Annelise Avril
Senior Executive Vice-President for Marketing, Innovation and New Mobility Services | Keolis Group
A graduate of the French engineering school ENSEEIHT, Annelise Avril began her career in 1995 as a project engineer at SUEZ Consulting before joining the French Water Circle as General Delegate from 2000 to 2003. From 2004, she worked in different operational functions within SUEZ, including Regional Operations Manager in France, Performance & Innovation Manager in Perth, Australia, Managing Director of the water services contract for the city of Adelaide, Australia and CEO of SUEZ Consulting, an international SUEZ subsidiary dedicated to engineering and consulting services in the environment, mobility and climate energy sectors (1,200 employees, 35 countries), before taking over the Direction of Research, Innovation and Digital Transformation at the group.
On 7 June 2021 she joined Keolis as Vice-President for Marketing, Innovation and New Mobility Services.
Annelise is also Vice-President of MEDEF International’s Business Council on international financial institutions.
Tom Cooper
General Manager (Australia & New Zealand) | Beam
Tom Cooper, Beam General Manager (Australia & New Zealand)Tom has been involved in the shared micromobility industry across Australia and New Zealand since its infancy, and has seen the industry transform from its humble beginnings. Beam is now Asia Pacific’s largest shared micromobility company, with operations spanning 25 cities across Australia and New Zealand. As an industry leader, Tom ensures the shared micromobility industry breaks new ground in safety and environmental sustainability, raising the standards of micromobility technology across the region.
Kiersten Fishburn
Deputy Secretary, Cities and Active Transport | Transport for NSW
Kiersten Fishburn is the Deputy Secretary, Cities & Active Transport at Transport for NSW. This new Division is focused on ensuring our cities and neighbourhoods are integrated with transport, making our places, streets and open spaces functional, beautiful, inclusive and inviting for all to enjoy. She brings a fresh energy to the role with ambitions to help our cities reach their full potential.
Prior to joining Transport, Kiersten led the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) as Secretary after almost two years as head of the Planning Delivery Unit (PDU). She has held leadership roles with Liverpool City Council City of Sydney, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Accessible Arts.
Will Fooks
Urban Places Market Leader | Stantec
As the leader of Stantec’s global ‘Urban Places’ practice in Australia, Will works to enable teams across the country to respond to, and plan for, future trends. Recently he has been working on decarbonisation of transport, autonomous futures and place, evaluating the implications of more ‘radical’ micro-mobility futures, and the opportunities created by mega-events.
Matt Fuller
Deputy Secretary, Regional and Outer Metropolitan | Transport for NSW
Matt Fuller is Deputy Secretary for Transport for NSW’s Regional and Outer Metropolitan Division, which comprises more than 4,700 employees across 270 locations in regional NSW. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the implementation of intermodal transport services across regional NSW, and the delivery of the key transport and technology initiatives that will help ensure regional NSW’s ongoing success as a great place to work, live and visit.
Prior to joining Transport, Matt had an extensive career in executive management positions across the private and public sector, with a particular focus on the transport and tourism industries. As CEO for AAT Kings Group, he was responsible for developing and delivering award winning experiences and investment in internationally acclaimed destinations. Matt has also previously served as a Board Member and Trustee of the Sydney Opera House, where he was Chair of the Visitor Experience Committee for the world-renowned venue. In 2011, Matt was awarded as a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
Matt’s proven ability to lead teams and work in partnership with regional communities has seen him achieve exceptional outcomes for customers and key stakeholders alike. This includes delivering successful infrastructure investment, overseeing and operating high visitation venues and facilities, developing and leading significant capital projects and driving innovation.
John Karaboulis
Vice President & Managing Director of Australia | Cubic Transportation Systems
John is the Vice President and Managing Director of Cubic Transportation Systems Australia. John is an accomplished infrastructure and services leader with extensive experience leading major complex initiatives and multi-disciplinary business functions in both Private and Government organisations.
Prior to Cubic, John held senior executive roles at Transport for NSW and led Service and Infrastructure Delivery, procurement and contracts management, across all modes of transport, including Rail, Light Rail, Bus, Ferry, On-Demand Public Transport, and the Country Regional Network.
John has qualifications in Civil Engineering, holds a Masters of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jeremy Kruger
Program Director - Program Delivery | Cross River Rail Delivery Authority
As the Program Director at the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, Jeremy is responsible for leading the delivery of three major packages of work:
- Tunnel Stations and Development (TSD);
- Rail, Integration and Systems (RIS); and
- The European Train Control System (ETCS).
- In addition, the project is rebuilding six stations within the Brisbane Metropolitan area and constructing three new stations on the Gold Coast.
Prior to joining the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority in 2017, Jeremy had gained over 20 years of local and international experience working for major engineering firms in Australia, the UK and Ireland. Over the last decade, he has been involved in signature rail and tunnelling projects, including the Melbourne Metro tender, North West Rail Link, Westconnex, Moreton Bay Rail and Brisbane’s Airport Link & Northern Busway Tunnel.
