CyberCX is the leading provider of professional cyber security and cloud services across Australia and New Zealand. With a workforce of over 1,400 professionals, CyberCX is a trusted partner to private and public sector organisations helping their customers confidently manage cyber risk, respond to incidents and build resilience in an increasingly complex and challenging threat environment.

Through end-to-end range of cyber and cloud capabilities, CyberCX empowers their customers to securely accelerate opportunities in the digital economy. Their services include: consulting and advisory, governance, risk and compliance, incident response, penetration testing and assurance, network and infrastructure solutions, cloud security and solutions, identity and access management, managed security services and cyber security training.

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is a vital member of Australia’s national security community, working across the full spectrum of operations required of contemporary signals intelligence and security agencies. This includes intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations in support of the Australian Government and Australian Defence Force. ASD’s purpose is to defend Australia from global threats and help advance Australia’s national interests. We do this by mastering technology to inform, through the covert acquisition of foreign information not publicly available (signals intelligence); protect, by comprehensively understanding the cyber threat, providing proactive advice and assistance to improve the management of cyber risk by government, business and the community; and disrupt, by applying our offensive cyber capabilities offshore, to support military operations, counter-terrorism, counter cyber espionage and serious cyber-enabled crime.

Scott Bradford has been Deputy State Director at the Victoria State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since November 2023.

Prior to this, Scott was Director of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy section, where he led development of the Moore Report under the Special Envoy. Previous roles include Director of the Bali Process and Assistant Director in the India Branch. Scott has served overseas in Jakarta and Paris.

His education includes: Master of Public Administration – Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore; Master of Asia-Pacific Studies – ANU; Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – University of Melbourne; Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Languages, Monash University. He speaks fluent French and Indonesian.

Steven Briggs is the National Manager for the Defence Work Experience Program at the Department of Defence. Steven is a generalist human resource professional with a range of management experience, covering all facets of the discipline. He possesses a range of extensive experience in the development and implementation of HR strategies and programs, including workforce planning, leadership development, talent management, graduate development, attraction and retention and performance management processes. He currently leads the Defence Graduate Recruitment and Marketing team who are responsible for the recruitment of candidates to the Defence Graduate Program, STEM Cadetships and a range of other entry level programs.

Steven possesses a Master of Human Resources Management from the University of Canberra; a Graduate Certificate of Management from the University of Canberra; and a Diploma of Government in Human Resources.

Ryan Brown works as the business relations, external affairs and visits officer at the Victoria State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). His role primarily encompasses Europe, Southeast Asia and the Americas, with a sectoral focus on trade and investment, international education and First Nations matters. Ryan has also worked within DFAT’s Consular and Crisis Management Division in Canberra. His previous experience includes roles in critical infrastructure security policy, emergency management capability development and immigration reform at the Department of Home Affairs.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and has undertaken studies at the Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. He speaks Italian and intermediate Spanish.

Jeanette Cheah is the founder and CEO of HEX, an award-winning and impact-focused education technology company that grows the exponential intelligence of the future workforce through skills and mindset-based programs for students. Founded in Melbourne, HEX now operates in Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand, the US and more. Twice listed as one of Australia’s Top 100 Innovators, she is also a regular guest lecturer, keynote speaker, and passionate advocate for tech inclusion and diversity in business. Jeanette has represented Australia at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance in Argentina, was a Telstra Business Women’s Awards finalist, and in 2021 was named a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian, winning the category for Entrepreneurship.

Bianca is responsible for leading CARE Australia’s humanitarian and development programs around the world. She is deeply committed to achieving positive outcomes for communities and individuals, by supporting women, to defeat poverty.

Bianca has worked in the international development sector for 18 years, across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. She has led local and international teams to develop innovative solutions.

Bianca previously worked as Head of Country Office Support at CARE Australia, Chief of Party at Save the Children, and Country Director at Save the Children and OAfrica.

Melissa holds decades of varied experience across the fields of development, foreign policy, and diplomacy, and she currently aids in facilitating integrated foreign policy and ever-important collaboration between internationally facing Australian sectors as the Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue.

