer.
Joseph Healy
Joseph is a Co-Founder and CEO of Malu Health Group, a purpose-led integrated mental health practice. Malu’s purpose is to improve access to exceptional mental health care and enhance the quality of the client/patient and clinician’s experience.
Before launching Malu in 2025, Joseph held senior executive positions at Judo Bank, NAB, ANZ, Citibank, CIBC World Markets, and Lloyds Bank. In 2016, he co-founded Judo Bank, a bank specialising in the SME economy. Having raised $1.5bn of equity in private markets – including the most significant pre-revenue capital raise in Australian corporate history - the bank grew from a PowerPoint to profitability and a publicly listed company within four years. It is the fastest start-up bank globally to achieve profitability and was named LinkedIn’s #1 place to work in Australia in 2023. It was also ranked in the Top 5 of the Financial Times' Fastest Growing Businesses in Asia-Pacific in 2023. Joseph was the CEO of Judo Bank from 2016 to 2024.
Joseph holds an MSc in Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health, an MSc (Finance), an MBA, an MSc in International Management (China), an MA in Contemporary Chinese Studies, and an MBA (Banking), degrees from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London; London Business School; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College, London. He was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (Scotland) and a Senior Fellow of FINSIA. He has authored five books: Corporate Governance & Shareholder Value (2003); ‘Breaking the Banks: What Went Wrong with Australian Banking?’ (2019); ‘Chinese Firms Going Global – Can They Succeed?’ (2018); ‘Black Belt – a Masterclass for Start-ups and Entrepreneurs’ (2023); and ‘What Would Adam Smith Think of Modern Australia?’ (2025).
Joseph was a Director of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) from 2009-18 and the Australian Finance Industry Association from 2019-24. He was also an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland from 2015 to 2019. He holds five youth-level international football caps for Scotland.
Interests: the role of banks in allocating credit; the history of China (1850-); the neuroscience of addictions; the epigenetics and psychological causes of depression; the role of psychological stress in cancer; start-up entrepreneurship and the life and works of Adam Smith.
Punit Gopikishan Makharia
Shree Pushkar Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd., established in 1993 is a leading manufacturer of Dyes, Dye Intermediates, and Fertilisers. Having started manufacturing in the year 2001 with a single product, we have aggressively expanded its portfolio to over 25 products. Today, we have become a force to reckon with and are on the path of sustained leadership.
Promoted by first generation entrepreneurs, the endeavor of the Company has always been towards a stable and sustainable operating system. Our team of professionals is constantly engaged in strategic planning encompassing forward & backward integration, improvising optimum utilization of inputs, upgrading technology and most of all identifying areas for improvements for eco-friendly products and processes. This has resulted in our exponential growth and laying down of a track record as a stable player in the segment. With our recent venture in the manufacturing of
Reactive Dyes and Textile Chemicals, the Company has headed towards being a “one-stop shop” for the Textile Effects industry.
SHREE PUSHKAR also manufactures a wide range of Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners, thus catering to the widest range of customers; from the smallest of “Farmers to Multinationals.
SHREE PUSHKAR has two subsidiaries also namely Kisan Phosphates Private Limited and Madhya Bharat Phosphate Private Limited which are operating in the State of Haryana and Madhya Pradesh respectively.
Brief Profile of Mr. Punit Gopikishan Makharia, Chairman & Managing Director, Shree Pushkar Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited
Aged 54 years, a resident Indian national, is the Chairman & Managing Director of Shree Pushkar Chemicals & Fertilisers (“the Company”). He is one of the Promoters of the Company and has been a Director in the Company since its incorporation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Mumbai University.
He has more than two decades of experience in the chemical industry and specializes in the sector of dyes, dye intermediates and fertilizers. He is the guiding force behind the strategic decisions of the Company and has been instrumental in planning and formulating the overall business strategy and developing business relations for the Company.
Under his leadership, the Company has demonstrated notable progress, driven by strategic initiatives and a focus on sustainable growth.
Jen William
Jen started as CEO of the Committee for Brisbane in June 2024, leading the organisation’s advocacy, thought leadership and commercial operations.
Prior to joining the Committee, Jen led the Queensland Division of the Property Council of Australia. Over her 12-year tenure at the Property Council, she progressed from Senior Policy Advisor, to Deputy Executive Director, and was appointed as Executive Director in 2021.
Jen is a well-known face in Brisbane business, not-for-profit and political circles, having formed many partnerships in the pursuit of policy reform, including through public campaigns to address the housing crisis and to increase post-pandemic visitation of the city centre.
Alongside her significant experience in policy, events and engagement, Jen also has a background in secondary school education, development and political advice. She holds a Master of Management (International Business), Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Education.
Dr. Christian Baylis
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.
Maurice Lionel Newman
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.
Stephen Harrison B.Ec
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)
Mr. Manish Gupta
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.
Mr. Yogesh Mehta
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.
Paul Nicolaou
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.
Giovanni Amodeo
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.
DD Saxena
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
Dr. Anju Gupta
Dr. Anju Gupta is a Partner at IvyCap Ventures, where she leads the firm’s Ecosystem platform. This platform leverages the global IIT and IIM alumni network to foster and enable research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across India’s leading academic institutions. It brings together a diverse community of investors, domain experts, corporate leaders, government stakeholders, founders, and academia to collaboratively build, test, scale, and fund high-potential teams and solutions. Through this ecosystem, IvyCap’s Endowment Fund supports researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in creating impactful and profitable businesses.
Anju holds a B.Tech from IIT Delhi and an MS/Ph.D. from Stanford University. She brings over 15 years of experience in product management and marketing in the United States, specializing in financial risk management related to natural catastrophes. Her work has included developing earthquake risk assessment models, managing software development lifecycles for disaster risk management platforms, defining next-generation modeling systems, and designing innovative pricing methodologies. She has worked closely with key institutions such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Office of Emergency Services, PG&E, insurance companies, and risk managers across the commercial sector.
For over eight years, Anju has been an active contributor to India’s startup ecosystem. She is deeply passionate about working with entrepreneurs and is committed to advancing IvyCap Ventures' mission of supporting and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Sarah Fairhurst
Sarah Fairhurst holds multiple Board roles as a Non-Executive Director across four energy sector companies and has recently served on the Advisory Board of an ESG services firm. With a career spanning the UK, Asia, and Australia, she brings deep expertise in electricity and gas markets, as well as a nuanced understanding of regional cultural and regulatory complexities.
A key highlight of Sarah’s executive journey is co-founding The Lantau Group (TLG) in 2010 — a boutique energy economics and strategy advisory firm. She is known for her strategic insight, commercial acumen, and analytical rigor, paired with practical, cross-border experience. Sarah excels in addressing complex energy challenges with a blend of pragmatism and innovation.
Sameer Narang
Mr Sameer Narang has close to 20 years of experience in Macroeconomics and Investment research spanning both public and private sector. In his earlier role, he was
the Chief Economist at Bank of Baroda.
The Economics Research Group Mr Sameer Narang has close to 20 years of experience in Macroeconomics and Investment research spanning both public and private sector. In his earlier role, he was the Chief Economist at Bank of Baroda.
The Economics Research Group at ICICI Bank analyses global and domestic macroeconomic themes spanning growth, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies with impact on markets and different asset classes.
Sameer is a graduate of Delhi School of Economics and also holds an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. at ICICI Bank analyses global and domestic macroeconomic themes spanning growth, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies with impact on markets and different asset classes.
Sameer is a graduate of Delhi School of Economics and also holds an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
Angela Phu
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.
Dr. Jim Taggart OAM
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.
The Hon Matt Kean MP
Matt Kean entered Parliament in 2011 and spent his early years advocating for stronger mental health policy.
Elevated to the NSW Cabinet in 2017, he was appointed Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation and following the 2019 NSW election, he was appointed Minister for Energy and Environment.
During his time as Environment Minister, he added substantial expanses of land to the NSW National Parks’ estate, an increase of nearly 600,000 additional hectares (or 5%).
He championed a modern set of energy and climate policies in the Liberal Party, he has argued that the centre of Australian politics needs to be reclaimed in the political debate.
Matt has been a leading voice for modernizing the State’s energy system. In 2020, he delivered the biggest renewable energy plan in the Nation’s history, to deliver NSW some of the cheapest and most reliable energy anywhere in the world.
In October 2021, Matt Kean was appointed Treasurer in the Perrottet Government and in his first Budget he delivered reform to break the barriers to women’s opportunity – an investment that will pay dividends for both the economy and our society.
He has shown that when politicians make a concerted effort to find common ground and put aside tribal and ideological differences, real and lasting reform can be achieved.
Matthew Watson
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.
Neeraj Bansal
Head of India Global, KPMG in India Senior Partner, Risk Consulting.
Neeraj Bansal is the Head of India Global at KPMG in India and a senior partner with close to three decades of experience in risk consulting. He leads cross-border strategic initiatives and supports global growth under the India Global banner.
He has deep expertise in supply chain transformation and has led major engagements across FMCG, pharmaceutical, EPC, and other sectors. Over his career, he has advised more than 500 clients across 15+ countries and maintains strong ties with KPMG member firms across ASPAC.
His advisory work spans international trade, regulatory frameworks, and global sourcing strategies. Neeraj has contributed to multiple government and industry forums, including FICCI, CII, and the Central Government Task Force.
A prolific thought leader, he has authored over 80 articles and 50+ reports and is a frequent speaker at global conferences. He has received numerous industry awards, including recognition in supply chain and real estate.