David Le Breton
Head of New Mobility | Transdev Australasia
French born and educated, David Le Breton is the Head of New Mobility at Transdev Australasia. In conjunction with Transdev’s Paris based centre of excellence and partnering with Transdev Australasia’s extensive client base David leads the go-to-market strategy for the rapidly evolving, growth areas of On-Demand Transport, Autonomous Vehicles and MaaS mobility. His work includes building strategic partnerships with ground-breaking IT/Tech players and research universities, major government clients including TransLink, TfNSW, NZ xyz, and local councils to pilot and then bring to reality the latest in tailored mobility solutions. Prior to joining Transdev in 2018 David gained over 15 years of international management experience with a world leading manufacturer and specialist knowledge in the areas of energy, renewables, battery storage and electric mobility solutions for the smart city.
David holds a Masters of General & Energy Engineering from ARTS ET METIERS ParisTech and is a past student of the prestigious INSEAD, France.
Joanna McCarthy
Director of Corporate Affairs | Transdev Australasia
Joanna McCarthy recently joined Transdev as Director of Corporate Affairs for Australasia. Immediately prior to this Joanna was at Transport for NSW where she led communications on Transport’s COVID-19 Taskforce. A specialist in Crisis and Issues Management across large scale global enterprises, Joanna was hired at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020 and spent the next 2 years working across government, all modes and metro and regional markets. In doing so Joanna was involved in, and witnessed firsthand, the acceleration of technology, the importance of public sector and private operator alignment and the importance of engagement with customers, employees and industry in driving successful outcomes. Her team’s work was recognised with the win of a highly regarded 2021 International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill Award, 2021 Asia Pacific Silver Quill Award and at Transport for NSW in the respected annual 'I am Transport Awards’.
Alison McDonagh
Executive General Manager - Commercial & Property | Transport Asset Holding Entity
Alison has over 25 years in the property sector with both public and private entities. Having worked in property finance, operational management and property development roles, Alison brings a wide breadth of experience across most asset classes. She has a passion for complex developments that improve local communities.
During her role at GPT redeveloping shopping centres, Alison discovered her interest in placemaking and city shaping and completed a Graduate Diploma in Urban Design and Regional Planning. These interests were pursued in her next role at Parramatta City Council where she was responsible for a number of city shaping projects including Parramatta Square. As NSW Regional Development Manager at Stockland she managed residential, retirement living and complex mixed-use developments.
Alison’s current role is EGM Commercial and Property at TAHE. TAHE is a statutory State Owned Corporation that holds rail property assets, rolling stock and rail infrastructure in the Sydney metropolitan area, the Country Rail Network and other limited country locations in the State of NSW.
Alison is responsible for setting the strategic direction of TAHE’s commercial assets through the creation and implementation of the Property Strategy and driving new commercial opportunities across TAHE’s wide portfolio of assets.
Kate Meyrick
Director | Urbis
Kate is a passionate urbanist and place maker with more than 25 years of international experience working throughout Australia, as well as Asia, Europe and the United States. She is globally respected for her expertise in visioning and
positioning city scale precincts, working sensitively with stakeholders and the community to co-create powerful new futures for well loved places.
She has been influential in shaping thinking about the global competitiveness of Australian Cities, their future identity and quality of life. A regular speaker, panellist and conference moderator; Kate is recognised as a thought leader
in relation to city-shaping, knowledge and innovation precincts and talent attraction.
Kate thrives on collaboration and works effectively in partnership with government, community, non-profit and private sector stakeholders. She has strong experience in conceptualising and delivering complex urban projects: working with a diverse mix of stakeholders to curate a bold and innovative vision for future urban life that will deliver enduring shared value outcomes.
Clem Newton-Brown OAM
CEO & Founder | Skyportz
Clem Newton-Brown is CEO and founder of Skyportz, the only Australian business developing a network of landing sites for a future air taxi network. Clem’s background as a former Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Member of Victorian Parliament and barrister specialising in planning and property development has put him at the forefront of this emerging industry.
Clem serves on several Federal, State, industry and international committees advancing the development of the rules and regulations around establishing a whole new era in clean, green electric aviation.The success of the industry depends on these changes along with a network of Skyportz sites from which air taxis will operate.
Skyportz already has over 400 property partner sites in Australia and New Zealand which are ready to activate when regulations permit.
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.
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
Ian Quarrie
Executive General Manager, Transport | UGL Limited
Ian joined UGL in 2017 to establish and grow the Transport Operations business. He was appointed Executive General Manager for the Transport Division in 2022 and is responsible for all operational, maintenance and manufacturing activities that UGL perform in the Transport sector.
Ian’s career commenced in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia. He has over 25 years of leadership experience in the delivery of both economic and social infrastructure, and the accompanying operations and maintenance contracts.
Neil Scales OBE
Director-General | Department of Transport and Main Roads
Prior to joining TransLink, Neil was one of the United Kingdom’s (UK) most senior public transport executives. He was Chief Executive and Director-General of Merseytravel, the
transport authority for Merseyside in the north of England.
