Speakers

Matt Thistlethwaite has served in federal Parliament since 2010, representing Kingsford Smith since 2013. He brings extensive experience across foreign affairs, immigration and defence, alongside a strong background in economic policy, committee leadership and international engagement.

Germán became Orica President - Australia Pacific in April 2021, later adding group sustainability, corporate affairs and property. He was previously Group Executive and President - Latin America, and spent 18 years in leadership at Maxam across multiple regions.

Chris is a senior industry and governance leader with deep expertise across mining, skills development and government engagement, having served as CEO of Austmine, and non-executive director roles spanning workforce transformation, board governance and community leadership.

Leigh provides leadership across Macquarie Asset Management’s real assets platform, spanning infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, natural assets. Previously led EMEA real assets business and helped establish firm’s first European infrastructure funds. Commerce/Law graduate, Macquarie University.

Bill has 18 years in federal politics, including as Opposition Leader, and earlier leadership with the Australian Workers’ Union. He brings a strong focus on education access, workforce readiness, and institutional transformation to drive innovation and student centred outcomes.

Jennifer is a senior journalist, writing a daily column on politics, business, and the economy. A highly experienced journalist with international expertise, she has shaped Australian policy and economic debate for decades.

A senior industry leader with deep expertise in mining supply chains and cross-regional trade, bringing decades of hands-on experience building enduring commercial links between Australia and Latin America since 1989.

Dr Paul Grimes brings extensive public sector leadership across federal, state and territory governments, including senior roles in Treasury, Finance, Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Agriculture. He has led major policy, budget and economic portfolios, served on key boards, and holds a PhD in economics from ANU.

Professor Jessica Gallagher brings senior leadership in global engagement, partnerships, recruitment and internationalisation. She has led cross border teams, built high performing partnerships, and advanced business development across private, public and academic sectors. She holds a PhD from UQ.

Kim brings more than 30 years of experience across engineering, mining, finance and cross border business development, with deep expertise in Latin America and the Caribbean. She has led ventures spanning mineral extraction, battery and precious metals, and trade engagement between Australia and the region.

Mr Gale has over 20 years’ experience in the resources sector, specialising in capital markets and strategic growth. He has held senior leadership roles across lithium and gold operations in Australia and Africa, and led financial management through major growth phases at large resource companies.

Thiago Deiro brings global experience across multinational manufacturing, with leadership spanning finance, HR and executive roles since joining Marcopolo Group in 2008. He drives lean operations, innovation in zero emission transport and sustainable solutions, strengthening market growth and customer focus in Australia.

Rick Valenta has over 40 years’ experience in mining and geoscience, spanning exploration, executive leadership and major research initiatives. He has led significant mineral discoveries, raised over $150m in capital, supported multi billion dollar value creation, and advanced critical minerals and regional development projects across Queensland and around the world.

Brian Blakely is a Lead Investment Officer at IDB Invest, the private sector arm of the IDB Group, on assignment in the Global Partnerships Division in Tokyo, Japan. He has over 16 years' experience structuring transactions in Latin America and the Caribbean in energy, transport, water and social infrastructure sectors.

Mary Raynes has extensive experience across cereal and pulse supply chains, including production, grain classification and quality assurance. She translates global market requirements into practical insights, strengthening export access across Latin America, China and India and supporting long term value for Australian growers.

Mara is a company director, investor and trusted advisor who brings global perspective and cross-sector leadership to climate transition and digital transformation, drawing on a career across finance, research, non-profit and consulting, shaped by roots in Brazil, education in the US, and three decades in Australia.

Ed brings over 30 years of experience financing major energy and resource projects across global financial institutions including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC, Renaissance Capital and Royal Bank of Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Computing (Hons) from Monash University and qualifications in Corporate Finance.

Chris Carman leads Workinitiatives, Australia’s workforce technology platform addressing the national skills shortage. With over 20 years’ experience across immigration law, workforce strategy and technology, he advises government and industry on jobs, skills, migration and talent pipelines.

Kirsty works across biodiversity, climate change, nature markets and Indigenous knowledge. With senior leadership roles spanning the UN, philanthropy, academia, government and enterprise, she is known for building partnerships and translating complex problems into practical action.

David Messina brings international experience across agriculture, energy and biotech, with a strong track record in scaling ventures and securing global investment. He has expanded Rumin8’s methane reduction technology across key markets and attracted backing from leading climate investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Andrés Contreras has 15+ years’ experience in telecommunications, specialising in digital infrastructure and submarine and terrestrial fibre systems. He has led major connectivity initiatives, including feasibility work for international cable projects, and contributed to national strategies to expand broadband access.

Julien has 18 years’ experience delivering climate solutions across Australia, Africa and South America, including carbon projects exceeding 10 million tonnes of abatement. His work spans biodiversity, nature markets and Indigenous partnerships, translating complex challenges into scalable, real world outcomes.

Neil is a serial entrepreneur with 30+ years’ experience across climate, nature and impact sectors. He has founded ventures in reforestation, talent platforms and social enterprise, while contributing to leading academic initiatives focused on climate and regenerative futures.

Carlyn Waters brings 25+ years in the Australian public service, with a strong focus on First Nations economic and cultural self determination. A Kamilaroi woman, she has also contributed through ANU and board roles supporting Indigenous education, employment and biodiversity protection.

Chair, First Australians Capital. Bundjalung woman working at the intersection of First Nations economic sovereignty, impact finance and governance. Syntropic agroforestry practitioner rebuilding native food systems on Worimi/Birrpai Country.

Thiago is an agroforestry pioneer with over a decade advancing regenerative land use globally. He has designed 100+ projects across 10+ countries, delivering large scale systems and training. He collaborates with corporates and communities to drive sustainable food production and urban farming.