Speakers

Hon. Bruce Baird AM

Chairman | Tourism & Transport Forum

Bruce Baird’s professional career has spanned the Australian Trade Commission service and the NSW and Federal Parliaments. He was a Federal member for Cook for nine years and during that time he was Chairman of both the Trade Committee and the House Standing Committee on Economics. He previously held roles as NSW Minister for Transport, Tourism, Roads and Minister for Sydney’s Olympic Bid. Prior to this he was Australia’s Assistant Trade Commissioner in Germany and Trade Commissioner in New York. Prior Board positions include Chair of the National Rail Corporation, Chair of the Tourism and Transport Forum, Chair of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Board Member of Sydney Theatre Company.

Bruce is currently Chair of BE Sydney, Trustee of Sydney Opera House, Chair of Advisory Board of Screen Producers Australia, Chair of Kamay Project, Heart Research Institute Board and Member of International Advisory Board of Cubic Transportation Systems.

Heather Bolt

Property Sector Lead, Net Zero Transition | Westpac

Heather is the Sector Transition Lead for Property in Westpac’s Climate Team, supporting customers navigate and thrive in a net zero future. She is a chartered environmental engineer with a background in mechanical engineering and has a passion for sustainable design. Prior to joining Westpac, Heather was a sustainable buildings consultant – designing, modelling and delivering sustainable projects with a focus on creating healthy, resilient and efficient buildings.

Sarah Clark

Chief Executive Officer | Tourism Tasmania

Sarah is the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tasmania. Sarah is an established leader with broad industry experience, from working in front-line roles to trade, marketing and general management. She has a passion for sustainable tourism and is delighted to help realise Tasmania’s future in positive impact tourism.

Born in Tasmania, Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, having started her career as a tour guide with Topdeck Travel. While travelling, studying and working all over the world, Sarah rose through the ranks at Topdeck to establish a brand presence in North and South America, before leading the business as General Manager for Asia Pacific and as Global General Manager, based in London. She has been part of the global management team of Flight Centre, Vice President for STA Travel in Dallas, Texas, a Board Member of Eurail, and a Phocuswright Young Leader USA. Before joining Tourism Tasmania, she was Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Intrepid Travel, while also on the Tourism Tasmania Board of Directors.

Segolene Deeley

Director Future Mobility and Corporate Affairs | Keolis Downer

Segolene is a strategic customer and stakeholder specialist with 20 years’ experience leading public relations, communications, innovation and project management in international business environments. Her career has spanned Europe, the UK and the US, and she joined Keolis Downer in 2017. Segolene has been with Keolis since 2011, and previously worked in the software and IT sector for 10 years.

Segolene oversees Keolis Downer’s future mobility projects that include automated vehicles, on demand transport, digital services and supports the development of energy transition projects.

She is passionate about delivering mobility services that are innovative, inclusive and sustainable. Her experience working on projects around the world has given her a deep understanding of the diversity of mobility challenges and the importance of having a local and collaborative approach to deliver social and economic outcomes

Professor Sara Dolnicar

Professor of Tourism | The University of Queensland

Sara Dolnicar is a Professor of Tourism at The University of Queensland (Australia). An expert in empirical measurement in the social sciences, she currently develops and experimentally tests measures that trigger pro-environmental behaviour in tourists. Professor Dolnicar is an elected Fellow of the Academy for the Social Sciences in Australia, the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, and the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE). She has been awarded a prestigious Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship, the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Distinguished Researcher Award, and named the Slovenian Ambassador of Science, the highest honour the Republic of Slovenia bestows on expatriate Slovenian researchers in recognition of global excellence, impact, and knowledge transfer. Professor Dolnicar is currently the Co-Editor in Chief of Annals of Tourism Research, one of the leading international scientific journals in the field of tourism.

Dr Susanne Etti

Global Environmental Impact Manager | Intrepid Travel

Dr. Susanne Etti (she/her) is the Global Environmental Impact Manager of Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company. She has a PHD in natural science specialising in climate change and vector borne diseases.

Her work at Intrepid Travel centers around global decarbonisation specifically around climate change performance, biodiversity, carbon reporting, and transitioning the business to the low-carbon economy. Intrepid, who are globally recognised as leaders in responsible travel, have been carbon neutral since 2010 and in 2018 became the largest B Corp in the tourism sector. In 2020 they became the first and only tour operator in the world with verified science-based emission reduction targets.

Susanne is an experienced leader in the areas of reporting, strategy, knowledge management and sustainability with a focus on climate change. She has worked in Australia, Europe, Southeast Asia and South America across a variety of sectors, exposing her to best practices from many industries.

