The opening keynote speaker and Master of Ceremonies for the Business Hunter Summit, 2023, is Adam Spencer. Adam studied a law degree and a PhD in pure maths at the University of Sydney, before embarking on a career in comedy, radio and TV. He is a Mathematics and Science Ambassador for the University of Sydney, a best-selling author and science communicator and brings unique and highly entertaining approach to what will be an exciting, intellectually challenging and informative day.
Professor Mark Hoffman is a Board Member and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and Chair of the Education Policy Forum. He is co-author of ATSE’s seminal report “Our STEM skilled future — An education roadmap for an innovative workforce”. Professor Hoffman is Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at the University of Newcastle in Australia, having commenced at the beginning of 2020. His portfolios include the University’s education programs and students, the library, galleries, equity diversity and inclusion, and the Wollotuka Institute for Indigenous education and research. He was recently appointed Chair of the NSW universities Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Committee. Previously he was Dean of Engineering at the University of New South Wales 2015-20, where he created a Design School and was instrumental in the instigation of The Design Engineering Institute in London. During his tenure the number of students of engineering at 33% growth in students to over 16,000, with a 48% increase in the number of female students. He is and Chair of the Cladding Product Safety Panel for the NSW State Government, and a Fellow of Engineers Australia. He is also a member of the Joint Committee on ATAR Reform for the NSW Department of Education. In recent years, he was Convenor of the Engineering Panel for the Hong Kong Research Assessment Exercise and the German Research Excellence Initiative.
With over a decade of experience in the IT industry, Brent O'Toole has achieved remarkable success. From his IT service desk roots at University to becoming a Marketing Manager for a Microsoft partner, to making the transition to consult on large-scale federal government programs with a focus on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Now, as a valued member of the Microsoft team, Brent passionately advocates for the Age of AI and Copilots in Microsoft Products, particularly Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. His expertise empowers businesses to harness the transformative power of these technologies, enabling them to future-proof their operations. Born and raised in Maitland, and shaped by his time down south in Canberra, Brent exudes professionalism and expertise. In his engaging presentations, he reveals the limitless possibilities that arise when cutting-edge solutions seamlessly merge with effective business strategies.
Sonal Surana is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in retail banking & financial services, passionate about delivering data & analytics led innovation & driving transformational business impact. With her diverse experience covering Consumer & Commercial banking, in areas of Credit Risk & Marketing she has worked across multiple credit, wealth and payment products globally. She has built & led high performing cross geographic teams driving multi-million dollar initiatives and Big Data capability projects involving transformation in Infrastructure, Process and People. In Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sonal is General Manager leading Commbank.ai, an accelerator hub in the bank to ensure they harness specialisms in AI & data science, partnering with industry leading capabilities and driving forward CBA’s mission to become an AI-first bank. Sonal started her analytics career with GE Money Germany in their Credit Risk function. She subsequently worked with Barclays focusing on Western Europe Risk Management, Citibank India leading Retail Banking Marketing & Channel analytics and with American Express building next gen Insights products for Commercial customers globally. She completed her Masters in Business Administration from Indian School of Business (affiliation with Kellogg, Wharton, LBS) with specialization in Analytical Finance & Strategic Marketing.
Dr Sarah Dods (she/her) is a technologist, maven, and intrapreneurial leader. Her passion is helping businesses realise commercial and social outcomes from technology advances; bridging the gap between technology inventions, market need, product thinking, and change management, to create sustainable value that makes a difference. Sarah currently leads GHD’s Advanced Analytics and AI practice for the Southern Hemisphere. By background, she is a PhD qualified Physicist/Electrical Engineer with 20+ years of experience spanning Australia’s “deep-tech” innovation system. She has led corporate data science teams, deep-tech commercial initiatives, Silicon Valley startups, and national research programs across numerous industry sectors, always focussed on what Data, Digital, and AI is now making possible and practical. As part of her contribution to the growing AI industry, Sarah is one of the Australian representatives on ISO technical committee SC42, developing international standards for AI and the systems that enable it. She is an advocate of life-long learning, a driver of diversity, and an incurable optimist.
Rita Arrigo is Strategic Engagement Manager at CSIRO National AI Centre, focused on building a Responsible AI Network a world first cross-ecosystem collaboration aimed at establishing and sharing the best practice of responsible AI in the commercial sector. Previously, Deputy Director Centre of Industrial AI Research and Innovation (CIAIRI), Chief Digital Advisor at Microsoft she cultivates innovation with emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Mixed Reality (MR) & Digital Twin to industry sectors including health, transport, energy, education and urban planning, customer engagement and environmental stewardship. She was appointed an AI Ambassador and continues to advocate for ways that AI and XR can reinvent experiences in work and daily life. An accomplished speaker who has gained recognition as an expert in AI, innovation, and digital technology. Her passion for cutting-edge immersive technology is exemplified by the demo’s she delivers with her own HoloLens 2. She has been sought after as a keynote speaker for many years, with experience in television, radio, podcasting, and workshops, Rita has a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and society. She is also an esteemed judge of the Women in AI Awards and looks forward to continuing her contributions to this important initiative. She holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and Computing from Monash University as well as qualifications in Marketing (Monash University), Artificial Intelligence (Microsoft INSEAD AI Business School), Design Thinking (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford), and Design Thinking Essentials (Luma Institute).
