BIOGRAPHIES OF PRESENTERS AND SESSION CHAIRS AT ENERGY INNOVATION X-CHANGE 2022

 

Milan Bawa
Market Development Manager, Food & Beverage - Siemens, Digital Industries

Milan leads the Food & Beverage (F&B) vertical for Siemens. His main responsibilities are business and market development; positioning of Siemens in the key F&B projects; value creation through consulting & advisory; educating the
customers on applicability of I4.0 & digitalization; and leveraging key trends of the F&B industry to develop thought & technology leadership.

 

Milan’s technical expertise include (but are not restricted to): industrial & process automation, motion control, internet-of-things,
and developing plant-wide integration strategy for data extraction, visualization & analytics. Furthermore, Milan has in-depth understanding of corporate finance - supported by his learnings of different marketing strategies and outside-the-box thinking.

 

Previously, Milan has undertaken various technical and business roles across the industrial automation landscape, including application engineering, product management, and business development; focusing on the eco-system of the end-users, such as consultants, system integrators, panel builders, and machine manufacturers. Milan has completed an Entrepreneurship course with ESMT Berlin; he also holds an MBA from AGSM@UNSW Business School, along with diploma in Project Management from University of South Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Sydney.

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Nicolette Boele
Expert Advisor - Electrification of Everything, Smart Energy Council

Nicolette Boele is a responsible investment and clean energy executive with more than 25 years' experience in capital markets, sustainability, and climate change policy. Her professional interest lies in building purpose into finance, growing just, social, and equitable capitals to underpin resilient and sustainable economies.

 

She has held executive roles at the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, The Climate Institute, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. She has also worked to better climate outcomes at the Australian Conservation Foundation, Investor Group on Climate Change, and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority. She is a Non-executive Director at The Good Car Company, a member of the Climate Impact Advisory Committee for New Zealand’s Climate Venture Capital Fund and Expert Adviser, Electrification of Everything to the Smart Energy Council.

 

Nicolette was Bradfield’s community independent candidate in the 2022 federal election which enjoyed one of the largest primary vote swings against a sitting member, anywhere in the country. Keen to demonstrate what true representation can be like, she has declared she will stand again for election in 2025.

 

Andrew Caseley
Chief Executive, Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA)

Andrew has been the Chief Executive at EECA since 2017. Previously he was the NZ Managing Director for MWH (now Stantec), a global engineering and environmental consultancy, and CEO of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for 13 years. Andrew has a commerce degree with an accounting major and is a Companion Member of the Institute of Professional Engineers.

 

Taryn Cornell

Senior Manager – Strategy and Development, Green Building Council of Australia

Taryn’s role at the GBCA includes the development of Green Star Future Focus which is driving the built environment to decarbonise and move to a climate positive future. Taryn and her team have recently launched the new version of Green Star Performance and Practical Guides for Electrification, and is currently working on Green Star Communities, a discussion paper for grid integrated buildings and a modelling guide for upfront carbon. Prior to joining the GBCA, Taryn worked for over a decade in interior and architectural design specialising in high-end hospitality and residential work, with many years’ on-site project experience.

 

Michael Cox

APAC Director of Sustainability Consulting
Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business.

Michael leads the development and delivery of sustainability services to enable customers to achieve decarbonisation, sustainability, ESG and resource efficiency goals. Michael spent the last 25 years driving sustainability outcomes across the technology, commercial property management, consulting, government, manufacturing, mining, and engineering sectors

 

Michael is committed to enabling commercial and industrial businesses to deliver truly world changing sustainability outcomes.

Mike Davis
Managing Director, Optimal Renewable Gas

Mike is responsible for accelerating the delivery of 15 grid-scale renewable gas projects across Australia over the next 10 years.

 

Mike commenced his career as a weapon’s electrical engineering officer with the Royal Australian Navy before transitioning to the energy sector. Mike has over 15 years of energy infrastructure experience developed across gas-fired power generation and gas transmission, distribution, underground gas storage as well as green hydrogen and biomethane. Mike holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Business and Technology.

 

Scott Edwards

Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia

Scott leads the development and implementation of sustainability programmes and strategic partnerships across Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia by driving the implementation of the This Is Forward sustainability strategy and coordination of all sustainability initiatives in close partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, across all markets and with brand partners Beam Suntory and Monster Energy.