In 2024, he received the Exemplary Business Leadership Award at the Indo-UK Global Business Conclave, held at the House of Commons.
Stephen Walters
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).
Mr. Changmin Lee
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.
Prof Louise Hickman
Peter Xing
Peter is a Global Singularity Group educator and practitioner on transhumanism and emerging technologies. He co-founded Transhumanism Australia and Transhuman Coin, a community of technologists dedicated to helping society transcend the limitations of our human biology using science and technology and funds scientific discovery and technological innovations that accelerate the transhumanism movement through decentralised finance.
Peter also leads global emerging technology initiatives at KPMG including generative AI, blockchain, web3 and extended reality technologies to help organisations navigate and flourish in these unprecedented times of accelerating change and disruption.
Peter is passionate about co-designing the strategy and developing solutions for businesses in preparation for the impact of disruption from emerging technologies including AI, Web3, XR and IoT in every industry. He manages projects which automate the delivery of actionable business insights to leadership using digital, data and design principles. Ultimately, Peter's mission is to accelerate R&D investment by governments and private sectors into science and technology to transcend the limitations of the human biological condition by enhancing our intelligence, healthy lifespan, and wellbeing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Commerce and Law at University of Sydney
- Data Science at John Hopkins University
- Machine Learning at Stanford University
Dr Sidharath S. Sharma
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.
LYALL GORMAN
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.
Gary Zamel
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 .
The Hon Jacqui Munro, MLC
Jacqui Munro is a Member of Parliament in the NSW Upper House, elected in March 2023.
Ms Munro is the youngest Liberal woman to be elected to the NSW Legislative Council, and the NSW Liberal Party’s first LGBTQI+ woman Parliamentarian.
Ms Munro holds a Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Sydney and worked for state and federal Parliamentarians before beginning her career as a PR and communications professional.
She appears regularly as a commentator across TV, radio and print media on public policy matters and political leadership.
Ms Munro is particularly passionate about supporting innovation for the state’s prosperity and developing housing policy that is equitable and sustainable for all residents.
Rajeev Gupta
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.
Sarah Morgan
Sarah is a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of #CapTech2024, specializing in guiding SME organizations through strategic business development and leadership enhancement. With accreditations in psychometrics, emotional quotient, and motivational techniques, Sarah brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. She is a certified Board Facilitator, Neurolinguistics Practitioner, and Time-Line Therapist, reflecting her commitment to holistic business growth.
As the Founder of Influential Leader Academy and Co-founder of Deep Neuro Analytics, Sarah is deeply entrenched in the world of entrepreneurship and business advancement. She understands that scaling a venture requires more than just a vision—it demands a comprehensive strategy, access to funding, invaluable advice, and a strong network.
Drawing from over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Sarah has navigated the complexities of scaling ventures firsthand. She has guided numerous entrepreneurs through this process, leveraging her extensive network and expertise to secure funding opportunities and foster collaborations.
Sarah recognises that scaling ventures necessitates not only business acumen but also access to capital and strategic advice. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise, providing entrepreneurs with the guidance and support needed to navigate the challenges of growth.
Driven by a genuine passion for helping others succeed, Sarah approaches each client interaction with enthusiasm and dedication. Whether advising on scaling strategies, securing funding, or facilitating valuable connections, she is committed to ensuring the long-term success of her clients’ businesses.
Sarah believes that strategic scaling is not just about expansion; it’s about safeguarding the future success of a business and its stakeholders. By combining the right plan, funding, advice, and network, she helps entrepreneurs propel their ventures to new heights and ensure their enduring relevance in the market.
Mr. Raj Kumar Goel
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.
Denita Wawn
Denita Wawn has been a member of the National Australia Day Council Board since 8 October 2021.
Ms Wawn is the CEO and Company Secretary of Master Builders Australia. She has over 35 years' experience as a leading advocate for industry and employers in the nation's capital, around Australia and internationally. Her previous roles include CEO of the Brewer's Association of Australia and New Zealand (Brewer's Association), Deputy CEO of the National Farmers' Federation and Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association (Tasmanian Division).
Denita is currently a Director of Cbus Super Fund, Member of National Workplace Relations Consultative Council and Director of Anminder Family Trust. Her previous corporate governance experience includes roles as Chair of the Worldwide Brewers Alliance, Chair of the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) Scheme and as a director of Hostplus industry superannuation fund and a Board Member of Canberra Grammar School.
Denita was born and educated in Hobart, Tasmania. She has Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Tasmania.
Simon Cant
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.
Matt Alderton
Mr. Yogesh Mehta
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.
Pankaj Hans
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.
Richard Alcock AO
Richard is Bank of America's Vice Chairman, Global Banking and Markets, supporting the sector and product leaders on origination and execution of transactions, both with governments and corporations, and on building banker relationships with the C-Suite.
Previously, from 2007 to 2017 Richard was Bank of America (including Merrill Lynch) Managing Director for Transport, Infrastructure, Power & Utilities.
Prior to this Richard was with the law firm Allens Arthur Robinson for 20 years as an M&A partner.In 2017 Richard was appointed by the NSW Government as Chairman of Western Sydney Local Health District and continued in the role until July 2023. In 2018 Richard was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community particularly through health management roles and to the law, corporate governance, and higher education organizations.
In 2019 Richard became a Member of the Business Council of Australia Infrastructure, Housing and Construction Committee and continues as an active member of the Committee.
In 2021 Richard was appointed Doctor of the University of NSW for his contributions to public health. Richard was previously appointed by the Federal Attorney General to the Advisory Board of the Australian Government Solicitor and by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Board of the Australia Indonesia Institute.
B Indrasen Reddy
B Indrasen Reddy has about 30 years of experience as an Entrepreneur and Investor. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Information Systems from NSU, Florida, USA, and B.Sc. in Computer Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.
With prior entrepreneurial experience, he ventured on his own for a few years before starting a Solar EPC company in 2013, expanded into Contract Manufacturing of Solar Structures and Distribution of Solar Panels and Inverters along with Solar OPEX projects.
Indrasen is also a managing director of Energy Homes Private Limited through which several real estate development projects and investment in similar ventures are being planned/executed.
Technology has changed the way we live for the better. Through technology, Indrasen believes that we can eliminate social constraints in the society.
Peter Ford
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.
Prof Munjed Al Muderis
Professor Al Muderis is an Australian trained Orthopaedic Surgeon. His day-to-day work involves hip and knee arthroplasty and reconstructive surgery. Munjed had the privilege of completing his Australian orthopaedic training in 2008 on the NSW Northside Scheme. He subsequently embarked on international fellowships in Germany and Switzerland. Early on in his career, Munjed commenced his academic pursuits and now holds several academic titles including Clinical Professor at Macquarie University, Adjunct Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Of Notre Dame Australia School Of Medicine Sydney and Honorary Associate of the School of AMME/Faculty of Engineering and IT at the University of Sydney. In 2022 Munjed completed a Higher Research Degree in the field of Osseointegration and was awarded a Doctorate of Medical Science from the University of Notre Dame Australia for his contribution to research and development in this technology.
Munjed and his team perform between 500-1000 primary joint replacements and complex revision arthroplasties. It has been well reported in orthopaedic literature that high volume surgeons generally have fewer revision procedures compared to low volume surgeons when using tried and tested implants. Munjed performs hip arthroplasty using direct anterior approach and knee arthroplasty using computer assisted robotic technology. He is also a world leader in osseointegration surgery, providing solutions to people with significant limitations to mobility and suffering from debilitating conditions.
Munjed’s life mission is to enable the disabled, restore mobility and give hope to the weak and vulnerable around the world, regardless of one’s creed or ethnicity. Apart from his academic and clinical roles, Munjed is involved in humanitarian work around the world. He has taken multiple teams to his former homeland of Iraq eight times, to help the victims of the conflict that he fled, as well numerous visits to India, Cambodia, Fiji, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Ukraine, and has educated other orthopaedic surgeons in the osseointegration technique and in complex limb reconstruction. Munjed is an Ambassador of the Australian Red Cross, Amnesty International Australia, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association and World Wellness Group, and Patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre, Sanctuary Australia Foundation and the New South Wales Amputee Association, as well as hold affiliation with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Since 2010, Munjed has been an Australian Air Force Reservist and an advocate of the Australian Armed Forces, and also involved in treating injured personnel from the Australian, British and American Defence Forces, for which he was recognised by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2018 Munjed was recipient of the Asian Game Changer Award in New York and in 2019 he was rewarded with the Social Force Award at the GQ Men of the Year in Abu Dhabi, recognising the contributions he has made caring for others. In 2020, Munjed received the greatest symbol of Australia’s acceptance by being awarded the NSW Australian of the Year.
Santhosh Perumala
Santhosh Perumala is the Managing Director & CEO of ANZ India Business Chamber (ANZIBC), a non-profit organisation and the only business chamber with almost equal membership representation from India and Australia, with strategic expansion of its operations into New Zealand and Singapore.
Santhosh began his career with India’s largest economic think tank and business information company, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). He subsequently held senior leadership positions with various Chambers of Commerce, focusing on strengthening business engagement with the United States, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
With over 25 years of experience working with leading chambers of commerce, Santhosh has built an extensive and influential network across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, which he actively leverages for the benefit of ANZIBC members.
He has led numerous business missions, networking events, panel discussions, and bilateral forums, bringing together companies, government representatives, trade organisations, investors, and educational institutions from India, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. In addition, he oversees the regular publication of business magazines and industry publications for ANZIBC, contributing to knowledge sharing and cross-border collaboration.
