Wednesday 25 February – Thursday 26 February 2026, ICC Sydney
Premier lineup of industry leaders and CEOs
Our lineup is still growing – more leaders to be announced
Shane Bracken
Managing Director Australia & New Zealand,
Subway
Alice Champion
Head of Retail Operations,
LUSH
Jere Calmes
Chief Executive Officer, THE ICONIC
Scott Edwards
Associate Director Sustainability,
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Scott Fyfe
CEO,
David Jones
John Gualtieri
Managing Director, Officeworks
Fiona Hayes
CEO & Managing Director, 7-Eleven Stores
Jane Huxley
Chief Executive Officer, Are Media
Sharon Mc Vicker
Country Omni Area Manager, IKEA Australia & New Zealand
Rachael McVitty
Chief Customer Officer, Bunnings Group
Tim Schaafsma
CEO, Coco Republic
Anthony Shiner
Chief Customer Officer, Consumer,
Optus
Nathan Powell
Director of Strategy and Co-Founder,
Fabulate
Aleks Spaseska
Managing Director,
Kmart Group
Gary Starr
EGM - Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services,
Australia Post
Darren Woolley
Chief Executive Officer, TrinityP3
Christelle Young
Managing Director,
T2 Tea
Lizzie Young
Chief Executive Officer,
Commercial Radio & Audio
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Emma Beardsley
Autism Consultant, Research & Practice
Aspect
Emma Beardsley
Emma Beardsley is a proud Autistic woman who works as a consultant and advocate with Aspect’s Autism Friendly team. As an Autistic advocate, Emma provides valued insight and input into a wide range of projects and is involved in all stages of development and delivery.
Emma is also a founding member of the Aspect Think Tank, a remunerated group of adults on the autism spectrum who provide advice for Aspect on day-to-day autism practice.
Emma is a keen advocate for the rights and needs autistic people through sharing her personal journey on the autism spectrum and her expertise in providing support for children of all abilities.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Shane Bracken
Managing Director Australia & New Zealand
Subway
Shane Bracken
Shane has over 25 years’ experience in managing and driving growth for multiple MNC food brands across ANZ, Asia, Middle East & Africa. With taste, food, innovation, and multi-regional development at the heart of his career, Shane joined Subway® in 2022 and has quickly focused on driving brand growth and partner returns to ensure Subway® is set for the future.
Shane has multi-regional experience across commercial, operations and product development within the packaging, flavour and ingredient companies across multiple industries including QSR, retail and commercial. Having previously held senior leadership roles in two of Asia Pacific and ANZ’s major QSR food and packaging companies, Kerry Taste & Nutrition and Detmold Packaging, he is no stranger to change and growth.
The food industry has been at the heart of his career for many years and will continue to be with Subway®.
Fleur Brown
Chief Industry Engagement & Marketing Officer
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Fleur Brown
Fleur leads the Industry Affairs portfolio for the ARA which encompasses policy and advocacy, media, marketing, events and partnerships. Fleur has worked as an executive leader in government, media, marketing industries and prior to joining the ARA ran the award-winning Launch Group agency which was responsible government and investor relations, advocacy and media management for many leading Australian brands and public entities.
With a rich background in technology and innovation, she is a former Director of TechSydney, a founding team member of StartupAUS (now Tech Council Australia) a founding director of TEDxSydney and founder and producer the Nine Network’s Entrepreneurs TV show. Fleur is author of the business book The Business of Being You
Jere Calmes
Chief Executive Officer
THE ICONIC
Jere Calmes
Jere Calmes is the CEO of THE ICONIC, Australia and New Zealand’s leading fashion and lifestyle platform. With more than 30 years’ international experience in large-scale, customer‑centric organisations, he has built and managed innovative digital and retail platforms across Europe.
Since joining THE ICONIC in July 2023, following a three‑year tenure at fashion e‑commerce business Lamoda and a prior CEO role at Metro Cash & Carry Russia, Jere has brought clear strategic direction and an empowering leadership style that delivers strong commercial outcomes. Known for his product-led approach, he supports his teams to test and scale new ideas with measurable impact for the business and its customer. His global perspective and experience in e‑commerce and adjacent sectors underpin his role at THE ICONIC and his contribution to the broader ANZ e‑commerce landscape.
