Judges

Ainslie is an AI/ML Specialist at AWS, where she supports Australia's leading software companies in implementing cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions.

With over 25 years of research, entrepreneurial and technology leadership experience, Williams was the co-founder and former CEO of Qualie and Reel.Reviews, pioneering video-based research and UGC platforms based on proprietary machine learning algorithms.

Throughout her career, she has partnered with global clients across FMCG, FSI, Healthcare, and Technology industries, driving high-impact outcomes and earning recognition from major industry bodies as a thought leader in AI, research, and business intelligence.

Bob has been in the telecommunications industry for over 53 years having started as a PMG Technician in 1967. During that period Bob has had 5 successful careers. He has worked in a variety of roles with organisations like PMG/Telecom, Alcatel (formerly STC), Ericsson Australia and worked 31 years as founder, owner, dealer principal and CEO of TTGroup Communications incorporating SmartSpeak Solutions.
While he has held many chairman positions and directorships, at the moment Bob is Chairman of Azentro, a Voice Vision and Data Company after a merger acquisitions with Productiv Pty Ltd, VV Tech Pty Ltd, FleetLink Australia and as at 22/02/18 Data Mobility and Voice (DMV) in Adelaide South Australia. DMV are a Gold MITEL Partner and Calibre One based in Darwin and Adelaide.
In building Azentro into it’s 2023 profile Bob managed 6 merger acquisitions and 4 brand changes.
Bob is also a founding director of Sheldon College which his wife Dr Lyn Bishop founded in 1997.The college has 1600+

A highly experienced, committed and enthusiastic leader who can build and enthuse large teams delivering the most complex high value projects to time cost and quality in difficult political environments. I provide strong governance, leadership and strategic management with the application of well-developed emotional intelligence bringing the very best out of staff. I have successfully delivered programmes from multi- billion dollar aircraft carriers to smaller sustainment, asset management based projects in my two careers to date. I have chaired two successful Alliances, The Design Support Alliance (a multi- million dollar contract) and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (a multi-billion dollar contract). In addition I was fundamental in setting up the new Warship Asset Management Agreement (a multi-billion dollar Alliance supporting the Anzac ships) signed 1 July 2016.
I am a dual-national (UK and Australian) with a current Australian security clearance. I am the proud recipient from Her Majesty the Queen an Order of the British Empire (for the recovery of HMS Nottingham’s grounding off the coast of Australia) and a Companion of the Bath (for services to the Royal Navy and in particular securing the New Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers).

At Docuscan Australia, we are using AI to facilitate the Elimination of Data Entry in finance and rental applications using patented Drag & Drop Technology.

Brett is a second-generation mortgage stalwart, having been actively involved in the Mortgage & Finance industry for over 30 years after starting his career working at the family-owned lender Interstar (now Advantedge). He then went onto to run the Stargate Group where he pioneered outsourced mortgage processing services by creating the first BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) operation for Mortgage Brokers and was instrumental in introducing the first Mortgage Broker CRM Systems in the early 2000’s, used by over 5000 mortgage brokers prior to its acquisition by then ASX listed Rubik Financial Limited (RFL).
Instead of moving off into the sunset, Brett set about using AI to build industry leading platforms for Brokers, Lenders and Real Estate Professionals using his vast experience to bring Drag & Drop Data Capture solutions to facilitate digital customer acquisitions.
He also serves as the current Board member of the FBAA to give back to the industry that has given him so much, to support a team that he respects and to help shape a better industry for all of its participants. He is passionate about meeting people and hearing their stories, but most passionate about helping them achieve their goals.

Drew is an award-winning Writer, Speaker, Financial Adviser & Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging advocate. He specialises in supporting business owners and their families to protect and provide for what matters most in their lives.
His company’s speciality brand Unusual Risks Insured, is the first Trauma Informed Organisation (TIO) working in Australian Financial Services.
He’s been recognised and awarded by non-industry bodies for his use of technology to connect people and businesses and his call for needed proactive anti-discrimination, inclusive & belonging practices in Australian Financial Services.
In his free time Drew works to mentor new businesses and support high-performing LGBTI+ young adults completing higher education to reach their full potential.

Jason is the Director of Broker Essentials and is Australia’s leading Mortgage Broker Mentor and sort after media commentator. In 2016 Jason foundered Broker Essentials and launched a training program for brokers after years of inquiries into the best practices and habits of a high-performance business.

Jason was named 2021 Mentor of the Year at The Adviser Better Business awards, 2021, APAC Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 - Financial Services, ABA 2020 Mentor of the year, and AMA 2020 Service provider of the year. He was the Managing Director of The Australian Lending & Investment Centre (ALIC) and has been instrumental in taking ALIC to the forefront of the mortgage brokering industry. In 2014,15,16 and 2017 ALIC was voted the top independent brokerage of the year by Mortgage Professional Australia, Australia’s best brokerage in 2014 & 15 at the Australian Mortgage Awards and MFAA in 2016 and 2018.

