Dr. Adam Best is a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Manufacturing in Clayton, Victoria, specialising in lithium-ion battery technology and safety. His work focuses on improving the safety, performance, and sustainability of electrochemical energy storage systems through advanced materials research and risk mitigation strategies. Dr. Best collaborates with industry and government to ensure battery innovations meet rigorous safety standards, supporting the safe deployment of battery technologies across Australia.

‍Captain Allan Gray is CEO of Sentient Ports. Until recently he was President and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority (HPA), a role he assumed in November 2019. Captain Gray lead a dedicated team focused on creating economic benefit for the region through the Port’s core lines of business which are cargo, cruise and real estate. He is focused on advancing digital transformation, decarbonization, and safe, efficient port operations while balancing the needs of community, economics, and the environment. During his time with HPA, the port has initiated several project and initiatives including the 50-Year Plan and the development of The PIER at the Seaport, Canada’s first living lab for the transportation and supply chain sector. HPA and project partners were recognized with an International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Sustainability Award in the “Digitalization” category in 2023. The Marine Container Examination Facility, recently completed in Fairview Cove at the Port of Halifax, was recognized for being the first Envision V3 Verified Project in Canada.

Andrew is a Senior Principal Research Scientist at the CSIRO Environment business unit, based in Brisbane, Australia. He joined CSIRO in 1996, with a passion in developing novel methods to optimise agriculture transport & logistics to increase profitability across the supply chains. Andrew leads the development of Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool (TraNSIT), which is widely used for assessing and optimising infrastructure investments along with impacts from disruptions such as extreme weather events.

Andrew has over twenty years' experience in transport delivering in strategic policy, regulation, Infrastructure and planning. Andrew's responsibility is to ensure investment across road, rail and public transport, active transport, and freight networks is balanced and part of a single integrated transport network as part of the $41.7 billion program. Andrew also leads the departments policy agenda and manages the safe and efficient access to land and maritime transport networks in Queensland.

Dr Andrew Pomeroy is a Research Fellow at The University Of Melbourne and also a Principal Engineer at FSC. He has held positions in both research and industry, and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship where he worked with the US Geological Survey. Andrew uses a combination of field, laboratory and numerical techniques, and works across disciplines, to develop new ways to address some of the most pressing coastal zone challenges. At FSC he works to implement new strategies in a wide range of projects around Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Dr Pomeroy particularly interested in understanding the real-world contributors to risk and how these can be managed, including those associated with human behaviour. Andrew is a member of the National Committee for Coastal and Ocean Engineering.

Anja is the ESG Specialist for Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), where she has worked since 2023. Originally from Germany, she gained a Diploma (MSc equiv.) in Environmental Science and Management from the Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany.

Brendan has more than two decades' experience in Australia and internationally, working with ports and shippers to facilitate the application of digital technologies to their operations. He assists clients to optimise the value realised from innovation, with a focus on enhancing port efficiency and navigational safety.

Cam Tran is a Global Trade Advisory Director and has two decades of experience in integrating technology with business to optimise international trade. She holds an MBA, a bachelor's degree in business, and is a certified Scrum Master, underscoring her proficiency in project management. Cam has orchestrated transformative projects that have expedited trade operations and established new industry standards. Her strategic involvement in significant national projects has been instrumental in adapting the logistics and tracking of goods to align with evolving global standards. Her global impact includes providing expert advice on trade management and the implementation of digital trade strategies, demonstrating her ability to apply complex international trade frameworks. As a thought leader, Cam is renowned for fostering collaborative approaches and solutions that cater to the collective interests of the trade community. She is committed to working with organisations to unlock efficiencies and creating more transparency in cross-border transactions through digitalisation. Cam’s vision is simple: Trade Together.

Daina Matthews is a seasoned risk management professional with over two decades of experience in mining, energy, and port operations. Currently leading the implementation of the enterprise risk strategy at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, she plays a pivotal role in strengthening operational resilience, risk culture, and regulatory compliance in high-risk environments. With a master’s in supply chain risk and resilience, and certifications in process safety and risk management, Daina brings deep expertise in managing risks across port and terminal operations. Her work focuses on embedding practical, modern, data-informed risk solutions that support strategic outcomes across Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors.