Melissa has been associated with the University of Melbourne through her studies in law, as an academic with the Asia Institute and Melbourne Law School, and as Director of Diplomacy at Asialink; and she has a long history with the Australian Institute of International Affairs itself, having served for 13 years as National Executive Director.

Grace is the Diplomacy Program Lead at Asialink and was listed as a ‘Young Women to Watch in International Affairs’ for 2023. In her role at Asialink, Australia’s national centre for Asia capability and engagement, Grace works to create a better future with Asia and recently led the delivery of the Emerging Leaders Dialogue at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. Grace holds a Master of Development Studies from the University of Melbourne, is the Program and Policy Director of the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue and was a New Colombo Plan Fellow in 2018, where she interned in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Regina Crameri is a senior executive with experience in international defence, health and education.

With 20 years’ experience as a Senior Defence Scientist at DSTG, she has investigated the human performance of Special Forces Soldiers and developed future technology assessment methodologies. As the Associate Director - Defence Science Institute, she fostered a globally engaged, competitive and innovative defence and national security sector.

Previously, Regina was the Associate Dean of Allied Health, STEM College at RMIT and Executive Director of Critical Technologies and Health, Austrade.

Currently, Regina is a member of the Defence Council Victoria. She is also the proud mother to five beautiful children.

Beth has braved the acronym filled world of large international NGOs, small local
NGOs and the United Nations. Beth co-founded Humanitarian Advisory Group in
2012 and she now revels in the dynamic energy of a nimble team.

Beth has extensive experience working in the humanitarian civil-military coordination
space in Afghanistan and Liberia. Beth was a Fulbright Scholar in 2019 allowing her
to spend three months at the US Naval War College with the Humanitarian
Response Program team.

Beth is the host of HAG’s podcast ‘I Think You’re on Mute’ which elevates voices
from the Indo-Pacific on humanitarian issues.

Dr Fairley has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries working in senior management roles with companies including CSL and Faulding (now Pfizer). She recently stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ASX-listed Starpharma Holdings, a role she had held since 2006. As CEO of Starpharma Jackie led the development and commercialization of multiple pharmaceutical products including three clinical-stage oncology therapeutics and a number of anti-infectives. Her industry experience spans all facets pharmaceutical product development, international registration, licensing, financing and commercialization.

Dr Fairley is also a Director of ASX-listed Mirrabooka Investments and past Director of the Melbourne Business School. She is a member of the Victorian Trade and Investment Advisory Board and was an advisor to the Carnegie Innovation Fund for more than 10 years. She is a past member of the Federal Government’s Commonwealth Science Council, Pharmaceutical Industry Working Group and several other Ministerial advisory groups spanning pharmaceuticals, economic development and innovation.

Jackie holds 1st class honours degrees from the University of Melbourne in Science (Pharmacology/Pathology) and Veterinary Science. She also holds an MBA from the Melbourne Business School for which she was awarded the prestigious Clemenger Medal, is Graduate of the AICD and a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE).

Kathryn Harries has 20 years of experience in international development and humanitarian action, and has worked in countries such as Somalia, India, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, and the Pacific Islands. She is an expert in field teams operating in complex environments and has developed an innovative guide to empower technical field teams in humanitarian organisations to improve their impact. Experts in the sector consider her guide will foster more responsive, sustainable, quality, locally-led responses, with enhanced accountability to crisis-affected populations.

Kathryn is a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist and experienced cluster coordinator. As the WASH Cluster Coordinator in Somalia from 2010 to 2012, she successfully coordinated the strategy, planning, and implementation of over 170 organizations responding to famine and insecurity. Her work was recognised as global best practice in knowledge management and information sharing. She worked in the management team of the DFAT-funded Civil Society WASH Fund, and later, as a consultant, with local actors to develop the Emergency WASH Handbook for Pacific Island countries.

Kathryn is also a trainer and facilitator. She is an Associate Trainer for RedR Australia and regularly trains on their Essentials of Humanitarian Practice and WASH courses. She also facilitated the inaugural Fiji National WASH Summit. This five-day workshop brought together over sixty participants, from eight government ministries and departments, to produce a Joint Implementation Plan to meet the draft National Water and Sanitation Policy.

