Professor Allan Dale

(Chair)
Professor of Tropical Regional Development, JCU

Luke Bowen

General Manager, Investment Territory, NT Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, Northern Territory Government

Luke was born and raised on a mixed farm in Western Australia, educated in Perth and studied agriculture at Curtin University. Early in his career he spent time working in the agriculture sector in Western Australia and Europe and six years as a sales and marketing executive in building and construction, service and supply sectors.
He has extensive experience in Indigenous economic development across Australia and particularly pastoral development in Northern Australia.
Luke was Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association from 2008 – 2014 and a member of federal Agriculture Minister’s Industry Advisory Council.
In 2014 Luke was engaged by the Northern Territory government to run the Northern Australian Development Office, which expanded to key responsibilities for international relations, trade and investment. Since January 2021, under a new Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Luke has taken responsibility for agriculture, fisheries and biosecurity.

Joanna Larvin

Director, Office of Northern Australia Joanna Larvin, Assistant Director (Engagement), Office of Northern Australia A proud West Australian, Jo has recently returned to Perth with the Office of Northern Australia. Jo has spent over 14 years in the Australian Public Service working on communication and engagement for the Australian Government, including serving overseas as a diplomat in Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan. Jo holds multiple qualifications, including a Masters in International and Community Development and a Bachelor Degree in Economics, and has experience particularly in disaster resilience and economic development.

Matt Derlagen

Stakeholder Relations, NAIF

Graham Fraine

Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Graham has 27 years experience in public policy, program development and service delivery across state and local government. Graham has previously held Deputy Director-General roles within the Queensland Government Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Deputy Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury. His strong passion for working in the public service is evident and he values the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of Queenslanders as well as to give back to the community. Graham is known for his strategic leadership that inspires a strong sense of purpose and his extensive experience across government sees him bring a broad whole-of-sector perspective to the role. In 2018, Graham was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to social science research and policy development in Queensland. Graham also holds a bachelor degree in psychology from James Cook University of North Queensland and a PhD from the Queensland University of Technology.

Terry Hill

CEO, Pilbara Development Commission

Nerida Horner

Northern Australia Science Consultant, CSIRO Nerida Horner is a motivated professional Environmental Engineer at CSIRO, with 20 years experience in water, energy and sustainability and a passion for applying science to solving on ground challenges, with a particular focus on Northern Australia. Nerida has a track record in leading and facilitating collaborative and multidisciplinary environmental and infrastructure research. She has spent most of her career in the water industry in northern Australia, and successfully undertaken technical, research and leadership roles in utility, NGO, research and government across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland. Nerida’s technical background is in sustainable water management in river, groundwater and drinking water systems, and Indigenous and community engagement. Nerida has led and managed multidisciplinary science and engineering teams of up to 50 people in both operations and research, as well as strategic management of multi-stakeholder consortiums. Nerida is a multidisciplinarian who holds a Masters degree in Anthropology and Development (2011) and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering (2001). She served as Engineers Australia’s Northern Division (NT) President in 2016 and Deputy President 2014-2015, and has held National roles on EA college Boards of the Sustainability, Environmental and Women in Engineering colleges. As Group Leader Landscapes and Ecology, Nerida leads five teams located across Australia conducting nationally-significant research to understand, manage and restore terrestrial ecosystems and on the science and impacts of bushfires and facilitate their adaptation under future climates. Nerida’s role as a Research Consultant for Northern Australia is to identify and apply relevant CSIRO research to inform challenges in northern development, and relocated from Darwin to Townsville in 2021 to increase focus on Queensland and collaborations with James Cook University. Nerida enjoys bringing together organisations around shared goals and delivering on environmental outcomes.

Romilly Madew

Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Australia

Romilly Madew AO FTSE was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Australia, in early 2019 and is responsible for overseeing Infrastructure Australia’s critical role in helping governments prioritise projects and reforms that best serve our communities.

Before joining Infrastructure Australia, Ms Madew was CEO of Green Building Council of Australia for 13 years. In acknowledgment of her contribution to Australia’s sustainable building movement, Ms Madew was awarded an Order of Australia in 2019.

Lynda Pollock

Manager Stakeholder Engagement and Social Perfomance, Anglo American Metallurgical Coal

Kylie Porter

Chief Executive Officer, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3)

Kylie Porter is the Chief Executive Officer of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3). GW3 is the peak independent, economic development organisation for the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region. The organisation is a strategic and coordinated point of contact for local, national and international networks and advocates for, and promotes prosperity across the Greater Whitsunday region. GW3’s focus is not centred on one specific industry and has a remit to deliver across all key driving industries in the region including mining and METS, agriculture, tourism, bio-futures and others. Kylie more than 25 years professional marketing and corporate communications experience, and is well versed on all the big issues the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region today. She also is a Director of C-Res, a company which delivers the Local Buying Program across Australia in partnership with BHP.