Dan Culpitt is a Director of Synergies Economic Consulting, with 19 years’ experience consulting across the ports, water, rail, resource, and energy sectors in Queensland and throughout Australia. Dan’s core areas of expertise include demand assessments, cost-benefit analysis, stakeholder consultation, economic impact assessments, policy and project evaluation, and pricing advice. Dan is regularly engaged by government and government-owned enterprises at the State and Commonwealth level to assist with the development of business cases for major infrastructure projects. He has recently led several demand assessments for commodities throughout Central and North Queensland spanning the agriculture, renewable energy, coal mining, and critical mineral sectors.

Daniel Wilson is Vice President of Commercial at CSL Australia, responsible for managing key customer relationships, driving strategic growth initiatives, and overseeing operational performance across the company’s coastal and transhipment services. With extensive maritime and logistics expertise working in Australia, New Zealand and Denmark over the past 25 years.

David Phillips is Chief Operating Officer at Svitzer Australia, leading national operations, fleet performance, and strategic maritime initiatives. With over 34 years in the maritime industry, he began his career as a seafarer in the Royal Australian Navy and ASP Ship Management before transitioning to shore-based leadership roles at Patrick Stevedores and the Tasmanian Port Corporation. Since joining Svitzer in 2012, David has driven innovation, safety, and sustainability across the fleet. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, a Diploma in Nautical Science, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ella Green is a third-year Electrical Apprentice at Gladstone Ports Corporation undertaking a Cert III in Electrotechnology. Ella chose this trade opportunity to begin her career with the company and gain practical, real-world skills. Through hands-on work in electrical maintenance, installation, and fault finding in an industrial environment, Ella has developed strong technical and analytical abilities while consistently demonstrating reliability and initiative. She is now seeking to further her education and expand into new areas of business. She looks forward to engaging with colleagues across the business and taking the next steps in her career.

An operational firefighter, early EV charging and electrification specialist, Emma Sutcliffe’s unique combination of interests led her to establish EV FireSafe, the only global database of verified electric vehicle battery fires. Funded by the Australian Department of Defence and now referenced by a global network of experts, EV manufacturers and emergency agencies, Emma and her team provide data-driven learnings that enhance the safety of civilian and military emergency responders managing incidents involving electric vehicles, with a focus on those occurring at EV charging hubs. EV FireSafe’s work has opened an important conversation - what do emergency responders need to learn to successfully adapt to a world of electrified transport and how quickly can we get them there? Data insights are freely available at evfiresafe.com & data-driven training is now line at evfiresafe.business

Eric Lacroix is an experienced Business Intelligence professional with 15 years of experience designing and developing BI solutions. He has expertise in solving business problems with data, providing actionable insights, and a strong focus on driving data adoption and fostering data literacy.

Guy Reynolds is a maritime economist with over 25 years of experience in the area of container shipping, ports, maritime trade analysis and forecasting, economic benefit-cost-analysis and business case evaluations. He has a particular interest in working with clients to develop maritime and shipping policies and solutions which balance sustainability with economic benefits. His work experience also includes an overseas background of many years in the marketing, planning and business development of marine-related infrastructure, and commercial maritime ventures.

Keith Wilks is Chief Executive Officer of Southern Ports, where he oversees the management of Western Australia’s three southern regional ports at Albany, Bunbury and Esperance which together facilitate more than 35 million tonnes of trade. With almost three decades’ experience in the port and maritime sectors, Keith offers valuable operational experience in leading complex port operations, backed by strategic expertise in port development, capital renewal and infrastructure planning to support global trade. Under his leadership, the regional port authority is delivering a record $62 million capital works program with major infrastructure upgrades, managed under its newly accredited world class asset management system.

John Thomson has over 20 years’ experience in the transport and logistics industry. He holds qualifications in maritime law and workplace health and safety and specialises in risk and legal liability matters. John assists TT Club Members across Oceania.

Jordan Butler is a Senior Maritime Engineer and the Group Digital Engineering Lead for Maritime at WGA in Perth, WA. He serves as Chairman of PIANC Working Group 251 on “Guidance on the Design of Parted Mooring Line Arresting Systems" whose scope relates to mooring line snapback safety. Jordan is a PhD candidate at Swinburne University, where he researches mooring line dynamics and the performance of arresting structures. His technical expertise and leadership in his field has been recognised with numerous awards including PIANC's Author of the Year award and Engineers Australia's Young Professional Engineer of the Year WA Award.

Jorge leads Ricardo plc’s Energy Infrastructure Transition initiatives in Australia and New Zealand, with a strong focus on the energy infrastructure transition. He has extensive experience in net zero emission technologies, including battery-electric and hydrogen solutions. Recently, he led the net zero emissions feasibility and technology study for the Government of South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), identifying the most suitable traction power technologies for the Adelaide Metro rail network. Jorge also led the Strategic Business Case for this project. Jorge’s expertise spans energy transition projects, and he is actively involved as Board Member of the South Australian Hydrogen Cluster (SA-H2HTM) and as a Sustainability Committee member of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA).