Susanne’s work has been published in academic journals around the world with further contributions and perspectives appearing in outlets such as Washington Post and The New York Times. She is a regular guest speaker, conference panelist, mentor and in 2022 was recognised by Adweek as one of their 12 sustainability superstars.

She is the author of a 10-step guide to decarbonise your travel business and the Carbon Measurement Blueprint for Tour Operators, part of her ongoing commitment to lead the travel industry towards a more regenerative, healthy, inclusive and sustainable 1.5-degree future.

Heidi Hauf

Regional Sustainability Lead for Asia Pacific | Boeing

Heidi leads Boeing Australia’s sustainable aviation activity including policy advocacy, informing strategy and technical roadmaps. Heidi works to build Boeing’s sustainability capability through support to Australian business leaders as well as develop partnerships that advance aerospace sustainability across APAC.

A graduate of the Royal Military College-Duntroon, Heidi started her career as an intelligence officer in the Australian Army. Heidi left defence in 2005 and has worked on systemic sustainability issues across public services, natural resource management and corporate strategy ever since. She has advised business leaders, developed corporate sustainability strategies, shaped government policy and lead research in Australia, NZ, Asia, East Africa, Europe and the UK.

Heidi currently lives in Brisbane, on Jagera and Turrbal Country.  She holds undergraduate qualifications in geography, environmental conservation, government and operations management, as well as post-graduate qualifications in international relations. Heidi is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce (RSA) and currently chairs the Aviation/Aerospace Australia GreenSkies Committee, recently stepping down as chair of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance for ANZ to join the Board of Directors for Bioenergy Australia.

Laura Houldsworth

Managing Director & Vice President, Asia Pacific | Booking.com

As Managing Director & Vice President of Asia Pacific, Laura Houldsworth leads and oversees
business growth, operations and strategy for one of Booking.com’s most vibrant and diverse
regions globally.

Laura joined Booking.com in June 2021, following 10 successful years at SAP Concur where
she last served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific, Japan and
Greater China. Laura has previously held regional roles in BCD Travel and ABN Amro Private
Banking; and is a commercial leader with more than 15 years of experience managing
successful, multi-cultural teams.

Laura has lived and worked in Singapore for more than 15 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree
in International Marketing Management from Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.
Besides being an avid traveller and runner, she enjoys a good game of chess.

Elissa Keenan

Chief Executive Officer | Ecotourism Australia

Elissa has vast executive experience within the tourism, aviation, government and peak body sectors including with Queensland Airports Limited, Airservices Australia, Virgin Australia, the REIQ and Surf Life Saving. Passionate about the industry, she has been a member of the Australian Tourism Awards Judging Panel, Chair of the Queensland Tourism Awards Panel, and judge with the Outback Queensland Tourism Awards. She is also the non-executive Director with Reefcheck Australia, an innovative citizen-science environmental charity dedicated to empowering people to take positive action for conserving reef and marine environments. Elissa is a keen advocate for female representation in leadership and is a mentor and Corporate Executive Board Member with Women in Aviation International. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) (SCU), Master of Business (Communication) (QUT) and Bachelor of Business (Public Relations) (QUT).

Elissa loves to travel across Australia and beyond, has just two continents still to see (Africa and Antarctica), but firmly believes our beaches, wildlife, rainforests, outback and nature-based experiences are among the best – if not the best – in the world.

Tai Lennon

Head of Sustainability | The Morris Group

Tai is a strategic sustainability specialist with over 20 years’ experience working in a variety of roles within the tourism and hospitality sector. Joining Morris Group in late 2022 in the newly created role of Head of Sustainability, Tai is responsible for the development and delivery of the group wide sustainability strategy spanning hospitality, tourism, aviation, and agriculture.

Prior to Morris Group, Tai has worked as a sustainability consultant and has also spent over ten years at Flight Centre Travel Group, leading the groups corporate event and loyalty businesses focused on implementing and evaluating influential engagement and behaviour change programs, events, and communications for a range of clients.

Tai is passionate about shaping a more sustainable future through relationship building, collaboration and embedding sustainable practices into everyday operations.

Rohan Lund

Group Chief Executive Officer | The NRMA

Rohan Lund has been the Group Chief Executive Officer of the National Roads and Motorists’
Association (NRMA) since January 2016. He has an extensive background in digital technology and
strategy innovation, bringing a wealth of experience in delivering sustainable transformation across
a range of customer-focused companies.