Jason has over 30 years’ experience in the finance sector, having worked in senior sales, distribution and management roles for ANZ and having provided financial advice and services on behalf of financial planning, equity trading platforms, private banking, lending and retail distribution brands.

More details can be found on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-back-broker-essentials/ and at Broker Essentials www.brokeressentials.com.au

Joseph Catanzariti AM is a Vice President of the Fair Work Commission, the national workplace relations tribunal.
Prior to his appointment to the Fair Work Commission, Joseph was a senior Partner of Clayton Utz and Practice Leader of the Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Practice Group. Joseph was a trusted adviser to many of Australia’s leading companies and government departments. Joseph was also a highly experienced Commercial Litigator.

Joseph is a Visiting Professorial Fellow of the School of Law and the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales, and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Work and Organisational Studies, School of Business at Sydney University.

Joseph is the Chair of the College of Law.

Joseph is also co-author of Workplace Bullying published by LexisNexis.

He has previously held the positions of President of the Law Council of Australia, President of the NSW Law Society, Chair of the Workplace Committee of the Law Society of New South Wales (2000 - 2013), and Secretary of the Industrial Relations Society of Australia (1997-2011).

Joseph was awarded Life Time Recognition, Industrial Relations Society of Australia / Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association 2011, and the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales in 2015.

Joseph is a fellow of the Academy of Law.

On 26 January 2016 Joseph was made a Member of the Order of Australia.

Kim Chandler McDonald is a globally respected thought leader in disruptive innovation, transformational trends, and strategic foresight. As the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of 3 Steps Data she has led her company to the forefront of technological advancements in cybersecurity, data sharing, observability, and governance across disparate systems.

Kim is a board member of and the Global Vice President of the Cybersecurity Advisors Network (CyAN), the Paris-based, multidisciplinary, international trust network of cyber professionals. She drives the organisation’s strategic growth, community engagement, and leads its Combatting Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Violence initiative.

A sought after keynote speaker, Kim is an acclaimed advocate, activist, lifelong storyteller and award-winning author. Her, latest work, ‘An Interviewer’s Guidebook - Turning Conversations Into Captivating Stories’, joins her other titles: ‘Innovation: How Innovators Think, Act and Change Our World’, ‘Flat World Navigation: Collaboration and Networking in the Global Digital Economy’, and ‘Postcards From Tomorrow’ (with all proceeds from Postcards going to Lou’s Place, Sydney’s only daytime drop-in centre for female victims of domestic abuse and coercive control). She is also the co-author of ‘Entrepreneurial Renaissance: Cities Striving Towards an Era of Renaissance and Revival’.

As the Head of Data and AI for Australia and New Zealand at AWS, Mark helps Australia’s largest organisations leverage the latest technologies in these fields to drive innovation, increase efficiency and reduce costs. With fourteen years’ experience at Amazon, and a twenty-eight-year history of solving customer’s technology and business problems, Mark is passionate about the customer experience and forging long term partnerships.
Mark has an extensive sales and infrastructure background, including having previously worked as a Client Systems Manager at IBM, specializing in Storage, Unix and x86 Technologies as well as diverse experience at solution providers in the Engineering field. Mark holds an Honors Degree in Science from Otago University.

Olivier leads AI at Amazon Web Services for Australia and New Zealand. He helps drive alignment between business, technology and data team to deliver great customer experiences, operational efficiencies, and new products and services powered by AI. Olivier started his career as a data scientist. He has led cross functional product, engineering and AI teams.

Dr Paul Scully-Power is an integrator, strategist and orthogonal thinker and is Australia’s first astronaut. He has a unique international background in Industry, Government, Defence, Space and Academia in the US, UK, Australia, and NZ, and is well known for his network of people and institutions around the world. A leader in applying technology, he has broad expertise in national security & intelligence, aviation & aerospace, cybersecurity, remote sensing, and systems analysis & ICT. He is currently engaged in AI (national iAward for innovation), UAVs, microsatellites, smart sensors, nanotechnology and big data analytics.
Dr Scully-Power has led many high-tech, defence and security programs. He held executive appointments under Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, and was Deputy to the Associate Technical Director, US Naval Undersea Warfare Center, where he held the US Navy Distinguished Chair of Underwater Acoustics He was a Research Associate at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Chairman of Membership of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, President of the Fort Trumbull Federal Credit Union, and served on the Universities & Colleges Accreditation Board and the US Office of Naval Research.
Dr Scully-Power qualified for very high altitude full pressure suit flying at Edwards Air Force Base, and was a flight crew instructor in the NASA Astronaut Office, Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, where he became Australia’s first astronaut flying aboard Challenger on the 13th mission of the Space Shuttle

Peter Lynch is a leader in Professional Indemnity Insurance in the real estate, valuation and management right industry sectors.
He boasts over 30 years’ experience with Aon Risk Solutions and as the Client Manager is responsible for developing new business within the real estate sector including the identification of business opportunities with franchise groups and other stakeholders.
He took a significant role in providing advice and support to introduce a Real Estate specific indemnity insurance scheme and is responsible for the highly successful REIQ/REINT schemes which he coordinated with the assistance of industry, lawyers, underwriters and claims staff.
Peter has a strong interest in promoting safe and quality business practices in real estate and has been a regular contributor to course materials, presentations and editorial submissions. He has been called upon to be a guest speaker at training forums for the REIQ, REIA, REINT, REIWA and various franchise groups.
Peter also provides individual Risk Management training to a number of his Franchise Group clients.