In this role, he was responsible for some 200 million passenger journeys every year by train, bus and ferries and the two Mersey Tunnels. He is credited for reversing the fortunes of
Merseytravel, which is now recognised as one of the best transport authorities in the UK. Neil has served as a Trustee of Museums and Galleries of Merseyside, a member of the British Transport Police Authority and an Integrated Transport Commissioner.
Neil has held executive roles with transport and engineering companies and has consultancy experience with several organisations, including the World Bank and the European Commission.
Aaron Shaw
Founder and CEO | Sydney Seaplanes
Aaron is the Founder and CEO of Sydney Seaplanes. Based in Sydney Harbour, the company specializes in charter and scheduled tourism and regional aviation services.
Aaron has also been instrumental in establishing seaplane businesses in Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia as well as consulting to seaplane companies in China, the USA and New Zealand.
Aaron holds a commercial pilot’s license and seaplane endorsement.
Bonnie Shaw
Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer | Place Intelligence
Bonnie is Co-founder and Chief Impact Officer of Place Intelligence, a big data analytics studio that leverages massive datasets and machine learning tools to deliver advanced insights about people and places. Place Intelligence data and deep expertise in movement and place and human mobility underpins some of the most significant state, local and private sector infrastructure, design, and strategic planning projects and developments underway in Australia.
Trained as a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer, Bonnie has spent more than half her career delivering impact through advanced technology projects with some of the worlds most respected research and innovation labs and helped to establish and lead Australia's first (multi-award winning) Smart Cities team at the City of Melbourne.
She is faculty at the Australian & New Zealand School of Government, and has been appointed to adjunct professor roles at both Georgetown University (Washington DC) and Melbourne Business School (Melbourne VIC). Bonnie was a 2021 finalist in the prestigious Women in AI Awards. She is trained as a Human Potential Coach, bringing data driven approaches to bio-hacking for stress management and performance enhancement to all her work.
Scott Smith
Chief Executive Officer | Council of Mayors (SEQ)
Scott Smith was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) in December 2017.
Scott is an accomplished senior executive with more than 25 years of leadership in business improvement and project management, and more than 20 years experience in senior roles in the local government sector. Scott first joined the Council of Mayors (SEQ) in 2005, providing program management and strategic direction in the areas of process reform, red tape reduction and the streamlining of local government services.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) has played an integral role in planning for the future of transport in SEQ, delivering the People Mass Movement Study in 2019, securing a commitment to an SEQ City Deal and leading the region’s investigations towards an SEQ 2032 Olympic Games.
Sara Stace
Director of Cities | WSP
City shaper, strategic thinker and innovator with extensive knowledge about cities, land use, and urban transport. Worked at federal, state and local government, and private sector over 24 years.
Written and co-authored 20 publications including for United Nations and the Australian Government, and won 15 national and state awards for excellence in project delivery, program management and contribution to the public sector.
Sally Stannard
Deputy Director General (Translink) | Department of Transport and Main Roads (QLD)
Sally leads the delivery of customer-focused passenger transport services across Queensland including policy, planning, ticketing, contract management and customer services.
Translink Division is responsible for the integrated rail, bus, ferry and tram network in South East Queensland; and long-distance rail, coach and aviation services in regional, rural and remote Queensland, in addition to school transport, personalised transport and demand responsive transport services.
Sally is passionate about public transport and developing sustainable communities. Sally has qualifications in Engineering and International Studies and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jesse Suskin
Head of Government Relations and Public Policy | Wing
Jesse Suskin is the head of government relations and public policy in Australia for Wing, a company that sees a future where drone delivery is the safest, fastest and most environmentally friendly way to transport small items. Before joining Wing, Jesse spent over six years with Google, working in government relations, public affairs, and public policy in Washington, DC and Sydney, Australia. Prior to joining Google, Jesse spent two years working for the Government of Australia at its Embassy in Washington, DC, advising Ambassador Kim Beazley. Earlier in his career, Jesse worked in politics and public service including at the White House as Associate Director of Communications for President George W. Bush, and as Director of Media Services for Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Frith Walker
Head of Placemaking | Eke Panuku
Having spent her former life in the theatre business, as a stage manager/producer type, Frith began her placemaking journey in 2011 for Waterfront Auckland with the redevelopment of the waterfront, a 20 plus year regeneration project. She is very proud to be a placemaker for Tāmaki Makaurau, an advocate of the UN ratified New Urban Agenda global standard for urban development, the recipient of the 2021 Place Leaders Asia Pacific Place Leadership Award, and a New Zealand representative for the international network PlacemakingX.
Eke Panuku has a vital role to play in making places where people feel a strong relationship with their communities and a commitment to make things better. As Head of Placemaking at Eke Panuku she and her team work within the Design and Place Directorate on the creation of successful public space networks, supporting the programming and activation of Auckland’s public spaces, and enthusiastically supporting the difference a healthy public realm can make in terms of creating liveable cities for all.