 

He supports the Australian business’s commercial agenda by overseeing strategic partnerships with customers and acting as a subject matter expert to support customer engagement building proactive engagement strategies and represents the business amongst senior level sustainability stakeholders, on relevant trade associations and sustainability thinktanks and by speaking at conferences and conducting media interviews. He works with Public Affairs and Communications and CCEP Australia’s Sales Directors to refresh and drive customer communications and engagement on all CCEP Australia sustainability topics.

 

He’s been with CCEP for the last 18 years and worked in various supply chain functions in FMCG for the last 22 years. A recovering engineer he lives and works in Sydney and revels in the constant evolution of technologies, innovations and change in the sustainability space.

 

Liz Fletcher

Board Member, Energy Efficiency Council (Marketing and Communications Expert)

Over the last 15+ years, Liz has worked across the energy ecosystem: generation (Griffin Power), networks (TransGrid), retail (Flow Power, Elgas + Shell) and consulting (Pacific Environment). Today she partners with innovative energy organisations such as EnergyCo, the Energy Security Board, Birdwood Energy and many more. Each role is building toward renewable energy uptake and a net zero economy.

 

Liz wears many hats including as the Marketing and Communications expert on the board of the Energy Efficiency Council.

 

Mark Gjerek

Director and Principal Consultant, MOV3MENT

Mark Gjerek is Director and Principal Consultant at MOV3MENT – company he founded to accelerate the shift to sustainable vehicles and fuels. After an early career in the auto industry, he has spent more than 15 years advising on policies and programs to reduce the costs and community impacts of transport vehicles. Many of these projects have involved working directly with fleets to manage their cars, trucks, buses and rollingstock. His current projects are focussed on supporting governments to transition to zero emission vehicles.

 

Nathan Gore-Brown
Senior Consultant (Electromobility Lead), MOV3MENT

Nathan is an electric vehicle specialist having joined MOV3MENT directly from a leadership role with Tesla. His projects include many EV fleet strategies for councils and state governments; fleet optimisation for freight carriers; and coordinating the Tasmanian government Smarter Fleets EV government program. He is also working across multiple electric bus projects in Queensland. Nathan has a rich history of senior roles in the international automotive industry including Aston Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, and Caterpillar. He brings critical insight on why and how to execute change, based on broad and deep experience in vehicle servicing, engineering, business planning, product management and vehicle dealer operations. Nathan is an engineer with a rare combination of technical know-how and people skills.

 

Peter Haenke

Investment Manager, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Peter is a mechanical and environmental engineer with over 30 years experience assisting organisations to identify and capture the opportunities in the transition to a low carbon economy.

 

Throughout his career, Peter has gained perspectives from the corporate, consulting and government agency perspectives across a diverse range of sectors including the mining, manufacturing, property, transport and energy sectors in Australia and abroad. He brings these perspectives together to provide engineering and business insights to the challenges of rapid decarbonisation.

 

Most recently at ARENA, Peter has provided technical and strategic guidance to ARENA for decarbonisation projects in sectors as diverse as: alumina refining, iron & steel production, food and beverage manufacturing, and aquatic centres, amongst others.

 

Mark Hammond    

Chief Technical Officer, Truck Industry Council

Mark Hammond is an engineer with over thirty years experience in the heavy vehicle industry. Roles over this time include, Test and Compliance Engineer at Land Rover Australia (Defence Group), Compliance and Product Support Manager at Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Australia, Product Planning and Engineering Manager at UD Trucks Australia, then Asia/Pacific Product Manager for UD Trucks Japan.  Mark assumed the role of Chief Technical Officer at the Truck Industry Council (TIC) in November 2013.

 

TIC is the peak industry body for truck manufacturers and importers in Australia, providing technical input towards design rule and vehicle standards, as well as promoting policies to government that emphasise the safety and environmental benefits of Today’s Trucks.

 

Mark has been a keen supporter of safety and environmental regulations for trucks in Australia, participating in numerous industry workgroups and consultation committees for new and revised Australia Design Rules (ADRs). Mark has an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the NSW University of Technology.

 

Mark Hardwick

Project Manager, Hardwicks

Mark Hardwick is an engineering and project manager with experience across food manufacturing, water and wastewater treatment, food services, transport, and livestock management.

 

He has been involved in the expansion and development of Hardwick’s Meatworks, a red meat processor, in Kyneton over a 20-year period, managing most of the major capital improvements for the facility. Mark is extremely adept at delivering projects to meet business objectives, always looking for a more effective and intelligent way to meet requirements.

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Mark is experienced at making financial and operational decisions with a passion for driving business success. He is a qualified mechanical engineer with competencies in design, project delivery, financial management, sub-contractor management, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning.