Stela Solar
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.
Cathy Russo
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.
Daniel Selioutine
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.
Ankit Jain
Ankit Jain is a weathered professional with over 10 years of experience in contact centre management, specialising in managing campaigns for telecommunications, energy, and insurance companies. With an innate understanding of the industry, Ankit has developed a reputation for his ability to optimise operations, drive efficiency, and enhance customer experiences.
Ankit’s journey to becoming the CEO of CIMET started during his time studying a Master of Commerce, Finance and International Business at the University of Sydney. Fuelled by a passion for improvement, Ankit embarked on a mission to revolutionise the industry with an online sign-up experience.
Drawing on his extensive experiences in sales and customer service, Ankit established his own contact centre, which quickly grew to employ over 500 people from four different nations. However, he realised that the business faced challenges during slow months. This is what prompted him and his team to think outside the box and explore alternative avenues.
With a vision to create more stable and lucrative business, Ankit seamlessly integrated his expertise and industry insights into cutting-edge technology. From energy comparison to broadband, telco, solar and upcoming credit card comparisons, CIMET transcends limitations. With CIMET businesses gain increased visibility and sales opportunities, while empowering customers to make informed choices.
As the CEO of CIMET, Ankit Jain continues to drive innovation and spearhead the company’s growth. His entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences, has positioned CIMET as a leading player in the industry. Ankit’s passion for improvement and his ability to transform challenges into opportunities make him an inspiring figure in the business world.
Lori Modde
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
Dimple Merchant
Ms. Dimple Merchant is an Advocate and Solicitor at the Bombay High Court and a Partner at I. V. Merchant & Co., Mumbai. She brings over fifteen years of professional experience across both litigation and non-litigation matters.
She specialises in strategising complex legal solutions and advising on high-stakes transactions that demand an in-depth understanding of intricate legal frameworks. Her practice is marked by a strong ability to navigate multifaceted legal challenges with precision and clarity.
Her contributions to the legal profession have earned her several accolades, including the Excellence in Business Award (2017) and recognition from Stree Astitva for her efforts in empowering women. She also heads the socio-ethical division of WILL Sunrise, an organisation dedicated to the upliftment of lawyers at both local and global levels.
In addition, she serves as a Committee Member of the ANZ Chamber – Western India Region, where she actively contributes to cross-border business and professional engagement.
Areas of Specialisation
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Commercial Litigation: Represents clients in disputes involving contracts, business practices, and trade regulations, effectively advocating in high-stakes legal environments.
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Real Estate Laws: Advises on property transactions, including sales, leases, and disputes, ensuring clients are well-informed and legally protected.
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Corporate Laws: Provides comprehensive legal support on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and transactional matters, guiding businesses through complex legal requirements.
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Banking & Insurance Law: Advises public and private sector financial institutions on litigation and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to all legal obligations.
The Hon David Elliott
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).
Mr Iqbal Singh
Mr Iqbal Singh is the Founder & Managing Director at Innovative Financial Management (IFM) a leading wealth management firm in India and Founding partner in LIFEDEKHO Living Solutions in India.
He is a passionate financial service leader with an experience of 24 years in Banking, financial Services & Insurance space. He is a keen believer in power of knowledge and with a passion for wealth management and financial services, have always strived to create new benchmarks in the industry. He is a self-made entrepreneur with "never say die" attitude, has worked and continues to do so. Now his focus is on 4Es e.g providing good Education to underprivilege, Employment for northern state in Banking, financial Services & Insurance, funding to young Entrepreneurship in agriculture and identify good Enterprises from this region to scale up their business and getting them listed on NSE emerge platform.
Dr. Nicole Brooke
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
Anuj Sharedalal
Anuj Sharedalal is a Partner at C. R. Sharedalal & Co., Chartered Accountants (CRS), India, a firm established in 1953. Prior to joining CRS, I worked with two Big 4 firms for over four years in diverse professional roles.
During my Chartered Accountancy training, I was associated with Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu’s Financial Advisory arm in Ahmedabad. My post-qualification experience includes professional assignments in Mumbai with ICICI Bank Limited and BSR & Co. (a KPMG entity).
My areas of expertise include Audit, Transaction Advisory, Indirect Tax and Foreign Trade Policy Advisory, as well as Global Tax and Accounts Outsourcing. I have authored articles published in the Chartered Accountants’ Association, Ahmedabad monthly journal and have been a speaker at conferences and study circles on topics such as Intellectual Property as a Business Asset, Taxation, Foreign Exchange Laws, Double Tax Avoidance Agreements, and related subjects.
At CRS, we believe in working closely with our clients not merely as an advisory Chartered Accountant firm, but as an extended arm of their business. Our focus is on delivering the right insights and strategic support to help clients sustain and grow their businesses successfully.
Chloé Brayne
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.
Stephen Bali MP
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.
Tanya Raffoul
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.
Mithilesh Bandiwdekar
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
Simon Hickey
As a senior executive of more than 30 years across aviation, construction and retail, Simon Hickey leads the team developing the business and infrastructure for Sydney’s new airport, Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).
Formerly CEO of Qantas’ International, Freight and Frequent Flyer businesses, as well as Greencross and Campus Living Villages, Simon currently serves on the boards of IAG Loyalty and Western Sydney University.
Simon's role and goal is to leverage leading sustainability, people and digital outcomes to set a new benchmark for passengers, airlines and air cargo operators. Simon sees WSI as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elevate Western Sydney to the world stage and drive tangible and enduring socioeconomic outcomes for the region’s communities.
Clive Mayhew
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
CA Sahil Makkar
As the Managing Director of Punjab Angels Network, I lead a team of passionate professionals who are committed to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. I leverage my credentials as a Fellow Chartered Accountant, an alumnus of Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and a certified valuer and auditor to provide strategic guidance, financial services, and fundraising support to startups and SMEs across various sectors and stages.
With over 12 years of experience in the field of finance, accounting, corporate governance, and public policy, I have developed a strong network of contacts and collaborations with investment banks, fund houses, private equity, venture capital, family offices, and high-net worth individuals. I have also worked with several corporates, nationalized banks, universities, and incubation centers to facilitate mergers and acquisitions, scaling up businesses, and innovation programs. My mission is to shape the future of humanity from mindset to heart set, by developing frugal innovations, conscious leadership, and holistic wellbeing.
Prof Hélène De Burgh
Professor Hélène de Burgh is Dean of the Graduate Research School at the University of Technology Sydney. Her areas of research include consumer communities, consumer agency and the intersection between markets and consumer meaning-making. Hélène has worked in Australia and Europe in a range of academic leadership roles.
Heath Behncke
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.
Dr Sidharath S. Sharma
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.
Hemant Nerurkar
Hemant is the Founder and Chairman of MindCraft. He is a veteran with over three decades of experience in the Information Technology Industry. His expertise lies in developing strategies to help clients harness the power of Information Technology. His technical and domain expertise combined with his management skills has enabled him to steer MindCraft ahead in the IT consulting and services space. Under his leadership, MindCraft has enjoyed stable growth.
Over the years, Hemant has worked across various technologies and platforms. He has spent 11 years in the US, where he has worked with companies like Capgemini America, AT&T Bell Labs, AT&T Capital and AC Nielsen.
Hemant has an MSEE degree with a specialization in Communications from New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications from SDMCET, Dharwad, India.
He is a member of the Insurance Committee of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Hemant serves on the Board of E4 Development & Coaching Ltd.
Kunwar Aditya Saxena
Addie is a trusted finance & strategy professional with around 20 years of experience in developing and executing M&A transactions, design and operate in high governance environment with the executive boards, manage listed companies reporting requirements and handling investor relationships. He has successfully led leadership position in various multi-national organisation by focusing on optimisation and growth strategies along with creating new businesses through diversification and expansion into new territories.
In CIMET, he was instrumental in closing the capital raise process in an extremely efficient time bound manner, delivering the necessary growth capital for the company’s future. He is now the CFO of CIMET and spearheads the financial strategy for the organisation. Addie is responsible for building a strong finance structure, that delivers corporate finance, accounts, and taxation duties and he is committed to deliver a long-term shareholder return.
Prior, joining CIMET, he was the “Director investment banking” at Bluemount Capital in Sydney where he was mainly involved in raising capital and executing M&A opportunities in Australia-India market. Earlier to that, he was Head of Strategy & M&A for Essel group (parent of Zee Television group in India). He was leading the strategic landscape for 12 businesses across Infrastructure and Utilities. In this capacity he delivered more than US$500 Mn M&A/capital raise transaction. He is known in the market for his extensive knowledge into Mining, Infra, Utility and Technology companies, and building turn-around strategies in these companies.
He is an Engineer in computer science, MBA in finance from IBS, Hyderabad (India) and an LLM in commercial law from Singapore Management University. He is also a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors and presently sits on the board of CIMET group entities. Outside the work hustle, he likes to spend time playing Cricket and Golf, traveling to new places with the family and has tremendous zeal to follow tech innovations.
Yusuf Hakim
Professional Practice:
- In practice as a Chartered Accountant since 1996.
- Partner of the firm of CNK & Associates LLP, spearheading its Business and Transaction Advisory Practice and Indirect Tax.
Focus Areas of Practice:
- Advised several leading clients on a wide spectrum of business and transaction advisory services encompassing the following:
- End-to-end Transaction Advisory Services - negotiation of term sheet, deal structure, valuations, due diligence, implementation support.
