Speakers
Dr Akihiro Omura
Senior Lecturer in Finance, Griffith University
Dr Akihiro Omura has an extensive experience in both academic and industry research. This includes an equity analyst at two of the largest financial institutions in Japan. As the analyst, he was responsible for providing investment recommendations to institutional investors from the world. The quality of his equity research was recognised by Nikkei Veritas magazine in its Japan’s nationwide annual analyst and economist ranking. As an academic, he conducts industry and societal needs-oriented research in the field of responsible investing and natural resource economics.
Amir Ghandar FCA
Assurance and Reporting Leader, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Amir engages with Chartered Accountants and stakeholders to help shape the profession's vision on key policy decisions, represent the profession in major forums and reimagine how reporting and auditing can deliver on society's evolving needs. He is a member of the B20 ESG in Business Action Council and chairs the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Trust Initiative among other key forums.
Andeli Zuzic
Climate and Disability Justice Youth Activist
Andeli is a youth advocate whose work has primarily focused on climate and disability justice, and the intersections between these two fights. They have advocated for the rights of young people in Victoria in multiple government advisory groups, most recently as a member of the Victorian Youth Congress. Additionally, they have dedicated a large segment of their life to activism with groups such as SS4C and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, where they have been at the forefront of transforming the climate justice movement to be accessible and reflective of the intersections of the climate crisis with disability justice.
The Hon Andrew Fraser
Chancellor, Griffith University
The Hon Andrew Fraser is the University’s sixth Chancellor, and the first alumnus to hold the position. He is a professional director with a wide range of roles across the private, public and charitable sectors. Currently he serves on the boards of the major construction firm BESIX Watpac Ltd and is the Chair of the Australian Retirement Trust, the $240b fund which is the result of the merger of QSuper and Sunsuper, which Mr Fraser led as Chair of Sunsuper. He is the Chair of the charity Orange Sky Australia, and serves on two other charities, Hear and Say and Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Ltd.
Prof Andrew Macintosh
Director of Research, The Australian National University Law School
Prof Andrew Macintosh is a regulatory and environmental markets expert based at the Australian National University Law School, where he is Director of Research. He is one of Australia’s preeminent experts on environmental policy design and evaluation, particularly the design and administration of environmental markets and environmental certification schemes.
Andrew Petersen
Chief Executive Officer, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia
Andrew Petersen has been the Chief Executive Officer, Director and Company Secretary of Sustainable Business Australia (SBA) since March 2011. Since 2013 he has been a Board Director of the Banksia Foundation, and in 2016 he was appointed to the Board of Advice of the University of Sydney Business School. In 2014 Andrew secured SBA’s partnership with the world’s largest global CEO-led organisation on business sustainability, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development; throughout 2015 - 2016 was the focal point for the Australian Community Leader relationship with the Global Reporting Initiative, the world’s leading reporting standards institution, and in 2017 was appointed to the Sustainability Industry Reference Committee of the Australian Government’s Industry and Skills Committee. In 2018 the Natural Capital Coalition named SBA its Australian Focal Point; and the We Mean Business Coalition (comprising cdp, the Climate Group and WBCSD) welcomed SBA as its Australian Business Partner.
Andrew Wilson
Future Energy Development Lead, CS Energy
A senior leader with over a decade of experience, Andrew brings deep expertise in energy markets and renewable energy projects. He is passionate about solving the complex challenges and realising the many opportunities of the energy transition and is currently a Future Energy Development Lead at CS Energy. Previously, Andrew was a Director with KPMG, responsible for helping lead the multi-disciplinary energy infrastructure team and providing strategic and commercial advice to government and corporate clients across all aspects of the energy market and energy infrastructure lifecycle; and Head of Energy & Sustainability for UQ and Project Director of the $125m Warwick Solar Farm - responsible for leading the project from inception through to commercial operation.