Anne-Marie Roberts

Strategic Policy Advisor, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Gaurav Sareen

Lead Partner, Global Investment & Innovation Incentives (Gi³) and NT Public Sector Advisory, Darwin Gaurav Sareen – Overview Gaurav is the Lead Partner for Deloitte’s Global Investment and Innovation Incentives (Gi³) team in Northern Australia and Public Sector Advisory services in the Northern Territory. Gaurav is a qualified lawyer and has over 13 years’ experience working with Deloitte. Gaurav has an extensive public and private sector background, assisting a range of organisations with project business cases and feasibility analysis, accessing Government funding and financing support, and facilitating regional investment attraction. Gaurav is deeply passionate about helping shape a better Northern Australia and making a meaningful difference to the local community. Gaurav regularly presents at conferences such as Developing Northern Australia Conference and NT Major Projects Conference. Relevant project experience Public and Private Sectors – Gaurav has extensive experience in working with public and private organisations in the development of project business cases for government approvals, as well as for funding and financing submissions. This includes initial feasibility analysis, government and industry stakeholder engagement, business case and investment proposal preparation, and negotiation of agreements through the due diligence phases to execution. Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce – Gaurav is currently leading a significant engagement with the Prime Minister’s Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce to attract large-scale new inbound investment and high-skilled talent and capability into Australia. NT Steel Study – Gaurav led the engagement with the NT Chamber of Commerce to undertake extensive stakeholder consultation with industry and businesses for the steel industry in the Northern Territory, to support capability across the territory. This assessment is about understanding and strengthening the future of the NT Steel Sector, through the establishment of insights and evidence-based data to inform policy and trends impacting the industry. ACS Digital Pulse reports: Gaurav has a close relationship with the ACS, and have launched the ACS 2019 and 2020 Digital Pulse reports. Gaurav will also be launching the ACS 2021 Digital Pulse report in collaboration with the NT Government. This will include discussing key insights into the future of the NT technology workforce and signpost the way ahead for the industry. Government funding – Gaurav has deep experience with Government funding and financing assistance programs such as Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), Export Finance Australia (EFA), NT Local Jobs Fund (LJF), Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) programs, Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P), and Department of Infrastructure funding programs. Energy Industry – Gaurav’s areas of industry sector expertise includes transportation and infrastructure, energy and resources, utilities (power and renewables), tourism and hospitality, and agribusiness. NT Airports – Gaurav led the engagement with NT Airports to secure significant NAIF and BBRF funding for projects over $300M, including a freight and education hub, cold storage facility, airport upgrades, and a large-scale solar farm. State Governments – Gaurav has led numerous project business case and feasibility study engagements across State and Local Governments, and industry peak body groups. City Council – Gaurav led the engagement with Darwin City Council to develop a strategic investment prospectus for the region. Positioning for Prosperity – Gaurav has played an integral role in Positioning for Prosperity. Developing the North boardroom consultation series that was jointly facilitated by Deloitte, NAB and the Northern Australia Development Of Australia Office, as well as the NT Economic Development Framework.

Stephanie Smith

State Director, Northern Territory, Austrade

Grant Stanley

Vice-President of Research, Central Queensland University

Professor Stanley is currently the Vice-President of Research at CQUniversity, having arrived in 2010 as Dean of Medical and Applied Sciences. Grant holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Melbourne and has a background in Microbiology/Biochemical Engineering, with research expertise in biofuel production. He has experience in researching and teaching microbial metabolism, biochemical engineering and bioremediation. His research has been widely published and well-funded from both government and industry sources. Grant has supervised 15 PhD students to completion. He has been on a number of national and international conference organising committees, company boards and journal editorial boards.

Angela Tomazos

Managing Partner, NAB Regional and Agribusiness for the Northern Territory

Teona Cousin

Manager Economic Development and Tourism, Mackay Regional Council

Karen May

Deputy Mayor, Mackay Regional Council

Deputy Mayor's vast local government experience totalling 16+ years. Cr May is a highly experienced Councillor, mayor of former Sarina Shire Council, leading Sarina through amalgamation with Mackay City and Mirani Shire councils in 2008. Member of council’s Character & Heritage, Regional Arts Development Fund, Sarina Field of Dreams Advisory, Priority Development Area Advisory and Sustainability & Environment Advisory committees and Combined Museums Reference Group. Extensive knowledge of infrastructure sitting on the Transport and Drainage and Water & Waste Advisory boards. Cr May is a member of the Sarina Landcare Group and a council representative on the Mackay Housing Company.

Jerome Cubillo

Indigenous Development Officer, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Northern Territory Government

Jerome Cubillo is a proud Larrakia and Wadjigan man who was born and raised on Larrakia country with family connections to the Torres Strait Islands.

His education: a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Politics and Minor in Development Studies), University of Melbourne, are qualifications that laid the foundation, and combined with experience, launched the trajectory of his career.

Jerome’s professional working career is as diverse, as it is dynamic. His start as a consultant within the Not-for-Profit youth leadership space, allowed him to work with people, it was a catalyst to take bigger strides for community and career. He then began working with the Northern Territory Government in 2018 in Housing and Community Development before taking a role in the Department of the Chief Minister in Office of Aboriginal Affairs as the Manager, Leadership and Engagement working on the First Circles Leadership Program.

Seeking out a new challenge, Jerome took short break from the office, to run on The Amazing Race in 2019, partnering with his wife, Jasmin, The Deadly Duo from NT, placed 2nd.

This break was short lived, and Jerome was inspired to push the boundaries and become a Director of Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, an integral part of the Darwin community. Jerome has been on the board since 2018 and was the Deputy Chairperson for a year, in 2021 Jerome was elected as the Chairperson.

His want for more and need to make inroads of change, lead him to his current role. Jerome is the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Territory Business Network (NTIBN), a role that allows him to advocate for and preference work winning opportunities for Aboriginal businesses in the NT.

Sam Stewart

CEO, Association for Sustainability in Business