Laith Shahin is the Founder and CEO of Secolve, the OT security specialists, founded in Australia. From working closely with critical infrastructure and industrial organisations, he recognised there was a strong need for tailored OT security awareness training for OT users and engineers, IT and cyber security staff, and executives, setting up video-based platform OT-SAT. Secolve's innovations and contributions to the market awarded them the Australian Information Security Association Startup of the Year and they have grown into a leading cyber security brand in Australia.

Lucy Bauld is a Naval Architect and Project Engineer at AMC Search, where she works within the Defence and Autonomous Systems team. With a strong foundation in vessel design and regulatory compliance, Lucy supports the delivery of innovative maritime solutions for both defence and commercial clients. Her work spans autonomous technologies, capability development, and applied research, contributing to the forefront of Australia’s marine innovation.

Maree Adshead was appointed chair of GPC’s board in February this year. She is an experienced business owner, company director, former lawyer and senior executive operating across the private and public sectors. She was Queensland’s inaugural Small Business Commissioner, a former partner of national law firm MinterEllison, and seasoned advocate having chaired, led or contributed to an array of notable local and national taskforce initiatives, advisory groups and peak industry bodies. A recent business venture for Maree was establishing an independent natural capital market mechanism to finance private and public sector investment in nature repair and biodiversity improvement outcomes.

For almost 25 years, has been running high-growth tech companies in the now-popularized areas of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. He is currently the CEO of Complexica, a provider of Artificial Intelligence software for optimising supply & demand activities, a director of several ASX-listed companies, and the author of numerous books, including The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Business Intelligence. Matt’s more notable achievements at Complexica include raising almost $40 million in venture capital, being named the 2018 Australian Innovator of the Year, and winning several global tenders against competitors that were more than 100 times larger. Complexica employs more than a hundred staff across four offices and has many well-known customers, such as Linfox, Metcash, Asahi, Pernod Ricard, Woolworths, Aurizon, and DP World among others.

Mike joined Ports Australia in 2017. He has been instrumental in lifting the awareness of the Australian port sector and the important role it plays in Australia’s supply chain future. He represents Ports Australia and the wider port sector on a variety of state and federal government committees. Mike is widely recognised for his robust approach to policy development. Before joining Ports Australia, Mike was appointed the role of NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter and later the further role of Minister for Industrial Relations. Mike also served as a Police officer for over 16 years, including his appointment as a Detective.

Monica Birkner is Chief People & Sustainability Officer at Southern Ports, where she has been instrumental in building a high-performing, values-driven workforce across Australia’s south western regional ports. A skilled leader in human resources, organisational design and change management, Monica has championed workforce development – establishing a dedicated Learning and Development team, tripling training and development investment since 2020, and introducing Southern Ports’ first Women in Leadership program, supporting the advancement of women in the maritime sector.

Captain Munaf Shaikh is the Chief Maritime Officer at Blue Visby, leading global marine operations with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. He drives operational performance for partner companies while advancing maritime decarbonization efforts. Committed to reducing environmental impact, Captain Shaikh also plays a key role in Blue Visby’s commercial growth, identifying strategic opportunities and fostering partnerships to expand market reach.

Nicola Murray joined the Port of Brisbane in 2022, following 20 years’ experience in International Shipping, Domestic Sea Freight, Road Freight & Wharf Logistics. Nicola is responsible for facilitating Trade growth through Port Landside Efficiencies, and works closely with the Port Terminals; Transport operators, Parks, and as is the acting Road Manager for Port Roads under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. At the beginning of 2025, Nicola was nominated in as Chair for the Ports Australia Logistics Committee and is very enthusiastic to drive port productivity, and supply chain efficiencies.

As a senior WHS Business Partner with Flinders Port Holdings, Patrick Pulis is a passionate safety professional with over four decades of experience across high-risk industries in Australia and overseas, including oil and gas, ship building, aviation, a range of defence sectors and system safety engineering. Patrick acknowledges the Ports Australia WHS Committee membership for supporting his nomination as Committee Chairperson, with a vision to enhance WHS participation and exchange amongst members and welcomes Natalie Eastough from Southern Ports as Deputy Chairperson. When not a work, Patrick enjoys flying an aircraft which he’s built; instructing aspiring pilots to fly gliders; and mentoring young adults as an instructor with the Australian Air Force Cadets.