- Internal Restructuring Advisory – merger/demerger/business transfer, capital reduction/buyback).
- Inbound Investment Advisory – structure, valuation, implementation support.
- Succession Planning – strategy, ownership/control segregation, tax advisory for family businesses/members and implementation support.
- Conceptualized structures for inbound and outbound investments, including valuations, direct and indirect tax implications, SEBI and corporate laws, NBFC Regulations, foreign exchange regulations and stamp duty implications.
Indirect Tax:
- Advised clients across sectors on the entire gamut of indirect taxes, with emphasis on goods and service tax, encompassing the following:
- Representation regulatory authorities up to the level of Commissioner (Appeals), including attending to show cause notices, appeals and pre-deposit waiver applications, departmental audits and investigations, refunds. Have also briefed counsels in matters at the Tribunal and High Court levels.
- Conducted health checks on client’s operations for indirect tax compliances.
- Impact assessment on business due to GST.
Eminence Activities:
- Co-authored a book on Non-Banking Financial Companies Regulations. on behalf of the Bombay Chartered Accountants Society. The book dealt with all regulatory amendments made by the January 1998 Directions and the accounting and provisioning requirements for Non-Performing Assets.
- Have been quoted in newspapers (Times of India) on tax matters.
- Have delivered talks at seminars/workshops organized by professional bodies and at corporate training programmes.
Educational Qualifications::
Garry Simonian
Garry Simonian is a successful and innovative Entrepreneur with an extensive hospitality background and a remarkable career spanning over 30 years. He has a strong emphasis on sustainability which is carried throughout his businesses. rough his visionary leadership, he has propelled himself and his businesses to great heights in the industry.
Along his journey, Simonian's unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability has driven his success. He has eectively combined his passion for hospitality with deep-rooted concern for environmental conservation, resulting in the acquisition and management of over 25 thriving venues across Sydney, Queensland and Los Angeles.
A keen understanding of sustainable practices has positioned him as a pioneer in the field. His innovative approach to operations has allowed Garry to implement eco-friendly initiatives within his establishments, leading the way in creating greener and more socially responsible hospitality spaces.
Richard Yuan
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
Michael Johnson
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.
Rebecca Moroney
Rebecca Moroney is a visionary technology and real estate leader who has spent more than two decades building and scaling high-growth businesses. Her career began in the corporate sector, where she held executive senior roles in IT, operations, and strategic growth, guiding businesses from concept to category dominance. This corporate foundation sharpened her skills in process design, technology deployment, and market scaling, capabilities she later brought to real estate.
Driven by a desire to raise standards and improve client experiences, Rebecca founded Wayfinder Agency, which she grew into a trusted national buyer’s agency. Known for its rigorous processes, client advocacy, and measurable results, Wayfinder quickly earned a reputation for delivering better property outcomes and fostering genuine trust with clients. Now adding selling in to the portfolio, Rebecca is driving a new approach to representing vendors by selling to “the heart” of properties in the offmarket and appealing to national and global audiences with visually appealing marketing.
Rebecca’s experience in both technology and real estate became the catalyst for her next and most ambitious venture, founding WayScape Pty Ltd, a ground-breaking PropTech ecosystem designed to transform how property professionals work and how consumers experience real estate.
Rebecca is a vocal advocate for professional standards, practical certification, and the responsible use of AI to protect consumers while lifting industry performance. Her vision for WayScape is not just to improve efficiency, it’s to set a new global benchmark for how technology can elevate the ethics, transparency, and outcomes in real estate.
Her speaking topics include:
- The rise of Agentic AI and how it is redefining real estate workflows.
- Building category-defining platforms that transform industry norms.
- Elevating professional standards through integrated training and certification.
- Designing connected systems that give leaders real-time clarity on pipeline, performance, and client experience.
- The next decade of consumer experience in property and how agencies must adapt now.
Rebecca’s presentations are practical, inspiring, and future-focused, blending her real-world operator experience with an unshakable belief in what’s possible when technology is designed to serve both agents and clients. Audiences walk away with actionable frameworks, a renewed sense of possibility, and a clear vision for the future of property.
Amanda Yeates
Connie Carnabuci
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
Dr. Pardeep S. Chauhan
Dr. Pardeep S. Chauhan is currently a Professor at Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has been visiting Professor to many world renowned intuitions and Universities including University of Oxford, Paris School of Economics, University of California, Harvard , Berkeley, USA,Aoyama Gaukin University ,Tokyo etc. He is M.Phil. (Gold Medalist) and Doctorate in Economics. His illustrious academic career also includes a prestigious French Government Fellowship from the Government of France for which he pursued his research and teaching at Paris School of Economics , Paris. He has been Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellow at University of Oxford for some years (2007-2010). Dr. Chauhan has already published 15 books with renowned publisher of the world like Springer, Trafford, Lambart, Routledge etc. He is an expert in the Economic Policy, development economics, International Trade, IPR , Economics of Innovation and Economics of Climate Change and the world economy. Dr. Chauhan has completed many international research projects and has authored many quality research publications. He is a member of many national and international academic bodies. He has presented papers in many national and international conferences. He is currently Director Associated Research for France and South Asia Fellow at FMSH. He has completed many major and sponsored research projects including projects of world Bank,UNDP,JSPS ,GDN etc. He has been honored with many national and international awards for excellence in academic research. He has worked as collaborator/advisor to EU for its economic policies. He has been a Visitor (/President of India) nominee to (Highest Governing Body) Executive Council of Central Universities and Chancellor’s nominee to State Universities. Recently, there is a Indo-Japan joint research collaboration, he is the Lead collaborator of this joint project. He has been awarded with Best Researcher Award for 2020 and 2021 by the University, India. He has been appeared on national and international TV channels for debates and panel discussions including including BBC and CNN, France 5 etc. He has been President of International Studies Association (ISA Asia-Pacific)..He is Bureau member of Commission of History of International Relations ( CHIR).He wrote many articles in national newspaper and magazines.
Bernadette Janson
Bernadette Janson is a serial renovator and the founder of the School Of Renovating. She is also a renovation mentor, published author and host of the popular podcast She Renovates.
Safe to say she lives and breathes renovating!
She successfully harnessed her passion for creating beautiful homes to replace her nursing income. It has enabled her to stay at home to raise her children, fund family holidays and weddings, give her young adult children a start in their property journey and fund her retirement.
Bernadette helps passionate renovators and property lovers to profit from their passion and replace their income either now or on retirement
Jasmit Chowdhary
He heads Financial Institutions Group, Emerging Locations and the MID PSU division at ICICI Lombard.
Scott Boyes
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.
Dr. Sandra Krishnan
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.
Dr. Joanna Winchester
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
Louie Fares
With over two decades of experience in business and engineering, Louie specializes in liquor
distribution, retail, and development services in Australia and globally
Areas of interest:
Whiskey, Rum and Beverages Distribution
Partnership opportunity for distribution in India
Dr Jim Taggert OAM
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.
Dr Ashish Agar
Ashish is an ophthalmic surgeon, Glaucoma Fellowship trained in Oxford with appointments at Prince of Wales & Sydney Eye Hospitals. Dr Agar is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UNSW, Sydney, and Honorary Clinical Fellow at UTS. He is the Vice-President of the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists, Chair of the NSW branch and Reconciliation Officer of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and a Councillor for the AMA NSW.
Dr Agar hails from regional NSW, and has been providing specialist medical services to remote Indigenous and rural communities in western NSW for over 20 years with the Outback Eye Service of the Prince of Wales Hospital. This includes training future generations of eye surgeons as its Medical Director, and as Director of the Ophthalmology Service at Broken Hill Hospital.
Passionate about education and research, A/Prof Agar has a PhD in cell culture, with current projects into Indigenous health, Medical education, Micro-surgical technologies and Public health. Ashish also works in international development as a volunteer with Sight for All in southeast Asia and India.
Rakshak Vinod Malhotra
Mr. Rakshak Vinod Malhotra is a seasoned industry veteran with over two decades of experience across financial services. A post-graduate from Chetana Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, he has built an impressive career with reputed organizations such as Darashaw & Co., ICICI Bank, and PNB MetLife.
Over the years, he has led diverse portfolios spanning Employee Benefits — including Group Term, Retirement Funds, Alliances, and Sales Strategy.
Currently, as the Business Head – Synergy Channel at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to delivering comprehensive Employee Benefits Solutions to corporates across the country.
Justin Ryan
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.
Alistair Coulstock
Alistair is a leading expert on the subject of sustainability, an author and director in the Climate Change and Sustainability team at KPMG Australia. His expertise is broad and extends to both organisational change and sustainability in the built environment.
Alistair has assisted clients shaping their Sustainability and Social Impact strategies including advising on material issues including sustainable materials, transport, energy, water, waste, supply chain, and of course, climate risk and carbon. Alistair’s property and infrastructure experience spans the whole asset lifecycle and all asset types, including strategy and design for outdoor spaces, buildings, infrastructure, towns and cities. He is knowledgeable in developing strategies and facilitating leading edge sustainable outcomes for many clients. Alistair has an inherent talent for understanding the importance of creating places for people whilst keeping front of mind our reliance on the environment.
Mithilesh Bandiwdekar
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
Joe Millward
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.
Prof Chris Pettit
Chris Pettit is the Director of the City Futures Research Centre, inaugural professor of Urban Science. He is Chair of the Board of Directors for CUPUM (Computational Urban Planning and Urban Management). He is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia’s National Plantech Working Group, and the NSW Government’s Expert Advisory Group for Planning Evidence and Insights.