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Kylie Hargreaves

Chair, Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity

Kylie is an experienced diplomat, policy maker, non executive director and private consultant with a track record for solving difficult challenges. Kylie is the Chair of Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP),  a Beachhead Advisor for the New Zealand Government and a member of the Expert Panel for the NSW Government’s Small Business Innovation & Research Program. Previously, she was also Chair of Australian Ocean Energy Group and has been an active board member of numerous economic development bodies for more than two decades.

 

Kylie was Australia’s Trade & Investment Commissioner for Austrade in the UK, USA and Spain and was Deputy Secretary for numerous portfolios in the NSW Government, including the highly regulated sectors of Resources and Energy.  Since leaving Government, Kylie has also established a successful private consultancy business, working to advance critical NSW infrastructure projects, including in the energy space. A NSW Finalist in the 2017 Telstra Business Women’s Awards, Kylie is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has an Honours degree in International Business Relations.

 

Lauren Hewitt
CEO, Queensland Transport & Logistics Council

Lauren has demonstrated ability to liaise, interpret and mediate between parties facing critical environmental challenges. This has included work in project development for Queensland’s energy producers as well as General Manager Policy at Queensland’s peak agricultural body, AgForce achieving landmark legislative reform and private and public negotiations on behalf farmers. 

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In 2015, Lauren was awarded Queensland Rural Woman of the Year in recognition of her impact and leadership skills. Lauren applies her skills considering and improving the efficiency and footprint of the freight sector as CEO of the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council. When not thinking about how to solve problems for members and their industries, raising some active and inquisitive children, beekeeping and tending to the family farm keeps her busy (though not necessarily in that order).

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Matthew Hingerty

Deputy Chairman, Deputy CEO and Head of Business Development, Star Scientific Ltd

Matthew Hingerty is responsible for Star Scientific's Communications, Public Relations, Government Relations and Business Development. Matthew has worked in Australian politics and government and has led and chaired various trade-related associations. He has a passion for cost-effective industry policy, sustainable economic development and the energy transition.

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Jarrod Leak

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity

As CEO of A2EP, Jarrod is focussed on taking energy productivity in Australia to the next level by building on A2EP’s reputation for innovative programs and engagement. A2EP will continue to build awareness of the economic, productivity and environmental benefits of investing in energy productivity and to support the success of currently available innovative technologies, as well as looking further afield for the next generation of developments.

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Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister was sworn in as Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy on 1 June 2022.​​​

 

Senator Jenny McAllister is an Australian Labor Party Senator for the state of New South Wales and Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy in the Albanese Labor Government.

 

Jenny is passionate about economic change for a just society, creating opportunities for community participation in politics, working towards gender equality and taking action to reduce our emissions and build a low carbon economy.

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Tina Perinotto

Managing Editor, The Fifth Estate

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Tina Perinotto is managing editor, publisher and founder of The Fifth Estate, an on-line newspaper for green buildings and sustainable cities, established in 2009. The publication has become essential reading for business people, investors, designers, consultants, government officials and politicians working towards a more sustainable the built environment.

 

The Fifth Estate holds thought leadership and interactive events designed to stimulate faster sustainable transformation in the built environment. Key messages from events and related content are typically collated in ebooks distributed to all readers.

 

Tina has also spoken at and facilitated a number of industry events. She previously worked as a senior writer at the AFR and edited Property Australia magazine and holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Monash University.

 

Bruce Precious
Principal Consultant, Six Capitals Consulting

Bruce has been at the forefront of sustainability in the built environment sector for over 20 years working with government and property businesses to transform how the property industry responds to climate change.  Bruce is a Mechanical Engineer, member of AIRAH and is now Principal Consultant at Six Capitals Consulting.

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Bruce spent 10 years as Sustainability Manager at GPT, one of Australia’s leading property owners, developers and managers.  During this time Bruce also chaired both the City of Sydney’s Better Building Partnership and the Property Council of Australia (PCA) Sustainability Roundtable. As Principal Consultant for Six Capitals Consulting, Bruce works with the property industry to develop sustainable strategies that build financial, environmental, built, intellectual, social and human capital. 
 

Alison Reeve

Climate Change and Energy Deputy Program Director, Grattan Institute

Alison has two decades of experience in climate change, clean energy policy, and technology, in the private, public, academic, and not-for-profit sectors.