Leigh Howard is the CEO of Asialink Business, Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability, and one of Australia’s leading voices on international business. A passionate advocate for Australian business success in Asian markets, Leigh spent 20 years in Southeast Asia as a corporate leader, entrepreneur, and government official. His previous roles include Executive Director with digital giant Tradingpost.com and South Asia Director for ASX-listed Talent2 International. Leigh is a graduate of the Australian Company Directors course and the Harvard Business ASEAN Senior Manager’s Program, a Director of AustCham ASEAN, and a member of the B20 Taskforce on Digital Transformation.

Professor Charles T. Hunt is Professor of International Relations in the School of Global, Urban & Social Studies at RMIT University. He is a Senior Fellow (non-resident) at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in New York, USA. Charles’ background is in political science with a specialisation in international relations and critical security studies. He has a PhD International Relations from the University of Queensland, Australia, as well as MA International Studies and a BSc (Joint Honours) Economics and Political Science – both from the University of Birmingham, UK.

Richard Iron was educated at the University of Cambridge in the UK. He served for 37 years in the British Army, largely spent on operations in Northern Ireland, the Sultanate of Oman, the Falkland Islands, the Balkans and Iraq. In addition, he was an expert military witness in the Sierra Leone War Crimes trials, where he worked with ex-members of various guerrilla groups.

He was Defence Fellow at the University of Oxford and worked for the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff on developing the UK’s capacity to think and work strategically.

After leaving the Army in late 2011, he was a visiting fellow at the Changing Character of War programme at the University of Oxford and was lead editor of "British Generals in Blair's Wars."

Terence is the APAC Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services at EY in Melbourne, and has been a Partner at EY for the past decade. His expertise lies in helping private sector clients develop and implement sustainable business strategies. Additionally, Terence is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving as EY's national co-leader for cultural diversity and championing D&I initiatives within EY's Melbourne office. He was previously EY Australia’s head of indigenous reconciliation. Terence's passion for sustainability extends to his personal life, where he embodies a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, reflecting his belief in a harmonious relationship between people and the planet.

Terence is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business & Economics at Monash University. Terence is a Non-Executive Director of Amnesty International Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation and Food Frontier, and is the Chair of Global Citizen (Australia). He is also a member of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of Australia.

Mr Kane is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Director of the DFAT Victoria State Office. Previously he was Ambassador to Brazil. He has also served as Ambassador to Chile, with concurrent accreditation to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, and as Chargé d'affaires a.i. at the Australian Embassy in Madrid.

During his career Mr Kane has also been posted to the Australian Embassies in Washington, Mexico City and Santiago de Chile. In addition, he has worked in various roles in Canberra, including in bilateral, consular, trade, multilateral and human resource areas of the department. Mr Kane has also served as Senior Advisor, International Division, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr Kane has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History and International Relations from the University of Melbourne; a Master of International Relations from Deakin University; and a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Australian National University.

The Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) is is Defence's all-source intelligence assessment agency. DIO's role is to provide well-judged, clear and timely insights into defence and security-related matters that may affect Australia's national interests. DIO's assessments must enable ministers, policy advisers, capability managers and military commanders to make informed decisions. DIO works primarily at the strategic level; it must also work to support the operational and tactical domains. DIO is part of the broader Defence Intelligence Group (DIG) and collaborates closely with the broader Defence intelligence community, and with Australia's National Intelligence Community (NIC) and international partners in support of Government and Defence priorities.

The Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) provides Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) in support of Australia’s Defence Force, broader Australian Government and National Intelligence Community priorities. GEOINT is derived from the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial data that informs our understanding of features and events, with reference to space and time. Understanding what happens where and when, underpins all strategic and operational decisions. AGO informs decision making at the highest levels of government and contribute towards the protection of Australia’s national security. AGO provides unique insights into international developments and critical support to ADF operations and activities.

Prakash Mirchandani has many years of business experience in Sri Lanka and the USA and currently runs an emerging markets trade and marketing strategy practice (with a focus on South Asia) in Melbourne.

He strongly believes soft and cross-cultural skills are a key driver of success in international business, and has recently been involved in introducing digitally delivered soft - skills training to several emerging markets.

