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.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica and former Minister of Foreign Trade, he has advanced the country’s global engagement by leading OECD accession, chairing the 2025 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, concluding Costa Rica’s CPTPP accession, and expanding trade and investment ties.

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.

Leigh provides global leadership for the firm’s Real Assets business, which is one of the world’s leading infrastructure managers and a major investor in infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, and adjacent asset classes, which manages more than US$350bn AUM across more than 180 portfolio companies’

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.

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

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.

H.E. Dianela Pi has served as Ambassador of Uruguay to Australia since 2020 and is a career diplomat with senior UN experience in Geneva and New York, she has led work on human rights, trade and multilateral affairs, and is Dean of the GRULAC Heads of Mission in Australia.

Danni Jarrett has extensive experience driving industry development, trade and investment growth across Victoria. Her background spans innovation, technology, manufacturing, defence, life sciences and medical research, with a strong focus on supporting exporters, attracting global investment, and fostering collaboration between government, industry and the research sector.

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.

Cr Rafael Camillo, originally from Brazil, came to Melbourne as an international student at La Trobe University. His early experience navigating city life, combined with his leadership as volunteer President of Residents 3000, underpins his strong commitment to inclusive policymaking for residents, businesses, workers, migrants, and visitors alike.

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.

Daniel has extensive experience across international trade, investment and government relations, leading global teams supporting Australian exporters and foreign investment outcomes. His background spans Austrade and senior regional roles in Asia, including trade, commercial and cross border operations across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and East Asia.

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.

Ambassador Vitaliano Gallardo Valencia has more than three decades of diplomatic experience, serving Peru across multilateral affairs, international relations, security and defence, consular affairs, and regional integration. He has represented Peru at the United Nations and the Organization of American States, held senior leadership roles in Peru’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, and has served as Ambassador of Peru to Australia since 2022.

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.

Mr Crossley is a highly experienced mining executive and company director with a track record leading major Australian resource operations. His career includes senior leadership roles across iron ore, coal and manganese, including with BHP, Gloucester Coal and the Roy Hill project. He currently serves on listed company boards and brings extensive expertise in mining operations, project development and resource sector leadership.

Bruce has more than 30 years of experience in irrigation modernisation and water management. He co-founded Rubicon Water and played a key role in developing its manufacturing, project delivery and research capabilities. Under his leadership, the company has expanded internationally, with water management technology deployed across 23 countries, including several markets in Latin America.

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.

Dev Gil-Sánchez is Director – Executive General Manager at Ation Solutions. He brings extensive experience across energy, asset management, mining, manufacturing, and business transformation, working with large multinationals such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and Anglo American. He focuses on driving growth in decarbonisation and carbon markets, while connecting Australian innovation with Latin American opportunities.

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.

Gabriel Jaime is Co-Founder and CEO of Robla Energy. With 15 years of experience, Gabriel has scaled the company globally, from its origins in Mexico into the United States, Spain, and Australia. He has focused on renewable energy projects, especially solar energy plants.

Stephen Durkin is CEO of AusIMM, the peak body for professionals working in the resources sector. Founded in 1893 and operating under Royal Charter, AusIMM represents 16,000 members globally. AusIMM delivers a growing range of professional development, including technical conferences and online courses, and plays an influential role in upholding professional standards and shaping some of the mining industry's most important conversations. Stephen has extensive experience leading professional associations, including five years as CEO of Engineers Australia, and prior to that over 20 years experience in executive leadership roles.

Brian Bero is an experienced commercial lawyer who has advised major corporations, government authorities and technology leaders on complex legal, regulatory and commercial matters. His expertise spans telecommunications, information technology, privacy, intellectual property and corporate governance. He also brings extensive board experience and is a strong advocate for Indigenous self determination and sustainable economic development.

Sergio Correa is Managing Director and Founder of Daabon Australia, part of the Colombian Daabon Group. He has led its strategic journey to becoming a leading supplier of innovative, high quality, and sustainable vegetable oil solutions across Australia and Asia Pacific.