Keynote Speakers
Dr Michelle Dickinson
Dr. Michelle Dickinson (MNZM) is a renowned nanotechnologist and materials engineer with over two decades of experience in leading technological breakthroughs across various fields, including medical applications and solutions for startups and established corporations. She founded New Zealand's only nanomechanical testing laboratory, helping companies translate groundbreaking ideas into tangible realities. Michelle's expertise is highly sought after by investors and venture capitalists for navigating the high-tech investment landscape, emphasising the importance of clear science communication and fostering diversity in engineering teams.
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Her personal journey of overcoming challenges through education inspired her to co-found Nanogirl Labs, with a mission to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) engaging and accessible for everyone. Nanogirl Labs offers captivating content and interactive learning experiences, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to understand and create technology. Initiatives like "The Kitchen Science Cookbook" and STEM education programs in the Pacific Islands highlight her commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering scientific exploration. Michelle's numerous accolades, including the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, underscore her significant impact on science and society.
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Simon Waller
After completing postgraduate studies in foresight and future thinking, Simon worked in scenario planning and strategy development for the global mining company Rio Tinto.
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Since leaving corporate life and moving to Victoria in 2010, Simon has gone on to support dozens of organisations, deliver hundreds of keynotes, and speak to thousands of business leaders on how future thinking techniques can help them find better answers to their biggest and most pressing challenges.
Over the last decade, Simon has worked with local councils throughout Victoria, as well as other government-related organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Simon holds a Master of Business Leadership, a Graduate Certificate in Future Studies, a Bachelor of Commerce, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Find out more about Simon here - https://simonwaller.live/
Layne Beachley AO
Layne Beachley AO is a surfing legend, claiming a remarkable 7 world titles, the only surfer in the world to win 6 consecutively.
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Her path to success was peppered with challenges including adoption, mental illness, life threatening injuries and failures. Embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth, Layne’s honest and determined approach to life and success is inspiring. She’s not only a champion in surfing but also a fierce advocate for equality within her sport, a passionate environmental campaigner and champion for mental wellness, serving as a proud ambassador for The Black Dog Institute, RUOK? Day and Gotcha4life.
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Today she is driven to awaken a groundswell of people to become more centred, connected and confident through her transformational work at Awake Academy. Their Workshops, online courses and upcoming book are filled with practical tools to empower people to live a happier and more purposeful life.
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She surfs every day, loves Rosé and her biggest weakness is hot chips.
Simon Kriss
Simon Kriss is a distinguished AI thought leader, keynote speaker, and Chief AI Officer at simonkriss.ai. He serves as a Senior Fellow of the AI for Developing Countries Forum, where he advocates for equitable AI adoption globally.
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A trusted adviser to boards and C-suite executives, Simon helps organisations navigate AI adoption and governance with a focus on ethical outcomes. His global speaking engagements include a notable presentation at the United Nations in Geneva, where he introduced innovative concepts like "digital trash." He works with a range of clients, from government authorities to global brands such as Coca-Cola.
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As the author of The AI Empowered Customer Experience and host of the popular “AI in 5” podcast, Simon brings over three decades of international business experience to his insights on AI-driven transformation. He is renowned for identifying hidden opportunities for businesses to innovate responsibly and succeed in the evolving AI landscape.
Conference Presenters
Mike Symonds - Conference MC
Mike started his career as a 'really dodgy' radio announcer, actor and stand up comedian. Missing out on a TV gig because the producer didn't like his eyes, Mike thought, blow this "I need a normal job".
Throwing a pack on his back, he worked in the Australian wilderness as a Group Facilitator for Outward Bound Australia, discovering the power of 'action based' learning, facilitating behaviour change and the dynamics of team culture.
Along with his wife Sarsha, they went on to launch Interactive Events to revolutionise the Team Building Industry moving it beyond 'trust falls' and 'high ropes' to what it is today - using fun and play to build, bond and grow strong, unified and productive teams.
Ever since, Mike has been on a mission, working with business owners and leaders across Australia, helping them build purpose-driven and inspired team culture by harnessing the power of fun in the workplace.