Prof Pettit established the City Analytics Lab (CAL), a dedicated space designed to support collaborative city planning and user-centred design. He has led a number of city planning, property and Smart City projects including Value Australia - Sharpening our land and property decisions with Artificial Intelligence and the Rapid Analytics Interactive Scenario Explorer (RAISE) Toolkit. Currently he is leading the Australian Housing Data Analytics Platform which has launch the National Housing Data Exchange and Colouring Australia Cities.
Prof Pettit’s expertise is in the convergence of the fields of city planning and digital technologies including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Planning Support Systems (PSS). He has given numerous keynote addresses at conferences around the world and is on the editorial board for a number of journals including Computer Environment and Urban Systems, Over the last 25 years he has been conducting research and development in the use of digital tools to support what if? analysis and scenario planning of city futures. During this time he has published a number of books including “Real Estate and GIS” – Routledge, and over 200 academic papers.
The Hon Paul Fletcher MP
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.
Malini Dutt
Malini Dutt represents Investment NSW which is the official trade & investment promotion agency of the State Government of New South Wales, Australia as Trade & Investment Commissioner based in Mumbai. Malini Dutt had been active for close to two decades in promoting international business, including facilitating commercial engagements between businesses across the India-Australia corridor. She has represented both Australian Federal and State Government.
In her role of trade promotion and investment attraction, she has conceptualized & delivered initiatives of strategic importance, including Australian Ministerial visits to India which were accompanied by business delegations exploring commercial opportunities in India.
Other than working with Australian Government agencies, Malini has also represented one of the world's leading seaports, the Port of Antwerp (Belgium), as its first female international representative.
Dianne Tipping
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.
Stephen Halmarick
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.
Philip Major
Philip Major is an entrepreneur, inventor, and senior executive with more than three decades of international experience spanning clean technology, construction, advanced manufacturing, and
business development across Australia, New Zealand, China, and the United Kingdom. He has held senior leadership roles within both privately owned ventures and multi-billion-dollar
corporations, consistently driving innovation, commercialisation, and high-growth outcomes. Prior to returning to Australia in 2012, Philip served as National Business Manager within a major UK construction group, where his business unit achieved more than 100% year-on-year profit growth. He is recognised for his methodical, detail-oriented approach to management and his ability to translate complex technical concepts into commercially viable projects.
Philip is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cyclion, and the inventor of patent pending technologies for converting a range of waste streams, including municipal solid waste, into renewable fuels and energy. He has led the full lifecycle of technology development, including laboratory and pilot-scale testing, design optimisation, patenting, and commercial structuring. His work has included establishing research partnerships with leading universities, securing multi-million-dollar funding, and progressing large-scale waste to-resources projects in partnership with government and industry. Philip has also played a central role in developing international joint ventures, including collaborations with Philippine government agencies, and working closely with the Australian Embassy and Austrade to facilitate cross-border clean energy and circular economy projects across the Asia-Pacific region.
Philip has experience in mergers and acquisitions, project finance, supply-chain development, and large-scale project commercialisation. Complementing his business career, he previously
served as a Pilot Officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and as a Constable in the Victorian Police Force, experiences that underpin his disciplined leadership style and strong focus on governance, safety, and operational rigor. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Distinction), along with aviation qualifications including fixed-wing and airline transport pilot licences (helicopter).
Amit Tiwari
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.
Vishal Garg
Chartered Accountant | 24+ Years of Professional Excellence
CA. Vishal Garg with over 24 years of experience in Consulting, Taxation, and Litigation Support. Proven track record in handling litigation and consultation in Various Taxation Matter and extensive professional expertise and high-level leadership skills in various roles.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Extensive experience providing advisory and litigation support to hundreds of clients across the region on Indirect and Direct taxes. Specialized in providing expert reports and opinions for complex legal matters.
LEADERSHIP & MANAGERIAL MILESTONES
Previous ICAI & Community Leadership Roles:
- Ex-Chairman, NIRC of ICAI
- Ex-Chairman, Ludhiana Branch of NIRC of ICAI
- Ex-Chairman, NICASA of NIRC of ICAI
- Ex-Chairman, Indirect Tax Committee of NIRC
- Ex-President, Indirect Tax Consultants Association of Punjab
- Finance Secretary, Lodhi Club, Ludhiana (2023-2025)
- Secretary, Rotary Club, Ludhiana Midtown (2020-2022)
- Member, ETTSA (Society formed by Excise & Taxation Dept., Punjab)
- Co-Convenor, Taxation Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce
- Awarded as Outstanding Professional Award in Jan 2026 of JCI Zonecone 2025.
Present Industry & Community Leadership:
- Co-Convenor, Ludhiana Zone, PHD Chamber of Commerce
- Member, GST Committee of ICAI (2025-26)
Murali Bukkapatnam
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.
Michael Sharpe
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. Catherine Bennett
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.
Vikash Vashist
Vikas Vashisht is a seasoned business leader based in Sydney, Australia, with over 20 years of experience across retail operations, fuel retailing, precision engineering, manufacturing, and international trade. He has held senior leadership roles with global corporations including ExxonMobil, Caltex, and 7-Eleven, managing large-scale, multi-site operations across Australia.
He is the Director of multiple enterprises, notably Infinity International Pty Ltd and Australian Precision Engineering & Manufacturing (APEM), a 100% Australian-owned engineering firm serving major Fortune 500 clients such as BHP, BlueScope Steel, Glencore, and FMG. His business portfolio spans fuel retailing, IGA supermarkets, hardware retail, commercial freehold properties, and engineering manufacturing, with operations across NSW and Queensland.
An engineer by qualification with a strong foundation in management, Vikas is known for his people-centric leadership, operational discipline, and expertise in compliance, industrial relations, and scalable business systems. He is actively involved in industry bodies and community initiatives, and his organisations support animal protection, ethical lifestyle promotion, and healthcare fundraising.
Agnelorajesh Athaide
Mr. Agnelorajesh Athaide is an entrepreneur, investor, author, and strategic growth partner with over three decades of experience in building impactful and scalable businesses. He is the Chairman of the Global St. Angelo’s Group of Companies, with interests spanning real estate, hospitality, e-commerce, athleisure, sustainable water infrastructure, content monetization, and venture funding.
He is particularly known for reviving and completing stalled real estate projects, especially in Mumbai, and has successfully delivered developments across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Hyderabad since 2004.
In hospitality, he leads premium brands such as Santé Spa Cuisine, La Magia, and Jubilee Café, with Santé Spa Cuisine standing out as a pure vegetarian global cuisine brand focused on mindful eating and healthy living.
Through ventures like Looqus Valence, Boddactive, SDG6 Technologies, and Turning Red Media Studios, Mr. Athaide partners with high-potential brands, infrastructure projects, and content creators — bringing not just capital, but strategic direction and execution strength.
With an active presence across India, the UAE, Singapore, the UK, and the USA, he is known for building ecosystems that unlock value and accelerate growth.
Sukruti Narayanan
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.
Lisa Wade
She has a strong background in blockchain project development, having recently lead the Project Atom Central Bank Digital Currency project (CBDC), a collaborative research project between the Reserve Bank of Australia, CBA and Perpetual, and Project Carbon, a global strategic alliance tokenising voluntary carbon credits with Latu, CIBC, Natwest and NAB.
Ms Wade also has a strong background in funds management. Prior to her current role, she gained extensive experience managing investment portfolios with the Clean Energy Fund and the ESCOR Group. She has also been a Director at Citigroup where she specialised in arbitrage and derivatives.
Ms Wade is an experienced trader with an in-depth understanding of pricing and investing in derivatives and financial products. In her role as Head of Community Assets at Bendigo Bank, Lisa specialised in developing financial structures to facilitate the acceleration of impact investment, including co-founding the Bright Energy fund, an early stage investment in Future Super and co-creating RARI, Australia’s first responsible investment ETF.
Ms Wade is also a Non-Executive Director of Blockchain Australia, the peak blockchain industry body in Australia.
Kerry Chikarovski
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.
Vijay Kalantri
Dr. Vijay Kalantri is the Chairman of WTC Mumbai and President of All India Association of Industries. Dr. Kalantri has also been serving as the Board Director of World Trade Centers Association, New York for over two decades.
In the last more than five decades, Dr. Kalantri has made extraordinary contribution for industrial development of India through his multi-dimensional role as industrialist, developer of port, mentor of MSMEs, startups and honorary consular corp.
As a founder Chairman & Managing Director of the reputed corporate house M/s. Balaji Infra Projects Ltd (BIPL), Dr. Kalantri has played an important role in the development of the busiest Sea Ports of India Dighi Port Limited (DPL ).
Dr, Kalantri plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and regulations of India in his position as member of the Standing Committee of RBI and in his earlier role as member of Prime Minister’s Task Force on Small Medium Enterprises and the National Integration Council. He was also the member of the National Advisory Board of SIDBI and held senior position in the Advisory Board of SEBI.
Dr. Kalantri has made immense contribution to strengthen bilateral trade and investment through his position as the Honorary Consul to Uzbekistan in Mumbai, Chairman of the Honorary Consular Corps Diplomatique Mumbai and Senior Vice Chairman of the Honorary Consular Corps Diplomatique of India.
In recognition of his illustrious contribution to strengthen bilateral relations, Dr. Kalantri received the “PUSHKIN MEDAL’, a highest state award of Russia and he was also honoured with the highest civilian honour of Poland “COMMANDER CROSS OF THE MERIT”.