Angus Brawley
Electrical Engineering Student, Griffith University
Angus Brawley is an aspiring engineer, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at Griffith University. He is passionate about sustainability and energy, and has experienced purposeful engaged with global climate initiatives. In 2022, Angus was one of four young Australians selected to attend the UNFCCC COP27 negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh with Global Voices. Additionally,he served as a delegate at the Inaugural Humanitarian Affairs Asia Green Summit and was recently chosen as one of forty delegates worldwide to participate in the Climate Entrepreneurship Program at New York University as part of the 28th Annual Youth Assembly.
Prof Brendan Mackey
Director, Climate Action Beacon, Griffith University
Prof Brendan Mackey leads the Climate Action Beacon which seeks to develop the knowledge, leadership, capacity and responses to enable effective and just climate action throughout society. It focuses on interdisciplinary research and cross-sectoral practice collaborations as catalysts for climate action. Brendan was Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 6th Assessment Report. He has a PhD in Ecology from The Australian National University and has authored over 300 publications in the fields of environmental science and policy.
Brett Spicer
Brett is a Sustainability Partner with over 20 years’ experience in carbon and natural capital management, sustainability due diligence, and strategic and operational planning, with proven success across a range of industry sectors. Brett has been advisor to multiple government agencies, listed and private companies, complex industrials and utilities on enterprise decarbonisation strategies, climate-related risk and scenario analysis, sustainability disclosures and renewable energy infrastructure business case development to inform investment decisions, mapping organisational transition to a net zero emissions economy and achieve commercial and sustainability objectives.
Caitlin Byrne
Pro Vice Chancellor (Business), Griffith University
Caitlin provides strategic oversight to the Griffith Business School - an institution globally recognised for the responsible business and public policy leadership in education, research and engagement. A former diplomat, and more recently, having led the Griffith Asia Institute, she is recognised as one of Australia's leading academic-practitioners with a focus on diplomatic practice. Caitlin holds a range of advisory board roles including to the Australian Government's Sports Diplomacy Advisory Council. In 2020, Caitlin was made Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (FAIIA) for her contribution to international education and Australia's engagement in the Asia-Pacific.
Cameron Balch
Director, Impact Cooperative
Cameron has a varied background of environmental expertise. He began his career as a Life Scientist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency before spending 2 years in Philippines working with rural fishing villages to develop protected areas for marine ecosystems. Upon attaining a Masters of Tourism Management in Queensland, Australia, Cameron joined EarthCheck, the world leader in certification, consulting and advisory for sustainable tourism. At EarthCheck, Cameron developed a deep understanding of decarbonization as well as becoming an expert in corporate sustainability via ESG. Most recently, Cameron launched Impact Cooperative to focus on educating and implementing ESG best practice for clients in diverse industries. He has an expertise in quantifying sustainability to measure impact as well as strong skills in stakeholder engagement and organizational implementation.
Dr Caroline Riot
Director, Games Engagement and Partnerships, Industry and External Engagement, Griffith University
Dr Riot is leading the engagement strategy for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Caroline is coordinating partnerships with key external organisations and acting as the conduit for Olympic and Paralympic related activities. In 2022, Caroline was awarded an IOC Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant to further her work in Oceania focused on advancing athlete and coach development using digital assets on the road to Brisbane 2032. In 2023, Caroline was named in the top 100 female sports innovators in the country, a testament to her work in the sporting arena. The Australian Sports Technologies Network lauded the work of Dr Caroline Riot for expertise in the areas of sports innovation, sports digital and sports technology.
Prof Cheryl Desha
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Griffith University
Prof Cheryl Desha is Theme Leader for the Cities Research Institute's 'Digital Earth and Resilient Infrastructure' research agenda, and Professor of Resilient Communities and Resilient Infrastructure. Cheryl co-leads Griffith University's Disaster Management Network and directs the Disaster and Resilience Management Facility in Griffith’s newest 6-storey AUD$70 million building ‘N79: Engineering Technology and Aviation’. She also sits on the Queensland Disaster Research Alliance as Griffith University's representative.
