The involvement of our distinguished speakers is integral to steering the success of the Summit. Our speakers boast diverse backgrounds in project management and leadership, providing a wealth of perspectives.

Check out the details of confirmed speakers below.

Speakers

CONNIE BECK

Chair of the Board, Australian Institute of
Project Management

Connie has worked for over 25 years in the technology and digital industry. An accomplished executive who specialises in equipping businesses with the capabilities needed to achieve their strategic objectives, Connie has worked globally in the technology industry across Consulting, Managed Services, M&A, Project and Portfolio Management.

MARIE BOLAND

CEO, Safe Work Australia

Marie is a Member of Safe Work Australia and its subsidiary committees and a Commissioner of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. She is a member of the Respect@Work Council and the G20 Occupational Safety and Health Expert Network, and an observer on the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities and the Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities.

DARIUS DANESH

CEO, Australian Institute of
Project Management

Dr Darius Danesh is a results-driven executive with extensive expertise in project portfolio management and executive leadership, consistently serving as a trusted advisor to organisations across both public and private sectors. Throughout a distinguished career, Darius has held numerous executive leadership roles, guiding organisations on a diverse array of critical areas.

GILLIAN GERAGHTY

Director General and ACT Chief Engineer,
Infrastructure Canberra

Gillian is the Director-General and ACT Chief Engineer of Infrastructure Canberra. The position is responsible for Territory’s infrastructure program and property portfolio. Gillian has a strong track record of leadership on infrastructure and property projects across multiple sectors and geographies. Gillian is passionate about enabling great teams and creating a culture of respect and kindness across partners for the benefit of the ACT community.

ANNA MOORE

Director of the ANU Institute of Space,
Australian National University

Professor Anna Moore works at the forefront of Australia’s renaissance in space exploration and is a major force driving Australia’s strategic direction and R&D translation agenda to build national space capabilities and industry. An astronomer by training and a globally recognised leader in astronomical instrumentation, she founded and directs the multi-disciplinary Institute for Space (InSpace) at the Australian National University.

MARISA PATERSON

Minister for Women, ACT Government

Dr Marisa Paterson was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in October 2020. Since the 2024 ACT Election, Dr Paterson has served as Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Minister for Women, Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Minister for Corrections and Minister for Gaming Reform.

SAM PEDRAM

Board Director, Australian Institute of
Project Management

Sam is a senior leader with over 20 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors. She currently serves as a Board Director of the Australian Institute of Project Management, where her contributions help shape the future of the profession. Throughout her career, Sam has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in leadership and organisational advancement.

Panellists

PANEL 1 - The Role of Leadership in Empowering Change

KAREN BILLINGTON

Infrastructure Advisory Lead, AECOM

With over 20 years of experience in engineering, management consulting, and sustainability leadership, Karen is a business-oriented, strategic thinker and a driver of business transformation and growth. Karen is a growth and business strategy leader, energised by driving change today to build a better future for tomorrow.

JANE CASSIDY

National President, Australian Institute of Architects

Jane Cassidy is the APAC Service Line Leader for Architecture & Design at GHD and a Director of GHD Design, operating within GHD’s large multidisciplinary architecture, urban design, engineering, project management, digital and advisory business. She is also the National President of the Australian Institute of Architects and is an enthusiastic advocate for promoting and implementing sustainable strategies on the path to net zero and beyond.

KENDY HAU

Deputy President, United Services Institute ACT

Kendy Hau currently serves as Deputy President of the United Service Institute ACT (USI-ACT).

The USI-ACT is the Australian chapter of the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI), one of the oldest National Security and Defence think tanks in the world.

CATHERINE LOFT

Executive Group Manager, Infrastructure Communications and Engagement Division, ACT Health

Catherine Loft is the Executive Group Manager, Infrastructure Communications and Engagement Division at ACT Health. Catherine has a Masters in Public Administration, Graduate Certificate of Public Policy, Diploma in Property Development and over 18 years in public sector social infrastructure leadership roles.

HEATHER NICOLL

General Manager, Workforce, Innovation and Culture, Defence Trailblazer

Heather Nicoll is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Military College of Australia and the University of Adelaide’s Master of Business program. She spent 15 years as a Signals Corps officer in the Australian Army and more than a decade in senior roles at UNSW, UOQ and ANU, and as a consultant to government, industry and higher education clients.

ANDREW WAYE

PANEL MODERATOR,
Executive General Manager, Systra

Andrew has over 30 years of experience in the national security sector across diverse agencies. He brings a compelling track record of respected leadership and trusted advice. Specialising in generational change and transformative capabilities, Andrew excels in implementing tailored, fit-for-purpose solutions within national security agencies. Andrew is currently the Executive General Manager of Security and Technology Solutions at SYSTRA ANZ.

PANEL 2 - Inclusive Leadership: Cultivating Skills for Empowering Women in Project Management

JAMES BAWTREE

CEO, PMLogic

James Bawtree FAIPM CPPD FAPM ChPP is PMLogic, a B-Corp’s Founder and CEO, and passionate about improving the way people deliver their strategic objectives in a sustainable way. James is co-author of The Strategy Implementation Gap, won several awards and has over 25 years’ experience in all major facets of strategy implementation.

CLIFF BINGHAM

Assistant Secretary of the Labour Market and Migration Branch, Jobs and Skills Australia

Cliff Bingham is Assistant Secretary of the Labour Market and Migration Branch of Jobs and Skills Australia. He leads Jobs and Skills Australia’s work to advise on issues affecting the state of the Australian and international labour markets, and how these affect Australia’s current and emerging workforce skills needs.

CHRIS DEEBLE

Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Defence Australia

Chris Deeble is the Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) in the Department of Defence. Chris has extensive experience spanning the defence, industry and commercial sectors and working with Government. He also served for 37 years in the Australian Defence Force, most notably as an Air Vice-Marshal.

CHERYL POLLARD

Program Manager, Canberra Business Chamber

Cheryl is a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities, championing their right to "live an ordinary life" and actively contribute to their communities, including through employment. In her role as Manager for Skills & Inclusion at the Canberra Business Chamber, Cheryl leverages her extensive experience to create inclusive opportunities and foster equitable environments for all.

PRUE SLAUGHTER

CEO, Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT)

Prue's career is defined by her passion for driving positive change in communities and organisations through dynamic and strategic leadership. As CEO of Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT), Prue is leading the expansion of mental health education programs into schools, workplaces, and community sectors.

FLEUR WILEY

PANEL MODERATOR
Principal Consultant, Sententia Consulting

Fleur is a Principal Consultant at Sententia Consulting in Canberra. She has over two decades of experience as a Project, Program, Portfolio and PMO Leader, delivering projects across federal and state government as well as experience in corporate across banking, utilities and insurance.

Master of Ceremonies

KAREN HUGHES

Convenor, AIPM's Women in Project Management Network

Karen Hughes has been in the SA defence industry for 25 years most recently with QinetiQ and previously with Saab Australia. Karen started in defence industry as a software engineer but always had an interest in the bigger picture.

Karen has over 15 years of project and program management across product and service delivery projects, organisational change and business capture projects in defence.

Conference Managers

Consec - Conference and Event Management

PO Box 3127
Belconnen Delivery Centre
BELCONNEN ACT 2617
Tel: +61 2 6252 1200
Email: aipm@consec.com.au