Mamoon Irshad
Mamoon has been working with PMHC for over four years, designing and implementing integration solutions using Azure cloud technologies. Prior to this, he worked across various IT domains, including test automation, business analysis, release management, and program management
Aaron Jacobs
Aaron Jacobs is a Principal Solutions Engineer, specialising in Global Security Operations and Incident Response. With more than 25 years of experience in the IT industry, Aaron has delivered a variety of successful projects both with Sophos and as a general manager of a leading Australian Managed Services Provider. Aaron has enabled a range of organisations to grow in an ever-changing business and threat landscape, utilising his skills as a systems engineer and consultant to advise customers on cybersecurity and business continuity. He is an experienced speaker and established thought leader in the MSP space and cybersecurity industry
Steve Isles
Steve Isles is a technology leader with 20+ years' experience across metro, regional, and remote areas of Australia and Oceania. Now leading cybersecurity for HPE Aruba Networking in the South Pacific, Steve helps organisations modernise securely. Passionate about security's role in enabling trust and resilience, he bridges strategy and technology to protect communities and critical infrastructure.
Steve Isles
Steve Isles is a technology leader with 20+ years' experience across metro, regional, and remote areas of Australia and Oceania. Now leading cybersecurity for HPE Aruba Networking in the South Pacific, Steve helps organisations modernise securely. Passionate about security's role in enabling trust and resilience, he bridges strategy and technology to protect communities and critical infrastructure.
Martin Buckland
Martin is the only Microsoft Security Specialist in Australia who is dedicated to the local government sector. He works across all States and Territories working with his local government customers to advise on Security, Governance, Risk and Compliance capabilities. Martin has spent the last 9 years focused on cyber security and has worked with Federal Government Agencies, State Governments and Critical infrastructure providers
Kirsty Backhausen
Kirsty Backhausen is a Cyber Security Specialist at City of Newcastle, where she has helped build security posture from the ground up. An ISO 27001 Certified Lead Auditor with a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, Kirsty draws on hands-on experience from her time in the Australian Defence Force. She knows council is a uniquely diverse workplace where no two days - or teams - are ever the same. Kirsty is passionate about making security practical, positive, customer-focused, and believes that if you engage people the right way, you can turn your “weakest link” into human sensors.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tom Scully
Tom Scully, CSC, is a distinguished senior engineering leader with over a decade of experience supporting government and commercial organisations across the communications, cybersecurity, and advanced technology sectors. As Director and Principal Architect for Government and Critical Industries at Palo Alto Networks, Tom plays a pivotal role in helping clients across Asia Pacific and Japan secure their most critical systems.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tasleem Ullah
Tasleem Ullah is an ICT Program Manager at Campbelltown City Council, where he manages transformative technology initiatives that drive significant change and innovation in local government. With extensive experience in state and local government, enterprise, and semi-government sectors, Tasleem excels in strategic management of ICT roadmap, cyber security framework and policy implementation, and driving innovation through technology. His strategic approach ensures that technology solutions are not only practical but also deliver measurable business outcomes. At LGIT2025, he will share his insights and practical knowledge on driving successful transformations in local government, addressing the challenges of balancing resource commitments, managing change fatigue, and meeting stakeholder expectations.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Muhammad Saad Aslam
Muhammad Saad Aslam is a leader in innovation, digital transformation, and cybersecurity, with over 15 years of experience advancing AI and emerging technology initiatives across Europe, APAC, and the Middle East. His career blends strategy, consulting, and implementation roles, driving organizational change and transformative projects in the Financial Services, Government, Aviation, and Energy sectors. Currently, as AI and Cyber Lead, Saad is driving organization wide AI adoption, focussing on strong governance, AI literacy, impactful Generative AI solutions, responsible AI practices, and seamless system integrations.
Jane Kerchner
With over 35 years of experience in Local Government, I have worked with 6 different Councils in NSW in various roles such as Business Analyst, Process Analyst, Change management, Call Centre management, Project management, and even as a Caravan park manager (funny story!).
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Leanne Siveyer
Leanne Siveyer has the been CIO at Sutherland Shire Council for 3.5 years where she established the cyber security capability from scratch. Prior to this she held various senior management positions in the State Government and notably lead the achievement of ISO27001 certification for DPE. Prior to her government roles she worked predominantly in the banking and finance sector specialising in risk and IT service management.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Tracy Whitelaw
Tracy Whitelaw is the Chief Digital Officer at the Local Government Association of Queensland. With over 25 years’ experience in digital transformation and data-driven strategy, she advises Queensland’s 77 councils on leveraging emerging technologies to improve community outcomes. Tracy is a sought-after speaker on digital government, AI, data and cyber.
Jane Howard
Jane drives a strategic focus on digital and likes to sprinkle a bit of tech magic everywhere. Jane's leadership and expertise has transformed council’s digital landscape ensuring it is ready for what the future holds.
More profiles as available
This section is awaiting further speaker profiles and will be populated as these become available