The Hon Chris Bowen MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Member for McMahon, Australian Labor Party.
Christian Nielsen
Executive Director, Live & Learn
Christian is the Executive Director with Live & Learn International based in Melbourne, Australia. He has over 30 years experience in the spheres of climate change program leadership and design, governance and public policy, management and planning, monitoring and evaluation, capacity development, strategic planning, facilitation of dialogue with local, subnational and national governments, community engagement, network development and strengthening, partnership building, analysis of development outcomes. Throughout his career Christian has consulted for the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, Australian Agency for International Development, New Zealand Aid, European Union, United National Development Program, United Nations Children’s Fund, World Wide Fund for Nature and numerous government departments in developing countries most of these Pacific Islands Countries.
Prof Christoph Nedopil Wang
Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University
Prof Christoph Nedopil is also a Visiting Professor at Fanhai International School of Finance, Fudan University, Shanghai, and a Visiting Faculty at Singapore Management University. Christoph regularly provides advisory to governments, financial institutions, enterprises, and civil society to accelerate the application of sustainable finance. He is the lead author of the UNDP SDG Finance Taxonomy, the Innovative Climate Finance Solutions report for the G20 in Indonesia, and the Green Development Guidance of the BRI Green Development Coalition under the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Dave Copeman
Director, Queensland Conservation Council
Dave is an experienced campaigner and community organiser who has spent 20+ years organising for social change in Queensland. He has been the Director of Queensland Conservation Council since 2021, and loves to push Queensland to be a climate and biodiversity leader, not a laggard. He was the founding lead organiser of the Queensland Community Alliance, and before that has worked as a union, human rights and pro-democracy campaigner and a political advisor. Dave's family have worked for generations to protect Queensland's natural wonders as environmental activists. He is committed to building people power to change Queensland and lives in Brisbane with his partner and two kids.
David Carter
RACQ Group CEO since 2020 following a long career in financial services with Suncorp and ANZ. David is a director of the Australian Automobile Association, Australian Motoring Services and several RACQ group entities.
David Putland
Principal Scientist, Qld Department of Environment and Science
Dave is in the Climate Projections and Services team in the Department of Environment and Science and the Climate Science Knowledge Broker for Queensland within the Climate Systems Hub (National Environmental Science Program). The focus of the Knowledge Broker role is to help connect people with climate change data, information and services to support policy development, risk assessments and adaptation decision-making. Dave came to this role with a background in climate adaptation policy and programs, including the development of the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy. Dave has held policy roles in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Biosecurity Queensland and agriculture industry bodies, in addition to research positions with universities.
David Rissik
Partner, Sustainability & Climate Change Risk Advisory, Deloitte
David is a Risk Advisory Partner at Deloitte focusing on climate change, natural hazards and their management. David brings over 25 years of climate change adaptation and environment management expertise, and has significant experience undertaking risk assessments at a variety of scales and using these to underpin adaptation planning. David works with clients to support them to establish appropriate governance and supportive structures and processes to enable effective risk management. He has developed a variety of bespoke tools and resources to underpin risk assessment by various sectors and his teams have worked to deliver risk assessments for a variety of clients including all levels of government.
The Hon Dianne Farmer
The Current Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice: 18 May 2023.
Emily Low
Technical Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Advisory, Mott MacDonald
Emily is a proven Sustainability Leader with 25 years’ experience working across buildings, precincts and infrastructure projects. Emily’s experience spans local government, state government secondment roles and private consultancy in both the UK and Australia. Emily is a strategic thinker who likes to work at the nexus of infrastructure, biodiversity and climate resilience. She has a background in strategic environmental planning and provides strategic advice to support clients on corporate strategy, planning policy and business case projects as well as through the entire project lifecycle.