Prof Mohan Yellishetty
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).
Mike Conway
Mike Conway is Founder and CEO of XVenture, a unique learning, leadership and media group. TV Director, writer, business leader, clinician and mental coach to elite sports stars, senior executives and entertainers. He’s a serial innovator constantly working on World first projects reframing the strategic alignment between people, business strategy and technology. XVenture has become a global leader in the development of business solutions and content creation and delivery in the meta.
He has a professional and deep academic background in social and behavioural sciences and strategy initially in London’s teaching hospitals then leading major health consulting projects for EY in the UK and Australia.
Prior to XVenture, Mike was business leader at The Wiggles for over a decade, and also spent five years as GM at Standards Australia focussed on cultural change and innovation in the application of standards.
His role as mind, emotional and leadership coach for the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup has grabbed significant attention and is one of the most sought after experts in the field, both for elite sport and business.
He consistently stretches the envelope on applied innovation around communication, emotional management, leadership and learning and is also known for his tv and written work in the area. He’s just completed two major virtual reality projects for high school students in South Australia and NSW in this field. His interface between business and education has been recognised by both Macquarie and University of Wollongong in his appointment as an Honorary Professor where he has created leading edge undergraduate and post graduate programs.
Dr. Charlie Teo
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.
Chris Nimorakiotakis
Chris Nimorakiotakis (Nimos) is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and digital transformation leader with extensive experience across the online and software sectors. He is the Founder and Director of Titel, an AI-driven, next-generation Real Estate Trading Marketplace designed to list, promote, and transact property through a powerful real-time data infrastructure unlike any other platform in the market.
Throughout his career, Chris has been involved in multiple public listings within the technology sector and has held pivotal roles working alongside publicly listed software companies. His decades of experience in digital innovation and strategic growth have enabled him to contribute meaningfully across government and corporate environments, delivering scalable technology solutions that drive efficiency and transparency.
As the visionary behind Titel, Chris is leading the global digital transformation of the real estate industry. Through Titel’s disruptive, technology-first processes, he is redefining how buyers, sellers, developers, brokers, and financial institutions connect and transact — creating a smarter, faster, and more globally integrated property marketplace.
Shabarika Ajitkumar
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.
Andrew Garrett, CFA CAIA
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.
Dipen Rughani
Dipen Rughani is a highly experienced business leader with over 25 years of experience in trade and investment. He is the founder and CEO of Newland Global Group (NGG), a corporate advisory firm focused on strengthening trade and investment es between Australia and India. Since its inception in 2010, NGG has advised over 200 businesses in areas such as Market Opportunity Assessments,Mergers & Acquisi ons, Capital Raising, Private Equity, Corporate Strategy, and NGG Sports.
Dipen is also an accomplished commentator on Australia-India bilateral trade and investment issues and is frequently featured and referenced in publications. Dipen led the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) as its National Chairman from 2012 to 2016 and was also President of the NSW Chapter from 2010 to 2012. He is a proactive leader with strategic foresight, analytical mindset, tunnel-visioned focus on growth and fiscal sustainability, and yearns to add long-term value to the organisation.
Apart from his corporate advisory work, Dipen is also involved in various advisory board roles and memberships, including being a Director of Polycab Australia, an independent director on the board of Wollongong Resources, former Advisory Panel member for the Australia India Institute, and a member of the NSW Government’s Indian Ministerial Consultative Committee, among others.
Dipen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is the President and Trustee of the Anoopam Mission Australia Ltd, a charity which supports differently abled children, educating underprivileged women and providing medical assistance to underserviced villages in India.
Stephen Galilee
Stephen Galilee has been CEO of the NSW Minerals Council since 2012. In this role he has been a strong and successful advocate for the mining industry and the mining communities of NSW.
Prior to joining the NSW Minerals Council, Stephen worked in politics and government in a range of policy portfolios including Regional Development, Employment, Small Business, Industry, and Resources. He was also a Senior Adviser to former Prime Minister John Howard, and Chief of Staff to Mike Baird during his time as NSW Treasurer.
In addition to his public policy experience, Stephen also worked in a range of roles on multiple election campaigns at the state and federal level between 1995 and 2011. He has also worked in small business, family business, and as a consultant advising major corporations in construction, engineering and infrastructure.
Stephen has an Honours degree in Economics from Sydney University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. From 2018 to 2022 Stephen chaired the $10m Coal Services Health and Safety Research Trust, and is currently a member of the NSW Government’s Regional Development Reference Group.
Costa Casiou
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.
Benjamin Zammit
Ben is a senior public servant with more than two decades of experience across the energy, resources, and environmental sectors. Ben is the Deputy Chief Executive, Copper, overseeing the South Australian Government’s strategic efforts in growing copper production in the State.
Most recently Ben held positions as the Executive Director, Regulation and Compliance and Director for Mineral Exploration, ensuring responsible delivery of resource and renewable energy projects in South Australia. Ben brings expertise in complex program delivery and strategic coordination to deliver certainty for industry and community while minimising financial, social, and environmental risks.
Joe Kaderavek
He is the Deputy Chair of Cobalt Blue Holdings, a company developing minerals projects centered upon energy transition metals. With over 30 years of experience in the resources and investment sectors, he has a passion for creating value and delivering sustainable outcomes for our stakeholders, our environment, and our community.
His core competencies include strategy, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, and project development, with a focus on cobalt, energy, and disruptive technologies. I have led and contributed to numerous global primary and secondary offerings, as well as research advisory services, in the fields of battery technologies, renewables, electric vehicles, smart networks, and microgrid analysis. He has held senior roles with Bankers Trust, Deutsche Bank, and Five Oceans Asset Management, where he helped grow the business from seed to over A$1 billion in funds under management.
He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a graduate of the University of Sydney, Deakin University, Monash University, and the Governance Institute of Australia. He is also a former Engineering Officer at the Royal Australian Air Force.
Anish Maheshwari
A visionary finance leader and entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience in financial strategy, capital markets, corporate leadership, and venture building. Anish Maheshwari
has led landmark transactions, delivered exceptional investor returns, and built scalable ecosystems for startups, SMEs, and large enterprises.
1. Accomplishments & Major Transactions
• Led fundraising exceeding ₹3,000 Cr as CFO of Navkar Corporation Ltd., including a ₹600 Cr IPO (2015) and ₹150 Cr QIP (2016).
• Spearheaded the ₹900 Cr acquisition of Navkar’s Vapi Unit by Adani Ports (2022), making the company debt-free.
• Founded Visure Investment Affairs Pvt. Ltd., an integrated venture and investment platform supporting founders from idea to IPO.
• Mentored and funded 50+ ventures with a combined valuation exceeding ₹2,600 Cr.
• Facilitated ₹850+ Cr in debt and project finance.
• Built a portfolio of 26+ active companies and 16+ venture companies.
• Achieved a landmark 45X exit from Anvex AI (bootstrapped at entry).
• Portfolio success rate of ~90%, with most companies delivering 10–20X returns within three years.
• Key success stories include Hoora Technologies, Hurrey Tech Ventures, Event Beep, Drips Foods (Stroom), and Spinach Achiever (Tailblaze).
• Supported portfolio companies in raising ₹100+ Cr in equity funding.
2. Accolades, Awards & Media Recognition
Awards & Honors:
• Rashtriya Vikas Ratan Award – NARF (Govt. of India), 2021
• Corporate Leadership Award – NARF (Govt. of India), 2021
• 40 Under Forty – 2020
• CFO of the Year – World Leadership, 2020
• National Feather Award (Times Group) – CFO of the Year (SCM & Liquidity Excellence), 2020
• Awards by Edelweiss, Axis, SBI Capital and BSE for successful IPO listing
• Atal Samman 2026 – Outstanding Contribution in Finance, Entrepreneurship & Nation Building
Media Coverage:
• Brandz International Magazine – ‘The Composed and Calm Man’ (2021)
• Business Today (India Today Group)
• Business Outlook
• ET Magazine
• ET Change Maker – 2024
3. Aspirations, Vision & Personal Philosophy
Anish is driven by a clear belief: every founder deserves access to the right capital, mentorship, and ecosystem. Through Visure, he is building a structured, ethical, and founder-first investment platform that enables sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
His vision is to create India’s most trusted venture ecosystem—bridging capital, strategy, and execution—while nurturing entrepreneurs who build with purpose.
Beyond finance, Anish is an author and thought leader. His upcoming book, “U Turn,” reflects his passion for mindset transformation, leadership values, and positive corporate
culture. He actively contributes to education, cancer care, and animal welfare, believing that true success lies in blending performance with purpose.
Ada Yin
Ada is currently an investment manager at AirTree, one of Australia's largest and most active funds, investing primarily in early-stage startups. She's one of the first points of contact for founders when raising, and/or in need of support. Before joining AirTree, she worked in Data & AI at Microsoft, in management consulting, and in an assortment of odd jobs.
Neeraj Chadee
Neeraj Chadee is an interdisciplinary engineer-operator. He studied at Monash University (Aerospace Engineering Hons; Master’s in Advanced Mechanical Engineering). He started as an aircraft design and structures engineer. He then specialised into airworthiness compliance and certification. He led major programs, including large air tanker modifications.
He later stepped into operations leadership at Javelin Aerospace Group. His remit covered execution, team culture, stakeholder alignment, and commercial performance. Through other ventures, he also works across sales, marketing, business strategy, and delivery.
Project Zeta is personal. As an international graduate, it took Neeraj five years to land his first job without “Australian experience.” Zeta is the response. It turns capability into verified performance through senior mentorship and real-world execution.
