Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Claire, Director of Tech Team Whisperer, is a transformative leader guiding teams to break free from outdated norms and drive meaningful organisational change through technology and innovation. As Deputy Chair of Hunter iF, she plays a crucial role in fostering regional growth by building impactful connections and driving collaboration.

Claire Quigley

Consultant & Founder Tech Team Whisperer Director

Gemma, is a highly experienced project and management professional, Gemma excels in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and leadership within multidisciplinary teams. With a strong track record in health workforce development, Gemma has spearheaded innovative programs like "Connecting the Docs," addressing rural medical staff recruitment and retention challenges across the Loddon Mallee region.

Gemma Bilardi

Echuca Regional Health Program Manager, Connecting the Docs

Cecille is considered Australia’s foremost expert on residential energy efficiency + property value + property marketing. She has a deep understanding of the property marketing industry and the emerging property technology sector and the systems and processes which drive perceptions of value. Additionally, she has had direct experience in the research, governance and sustainability secto.

Cecille Weldon

Weldonco Advisory Director

Brett Ashby, is a proud Gamilaraay man and has decades of experience in cultural tourism, program design, community delivery, tour guiding, business support, industry mentoring, training facilitator, cultural contracting and high-level advisory, leadership, and procurement services.

Brett Ashby

Guraayurral Director

Facilitators

Megan is the Chief Executive Officer of Marathon Health, a values-driven Primary Health organisation whose mission is to provide better healthcare, closer to home. Her experience spans the health and community sectors, training and employment as well as the building and construction industry. A key strength is her ability to bring the right people together around the table to solve joint problems.

Megan Callinan

CEO Marathon Health

Oli Le Lievre is the Founder of Humans of Agriculture (HOA), a storytelling platform with a purpose to reframe Agriculture’s narrative, through authentic, human-led storytelling. We create opportunities to elevate the conversations around agriculture through the people living and breathing their extraordinary everyday.

Oli Le Lievre

Humans of Agriculture Founder

Harriet is an award-winning public relations and communications specialist who has worked with some of the world’s most well-known travel and consumer brands, enhancing their presence and helping them connect meaningfully with their audiences.

Harriet Gilmore

HR Public Relations and Events Founder

Sabiene is the CEO of the Energy Charter, a pioneering coalition of energy organizations united by a shared passion for putting customers and communities at the heart of the energy transition. With a proven track record of driving transformational change, Sabiene brings a wealth of experience from senior leadership roles in energy, telecommunications, media and legal sectors.

Sabine Heindl

The Energy Charter, CEO

Brad is a dedicated and accomplished leader with a passion for public service and community development. He has held the role of General Manager with Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC), for the past 10 years. Brad has had a successful career in local government spanning more than 17 years, and a proven track record of effective leadership.

Brad Cam

Mid-Western Regional Council General Manager

Panellists

Teresa has been with REMPLAN since 2011, she is a results-driven Principal Economist and Director of Forecasts with over 30 years of experience in analysing market trends, economic indicators, and demographic data to develop accurate population and employment forecasts.

Teresa Bullock-Smith

REMPLAN Director and Principle Economist

Josie has a passion for growing regional communities and economies through innovation, community-centric designed projects and strategic market engagement. Her well-rounded experience, although based in communication and engagement, spans destination marketing, new resident and skills attraction, event support, business development and strategic economic development.

Josie Howard

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director Regional Workforce Policy and Evidence

Brooke is a seasoned professional with deep roots in agriculture, cultivated through her upbringing on her family farm in Molong. Armed with a Bachelor of Business Management, she leverages her wealth of knowledge and passion to ignite innovative conversations in industry. Recognised for her leadership, Brooke was named a 2024 ﬁnalist for Western NSW Outstanding Young Business Leader of the year and a ﬁnalist for 2023 Charles Sturt University Young Alumni of the year.

Brooke Watts

Bralca Operations Manager

Emma is Centre Manager and Co-Director of Genstock, the longest serving sheep artificial breeding centre in Australia, specialising in expert veterinary advice. She is passionate about the sheep industry, having grown up on Uardry Merino Stud near Hay, where her father was the manager for almost 20 years.

Emma Bowman

Genstock Centre Manager and Co-Director