Georgine Roodenrys
Circular Economy, Sustainability, Management Consulting, Climate Change, Policy Decarbonisation, Leader, Deloitte
Georgine Roodenrys is an industry expert in energy and climate change policy. She is a Partner with Deloitte leading their national Circular Economy practise. She has over 20 years' experience working in energy and climate projects in Australia, NZ and the Middle East including Hydrogen Power Abu Dhabi, the Queensland Land Restoration Fund and the Adelaide Solar City. Up until recently she was the Executive Director of Climate Change & Sustainable Futures at the Qld Department of Environment and Science and responsible for delivering the Queensland Climate Action Plan 2020-2030.
Gobind Kalsi
Director, Climate Change Strategy & Accountability, Qld Department of Environment and Science
Gobind drives whole-of-government policy development, implementation and accountability for the Queensland Climate Action Plan. Prior to this role, Gobind specialised in environment and planning approvals for energy, resource, infrastructure and renewable projects.
Prof Iain MacKenzie
Professor of Practice, Disaster Management, Griffith University
Drawing on his experiences as Deputy Commissioner of Fire & Rescue Services, Queensland’s inaugural Inspector-General Emergency Management, and having led reviews into some of the Nation’s largest natural disasters, Prof Iain MacKenzie is passionate about improving outcomes for people and their communities through improved research, education and policy. .
Prof Ivan Diaz-Rainey
Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Griffith University
Prof Ivan Diaz-Rainey is a leading international expert in climate and sustainable finance. His research expertise includes climate finance, carbon markets, energy finance, banking, financial regulation, green Fintech and energy and environmental policy. He has conducted research, policy and consultancy work for a number of organisations.
Dr Jacqui Robertson
Lecturer, Griffith Law School
Jacqui has over two decades of experience working as a legal practitioner in private practice advising mining and extractive industry companies on environmental and planning law. Prior to joining the Griffith Law School (where she teaches planning law and company law), she spent a number of years in an in-house legal role with the Queensland Government. Her experience has been primarily advisory work relating to the extractive industries (petroleum, gas, mining, and quarries), and water governance. Her PhD focusses on governance mechanisms for sustainably managing water in the resources industry.
Jeremy Mansfield OAM
Director, Green Cross Australia
Jeremy Mansfield is the Board Chair of Green Cross Australia. Green Cross Australia educates and empowers Australians to become more resilient to our changing environment. For more than a decade Jeremy has supported activities for practical climate adaptation and resilience measures for the built environment and communities. Jeremy has 32 years’ experience in the construction industry and the last 16 years as Sustainability Manager with significant knowledge and experience in sustainability as well as project management, design, planning and construction of public and private works and is an Adjunct Industry Fellow of Griffith University.
John Clarke
Research Team Leader – Regional Projections Regional Climate Intelligence Group, CSIRO
John has worked at CSIRO since 2009. He brings a range of experience from previous roles, having been a camera operator in the Australian news media, a national park ranger in central Australia, and a conservation ecologist managing endangered species in Queensland. John has a passion for ensuring the vital research undertaken by the climate science community is used to inform real world decisions.
Prof John Hewson AM
Climate Ready Initiative Advisory Board Member
Prof Hewson has worked for The Australian Treasury, the IMF, the Reserve Bank, the UN, and often advises senior public servants. He was a Founder of Macquarie Bank and Chairman ABN Amro Australia. He is Patron of the Smart Energy Council, and Chair on the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, BioEnergy Australia, and the Commission for the Human Future, among others. John has also served as Advisor/Chief of Staff to two Federal Treasurers and Prime Minister, and as Leader of the Liberal Party, and of the Federal Coalition, in Opposition. In addition to being a weekly columnist for The Saturday Paper, Prof Hewson has also been active in charities and not-for-profits including the National Standing Committee for Energy and the Environment, and as an Ambassador for Women for Election Australia.
Joshua Cooney
General Manager of Advocacy,RACQ
Josh has more than 20 years’ experience working in many areas of public policy across different levels of Government as well as financial services. He values the insurance sector for the financial security it brings to individuals and the broader economy but believes climate change coupled with a long legacy of poor development and poor construction present major threats to the industry’s sustainability. As such, he is a big believer in greater adaptation and resilience. Josh’s current role of General Manager Advocacy supports RACQ’s multiple lines of business including insurance, banking, motoring and energy. He believes all sectors have a critical role to play in supporting Queensland and Australia’s transition to net zero.
Kate Donnelly
Manager, Corporate Engagement and Policy, Investor Group on Climate Change
Kate is a Manager of Corporate Engagement and Policy at the Investor Group on Climate Change, where she works with institutional investors through the Climate Action 100+ initiative to drive Paris-aligned decarbonisation at some of the largest corporate emitters in Australia. Kate also leads IGCC's just transition work, which aims to ensure a fair and orderly economic transition for affected workers and communities. Kate has previously worked on international climate policy under the UNFCCC and women's rights programs across the South Pacific region. Kate holds a Master of Climate Change from ANU and a Bachelor of Laws from QUT.
Assoc Prof Kerrie Foxwell Norton
School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science, Griffith University
Kerrie Foxwell-Norton is an Associate Professor of Environmental Communication and Theme Leader: Motivation for Climate Action in the Griffith Climate Action Beacon. She has specific expertise in community-based research related to environmental issues and conflict, exploring the role of communication in enabling or not, progress and change. Her extensive project experience traverses all levels of Australian government, to focussed work in regional and remote communities, including First Nations communities.
Dr Kimberly Camrass
Director Climate Positive Brisbane 2032 and Climate Futures
Dr Kimberly Camrass is a sustainability professional with a PhD in Regenerative Futures for Urban Precincts. She has extensive experience in the development and implementation of policy, strategy and programs to achieve positive environmental, social and governance outcomes. Kimberly also specialises in stakeholder engagement, regenerative place-making and strategic foresight. In her current role as Director Climate Positive Brisbane 2032 and Climate Futures, Kimberly leads a team delivering on the carbon and procurement sustainability commitments made for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her team also implements a range of policies, programs and partnerships to drive Queensland's transition to a net zero, climate resilient economy, including through cross sector collaborations. Kimberly is also engaged in strategic foresight work with academic partners globally to drive innovative thinking around regeneration and sustainability.
Laura Harkins-Small
Principal Social Sustainability Advisor, Mott MacDonald
Laura brings 15 years experience worked with communities, business and government across the resource, infrastructure, utilities, finance, and not-for-profit sector to build trust, shared value and lasting, transformational impact. She is currently Principal Social Sustainability Advisor at Mott MacDonald and is passionate about making systems work better for people and the planet to achieve a net-zero, resilient and inclusive future.
Linda Ryle LLB
First Nations Equity Advocate & Mediator, Culturally Principled Practitioner
Linda M. Ryle is a Kamilaroi (pron: Cam ill a roy ) and Birrigubba (pron: Birri gubba) Lawyer and Nationally Accredited Mediator. Linda’s Mediation Practice specialises in First Nations decision making, conflict management and Cultural Values Alignment. Linda has been professionally engaged in First Nation’s Justice Affairs for 35 years. Linda is the Executive and Managing Director of CALM Australia. CALM – Cultural Advocacy & Legal Mediation, an Intersectional Cultural Change Agency, 100% Established, Directed and Driven by First Nations Women. The CALM Consulting Team expertly manages your Professional needs, from Executive Coaching, Cultural Intelligence Training and Cultural Values Alignment, Governance founded in Cultural Due Diligence, Cultural Safety Audits and Strategy Development.
Prof Mark Howden
Director, Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, The Australian National University
Prof Mark Howden is an an Honorary Professor at Melbourne University, a Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is the Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council. Mark has worked on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption issues for over 30 years. He has been a major contributor to the IPCC since 1991, with roles in the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and now Seventh Assessment Reports, sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with other IPCC participants and Al Gore.
Dr Melissa Jackson
Melissa is a ‘pracademic’ and transdisciplinary research fellow and has almost 20 years experience in government energy utilities, consulting and applied sustainability research. Melissa’s research contributes to practical outcomes and social change in the fields of community climate resilience, working at the nexus of climate mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development.