Atiya Habib
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.
Puneet Singh
Puneet Singh is a global entrepreneur, strategic investor, and innovation leader with an expansive portfolio across finance, real estate, technology, entertainment, sports, and hospitality.
He serves as the Managing Director of Colab Platforms Ltd, a publicly listed company, and is the Founder of Clapstem Entertainment, a national award-winning production house that has delivered over 1,500 hours of content across films, OTT platforms, branded IPs, and celebrity-driven campaigns. Clapstem is known for its unique ability to blend storytelling, scale, and commercial value in the entertainment industry.
Puneet is widely respected for building ecosystems that connect capital, culture, and content. His leadership in sports and entertainment includes:
• Owner – Australia Champions (World Championship of Legends)
• Owner – Punjab De Sher (Celebrity Cricket League)
• *Co-founder – Entertainers Cricket League (ECL)
• *Chief Patron – Big Cricket League (BCL)
Rajat Kulshrestha
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.
Ian Prentice
Ian Prentice is the Managing Director at Technology Metals Australia Limited (ASX: TMT), a future-oriented mining company focused on the development of its flagship vanadium project, the Murchison Technology Metals Project (MTMP) in the mid-west of Western Australia. Ian holds a Bachelor of Science (Geology) from the University of Western Australia and has over 30 years’ experience in the global mining industry, spanning exploration, development, and open cut and underground mining.
Ian’s vision is for TMT to be a leader in the Australian and international vanadium industry, playing a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for a critical mineral that will help the world to decarbonise.
Maninder Singh
Maninder Singh is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader recognized for his unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and societal betterment. As a thought leader and change-maker, he has consistently championed initiatives that merge business excellence with environmental stewardship and social impact.
A pioneer in sustainable solutions, Mr. Singh’s expertise spans renewable energy, bio-fuels, waste management, natural farming, and skill development. His work emphasizes creating environmentally responsible, socially conscious systems that drive measurable impact while fostering innovation.
Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Mr. Singh is a dedicated philanthropist. He spearheads initiatives supporting health, education, livelihood development, and women’s empowerment through organizations such as Bal Bharti Academy (NGO). His efforts aim to empower communities, promote social equity, and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
An influential policy and education advocate, Mr. Singh authored the Brentwoods Career Guide, launched by the Hon'ble Education Minister Shri M.M. Pallam Raju, and serves as Chairman of the National Council on Skill Development & Entrepreneurship at ASSOCHAM. His leadership roles extend to renewable energy policy-making as General Secretary of the Renewable Gas
Association of India, highlighting his commitment to advancing India’s green energy sector.
Mr. Singh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Law from ILS Law College, Pune, and an LLB from Pune University. Combining academic rigor with entrepreneurial acumen, he has been recognized with over 40 national and international awards for excellence in leadership, innovation, and corporate social responsibility.
Known for his visionary thinking, ethical governance, and transformative approach, Maninder Singh continues to inspire change, positively influencing industries, communities, and the environment.
Bao Hoang
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.
Penny Crawford
Penny Crawford is a podiatrist who founded Crawford Boots, an innovative footwear company with award winning waterproof PPE boots that have revolutionised safety in the mining industry. With over 25 years of experience in podiatry, Penny saw the need for specialised footwear that could withstand the harsh conditions of mining sites while also providing superior comfort, safety, and support for workers. Penny is passionate for improvement in health and safety standards in the mining industry and inventive initiatives for sustainability.
Adarsh Sharath
Vanessa Rader
Vanessa is Ray White’s head of research and one of Australia’s leading property experts. She provides market commentary to a wide range of Australian media outlets across digital, print, television and radio. She also contributes to Ray White’s publications including Ray White Now and host’s our monthly commercial webinar, Between the Lines Live.
Vanessa is involved in a number of industry bodies and sits on the CPD, Kiparra and National Conference committee for the Australian Property Institute and has held committee positions and been an active participant in the 500 Women in Property initiative by the Property Council of Australia. Due to her service, she was awarded their Meritorious Service award from the API and has been the recipient of excellence awards pertaining to her quality research publications.
Vanessa has more than 20 years of property research experience across Australia and has held senior research and consulting positions within commercial agencies, valuation and developer groups during this time. Her experience covers commercial, special use and residential property and been involved in a number of high value government consulting assignments, investor and developer due diligence projects as well as specific and high-level market analysis.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Property Economics, from the University of Western Sydney and Masters of Property Development, from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Prof. Harsh Thakrar
Prof. Harsh Thakrar is a Senior Lecturer in Finance and FinTech at the University of Wollongong, India and an ex-investment banking leader shaping India’s digital finance ecosystem.
With over a decade of experience across FinTech, Capital markets, M&A and Financial Strategy, he has worked across spectrum with RBL Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, JM Financial and Leonem Advisory. He was the Founder – Program Chairperson of the BBA (FinTech) Program at NMIMS University. His rare academia-industry dual role enables him to bring application-oriented insights directly into the classroom. Through his unique real-life story telling approach, he shares complex real-world challenges that helps students become industry ready.
A Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst (USA), Harsh is pursuing his PhD in Finance, focusing on fintech, sustainable finance, portfolio and risk management
and market integration.
His research has been published in high-ranked ABDC-listed journals, with work spanning blockchain in sustainable finance, ESG performance, AI-driven financial integration, and FinTech-led trade competitiveness. He also writes for national publications including The Times of India, LiveMint and Free Press Journal, translating complex financial developments for broader audiences.
Recognized as a 30 Under 30 FinTech Leader 2025, he has spoken at global platforms such as Global FinTech Fest and Singapore FinTech Festival. He also serves as an Advisor to Harvard Business Review.
He is also the recipient of the prestigious British Council Going Global Partnerships Grant of GBP 15000 for developing Collaborative Online Learning Unit jointly with a foreign university. He has been invited to take Guest sessions with reputed international and national level institutions like SP Jain School of Global Management Dubai, University of Bristol, Institute of Chartered Accountant of India, to name a few.
Prof. Thakrar’s work sits at the intersection of policy, pedagogy, and capital markets focused on preparing the next generation for an AI-driven, tokenized, and globally integrated financial system.
Email: hthakrar@uow.edu.au
Phone: +91-9221879508
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/harshthakrar
Ozge Fettahlioglu
Ozge Fettahlioglu is an interior design enthusiast, dedicated renovation expert, and academic, teaching at prestigious Sydney universities. Her journey in the world of design is guided by a passion to elevate lives by elevating their surroundings. She believes in custom creations to get the best results, where homes truly sing the right song.
Her forte lies in uncovering creative, personalised solutions for interior design, renovation or property sales challenges, ensuring that your dream design becomes a living reality while staying within budget.
At the core of her design philosophy is a commitment to timeless elegance over fleeting trends. She ardently advocates for investing in quality, crafting interiors that stand the test of time and hold sentimental value, destined to be cherished by generations to come.
She firmly believes that a home should be a mirror reflecting its inhabitants, echoing their personalities, lifestyles, and stories, rather than merely conforming to passing trends or glossy magazine covers. As an academic, she draws on scientifically researched design principles to curate environments that empower you and your family to flourish and create the future you desire.
With a deep dedication to creating spaces that resonate with your senses and aspirations, she guides you on a transformative design journey. To make your dream home a reality, where every element harmoniously contributes to your unique living experience.
Professional Memberships: Masterbuilders, Women Building Australia, WIDAC - Women in Design and Construction, Head of Interior Design and Renovation Committee SIPBN, Design Matters National.
Dr. Lee Spitler
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.
Helen Liossis
Helen Liossis is a professional company director and former deputy chair. Helen is currently on the Board of HVTC and is also an audit and risk committee member of HVTC and Invertebrates Australia.
In addition to her non-executive director activities, Helen is also an NSW Division Councillor for the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and an adjudicator for the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). She was a former non-executive director of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) and former house committee member of the Australian Motor Yacht Club of NSW.
Previously, Helen was a senior executive with a background in strategy, planning, corporate services, investor relations and corporate affairs. In her last role at Sydney Water Corporation, Helen was Head of Strategy and Business Planning and responsible for the strategy, city shaping, policy, business planning, board reporting, strategic analytics, science, research and innovation functions.
Helen is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD); holds a Bachelor of Business from UTS; holds an MBA from MGSM; is a CPA and a Justice of the Peace.
Dr Sara Webb
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.
Katherine Hawes
Katherine Hawes, Principal Solicitor at Digital Age Lawyers, SMSF Lawyers and Aquarius Lawyers is a multi-talented professional based in Sydney, Australia. With over 20 years of experience as a barrister and solicitor, Katherine has developed a wealth of knowledge and expertise that makes her a sought-after business and property legal strategist and consultant.
Throughout her career, Katherine has worked on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate and commercial and property law, dispute resolution, and intellectual property matters. Her clients have included both startups and multinational corporations, and she is passionate about supporting businesses at all stages of development.
In addition to her legal expertise, Katherine is also a successful business influencer, social entrepreneur, and media personality. She is a regular contributor to various publications and media outlets, commenting on legal developments and providing insights into the latest trends in AI, robotics, and blockchain technology.
Katherine's unique qualities and interests set her apart as a business legal strategist and consultant. She is known for her ability to think outside the box and find creative solutions to complex business and legal problems. Her keen interest in technology and innovation also allows her to provide clients with valuable insights into the legal implications of emerging technologies.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Katherine is also an active member of her community. She is involved in various philanthropic efforts, has served on the board of several non-profit business organisations, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Overall, Katherine Hawes brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to every project she undertakes as well as her sense of humour. Her ability to combine legal expertise with business acumen and innovative thinking sets her apart as a thought leader and innovator in her field.