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Alison was previously the General Manager of Project Delivery at the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University. She led development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy in 2019, as well as Commonwealth policy for offshore wind, energy innovation, energy efficiency, and structural adjustment.

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Alison has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Public Policy with distinction from the Australian National University.

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Bronwyn See
Senior Business Development Manager, AGL

An Internationally recognised business developer who converts partnerships into market leading and innovative opportunities. With 20 years’ experience in the LNG, gas and power industry, Bronwyn has worked to commercialise gas and renewable energy industry projects in Australia and within the Asian region. Bronwyn was recently a finalist in the Global Gas Awards for her work on renewable energy to renewable gas, Bronwyn has originated several green hydrogen and ammonia projects. These opportunities form part of a wider eco-industrial renewable energy precinct strategy to be located at AGL’s retiring thermal generation sites. Bronwyn is an awarded speaker and is passionate about bringing on new projects and opportunities to support the energy transition.

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Alex Sommer

Sustainable Technologies Manager, Lion

Alex joined Lion last year as the Sustainable Technologies Manager with the remit to drive the achievement of Lion's zero carbon strategy, water stewardship and circular economy commitments.

 

Alex would describe himself as a sustainability practitioner who just can’t help himself when it comes to getting stuck into the issues business, government and individuals face with our changing climate.  He enjoys unearthing the shared-value in the solutions to these challenges from first principles.

 

As a life-long student of engineering and commerce, having worked across start-ups, not-for-profit, peak industry bodies, corporate, government, and now deep diving in manufacturing, delivering sustainability strategies, projects and R&D through to capital projects, partnerships and even a stint working on a production line, he is good for a chat about anything and everything.

 

Just a guy with open eyes trying to save the planet one beer at a time.

Jeff Smit

General Manager, Strategy and Business Development

Jeff is a director and General Manager of Strategy at DETA, a purpose led decarbonisation consultancy focused on delivering 2MT of emissions reduction annually by 2030. Jeff and his team consults to a wide range of industrial businesses to develop and deliver strategies and projects, as well as holistic advice to government on behalf of business. He has led numerous innovative decarbonisation projects, including the development and delivery of 16MW of High Temperature Heat Pumps, and the world’s first geothermal methane turbine generation project in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand. Jeff has three young children, and is driven to use his skills and influence to give them the best future possible.

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Tim Stock
Director Hydrogen and Clean Energy programs, Office of Energy and Climate Change, NSW Treasury

Tim Stock has over 15 years of commercial and government experience in the clean energy industry in Australia and abroad. Currently he is the Director Hydrogen and Clean Energy programs at the Office of Energy and Climate Change within NSW Treasury, where he is leading the development and implementation of the $3Billion NSW Hydrogen Strategy.  Tim also leads several other government-led sustainable and renewable energy initiatives and is also the chair of the National GreenPower Accreditation program.

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Aunty Glendra Stubbs
Elder-in-residence, University of Technology, Sydney
A Wiradjuri woman, her mob originates from the Mudgee/Dubbo and Narrandera area. She has been the UTS Elder-in-Residence for about seven months, taking over from the recently retired, exceptional Aunty Joan Tranter, who was in the role for seven years. As the Elder-in-Residence she plays a significant cultural, knowledge sharing, mentoring and social role for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; aimed at enhancing Indigenous student retention and success. She represents UTS through community engagement initiatives and contributes to the wellbeing of Indigenous staff and students by being available to meet with them and provide cultural support. 

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She has 40 years of experience providing advice and practical assistance to survivors of trauma. And has a long experience in supporting families and working through the issues that arise from out-of-home care. Aunty Glendra has worked with a number of state and national bodies including as an Aboriginal Engagement Advisor for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the National Stolen Generations Alliance, and Metro Migrant Resource Centre. She also has been the Aunty in Residence at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern for nine years. 

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Poya Tabrizi

Systems Assurance Engineer | Future Mobility, Customer Strategy and Technology, Transport for NSW

His primary focus is delivering the autonomous vehicle trial framework for all automated vehicle (AV) trials in NSW with a focus on systems, safety, and quality. His work with the future mobility team extends beyond AVs, as he continues to support the development of the future mobility testing and research center, provide input into the national AV policy and legislation, and support Transport for NSW work in Electric Vehicle charging among others. Poya envisions AVs becoming an integral aspect of our transport eco-system by offering the community and organisations a safer and more efficient means of transport.