An energetic and customer-focused leader, Rohan provides strategic and commercial expertise to
the NRMA – as Australia’s largest Member-owned organisation. Rohan has led the transformation of
the NRMA to an electric future whilst concurrently developing the agenda to expand into sustainable
domestic tourism. This includes the growth of the NRMA Parks and Resorts portfolio and the
creation of the Expeditions business.

Before joining the NRMA, Rohan was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Foxtel, Australia’s largest
subscription business. His previous roles also include COO of Seven West Media, CEO of Yahoo!7 and
Strategy Director for SingTel Optus.

Rohan holds a Master of Laws.

Stewart Moore

Founder & Chief Executive Officer | EarthCheck

Stewart Moore is the founder and CEO of EarthCheck, the world’s leading certification, consulting and advisory group for sustainable destinations and tourism organisations. Stewart is one of the Asia Pacific’s most experienced planning and management consultants. He has over 30 years of experience in a wide range of disciplines including business and strategic planning, policy development, tourism destination management and marketing, sustainability, risk management, and corporate and social responsibility.

Margy Osmond

Chief Executive Officer | Tourism & Transport Forum

Margy Osmond is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum, assuming the role on 1 October 2014. Margy has extensive experience in policy development and advocacy, politics, membership organisations, management, media and public relations. She is a passionate advocate for the tourism and transport sectors and their importance to Australia’s visitor economy.

Before joining TTF, Margy was the inaugural CEO of ANRA which was established in 2006 as a lobby and research organisation to be the voice of the large national retailers in Australia. Prior to this, Margy was the CEO of the State and Sydney Chambers of Commerce in NSW for five years.

Margy has a wide range of Board experience having been Chair of the NSW TAFE Commission Board and Chair of the Australian Sports Foundation, Deputy Chair of Tourism NSW, and served on the boards of the Australian Sports Commission, Bell Shakespeare, the Retail Employees Superannuation Trust, NSW Major Events, the NSW Police Minister’s Advisory Board and NSW State Transit Authority. Margy also chaired the bid and official Organising Committee for the largest non-elite sporting event in the world, the International World Masters Games, held in Sydney in 2009 and is currently the Deputy co-chair of Sydney WorldPride.

Natasha Santha

Partner | L.E.K Consulting

Natasha Santha is a Partner in L.E.K. Consulting’s Melbourne office and is a member of the firm’s New Mobility, Transport and Infrastructure practices. Natasha has significant experience in transport and infrastructure segments, with particular expertise in public transport operations, heavy asset procurement, major project investment evaluation, bid support and airport ground access. She regularly advises governments and infrastructure owners on the impacts of new and emerging technologies and services relating to their organizations. Natasha also works extensively across the energy value chain and brings a deep understanding of the implications of transport fleet decarbonization. She regularly manages time-critical, high-stakes projects that often involve complex strategic issues and multidisciplinary stakeholder environments. Natasha has led the development of several long-term corporate strategies (often in the context of service/technology-driven disruption), managed multidivision project teams to execute organizational change and advised on M&A transactions.

Natasha is a frequent speaker and has written many articles about new mobility. Her expert commentary has appeared in The Economist, the Financial Times and a variety of other news publications. In July 2021, Natasha was appointed to the Victorian Government’s advisory panel to deliver a zero emissions vehicle future. She is also on the Australian Government’s National Emerging Aviation Technologies consultative panel.

Prior to joining L.E.K., Natasha worked in the energy industry at AGL Energy. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree (Electrical and Computer Systems), a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Accounting and Finance) and an MBA from Melbourne Business School.

Nicole Scurrah

Partner & Lead Infrastructure and Major Projects | Sayers

Nicole heads Sayers’  Infrastructure and Major Projects group.  She has extensive experience in leadership roles in both the private and public sector with expertise in strategic planning, risk management, governance and policy design and implementation and change management.

Nicole established the Infrastructure and Major Project unit on foundation of  Sayers,  to deliver expert advice to public and private clients in specific areas of Infrastructure Strategy, Transport and Precincts.  The premium advisory is working with high profile govt and private clients on some of the nations most iconic projects, in all states on the east coast of Australia.

Nicole previously worked in private business including PwC where she led the group relationship on the government account based in Queensland.  Amongst varying advisory Nicole also delivered advice to public and private clients on various governance for infrastructure projects including planning, infrastructure and treasury.   Prior to this she was Chief Operating Office at Telstra Health, where she led team who to bid, develop, deliver and implement the Commonwealth Governments National Cancer Register – a national health infrastructure project to deliver a single service across all states and territories.