Shankar Sivaprakasam
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
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
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
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 Aggarwal
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
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.
Esteban Gomez
With Australian and international experience in Commercial law, Esteban Gomez is armed with a unique, multidisciplinary approach to Corporate / M&A transactions. Whether he is working on a business sale, purchase or capital raising transaction, Esteban gets the job done. Fluent in Spanish with a unique background throughout the US, UK and Latin America, Esteban leads Macpherson Kelley’s inbound work into Australia from Latin America and is involved regularly with cross border transactions from around the globe. For international businesses entering the Australian market, he successfully guides his clients on setting up joint venture transactions, foreign investment rules and making connections to advisors, intermediaries and government bodies. Esteban works with medium and large private organisations in unregulated M&A, as well as regulated transactions and capital raising for scalable and mature businesses. Esteban’s experience spans a wide range of industries, including but not limited to software and technology, education, insurance, manufacturing, hospitality, property development and consumer goods.
Arvind Ramana
As the Director of Space Policy at the Australian Space Agency, Arvind Ramana oversees the Agency’s programs and policy development focused on space technologies. Arvind’s portfolio includes the Moon to Mars Program, featuring Australia’s first lunar rover mission, along with other capability development-focused space missions under the International Space Investment program. Arvind is deeply passionate about space and its significant positive impacts on the quality of life on Earth. They view space as an enabler for critical technologies and as a valuable tool for international diplomacy. Aravind’s professional experience encompasses nationally critical operational missions as well as technology demonstration nanosats. As an experienced space professional, Arvind has a strong background in avionics and mission architecture designs. Arvind enjoys transferring knowledge and insights to achieve a balance between different schools of technology while identifying opportunities for innovative solutions.
Grace Jin
Grace Jin, also an early-stage angel investor and the International partner at FOF Weekly in China, has 12 years of investment management experience, managed over $10 billion in assets during her stay in the U.S., aiding in the overseas business expansion and asset acquisitions for Wanda Group and Bona Film Group. Grace Jin has a keen investment eye, successfully backing numerous leading Chinese consumer brands like Yuan Qi Sen Lin, Pop Mart, and Hey Tea, as well as pioneering sectors like Alibaba, Bytedance, Yushu Robotics and Bitmain. Her vast experience in investment and finance led to her appointment as the international partner FOF Weekly, connecting international LPs and institutions and assisting in cross-boarder M&A deals.
Abhishek Kaushik
Abhi is an International Tax and Transfer Pricing specialist with more than 10 years of experience in Australia and 4 years in India. He has prior experience in Big 4 firms in Melbourne, Perth and New Delhi and have served clients across diverse range of industries including energy, oil and gas, construction and engineering, real estate development, information technology, retail, food and beverage, automotive, chemicals and others.
Abhi has assisted multinational companies with managing their international tax and transfer pricing matters, in particular extensive experience with international tax advisory, transfer pricing planning, statutory compliance documentation, audit engagement with the tax office at various levels and country by country reporting requirements. He has worked with a broad spectrum of clients ranging from start-ups to listed multinational corporate groups and has worked extensively with other firms in the RSM network to assist in the delivery of these services.
Anuraj Gambhir
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.
CA Sahil Makkar
As the Managing Director of Punjab Angels Network, I lead a team of passionate professionals who are committed to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. I leverage my credentials as a Fellow Chartered Accountant, an alumnus of Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and a certified valuer and auditor to provide strategic guidance, financial services, and fundraising support to startups and SMEs across various sectors and stages.
With over 12 years of experience in the field of finance, accounting, corporate governance, and public policy, I have developed a strong network of contacts and collaborations with investment banks, fund houses, private equity, venture capital, family offices, and high-net worth individuals. I have also worked with several corporates, nationalized banks, universities, and incubation centers to facilitate mergers and acquisitions, scaling up businesses, and innovation programs. My mission is to shape the future of humanity from mindset to heart set, by developing frugal innovations, conscious leadership, and holistic wellbeing.
Ozge Fettahlioglu
Ozge Fettahlioglu, Founder and CEO of Cocoplum Design Studio and Boxareno Modular Constructions, is a pioneer in bespoke wellness design, building materials, furniture, and fittings. She is committed to improving lives by enhancing environments, focusing on making high-quality, innovative design accessible. Her companies eliminate intermediaries by directly manufacturing and importing, ensuring streamlined solutions and exceptional craftsmanship. Specialising in custom modular houses, hotel construction and renovations, and bespoke home staging, Ozge leads her ventures with a passion for cutting-edge design and quality craftsmanship.
Liam Delahunty
Liam Delahunty is a Tax Partner, and is RSM Australia's International Tax and Transfer Pricing leader, and RSM's Global Transfer Pricing Leader. He has 25 years experience across Australia, the UK and US. Liam advises a range of clients, from large multinationals to start-ups, on a range of cross-border tax issues, including initial offshore expansion, transfer pricing, structuring, financing, intellectual property, supply chain, profit repatriation and disposals.
Dr. S. Janakiraman
Dr. S. Janakiraman is a career diplomat, joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2002.
He has served in various capacities in Diplomatic Missions in Brasilia, Lisbon, Yangon and Pretoria: served as Second Secretary Political, Commercial and Administration in Brasilia from 2004-2008; as First Secretary Political, Commercial, Consular and Administration in Lisbon from 2008-2011; and as Counsellor, headed the Commercial Wing in the Embassy of India in Yangon from 2013-2016. He has served as Deputy High Commissioner in Pretoria (South Africa) with concurrent accreditation to Kingdom of Lesotho, from 2016-2019.
Before joining as Consul General of CGI, Sydney he served as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cuba from July 2021 to November 2023.
As the Joint Secretary, he led the e-Governance and IT Division as well as the Cyber Diplomacy Division at the Ministry of External Affairs from 2019 to 2021.
He also represented India as an expert in the 6th UNGGE on advancing state behavior and the 1st OEWG for ICT developments in the context of International
Security during the same period. During his tenure at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, he served in various capacities, including Deputy Secretary in the Latin American Division and Director for Eurasian Affairs.
Dr. Janakiraman completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University from 1991-1995, followed by a Master of Science in Agricultural Entomology from the same university from 1996-1998. He then obtained his PhD from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi in 2002.
He speaks English, Tamil, Hindi and Portuguese. He is a keen golfer. He is married and has two daughters.
Kim O’Reilly
Kim O’Reilly’s clear-cut approach to commercial law has earned her a reputation for consistently delivering successful outcomes across a range of complex transactions. Her strengths lie in business structuring, private and public mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, joint ventures, capital raising, IPOs, corporate governance and general commercial and corporate advisory work. With over two decades of experience, no script is the same. Kim understands the ins-and-outs of both listed and private environments, so her clients have come to expect practical and commercially sound advice. Kim is especially sought after by financial institutions, investment banks, and large corporations. Clients trust Kim for her consistency in delivering.
Christopher Janssen
Christopher Janssen is the founder and Managing Director of GPC Electronics, a leading Australian contract electronics manufacturing company.
After graduating and practicing in medicine, Christopher Janssen completed an MBA and became interested in emerging electronics technologies with investment in a small start-up factory.
Through the development and growth of GPC Electronics as a contract electronics manufacturer, first for smaller local companies and then also for global companies such as DEC, Nortel, Toshiba and later others like Tyco, Johnson Controls, Daikin, Boeing, BAE Systems, Cisco, Christopher Janssen was able to develop global supply chains, world competitive manufacturing capabilities and additional manufacturing facilities in New Zealand and China. The customers base grew beyond Australia and New Zealand to North America, Japan and China.
In recent years with a focus on sovereign capability there has been local growth in products in renewable energy, space, defence, medical and agricultural sectors.
Siva Kumar Rachakonda
R. Siva Kumar is the President and Founder of Zetatek Technologies Pvt. Ltd. He has spearheaded the development of cutting-edge technologies that were previously denied to India under various international technology control regimes.
He has been instrumental in establishing several state-of-the-art installations and test facilities, including Environmental Simulation Chambers, Vibration Systems, Laser Equipment, QA & QT Test Facilities for Aerospace and Defence, Automotive Industry, Navigation Technology, Ground Testing of Aerospace Equipment, and Hardware-in-the-Loop Facilities, among others.
Zetatek Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is dedicated to the manufacture, servicing, and business development of advanced Defence and Aerospace testing equipment and accessories. The company has also been exporting its equipment to several countries, including Russia, Israel, Ukraine, Southeast Asia and various European nations.
Mr. Siva Kumar has also contributed to the design, development, and manufacture of a wide range of specialised equipment such as shock testing machines, laser systems, ophthalmic instruments, data acquisition systems, motion simulation systems, earthquake simulation systems, power amplifiers, and electro-mechanical shock machines, to name a few.
He is an active member of several professional and industry bodies, including:
- The Aeronautical Society of India
- The American Society of Heating
- Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- The Indian National Society for Aerospace & Related Mechanisms (INSARM)
- The Optical Society of India, The Combustion Institute (Indian Section)
- The Aerospace Industries Association of India (ASIA)
- FTCCI
- FICCI
- CII
- The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce
- The Acoustical Society of India
- The Indo-Swiss Chamber of Commerce
- The Society for Aerospace Quality and Reliability
- ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers).