Josh Sattler completed the largest smart city project in Australia in 2019, nationally recognised as and nationally awarded for advancement in smart technology implementation and innovation. In 2020 the City of Darwin received best practice awards for policy leadership by Smart Cities Australia New Zealand for the implementation of privacy management and for the ethical implementation of Artificial intelligence technology and use of CCTV analytics by the Singaporean government and personal data protection commission. International relations and investment attraction have also been an area of expertise with the development of MOU’s and co-operative agreements that promote not only cultural exchanges but leverage global positions by way of proximity and explore the new potential in industries such as tourism and trade. Strong relationships have been forged through integrity in and across Southeast Asia that include the greater bay areas of China (Guangzhou, Hainan, Shenzhen), Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and India. Supporting investment to endure and designed for reciprocity – investment retention and attraction in reciprocal. My drive both professionally and personally has always been to invest in community and build better lives for the people I represent, enabling change rather than forcing, education instead of informing and leading decision making rather than following. A crisis will always present opportunity, determining a resilient and sustainable approach to any solution is a trait that I have learned in my experiences and proven in my achievements to date
Associate Professor Karen Blackmore is a leading researcher in human-computer interaction and simulation-based training. She has expertise in the modelling and simulation of complex social and environmental systems. Her research interests cover the use of agent-based models for simulation of socio-spatial interactions, and the use of immersive environments and serious games for learning. She has served in the role of Deputy Chair of Simulation Australasia’s Defence Committee and is a member of ISO WG 11 - Health, safety, security and usability of Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR/VR). She is an IEEE Senior Member and finalist in the Australian Defence Industry Academic of the Year Awards in 2020. With over 60 peer reviewed publications, Karen’s research outputs are positioned amongst the highest performing in her field, with publications in the top 10% of the world. She is an invited speaker and panelist at leading simulation industry and government events, and is a co-founder of the award winning HunterWiSE initiative, aimed at increasing female participation in STEM. Karen is the co-lead of the i3 Lab at the University of Newcastle, which focusses on addressing industry-relevant problems through the objective measurement of human performance of interfaces and interactions, with particular expertise in the agile design and evaluation of advanced interfaces used to support rapid decision-making and training
James Skinner has established deep relationships with businesses and institutions across the globe at the highest levels. In the private sector some major partnerships I developed include SAP, IBM, Octagon UK, numerous multinational banks and professional services firms, and the London Legacy Development Corporation. His industry engagement work also extends deeply into the public sector at the local level with the City of London and the national level with the Department of Digital, Culture. Media and Sport (DCMS) and the London Mayor’s office. In a practical setting, he has worked with more than 100 sport organisations to develop and implement evidence-based policy programs associated with sport, business, and health. During the last 20 years has worked with a diverse range of public organisations such as the Australian Commonwealth Government, the Oman Government, UK Sport, and corporations such as AECOM Economics, and Populous. His experience in working with sport organisations traverses several decades with long-term work and research with key industry players such as the Australian Sports Commission, Rugby Australia, Sport England, NRL, Football Federation of Australia, Sport England, the IOC, WADA, and London Sport. He was a Board member and Director of Football Queensland between 2012 and 2013 and has been nominated by the Australian Federal Government’s Minister for Sport on 3 occasions to be Australia’s representative on the World Anti-Doping Agency Education Committee.
Burcak Sezer is a passionate advocate for innovation and creativity and an expert in strategic transformation. Since joining Newcastle Airport six months ago, Burcak has been using her extensive corporate marketing skills to drive a repositioning of Newcastle Airport’s marketing to match the extensive transformation of the airport facilities. Burcak and her team’s focus is on the airport expansion and transformation, including the return to international flights, improvement of facilities, and work to make the new terminal a ‘green gateway’ to the region with the highest commitments to environmental sustainability. A proud adopted Novacastrian and University of Newcastle Alumni, Burcak has worked across iconic consumer brands like Kleenex and Huggies, leading teams in global companies across the world and winning awards for her innovative work, before bringing that experience and skill set home to Newcastle to help the transformation of Newcastle Airport. Burcak is also a graduate of the Marketing Academy Program, a 9-month global scholarship for the best emerging leadership talent in Marketing, Media and Advertising.
Chief Economist, Business NSW
Human Rights Commissioner
Founder & CEO of Hover UAV
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