Dr Rahat Munir is a Professor and Head of Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University. He is FCA, FCPA and PhD. For over 30 years Professor Munir has been at the forefront of initiatives that have positioned organisations to support significant development and change. He is internationally renowned for curriculum development, pioneering innovative learning and teaching (L&T) practices, Micro Credentials and academic standards (including TEQSA and Australian Qualification Framework), Accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, Professional Accounting Bodies), student experience and research. He has played a pivotal role in creation of research and teaching collaborations with professional accounting bodies, Universities in China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Europe. He has served on the panel for Faculty/Course Reviews of various Universities in Australia and New Zealand.

His research is across management accounting and controls and related subjects. He supervises Master of Research and Ph.D. students. His research interests include from management accounting systems, performance measurement systems, CSR, corporate governance, and management control systems. He has published in leading international journals as well as presented at international conferences in many parts of the world. He is affiliated with several professional bodies including the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, Professional Risk Managers International Association, USA, American Accounting Association and European Accounting Association.

Professor Munir serves on various high-level Committees and Advisory Boards. Professor Munir has also served on the TAFE NSW Higher Education Academic Board. He has served as guest editor and referee/scientific program committee of various international journals, and organised conferences & workshops. He has been invited for Keynote lectures and Policy presentations in international conferences and public sector institutions. With his strong engagement with industry, he leads CFO Forum, Industry Academic Series, Thought Leadership and Business Leaders Roundtables.

Professor Munir’s sustained excellence in teaching and research has been recognised through international and national awards, including:

2 x Macquarie University Vice Chancellor’s awards for developing programs and outstanding contributions to student learning,
Dean’s teaching excellence award,
2 x CPA Australia’s award for achievement in academia, and
Business/Higher Education Roundtable Award for excellence in accounting teaching collaborations.
Professor Munir's contribution has also been acknowledged for his projects in 2015 and 2021 for the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards at the University of Pennsylvania in the Nurturing Employability Award category for the most innovative pedagogical approach to learning and teaching. He has served on the judging panel of the Momentum Media and Accountants Daily’s Australian Accounting and Australian Digital Technology and 30 Under 30 Awards. Professor Munir's case study - The Ethics of Profit in the Australian Retail Industry was amongst the top 4 teaching cases globally by the Decision Sciences Institute, Washington DC for the ‘Best Teaching Case Studies Award’ competition.

Thomas Green is a co-founder of Neumann Space where he served as a research and policy analyst and in-house counsel for almost five years. He is currently a Project Manager in the Emerging Technologies branch of Transport for NSW and is a member of the International Institute of Space Law, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australasian Association for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science.

Thomas is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Wollongong on the regulation and enforcement of new technology — specifically concerning access to space by commercial and non-government entities.

Thomas has also previously worked on software projects and start-ups related to machine learning, worked in private equity, served as a Ministerial Advisor on emergency services and road safety, and was a business coordinator for the COVID-19 response team for Transport for NSW during the COVID outbreaks in NSW throughout 2020 and worked in the private sector as a Quality Manager through 2021 managing the design, development and production of novel COVID-19 testing kits to improve pandemic management responses and patient outcomes.

Troy Swan is the Group General Counsel and Board Member of the $1.3 billion office products company Winc. Winc was formed following the acquisition and merger of Staples, OfficeMax and Corporate Express in Australia and New Zealand by leading US based private equity firm Platinum Equity.
He has been publicly recognised as one of Australia's leading corporate lawyers and was previously an Australian Lawyer of the Year and an Australian General Counsel of the Year triple finalist. He was also the Association of Corporate Counsel Global Member of the Year, from over 43,000 lawyers worldwide, with this being the first time this honour was ever awarded to a lawyer outside America.
He became only the second Australian lawyer to win the International Value Champions Award in San Francisco and was also named the Association of Corporate Counsel Winner for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility.
Known for his business judgement, he is highly active within the legal and business community, being named a Judge at the Australian Law Awards, New Zealand Law Awards, Corporate Counsel Awards, Partner of the Year Awards and the 30 Under 30 Law Awards.
He is a long standing Member of the Law Society Corporate Lawyers Committee, is a regular commentator and speaker on legal and business affairs and leads an award winning legal team based in Sydney, Australia.

Warren supports customers in leveraging the value of cloud at scale, his focus is on identifying and overcoming blockers to adoption. Currently he is leading the roll-out of Generative AI services to enable enterprises to benefit from the new technology in a safe, responsible and effective manner.
Prior to AWS Warren was a General Manager at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and was accountable for the digital transformation of a subsidiary bank in Vietnam which contributed to a 25% improvement in CIR and 10X increase in profit over 3 years. He was also involved in a number of other large transformation programs within the main Australian bank.