Our program is full for 2023, but you are welcome to apply to speak in 2024.
Guest of Honour - Vasyl Myroshnychenko
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Australia
BIO: Vasyl Myroshnychenko resumed the functions of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia on April 1, 2022.He briefly served as an Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine in March-April of 2022. Between May 2021 and July 2022, Vasyl served as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Institute, a cultural diplomacy outfit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was an active business and civil society leader in Ukraine.
From 2006 to 2022, he was a Partner at CFC Big Ideas, a Kyiv-based strategic communications company. He has 20 years of experience advising clients on corporate communications, public affairs and reputation management. Vasyl advised many multinational companies and domestic industry leaders across various sectors. He is a co-founder of Ukraine Crisis Media Center, a media NGO set up in early March of 2014 aimed at amplifying Ukraine’s voice internationally. He was in charge of numerous projects and campaigns during 2014-2019. In 2015-2016, he was a Head of Board of Professional Government Association, an NGO which has united Ukrainian alumni of the Western Universities with a goal of mobilizing talent for the economic, legal and judicial reforms in Ukraine.
In 2018, Vasyl was a Marshall Memorial Fellow, a prestigious leadership program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He was a Chevening Scholar and earned MSc in Politics of the World Economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2006, UK). He also holds MA and BA degrees in international relations from Institute of International Relations, Kyiv National Shevchenko University (2002, 2003). Vasyl has two children and is married to Liana Myroshnychenko.
Guest of Honor – Zaneta Mascarenhas MP
Member for Swan
BIO: Zaneta Mascarenhas MP is the Federal Member for Swan and sits in the House of Representatives in the Australian Parliament. Zaneta, a chemical engineer, was elected to Parliament in 2022. As the first engineer elected as the Member for Swan and the 28th in the Parliament of Australia, Zaneta applies her planning and problem-solving skills to developing policy, including the transition to a less carbon-intensive economy and developing Australia’s high tech industrial capacity.
She serves on the Industry, Science and Resources Standing Committee, the Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water Standing Committee, and the Joint Statutory Committee on Corporations and Financial Services. Prior to her election, she managed the Western Australia team for Energetics, Australia’s leading carbon and energy consultancy. At Energetics she provided energy efficiency and climate change advice to the resources industry and various WA ASX200 companies and advice on access to the Emissions Reduction Fund and the development of emissions inventories and audits. She was selected to be trained by Al Gore to deliver Climate Reality Project presentations in 2009.
Prior to Energetics she has worked in Bunbury, Geraldton, and Hamilton (country Victoria) in continuous improvement projects and commissioning/construction work. She has also worked for the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Community Led Total Sanitation. This was part of AusAid’s Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program. Zaneta also has a strong track record in not-for-profit governance, having served six different boards including education institutions and a community legal centre.
Zaneta was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Her parents and sister migrated from Kenya after Prime Minister Gough Whitlam dismantled the White Australia Policy. She grew up in Kambalda, a small nickel mining town, which attracted skilled migrants from across the world resulting in a strong
multicultural schooling. Her dad was a fitter and turner and her mother the lolly pop lady and kindergarten cleaner. In Kambalda she experienced tremendous strength of community.
It was her father’s work that inspired Zaneta to pursue a career in STEM, which took her from John Paul College in Kalgoorlie to the Bentley Campus of Curtin University in 1998 to study applied chemistry and chemical engineering. She studied science and engineering at Curtin University on a HECS Exception Scholarship fitting multiple equity criteria (female studying in non-traditional area and being from rural WA). Zaneta lives in East Victoria Park with her husband Sam, and her children Felicity (4) and Lincoln (6).
Ezereve and Eddy Pop
Champagne Duo features the world class vocals of Ezereve and Eddy. Champagne Duo won the national Australian Wedding Awards, and are available to perform for all types of events! You are definitely in for a treat.
Nick Abraham
Welcome to Country
Nick Abraham is the owner and lead guide at Warrang-Bridil (meaning 'Enlighten to Acknowledge' in Nyoongar language). Born in Perth, Western Australia, Nick is a family man with wife Charmaine, their 5 children, 25+ grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. With direct connection to the Whadjuk, Yued, Ballardong, Wilmen, Wardandi and Binjerup People and Country, Nick grew-up in Perth and spent his teenage years in and around the Native reserves of the Great Southern region of Western Australia, before permanently returning to Perth in 1979.