Nicole brings extensive public sector leadership and commercial expertise, through roles with the Queensland government, having been integrally involved in the design and implementation of the original corporatisation reform model in Queensland.  She previously held various roles in the government across economic portfolios where at the time, the government with a budget of more than $50 b AUD, the government undertook planning reform, established new authorities, developed a new LNG industry and undertook a average $15b annual infrastructure program including the delivery of the largest road tunnel, implementation of a new light rail network and a $6b water grid project.

Prior to joining the state government Nicole worked as commercial and planning advisory role at the nation’s largest council and prior to this in several commercial roles post studying law and commerce at Monash University.

Jace Tyrrell

Co-Founder | City-Squared Consulting & Chief Executive | New Sydney Waterfront Co

Jace Tyrrell was previously Chief Executive of New West End Company. The business partnership represented Europe’s largest retail & leisure destination. His brief covered 600 businesses in London’s West End, with a property portfolio of £3.5 billion and an annual turnover of £10 billion, anchored on Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street & Mayfair.

Over the past few years his work secured over £200m million in direct investment into the area, enhancing the physical and commercial environment to ensure London’s West End maintains its pre-eminence as a global shopping and leisure destination post COVID.
In October 2022, Jace returned to his homeland to head up Australia’s first Business Improvement District (BID) as the inaugural Chief Executive of the New Sydney Waterfront Company. Sydney’s Western Harbour is undergoing a $10bn (AUD) transformation this decade and working with partners, his mission it to create the world’s best waterfront in the greatest Harbour City.

In 2022, Jace also co-founded a strategic cities advisory firm, City-Squared Consulting, working with global experts focussed on the APAC region. The firm brings together civic leaders, commerce and communities to advance cities for the 21st century
Previously, Jace was Executive Director of the City and Westminster Property Associations, representing the commercial real estate industry in Central London with a combined portfolio of over £40 billion. Prior to this, Jace was a Director at New West End Company in its founding stage, helping it to win its status as one of the world’s most successful Business Improvement District (BIDs).

A London Business School alumnus, Jace also advises the Singaporean Government on Urban Regeneration and was a guest lecturer at Regent’s University on corporate strategy and reputation management.

Sue Vercoe

Managing Director | SEC Newgate Research

Sue is regarded as one of Australia’s leading market and social researchers. She has more than 25 years’ experience as a market researcher, research buyer and communications consultant in the corporate, financial, issues and political arenas.

Her core expertise is conducting sensitive community and stakeholder research for organisations facing complex issues and working with clients to identify the most effective ways in which to engage and influence. She has led extensive global research into community expectations of corporates, how they make judgements on environmental, social and governance actions, and how organisations can leverage ESG actions to boost their reputation.

Sue’s broad experience includes community sentiment towards major infrastructure projects and on key policy issues, stakeholder reputation research for major corporates and government departments and agencies, testing messages and narrative development, retail shareholder research and facilitating deliberative forums and ‘deep-dives’.

Sue is also a Partner of SEC Newgate Communications. She holds a Bachelor degree in Organisational Communication from Charles Sturt University and a Masters in International Communications from Macquarie University. She is a Qualified Professional Researcher (QPR), a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has the IAP2 Certificate of Engagement. Sue is also on the board of the Australian Polling Council.

David Young

Director of ESG | Accor Pacific

David Young recently joined Accor Pacific in the newly created role of  Director of ESG for Accor Pacific reporting to Sarah Derry the Pacific CEO. The role is focused on developing and delivering the Accor Group Sustainability and ESG strategies across its over 400 properties in the region. Carbon Emissions Reduction , Single Use Plastic removal, Food Waste & Sustainability , Eco Certification and Diversity & Inclusion are the key programs David is leading across stakeholders including owners, franchisee’s government , suppliers , guests and Heartists.

Prior to joining Accor David was most recently Sustainability Program Director for the oneworld alliance and Executive Manager Sustainability for Qantas . He has extensive aviation and hospitality  loyalty, catering and operations experience in Australia, New Zealand and Asia with Qantas , Air New Zealand and the Journey Group Plc in the UK.

His governance experience includes current Board roles with YHA Australia and the Golden Stave Foundation. He is a former Vice President of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation,  Director of Bio Energy Australia and sat on the IATA Sustainability Council and oneworld Environment & Sustainability Boards.

Trained as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young, David holds post graduate degree’s in Hospitality Management and Commercial Law and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.