Prema is a senior marine engineer with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, MBA in Maritime & Logistics and a business certificate from Harvard Business School Online. In her 15 years’ experience in the maritime sector, Prema has led numerous digital transformations of various scales, from leading international hubs of Maersk & APMT to remote, regional ports. Prema’s team at DHI Seaport is a powerhouse of Innovation, having won four National level Innovation awards in the past 12 months alone. A conduit between the rapidly evolving world of tech and the firm, but stable, world of maritime operations, Prema hopes to continue to be at the heart of this growing junctions between the two worlds.

Renée is a Sustainability Manager with domestic and international experience working in regulatory, advisory and operational roles in Australia and Canada. For over 18 years, Renée has specialised in the port sector – in sustainability, environment, safety and major project approvals – including Port of Brisbane, DP World Canada and private consultancies, Sprott Planning and Environment and GHD. Renée co-authored the Ports Australia guideline on ‘Sustainability Strategy Development’ and has been active at international GreenPorts Congresses and IAPH Working Groups. Renée holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and has completed Executive Education Courses with Cambridge University ‘Sustainability Practitioners Program’ and ‘Business and Climate Change: Towards Net Zero’.

Renuka Ranaweera is a Principal Consultant and Technical Lead in Brightly a Siemens Company, bringing years of experience advising government and private sector organizations. She specializes in asset life-cycle modeling, evidence-based investment planning, and asset management storytelling through visualization platforms. Renuka is passionate about addressing climate change impacts on infrastructure and advocates for climate-resilient asset management and achieving net-zero targets. She combines technical expertise with strategic insight to help organizations make sustainable decisions that enhance long-term service delivery and community resilience.

Ryan is a Maritime Asset Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry. He is currently working with Ventia on the Department of Transport’s Maritime Maintenance and Asset Management contract, where he is involved in the implementation of automated asset management systems and processes. In his role, Ryan also provides technical advice and develops comprehensive Asset Management Plans to support the ongoing requirement of the Department of Transport Maritime Facilities.

Sam Askin is the CEO of OneStop, where she leads the transformation of Australia’s logistics industry through data and emerging technology. With a background in global product strategy, Sam is known for turning complex systems into clear, scalable platforms; and reshaping company culture along the way. A vocal advocate for inclusive leadership, she personally mentors every woman at OneStop from manager level upwards. Sam is passionate about building future-fit businesses, challenging outdated norms, and helping the next generation of women step fully into their power.

Savio is an experienced maritime professional with over 34 years of experience in a diverse range of maritime activity and processes including world-wide at sea experience, Technical ship management and Port management roles. He is passionate about leading change through Process improvements and Risk Management in the Maritime industry.

Stephanie Warren has over 28 years of experience in technology, with the past 15 years dedicated to the field of Information Security. As the Assistant Director of Information Security, she brings a seasoned perspective to federal and regulatory compliance, incident response, and data protection. She excels at bridging communication between frontline employees and executive leadership, fostering alignment that strengthens organizational resilience. Her expertise in risk management helps organizations anticipate threats, adapt to challenges, and sustain long-term operational continuity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Vajira is the Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, leading Fiji’s primary seaports and its subsidiaries since 2011. A Marine Chief Engineer by profession, he has more than 30 years of international experience across maritime operations, shipyards, academia, and management consultancy. At Fiji Ports, Vajira has driven major reforms including a Public–Private Partnership and continues to advance smart and green port initiatives that strengthen sustainability, resilience, and digitalisation. He holds an MBA, an MSc in Engineering Management, and multiple postgraduate qualifications in production, quality management, and international affairs focusing on international law. Vajira is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (UK), Chartered Management Institute (UK), Chartered Quality Institute (UK), Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (UK), and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (UK).

Wade is a Marine and Coastal Engineer at Mid West Ports Authority, where since 2021 he’s led initiatives on surge mitigation, sediment transport, maintenance dredging, and coastal protection, including collaborations on wave energy converter research. Based at Geraldton Port, he works across technical, environmental, and stakeholder domains. Prior to this, Wade spent 17 years with Fugro in the oil & gas and renewables sectors. He served as QHSSE Manager for Southeast Asia from 2015-2021, overseeing operations across 8 countries, and earlier 2004-2015 led offshore teams as a Senior Oceanographer deploying metocean measurement systems across the Asia-Pacific region.