Jo Alilovic
Director 3D, HR Legal
Topic: The Dangers of Diversity
In 2023, most organisations are very keen to embrace diversity – whether for moral/ethical reasons, because they see and believe in the real business benefits, or just for some good PR. Whatever the reason, implementing and managing a diverse workforce has some hidden dangers – practical and legal.
Ultimately, you could end up with discrimination claims, workers’ compensation claims, and even worksafe prosecutions. To avoid these worse case scenarios and set yourself up to benefit from diversity, you need to follow three simple steps to ensure you create a psychologically safe workplace.
Bio: Jo Alilovic is an employment lawyer, business owner, author and podcaster. She helps business leaders go from people problems to teams that get results.
She is a true believer in flexible work – being an early adopter of the remote first model when she started her law firm in 2016, and truly believes in the power of setting clear expectations to maximise flexibility.
Last year Jo published her book, Homeforce – sharing how to create engaged and connected home-based teams.
Jo speaks publicly and consults privately with various professional organisations helping them successfully embed hybrid/remote teams and ensure legal compliance, while also upskilling their leaders/managers with focused workplace training and inspiring them to create amazing places to work.
Father Chris Bedding
Panel: Religion could be very divisive when it comes to inclusion. Does it have to be? Is there a way around this? Come and explore in a rich panel discussion what is important to know about religion in the workplace, whether you are a person of faith or not. How much is what you personally believe tied to your background and identity and what role does race play in faith?
Bio:
Chris is the founder and Executive Officer of Faith Workers Alliance. As a national interfaith trade union, FWA works for safe and equitable workplaces for those who serve in ministry and leadership in faith groups. This work has been inspired and influenced by his more than twenty years of work as a priest, Chaplain and youth worker.
As part of the Love Makes A Way movement, Chris worked to free more than one thousand children from immigration detention centres through a program of nonviolent direct action. He was also a key player in the Christians for Marriage Equality campaign during the postal survey, and serves as Secretary of Equal Voices WA, a Christian LGBTI+ advocacy group.
Alongside his work in ministry and activism, Chris is a seasoned performing artist. As one half of the comedy duo Pirate Church, he has toured nationally appearing at major festivals. Chris has represented WA in the Theatresports national championships and appeared in a wide range of theatre and musical theatre. He has served most recently as an Adjudicator of the Performing Arts WA Awards
Alison Cook
Senior Project Officer – In Search of Safety, Australian Red Cross
Topic: Alison Cook and Kerriann Larsen will participate in an interactive presentation on Migrants In Transition: Finding Freedom.
This interactive presentation explores the continuing largest refugee crisis since WWII. Australia accepts 13,750 individuals in need of protection each year, having settled over 920,000 people since WWII. Our country plays a key role in opportunities for people forcibly displaced.
Understanding the experience of refugees and asylum seekers, in their homeland, their journey to Australia and their new life here is crucial to appreciating the barriers that block such individuals from thriving in our community.
Snapshotting the global and how it relates to the local, the session can help participants recognise how they can better engage with such migrants.
Bio: Alison has been leading the Australian Red Cross community education program In Search of Safety as part of the Migration Support services since 2017.
Operating in schools for students aged 11+, and delivering to various adult forums, the program exists to increase the understanding of forced migration in pursuit of a more welcoming and inclusive Australia where all people feel they belong.
Alison has worked previously in a variety of settings including government, universities, and Aboriginal corporations. Her academic background is in social justice, international relations, politics, and humanitarian assistance.
Becky Felstead
Director and Head Facilitator, Culture 101
Topic: Respect at Work
Bio:
Becky Felstead, The Resource podcast host, consent educator, and a self-proclaimed hugger, believed that warm embraces could bridge gaps and foster connection. However, the
pandemic led her down an unexpected path as a dealer of black market hugs, challenging those beliefs.
Confronting the truth that personal boundaries differ, she realised the significance of asking consent. She learned that this simple act is just the beginning- a ripple effect with the power to transform into empathy, understanding, and respect.
Drawing from her extensive experience in various sectors, she shares insights into mental health, wellness, and the key factors influencing workplace culture.
Becky speaks into and the introduction of a positive duty that requires employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate unlawful sex discrimination, and
harassment, and the focus on preventative efforts to eliminate sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
Join her to discover how each individual possesses the extraordinary ability to ignite change
and reshape our world.
Dr Tanya Finnie
Global Cultural Strategist and Director, RedHead Communications
Topic: Let’s Connect and What’s new in DEI
Bio: Dr Tanya Finnie, the founding principal of RedHead Communications, is a global cultural strategist with over 20 years of experience working in leadership and cultural domains. She is also the founder of the Diversity and Inclusion Summit.
Tanya hails from a widely diverse cultural background, having lived and worked throughout several African, European, and Australasian countries.
Over time, she has built valuable cultural and intellectual experiences to coincide with her academic knowledge of cultural topics and challenges. She holds a PhD in Cultural leadership, postgraduate Diploma in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management.
Jocelyn Franciscus
Occupational Therapist
Topic: Inclusive by design
Harnessing lived experience to shape accessible communities. Join us for an insightful conversation where both presenters (Jocelyn and Eric), individuals with lived experience of disability, will share their stories and unique insights on building a future where accessibility is woven into the fabric of our communities.
Bio: Jos is passionate about accessibility, universal design, and healthcare for people with disability. As an Occupational Therapist and someone with lived experience of disability,
Jos brings a unique perspective to her work.
Previously, Jos served as the Community Awareness Strategist for National Disability Services (NDS), where she played a key role in promoting NDS’s access and inclusion services.
Notable achievements include driving the impactful ‘This Bay Is Someone’s Day’ campaign for the ACROD Parking Program, championing the WA Companion Card, and expanding the Changing Places network.
Jos also helped establish the AT Chat assistive technology peer mentoring project and currently serves as the director of Cord Fundraiser which raises funds for life-improving technology and equipment for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Currently, she co-leads the Disability Health Network at the Department of Health Western Australia. Her commitment to accessibility and inclusion is shaping a more inclusive future for all.
Rabbi Dovid Freilich
Panel: Religion could be very divisive when it comes to inclusion. Does it have to be? Is there a way around this? Come and explore in a rich panel discussion what is important to know about religion in the workplace, whether you are a person of faith or not. How much is what you personally believe tied to your background and identity and what role does race play in faith?
Bio: David Freilich is the Emeritus Chief Rabbi of Western Australia and is now Vice President of the Jewish Community Council of WA and its Interfaith Co-ordinator .
David was the first Sydney born congregational Rabbi & studied towards Rabbininic ordination at Jews College London an affiliate of the University of London. David received his MA from Sydney University on the subject of ‘ The Rabbinic Background to the Rise of Christianity. In 2005 David received an OAM for the promotion of interfaith relations.
“When I left school I decided to abandon my desire for the profits of the law for the law of the Prophets . On my retirement from the congregational rabbinate I then decided to fulfill my dream as an 18-year-old and recorded a pop album entitled ‘ Eartly Haze ‘ which is on Spotify. ” He is currently onto his second album.
Panel: Religion could be very divisive when it comes to inclusion. Does it have to be? Is there a way around this? Come and explore in a rich panel discussion what is important to know about religion in the workplace, whether you are a person of faith or not. How much is what you personally believe tied to your background and identity and what role does race play in faith?
Bio: David Freilich is the Emeritus Chief Rabbi of Western Australia and is now Vice President of the Jewish Community Council of WA and its Interfaith Co-ordinator .
David was the first Sydney born congregational Rabbi & studied towards Rabbininic ordination at Jews College London an affiliate of the University of London. David received his MA from Sydney University on the subject of ‘ The Rabbinic Background to the Rise of Christianity. In 2005 David received an OAM for the promotion of interfaith relations.
“When I left school I decided to abandon my desire for the profits of the law for the law of the Prophets . On my retirement from the congregational rabbinate I then decided to fulfill my dream as an 18-year-old and recorded a pop album entitled ‘ Eartly Haze ‘ which is on Spotify. ” He is currently onto his second album.
Carol Innes
Co-Director Danjoo Koorliny
Topic: Voices on the Voice – A Fireside Yarn
Come and hear from our expert panel: Indigenous voices and an MP to explain the constitution – on one of the most significant constitutional debates in recent history and possibly history overall – the Voice to Parliament. For the first time in 24 years Australians are heading to the polls to change the constitution. Gain a better understanding of the historical context and the societal significance. Reconciliation is crucial and public conversations are crucial to shed light on this political perspective. We acknowledge that the referendum may take place around the time of this discussion and content will be adapted to bring you the latest information.
Bio:
Carol Innes is a proud Noongar woman with connections to the Willmen, Whadjuk, Ballardong, and Wardandi people. She has made a significant contribution to the recognition, preservation, and advancement of Aboriginal culture, rights, and economic opportunities in Western Australia. Carol works tirelessly to raise cultural awareness and actively encourages economic opportunities for Aboriginal Western Australians. She is currently co-Chair of Reconciliation WA where she has been a board member since 2016. Her advocacy extends to preserving and advancing Aboriginal culture and health, fostering collaborations between business, government, and Indigenous communities.
Kerriann Larsen
Lead – MSP – Employment Program (WA), Australian Red Cross
Topic: Alison Cook and Kerriann Larsen will participate in an interactive presentation on Migrants In Transition: Finding Freedom.
This interactive presentation explores the continuing largest refugee crisis since WWII. Australia accepts 13,750 individuals in need of protection each year, having settled over 920,000 people since WWII.
Our country plays a key role in opportunities for people forcibly displaced. Understanding the experience of refugees and asylum seekers, in their homeland, their journey to Australia and their new life here is crucial to appreciating the barriers that block such individuals from thriving in our community.
Snapshotting the global and how it relates to the local, the session can help participants recognise how they can better engage with such migrants.
Bio: Kerriann Larsen has a PhD in history and migration laws and policies. She is passionate about human rights issues, and inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
She has worked for the Australian Red Cross for the last 5 years. She works closely with newly arrived humanitarian entrants and other migrants to open up meaningful employment pathways for their clients in order to improve their lives beyond financial stability.
Through her job she tries to understand the gaps and needs of the Australian workforce, connect with businesses with aligned values and principles, and match potential employees and businesses based on skills, career goals and business needs.
Christina Kelly
Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Chevron Australia
Topic: Designed for everyone: a workplace that supports belonging, inclusion and opportunity
Chevron Australia’s new headquarters at Gumap (Elizabeth Quay) in Perth is a flagship building in many respects. Importantly, at the forefront of design was a commitment to creating an accessible, flexible workplace that supported the varied needs of the workforce. From respecting the site’s cultural heritage to the world-class facilities and amenities – even its art program – One The Esplanade has been thoughtfully designed to encourage a sense of welcome and belonging, both now and into the future.
Christina has worked in the oil and gas sector for the majority of her career. For the past 12 years she has held a variety of roles at Chevron Australia in the Human Resources team, including Remuneration, Projects and Analytics. Prior to her appointment as Diversity and Inclusion Manager in 2023, she spent six years as a Senior HR business Partner supporting Operations, both in Perth and on site, including through the COVID response.
Christina’s appointment to Chevron’s Diversity and inclusion team aligns with her passion for creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can perform at their best.
Ted Lee
Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Advisian
Topic: A man, a motorcycle, and a truck. *A bottom-up perspective to inclusion*
Bio: In his final semester of University, Ted suffered a catastrophic accident and life as he knew it was crushed.
Since then, he has graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction.
He is now navigating life and the start of a career figuring out how to live up to the standard he has set for himself pre-accident despite physical limitations.
Jamie Lingham
Global Immigration Leader and CEO
Topic: Brett McPhee and Jamie Lingham will both participate in a Panel Discussion on Conscious Capitalism and Employment.
Australia is not immune to modern slavery. What is your organisation doing in this space? What are you really getting when you employ people from overseas? Is your consumer behaviour adding to the issue? Being legal does not equate to being ethical. Is your organisation possibly guilty exacerbating the issue? Join us in this eye-opening session for tips and tricks from Jamie and Brett, who are already making a difference in society combatting modern slavery. Audience Q and A are encouraged.
Bio: Jamie is the founder and CEO of Absolute Immigration and is a passionate and experienced immigration professional, dedicated to making a difference to people’s lives.
Over the past 21 years, Jamie and his Australasian team have guided thousands of organisations to successfully employ and retain foreign workers and ensure that Absolute Immigration remains an integral part of organisations that employ foreign workers.
Jamie takes a holistic approach to the overseas immigration and relocation process, specifically looking at ways to educate clients in order to reduce issues faced by sponsors and visa applicants moving to Australia and other destinations.
As a natural problem solver, Jamie thrives on the challenge to provide practical solutions to highly complex immigration problems.
With policies changing very quickly on a Federal and State level, he ensures he keeps his finger on the pulse!
Dr Judy Lundy
MBA Program Director, Edith Cowan University
Topic: Judy will introduce the ECU Diversity and Inclusion Capability Maturity Model (ECU D&I CMM).
Bio: Dr. Judy Lundy, MBA Director at ECU’s School of Business and Law, brings a wealth of experience in education and consulting.
With a strong presence in renowned business schools across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, she has dedicated her research to inclusion and diversity. Dr. Lundy’s passion lies in using her expertise to create adaptable and inclusive work environments.
With advanced degrees from the University of Newcastle, University of New England, and the University of Canberra, her goal is to shape future leaders who can effectively transform workplaces to accommodate diverse workforces.
Ashley McGrath
Executive Officer, CEOs for Gender Equality
Topic: Gender Equity – Lessons Learned. Just as important as understanding what’s working is learning what’s not. Hear examples from Western Australian companies on what didn’t drive gender equity impact . Apply these lessons learned to fasttrack your diversity and inclusion journey.
Bio: Ashley McGrath is a gender equity trailblazer on a mission to turn the dial in Western Australia. Ashley leads CEOs for Gender Equity, a for-purpose organisation which seeks to accelerate gender equity by inspiring and supporting CEOs to take action.
Ashley is also working on a PhD project which will increase female inclusion and diversity in the Western Australian mining industry.
Jane MacMaster
Chief Engineer, Engineers Australia
FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER MRAeS
Topic: Speaking topics include: Engineering; What is ‘engineering’ and ‘what do engineers do’?; The Future of Engineering; Engineering and Climate Change; Professional Standards in engineering and the EA Professional Standards Framework (PSF); Managing risk and pursuing opportunity with Data and AI; Registration of engineers and the co-regulation model in Australia; Ethics; The Engineering Workforce and Skills; Women in Engineering; STEM; Engineering careers; What we can do to encourage more young Australians to be engineers; Skilled Migrant engineers; Engineering education; competency and capabilities; International Engineering Alliance (IEA) and the global engineering context; international mobility of engineers; building sector reform, Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) for engineers; specific engineering disciplines and sectors (construction, infrastructure, energy, quantum, nuclear, space, technology, etc); Complexity; Integrated systems in our economy and society and cascading risk; systems thinking; complex problem solving
Bio:
Jane MacMaster has worked as an aerospace, mechanical and systems design engineer in Australia and internationally, focusing primarily on supersonic flight vehicle design, operations research and rapid prototyping and strategy in the Defence and public policy sectors.
She has previously worked as a senior advisor within the strategy unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Prior to becoming Chief Engineer at Engineers Australia, she developed a generalised approach for complex problem solving which she taught at universities across all faculties, and to staff from Commonwealth, and State and Territory government departments.
She is a director on the Board of the Australian Council of Professions.
Oral McGuire
Entrepreneur
Topic: Voices on the Voice – A Fireside Yarn
Come and hear from our expert panel: Indigenous voices and an MP to explain the constitution – on one of the most significant constitutional debates in recent history and possibly history overall – the Voice to Parliament. For the first time in 24 years Australians are heading to the polls to change the constitution. Gain a better understanding of the historical context and the societal significance. Reconciliation is crucial and public conversations are crucial to shed light on this political perspective. We acknowledge that the referendum may take place around the time of this discussion and content will be adapted to bring you the latest information.
Bio: Oral is a proud Mangarda Nyungarman man. He represents his clan groups of the Balardong, Yued, Wirlomenen adn Whadjuk noongar peoples who are the custodians and First Law Holders of these sacred lands that we all stand on.
Oral is highly engaged in Noongar politics and business & community issues, sitting as a founding Director of both the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Noongar Land Enterprises (NLE) group. Both these groups are the first of their kind nationally – NCCI as an Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and NLE as an Indigenous grower group. He is currently A/Chair and Board member of the Wheatbelt Development Commission and Board Member of the WA Regional Development Trust (both are ministerial appointments by the Minister for Regional Development). He is also the Indigenous research lead of the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country – Curtin University. Oral was a Director on the Board of SWALSC (SW Land Council) when the “Single Noongar Claim” was launched in 2004 and he was one of the appointed representatives of the Noongar Nation at the Uluru Dialogue – which presented the “Uluru Statement of the Heart” to the Australian people in 2017.
Brett McPhee
Overseas Recruitment Specialist / Chief Executive Officer, Peloton WorkReady
Topic: Brett McPhee and Jamie Lingham will both participate in a Panel Discussion on Conscious Capitalism and Employment.
Australia is not immune to modern slavery. What is your organisation doing in this space? What are you really getting when you employ people from overseas? Is your consumer behaviour adding to the issue? Being legal does not equate to being ethical. Is your organisation possibly guilty exacerbating the issue? Join us in this eye-opening session for tips and tricks from Jamie and Brett, who are already making a difference in society combatting modern slavery. Audience Q and A are encouraged.
Bio: Brett McPhee is a dynamic and influential executive with an impressive 25-year track record in international labor supply and offshoring. His entrepreneurial spirit
and passion for transforming lives have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a game-changer in the industry. As a CEO and Overseas Recruitment Specialist, Brett
has successfully supplied over 7,000 Filipino workers to countries across the globe, leaving an indelible impact on businesses and individuals alike.
With an extensive background in executive leadership, contract management, and business process improvement, Brett possesses the skills and expertise to
navigate the complexities of global talent acquisition. In a world that demands forward-thinking leaders, Brett McPhee stands out as a true visionary. With his
global perspective, unwavering dedication, commitment to ethical recruitment and entrepreneurial spirit, he continues to shape the future of labor supply and offshoring, leaving an enduring impact on the lives of individuals and the success of businesses worldwide.
“We promote equal opportunity to all applicants regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, sex, age,marital status, national origin, disability or status.”
Grace Molloy
Chief Executive Officer, Menopause Friendly Australia
Topic: Practical, simple, and inexpensive actions that workplaces can take to ensure menopausal people are included, and celebrated within workplaces.
Bio: Grace, holding dual qualifications in accounting and nursing with a Masters of Nursing Practice, is an advocate for women’s health.
She has been involved in various initiatives, such as managing the Director Pipeline Project at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and consulting for the Victorian Human Rights Commission to develop a gender policy for golf.
Grace’s experience spans commercial partnerships in industries like professional services, finance, sport, and accounting. Her dedication to evidence-based solutions for women’s health led her to contribute to medical research and work as Head of Strategy and Performance at Linear Clinical Research.
Passionate about supporting women in all stages of life, she envisions a world where they can thrive in the workplace.
Susan Kreemer Pickford
General Manager Engineers Australia, WA
Bio: A Fellow of Engineers Australia and Engineering Executive, Susan joined Engineers Australia as General Manager WA in 2015. Previously, she worked in consulting engineering culminating in senior roles in client management and industry engagement.
Susan was Project Director for the Living Smart program consultancy for the East Metropolitan Regional Council to reduce community travel, waste, water and energy use through behaviour change. Susan sits on a number of government and industry advisory committees.
She is currently Chair of Curtin University’s Science and Engineering Faculty Advisory Council, a member of the Circular Economy WA steering committee and Board member of the Gravity Discovery Centre.
Satvinder Sekhon
CFO
Panel: Religion could be very divisive when it comes to inclusion. Does it have to be? Is there a way around this? Come and explore in a rich panel discussion what is important to know about religion in the workplace, whether you are a person of faith or not. How much is what you personally believe tied to your background and identity and what role does race play in faith?
Bio: Satvinder is an experienced Financial and Management professional and has undertaken a range of senior Finance and Commercial Director Roles in Africa and Australia. Spanning over 30 years his career has included roles as Director Finance and CFO with Department of Training and Workforce Development, CFO at The Department of Culture and the Arts, Business Finance Manager at the State Library of WA, Finance Manager at National Native Title Tribunal, Finance Director at the Bunson Group of Companies and Commercial Director at AVIS Vehicle Rental. Prior to this he worked as Senior Audit Manager for Coopers and Lybrand and Audit Manager for Ernst and Young managing a range of audit clients in the East and Central African region. He has worked in many different countries and environments and has extensive experience in the Strategic Financial Management field. Satvinder is a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant (UK), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and Fellow Certified Public Accountant (Kenya). Satvinder is an Alumnus of the Leadership WA 2014 Signature Leadership Program and was selected by the Public Sector Commission to attend the Jawun Program in the Kimberley in 2016.
My practicing core values are Integrity, Respect, Fairness, Family and Community Development. Satvinder has a keen interest in mentoring and developing people from diverse backgrounds and has mentored in the organisations that he has worked in including the WA Public Sector Inter Agency Mentoring Program.
Satvinder works so he can fuel his travel habit and has visited 38 Countries and worked in over 15 of them. Satvinder is a keen hiker and has climbed Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro and jumped off the Nevis in Queenstown, the highest Bungee Jump in the World.