Michael Wright
National Secretary, Electrical Trades Union
Since joining the Electrical Trades Union in 2007, Michael has represented electrical workers across Australia and the region. He is committed to advancing members’ rights and ending the scourge of asbestos. Michael is passionate about vocational education and the transformative effect it can have on workers’ lives.
MJ Bellotti
MJ’s executive career spans 25 years. She brings deep expertise in business and people strategy, corporate affairs (reputation, stakeholder, and risk management), marketing, and sustainability. Her experience includes highly regulated and competitive industries - financial services, mining, construction, and industrial manufacturing. Prior to joining RACQ, MJ was the Chief Development Officer at BESIX Watpac. Today she is the Chief Purpose Officer at RACQ, Australia’s most trusted brand. She is passionate about growing businesses, building relationships, developing talent, enhancing brand value and driving positive change that delivers tangible results. MJ studied International Marketing at Stanford University, completed an MBA from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is guest lecturer at UQ, QUT and the Centre for Corporate Affairs and a former director of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Prof Nick Barter
Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith University
Nick is Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at Griffith Business School in BNE. Completing his doctorate at the University of St Andrews, his career has spanned industry and academia. Strategy consulting with EY, to leading the Griffith MBA, to advising organizations on moving past myopic approaches.
Patrick Hastings
Chief Delivery and Capability Officer, Infrastructure Sustainability Council
Patrick Hastings is an accomplished and results-driven sustainability executive with expertise in stakeholder engagement, ESG strategy and reporting, and award-winning partnerships. Patrick leads the IS Ratings Delivery, Sustainability, and Training functions, driving and assuring social, cultural, environmental, and economic outcomes in infrastructure projects across Australia and New Zealand. With a passion for creating a future where organisations, Government and communities assess and manage assets through a more holistic lens, Patrick is tenacious and unwavering is his pursuit to leave a legacy for his family and society.
Paul Dobson
Paul is a recognised expert on non-financial reporting, sustainability reporting, greenhouse gas emissions reporting and assurance, carbon pricing and Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in Australia. Paulworks with business and the public sector to help them manage their most strategic risks and take real action on the opportunities emanating from climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), a Registered Greenhouse and Energy Auditor (Category 1 and Category 2 (Audit Team Leader)), is GRI Certified and trained by CSIRO in climate models.
Adj Prof Rod Welford
Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith University
Adjunct Prof Rod Welford is an Honorary Professor in Griffith’s Department of Business Strategy and Innovation. Rod is a thought leader and strategist in energy, sustainability, and strategic policy. Originally trained as a lawyer, he practised as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and a barrister of the High Court of Australia. He is a former Queensland Government Attorney General, Minister for Environment and Heritage, and Minister for Natural Resources.
Prof Rosemary Addis AM
Chair, Climate Ready Initiative Advisory Board
Rosemary is a globally recognised leader and strategist at the forefront of innovation and investment for impact. She has an international portfolio anchored around her role as Founding Managing Partner of Mondiale Impact; appointments as Enterprise Professor Impact, Sustainability & Innovation at University of Melbourne and Industry Professor, Finance at University College London. Her 35+-year track record spans sectors, disciplines and geographies and shaping and growing impact markets, social innovations, innovative investment vehicles and global standards. Rosemary is widely published, her work is the subject of international case studies and she has advised and collaborated with leaders from the World Banking Group, United Nations Development Programme, OECD Social Impact Investing Initiative, the World Economic Forum, Australian Government, major banks, institutional investors, corporations, foundations and governments and leading institutions including Oxford University, Duke University and Harvard Kennedy School.