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Poya’s previously worked for over 10 years in industrial automation, traffic systems, and robotics in the private sector, delivering high-value and complex projects for a range of clients including government. In his spare time, he likes to build autonomous drones and invent new things utilising 3D printing technology.

Eujin Tan

Engineer, Hoctor Refrigeration

Eujin has experience in industrial refrigeration.  For over a decade now he’s worked on solutions to enhance clients' operations and reduce costs. His project design is informed by thoughtful and strategic engagement – with clients themselves, and an eye on the broader landscape.

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Bahador Tari
Regional Manager, Victoria, Energetics

Leading Energetics’ business in Victoria, Bahador has more than 15 years’ experience advising government, industry and business decision-makers on energy strategy, climate risk and resilience, and sustainability. Bahador heads Energetics’ hydrogen and carbon markets work, partnering with clients to support their decarbonisation efforts. He has provided policy, technical and strategic advice on various aspects of the hydrogen market, including market due diligence, certification and hydrogen roadmap development. As well as leading Energetics’ work supporting the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources with the development of a domestic hydrogen certification scheme, Bahador advised Victoria’s government on a hydrogen market study and roadmap (Mallee region). On the commercial side, he has supported industrial clients to better understand the hydrogen opportunity and the prevailing market challenges as they establish net zero pathways.

 

Ben Thomas

Group National Manager, Sustainability Integration, The GPT Group

Ben ensures that GPT’s world-leading innovations and performance in sustainable real estate can be maintained and continuously improved through their environmental management system, strategies and integration of sustainability practices across the company. GPT has halved the energy efficiency of its buildings since 2005 and in 2020 GPT delivered the first major property portfolio globally to be certified as operating carbon neutral on 100% renewable electricity and in 2022 delivered its first smart energy hub at Chirnside Park. The hub is a first of its’ kind in Australia, combining a 650 kWp solar array with a 2 MWh battery and flexible load management programs to both continue to reduce energy costs and support grid stabilisation.

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Associate Professor Andrea Trianni

Deputy Head of School Research, School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology

Andrea has almost 15 years of academic experience in the context of advanced manufacturing and production system design in Australia and Italy. Andrea is a core member of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing at UTS. His main teaching and research interests revolve around design and management of production systems, with a focus on improved sustainability and competitiveness of industrial enterprises, through the investigation of productivity benefits of Industry 4.0 for energy productivity technologies, evaluation of barriers and driving forces for the promotion of energy efficiency solutions within final users. He has led, coordinated and managed a number of projects on the investigation of advanced solutions for improved productivity of industrial enterprises, including Industry 4.0 solutions for energy productivity. Recently, he has led the CRC RACE2030 Opportunity Assessment project aimed at exploring the potential of Industry 4.0 for energy productivity in Australia.

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Ryan Warburton

General Manager, Commercial and Industrial Customers, AGL Energy

Ryan has led the expansion of AGL’s business customer solutions to a leading national presence in energy sales, onsite energy solutions, renewable and carbon neutral offerings. AGL is bringing together these offerings to support its customers to decarbonise and navigate the energy transition.

Ryan is also currently a non-executive director of Powering Australian Renewable Fund which recently acquired Tilt Renewables. A Chartered Accountant, Ryan has over 20 years of experience in leadership, he holds a degree in Accounting and Business, and a Masters in Applied Finance.

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Professor Stuart White

Director, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Working with its mission to create change towards sustainable futures. He works across urban infrastructure, deliberative decision making and resource-productivity. He is co-Chair of Energy Research Institutes Council for Australia and on the Board of the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity and Climate-KIC Australia. Professor White has written and presented widely on sustainable futures and is a regular commentator on sustainability issues in the media. He is joint winner of the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Environmental Research.

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David Wright

Chairman, CIM

David is a multi-time CEO who is now an Investor and advisor to organisations that combine technology, research and innovation practices to solve global challenges.  He is also a board member of in companies spanning sustainability, data management, education, research, agriculture and the environment.

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Frank Zeichner

CEO, Internet of Things Alliance Australia (IoTAA)

Frank Zeichner is a thought leader in the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT). He’s the founding CEO of the Internet of Things Alliance Australia (IoTAA), the peak body that drives collaboration across industry, research, government and community to improve Australia’s competitiveness and the lives of Australians.

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Frank is also on the Board of the NSW Smart Sensing Network, which brings together smart sensing expertise in academia, industry and government to deliver economic and social benefits for New South Wales.

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He has over 35 years of industry experience, across telecommunications, operations, manufacturing and business consulting in Australia and overseas.

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