Satvinder loves all sport and has played many including Hockey, Soccer and Golf. He is a keen reader and likes to keep abreast of international and local affairs.
Dr Tom Verghese
Principal Cultural Synergies
Topic: “I’m Inclusive…afterall, I work in Diversity!”
Bio: Dr Tom Verghese is a trusted advisor, executive coach, consultant and principal of Cultural Synergies.
His expertise is in cultural intelligence, global leadership, conscious ageing , diversity, equity and inclusion. His latest book is Cultural Agility – A Practical Guide for Putting Cultural Intelligence into Action.
Tom holds a Masters in Education and a Doctor of Business Administration.
Tom has been an independent consultant for the last three decades.
He has worked with a broad range of multinational, national and local organisations Some of the clients he has served include BP, Shell, Honda, Autoliv, ANZ Bank, Cadbury, Novo Nordisk, AmBank, South32, Westpac, Dell EMC, Rio Tinto, Mitsubishi, Oracle, Curtin University as well as local and state governments.
Tom brings both a personal and professional fortitude to his interventions. His practical knowledge, experience and wisdom contribute to his unique consulting, speaking and coaching success.
A passionate educator, he brings a broad perspective of East and West to life as well as a refreshing candour to his interactions. Of Indian origin, he was born and raised in multi-ethnic Malaysia.
Samina Yasmeen
Director of Centre for Muslim States
Panel: Religion could be very divisive when it comes to inclusion. Does it have to be? Is there a way around this? Come and explore in a rich panel discussion what is important to know about religion in the workplace, whether you are a person of faith or not. How much is what you personally believe tied to your background and identity and what role does race play in faith?
Bio: Professor Samina Yasmeen is Director of Centre for Muslim States and Societies and Head, Department of International Relations, Asian Studies and Politics in the School of Social Sciences, the University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth. Professor Yasmeen is a specialist in political, and strategic developments in South Asia (particularly Pakistan), the role of Islam in world politics, and citizenship among immigrant women. She is the author of Jihad and Dawah: Evolving Narratives of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat ud Dawah (Hurst, 2017), and Understanding Muslim Identities: From Perceived Relative Exclusion to Inclusion (2008). She has edited Muslims in Australia: the Dynamics of Inclusion and Exclusion (2010, Melbourne University Press); and co-edited (with Nina Marković )of Muslim Citizens in the West: Spaces and Agents of Inclusion and Exclusion (2014), and with Shahram Akbarzadeh Islam and the West: Reflections from Australia (2005). She also conducted a large scale study on the Settlement Needs of Muslims living in Perth Metropolitan Area in the 1990s.
Professor Yasmeen has served on the National Consultative Committee of International Security Issues (2005–2008); the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council (AMAC) 2009-2011; the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution (2009-2011), the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) from 2011-2014, National Australia Day Council (NADC) from 2010-2017, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (2010-2016). She is currently a member of the Council for Order of Australia. She is also a Vice-President of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (WA Branch). She was awarded the 2011 WA Citizenship Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award; inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame on 8 March 2012; and was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs in November 2012. She received the Award of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2014.
Professor Yasmeen regularly contributes to local, national and international media on issues related to Islam and Muslims.
Dr Tom Verghese
Principal Cultural Synergies
Topic: “I’m Inclusive…afterall, I work in Diversity!”
Bio:Dr Tom Verghese is a trusted advisor, executive coach, consultant and principal of Cultural Synergies.
His expertise is in cultural intelligence, global leadership, conscious ageing , diversity, equity and inclusion. His latest book is Cultural Agility – A Practical Guide for Putting Cultural Intelligence into Action.
Tom holds a Masters in Education and a Doctor of Business Administration.
Tom has been an independent consultant for the last three decades.
He has worked with a broad range of multinational, national and local organisations Some of the clients he has served include BP, Shell, Honda, Autoliv, ANZ Bank, Cadbury, Novo Nordisk, AmBank, South32, Westpac, Dell EMC, Rio Tinto, Mitsubishi, Oracle, Curtin University as well as local and state governments.
Tom brings both a personal and professional fortitude to his interventions. His practical knowledge, experience and wisdom contribute to his unique consulting, speaking and coaching success.
A passionate educator, he brings a broad perspective of East and West to life as well as a refreshing candour to his interactions. Of Indian origin, he was born and raised in multi-ethnic Malaysia.