Seán Kennedy
Seán was a producer for over 15 years, working across childrens and factual programming at Network 10, as well as travel and lifestyle formats at Network 7. Aside from a decade of producing content for broadcast TV, he has worked extensively in the commercial production space, producing advertising campaigns and online content for agencies, corporate and government clients. Seán also spent over 2 years collectively in Indonesia where he founded a community based not-for-profit organisation which works across agroforestry, conservation and ecotourism development. He is now a senior media advisor for the Climate Council, working in the Climate Media Centre department, with a focus on the Queensland media landscape.
Songwoman Maroochy
Songwoman Maroochy is the Songwoman and Law-woman of the Turrbal People, the original inhabitants of Brisbane, and the Dippil people of the Sunshine Coast area. She is a direct descendant of Daki Yakka – Chief of the Old Brisbane tribe. Songwoman Maroochy is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne and is an internationally-renowned opera singer. She was the first Australian to perform at the United Nations in New York in 1993 in honour of the International Year for the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
Dr Stephen Billett
Professor of Adult and Vocational Education, Griffith University
Dr Stephen Billett is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. He has worked as a vocational educator, educational administrator, teacher educator, professional development practitioner and in policy development in the Australian vocational education system and as a teacher/researcher at Griffith University. Since 1992, he has researched learning through and for work and published widely in fields of learning of occupations, workplace learning, work and conceptual accounts of learning for vocational purposes. He was awarded a Fulbright scholar, National Teaching Fellow, recipient of honorary doctorates from Jyvaskala University (Finland) and University of Geneva, and elected Fellow Academy of Social Sciences of Australia.
Prof Susan Harris Rimmer
Director, Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub
Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is the Director of the Griffith University Policy Innovation Hub, which helps policy-makers solve problems through evidence based collaboration with multidisciplinary experts. Sue leads the Climate Justice theme of the Griffith Climate Action Beacon. She is a member of the Law Futures Centre and the Griffith Asia Institute. Sue was previously the Director of Studies at the ANU Asia Pacific College for Diplomacy. She was Advocacy lead at the Australian Council for International Development. She has also worked for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the National Council of Churches, Attorney-General's Department and the Parliamentary Library.
Suzanne Thompson
Suzanne Thompson – is very proud of her ancestral bloodlines, and brimming with knowledge of her culture, Australian history, and innovative ways to share her passions with others in a respectful and contemporary way. With 30 years working in both the government and community sectors Suzanne found herself following in her cultural footsteps as a pioneer for social and economic empowerment, trade, and indigenous self-determination. She is Founder and Managing Director of Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC) which manages a 22,000 Acre Property in Outback Central Western Queensland. She is currently fostering support and investment for nature-based economies, including Indigenous Land Management, Carbon Farming and First Foods & Medicines, and the recognition, protection, and renumeration of indigenous intellectual knowledge by industry, the vision to establish the Turraburra Research Institute with YACHATDAC’s university partners and key stakeholders.
Terri Butler
Climate Ready Initiative Advisory Board Member
Terri Butler is the President of the Smart Energy Council, the independent body for the Australian smart energy industry, and Chair of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Alliance of Australia and New Zealand, working to decarbonise aviation. She is on the board of the MTA Institute, a private provider of apprenticeships and training in a sector undergoing transformation due to decarbonisation. Terri was shadow environment minister in the Albanese opposition and previously a lawyer in private practice. She has a private consultancy practice in policy and advocacy.
Virginia Young
For the past 5 years, Virginia contributed through the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society, to an international research project on primary forests lead by Griffith University. Working with global science leaders to understand forest ecosystem dynamics and the importance of ecosystem integrity and stability for carbon retention, climate mitigation and adaptation. Her work is focused on the nexus between biodiversity and climate change and its relevance to international policy arenas, notably the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Sustainable Development GOals (SDGs) - all of which set the rules, targets and frameworks at a domestic level. Her voluntary roles include, Chair of Gondwanalink Ltd, Board member of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, Wilderness Australia and the US based Partnership for Policy Inyegrity. She is a member of IUCNs Climate Specialist Group of the World Commission on Protected Areas and is a member of the IUCN Task Force on ‘Primary Forests including Intact Forest Landscapes.
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