Prakash is a Council Member of AIIA Victoria and a Commissioning Editor for Australian Outlook, the Institute’s online weekly journal of International Affairs. Prakash holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Columbia University (New York City) and an MA in International Affairs from the Fletcher School at Tufts University (USA).

Adrian Morrice has been a practitioner and researcher in political transitions and armed conflict since the 1990s, for NGOs, government, and the United Nations. Adrian is a Member of the UNAA Victoria United Nations Alumni Network.

Adrian began his career in the Australian Navy at UN Force Headquarters, Somalia. After leaving the Navy, he joined UN peacekeeping operations and political missions in Liberia, Western Sahara, Timor Leste and Sierra Leone. The work included a decade supporting transitional elections in these locations and in Nigeria, Nepal, Mexico, Pakistan and Thailand. After completing a comparative politics Masters at the London School of Economics, Adrian worked in UN headquarters New York from 2005-2011 with the peacekeeping and political departments focussing on new approaches to peacekeeping and peacebuilding, the evolution of thinking on transitional political arrangements, civilian control of security forces, and UN reform. Adrian then spent over six years in Myanmar, including as the UN adviser to the conflict parties’ Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee. Before returning to Australia, Adrian was the UN sustainable peace advisor in Nepal 2020-2023 working on pandemic response, climate change and digital violence on social media.

Clare Murphy is a policy professional with experience at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Austrade, Victoria Police and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Clare’s policy analysis has been published widely in Australian media, and her expertise in international relations, national security, trade, counter-terrorism, and foreign interference align with her values of integrity, transparency and justice. Clare was selected as one of Young Australians In International Affairs’ Young Women to Watch in International Affairs in 2020 and as a delegate to the 12th Australia-China Youth Dialogue in 2022. Outside of work, Clare is a half marathon runner and committee member of the Crosbie Crew Running Club.

Maria Rost Rublee is Professor of International Relations at the University of Melbourne, with expertise in international relations, including nuclear politics, maritime security, and gender and diversity in national security.

She is President of Women in International Security-Australia and was named to the Top 50 Leadership List, U.S. National Security & Foreign Affairs by the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Washington DC. Her research is internationally recognized, leading to an award-winning monograph, two edited books, and over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Her work has been funded by grants from U.S. Institute of Peace, the Australian Department of Defence, the Canadian Department of Defence, and the Japan Foundation, among others.

With over 20 years of international experience, Ms Stewart has held roles as an Australian diplomat in Southeast Asia and Europe, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, and in tertiary education at RMIT University.

From 2018-2021, Ms Stewart was Australian Ambassador to Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. She was Deputy Ambassador in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 2016-2018, managing Australia’s $63million aid program. She was also Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar from 2010-2013.

Ms Stewart provides strategic advice to organisations on engaging internationally. Most recently she led the development of RMIT’s refreshed strategy for engagement with Singapore.

Ms Stewart has a Bachelor of Arts (University of Melbourne) and Graduate Certificate in Human Leadership (Deakin University). She lives in Melbourne.

Dr William Stoltz is a Senior Manager at Cyber CX, Australia’s leading cyber security firm and a Lecturer at the National Security College at the ANU. He has previously worked across Australia’s defence, intelligence, and law enforcement communities developing strategic policy, legislative reform, and strategic intelligence assessments. He writes extensively on national security and intelligence policy reform as well as Australian foreign policy.

Stoltz is a Visiting Fellow at the Robert Menzies Institute at the University of Melbourne and an Associate Member of the Centre for the Study of Subversion, Unconventional Interventions and Terrorism (SUIT) at the University of Nottingham.

He holds a PhD and Advanced Masters of National Security Policy from the Australian National University as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.

Emma is an Australian lawyer specializing in international trade and customs, focusing on trade compliance and optimization across various industries. She supports global trade optimization and compliance, covering customs classification, valuation, Free Trade Agreements, duty concessions, and import/export controls. Her background in the Australian defense industry involves managing complex contractual and supply chain matters, with expertise in Australian and U.S. Export Controls. Emma has lived and worked across the Asia Pacific, including Singapore and Shanghai. She holds three degrees from the University of Adelaide, is a qualified Solicitor and Barrister, and has been awarded the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship.