Professor Allan Dale

(Chair)
Professor of Tropical Regional Development, JCU Allan Dale is a Professor of Tropical Regional Development at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University and the Chief Scientist for the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). He has been the inaugural chair of the Developing Northern Australia Conference since 2015. Allan has an internationally published interest in integrated societal governance, with a particular focus across the tropical world, northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. He leads JCU’s contributions to Queensland’s Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE), the Communities in Transition Program, the Indigenous Enterprise Program with in the TNQ Drought Hub, and emerging collective impact approaches to social development at community scale.

Catherine White

General Manager Business and Workforce, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Catherine White is a highly qualified and multi-faceted executive leader with 30 years’ experience and leadership across the business, training and employment sectors. Her current role is General Manager of Business and Workforce in the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade. Known for her communication skills and strengths in working in cross cultural settings with a strong track record of leading teams and delivering results in challenging and changing environments.

Paul Burke

CEO, NT Farmers Association

Paul has extensive experience in the agricultural sector, working in government and non-government roles advocating and supporting the agricultural sector. He worked in AgForce Queensland as the State Operations Manager and was the Chief Executive Officer for NT Cattlemen’s Association. Prior to becoming CEO of NT Farmers in 2019, he was the Director of Infrastructure Assets and Major Projects for the NT Government Department of Primary Industries and Resources.

John Coyne

Head of Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Dr John Coyne is Head of the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre and Head of Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement at ASPI.

He is an award-winning author who has published widely on policing, national security, northern Australia and organised crime.

John has worked in intelligence and national security for over 25 years. He has been an intelligence professional at tactical, operational, and strategic levels across military, regulatory, national security and law enforcement organisations.

He has been a Winston Churchill Fellow and a Vincent Fairfax Fellow.

Brendon Douglas

Board Director, CRC for Developing Northern Australia & Deputy Director, Menzies School of Health Research

Brendon is experienced in executive leadership in the higher education, commercial, and public service sectors. He has a track record of identifying opportunities and developing strategies for enhanced organisational performance, expansion and growth, and building new partnerships.

He presently works as the Deputy Director at Menzies School of Health Research. Brendon is a lawyer, a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an International Fellow at Oxford Academic Health Partners, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and has completed executive education programs at London School of Economics. Brendon is presently on the CRC for Northern Australia Board.

Will Evans

Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Bio coming soon.

Ricky Archer

Chief Executive Officer, Northern Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd

Ricky Archer is a Djungan man from the Western Tablelands region of North Qld.

Ricky has a strong network of on ground land and sea managers across northern Australia from which to draw from and has demonstrated an ability to connect on-ground work of Indigenous organisations with regional, state and commonwealth priorities.

In his current role, Ricky is the Chief Executive Officer of the North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). He is involved with numerous organisations and committees enabling strategic input across a diverse field, these include;

• CRC for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) - Board Director
• North Commonwealth Marine Park – Board Member
• NT Aboriginal Land Management Advisory Group - Chairperson
• National Feral Pig Action Plan Implementation Committee – Chairperson
• National Forestry Stewardship Council, Indigenous Working Group – Member
• Indigenous Innovation Alliance - Member

Previous engagements include:

• Australian Committee IUCN – Executive Member
• Minister for Environment, Indigenous Advisory Committee – Member
• National Landcare Advisory Committee – Member
• Commonwealth Environmental Biosecurity Advisory Group - Member

Ricky has a background in geographical information systems, Indigenous knowledge management, and natural & cultural resource management. He is passionate about the advancement and improvement of Indigenous livelihoods across the north.

Carla Keith

General Manager, Cooperative Research Centre Northern Development

Carla Keith is the General Manager at the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). As part of her role, Carla oversees the delivery of the organisation’s research programs and day-to-day operations of the CRCNA, including strategic communications, media and stakeholder management. Carla also manages the CRCNA’s education and workforce development program.

Before joining the CRCNA, Carla worked in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and business development for raw sugar marketer Queensland Sugar Limited and spent seven years as a radio journalist and news director for a regional radio network.

Emma Nesbitt

COO, Darwin Innovation Hub

Emma holds extensive industry and bipartisan government relationships across Australia and abroad, with 10 years-experience managing and designing programs and strategic operations, communications and generating business diversification and growth strategies across various industries. A progressive and modern leader, influencing and developing solutions-based cultures. Emma is able to generate and source projects, investment opportunities and investment partners and take a lead through to execution of the deal. Regional Development projects that Emma has led have included transformational strategic projects, deal sourcing for Private Equity and Venture Capital funds, designing and facilitating cross-regional strategic implementation for investment prioritisation tools and working within industry and with government to inform intelligent led proposals and advocacy. Emma is a certified member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, the Australian Investment Council, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Management and Leadership ANZ, and holds a Graduate Certificate of Leadership & Strategy.

Terry Hill

CEO, Pilbara Development Commission

Matt Derlagen

Stakeholder Relations, NAIF Bio coming soon.

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.

Angela Tomazos

Managing Partner, NAB Regional and Agribusiness for the Northern Territory Angela is second generation Greek Australian business leader, advisor and community advocate. A banking and finance professional of 28 plus years, Angela’s current leadership role at National Australia Bank is Business Bank Executive for Northern Territory. Her advocacy roles are Director of Policy & Vice President of the Australian Federation of Business & Professional Women and founding member and Chair of Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NT) Inc. Angela has previously served on advisory groups for Northern Australia Ministerial Forum and Northern Territory Government Team Territory. Angela has recently been appointed to the board of Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Bernadette Zerba

Deputy Director-General, Regional Economic Development, Department of Regional Development Manufacturing and Water

Bernadette has worked in government for more than 20 years, holding leadership roles in multiple agencies across state government. She specialises in leading regional economic development initiatives across the state, including bulk water infrastructure assessment, planning and delivery and grant programs. Bernadette has strong skills in policy development, strategic analysis, interdepartmental and interjurisdictional engagement, and negotiation.

Prior to taking the role of Deputy Director-General of Regional Economic Development, Bernadette was the Executive Director of Water Infrastructure and Strategic Co-ordination for the department. In that role, she provided governance oversight of government-owned bulk water providers, contributing advice on bulk water infrastructure projects and regional urban water security and oversight of SEQ water supply planning.

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.

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.

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.

Dr Steve Rogers

PVC Research & Innovation, Charles Darwin University

Professor Steve Rogers is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Charles Darwin University (CDU) who was appointed to CDU as the Director of Research and Innovation in 2020.

Professor Rogers has research and high-level leadership experience in the environment sector, mining exploration and mineral processing industries with an extensive understanding of the complex regional issues facing Northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Professor Rogers was formerly the CEO at the Centre for Appropriate Technology Ltd (CfAT Ltd), an Aboriginal-controlled, not-for-profit technology and infrastructure solutions company based in Alice Springs, operating across rural and remote Australia.

With a PhD in Microbiology, Professor Rogers spent 13 years with the University of Adelaide and CSIRO Land and Water at the Waite Research Institute in Adelaide. His research interests include using microorganisms to clean contaminated industrial sites.

Professor Rogers has held several other positions working with global mining and oil and gas sectors, as the CEO of the CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration, Managing Director of the Parker CRC for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions and WA program manager with the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Outside of his career, Steve has been a volunteer firefighter in WA and the NT for 11 years, enjoys bush camping with his wife and is an amateur cook.

Anne-Marie Roberts

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

Jerome Cubillo

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

Sam Stewart

CEO, Association for Sustainability in Business

Daniel Hall

NT Liaison, Austrade Daniel started his career as a finance reporter, working for titles including the Australian Financial Review and Business Review Weekly. He has worked for the Queensland, Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments in a range of senior corporate communications and policy roles. Daniel is the Australian Trade and Investment Commission’s (Austrade) Territory Liaison Adviser, linking government peers, business, and industry groups with Austrade in Australia and overseas.

Diane McCann

A/Director Engagement, Office of Northern Australia

Bio coming soon.

Frank Beveridge

Chair, RDA NWQ

Bio coming soon.