David Campbell
Partner
Egon Zehnder
David Campbell
David Campbell leads Egon Zehnder’s Board, Industrial, Consumer and Retail practices across Australia and New Zealand. A trusted advisor on Board and CEO succession, leadership development, executive transition, team effectiveness and organisational culture, David is passionate about helping leaders grow themselves, their teams and their businesses. He also partners with social-purpose organisations to support talent decisions and leadership development.
David’s corporate career spans manufacturing, supply chain, technology, sales, marketing and strategy, culminating in leadership roles in non-alcoholic beverages and apparel retail. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Science from Monash University, and an MBA with Distinction from Melbourne Business School.
David serves on the boards of Carlton Football Club, Kilfinan Australia and DB Results. He also serves on Egon Zehnder’s global Partner Candidate Evaluation Committee. Outside work, he prioritises health and fitness and enjoys time with his wife, four adult children and grandchild.
Alice Champion
Head of Retail Operations
LUSH
Alice Champion
Alice is the Head of Retail Operations for Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics across Australia and Aotearoa, bringing over 20 years of experience spanning Product Innovation, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Business Operations. Beginning her journey on the shop floor, Alice’s deep understanding of Lush’s end-to-end business has made her a trusted mentor to senior leaders and an active voice in product and retail strategy.
Lush is a UK-based, employee-owned and founder-led business established in 1995, globally celebrated for its ethical stance on sustainability, cruelty-free beauty, and fresh, handmade products. Alice continues to champion these values locally, driving operational excellence and fostering meaningful connections between Lush, its people, and its customers.
Mark Cripsey
Chief Digital & Technology Officer
Wesfarmers Health
Mark Cripsey
Mark joined Wesfarmers Health in 2025 as Chief Digital & Technology Officer. He brings 25 years’ experience in delivering digital-powered transformation in leading retail and consumer businesses.
Mark’s global journey includes leading technology teams at Tesco in UK, India and USA. He moved to Australia in 2013 where he led digital teams at Coles, Myer, Carsales.com and most recently was the Managing Director of Accenture’s commerce business.
Marni Crookes
Digital, Media and Content Director
Mars Pet Nutrition ANZ
Marni Crookes
Marni Crookes is the Data Driven Marketing Director for Mars Pet Nutrition ANZ, where she leads digital, media and content strategy across the portfolio of iconic pet nutrition brands including WHISKAS®, DINE®, PEDIGREE®, MY DOG®, TEMPTATIONS™, ADVANCE™ and GREENIES™.
Marni’s career spans sales, category leadership, brand marketing, business strategy, and global innovation, giving her a strong commercial and customer‑centric lens on modern marketing. After beginning at Mars in frontline sales and category roles, she progressed into senior brand leadership across multiple pet nutrition portfolios.
Passionate about the intersection of creativity, data and partnerships, Marni focuses on unlocking full‑funnel growth through smarter collaboration and measurable impact. She is a strong advocate for modern marketing practices, inclusive leadership and building high‑performing, future‑ready teams, serving as a Mars Champion and member of the DiverseAbilities Associate Resource Group.
Harshu Deshpande
Vice President, Product and Engineering Lead
Publicis Sapient
Harshu Deshpande
Harshu is a technology and business leader with more than 20 years of experience creating tangible value through digital products, platforms, and ventures. Throughout his career, he has focused on helping organisations navigate rapid change while building empowered, high-performing teams. As Field CTO and Advisor for Digital Natives at Google, Harshu played a pivotal role in scaling high-growth Australian startups, bringing deep expertise across product engineering, cloud strategy, and agile transformation. Prior to Google, he served as Managing Director for Slalom Build in APAC, where he launched and scaled a team of over 150 engineers, designers, and product leaders across Australia and Japan. Earlier, Harshu spent 15 years at Accenture in senior technology leadership roles, leading large-scale application modernisation and cloud adoption programs for global enterprises. His leadership and contribution to the engineering community were recognised with a High Commendation for Management Excellence at the 2021 ARN Innovation Awards.
Roger Dunn
Principal Consultant
Retail Media & AI Commerce Consultancy
Roger Dunn
Roger is a seasoned executive with extensive retail media experience, having worked on both the demand and supply sides of the industry.
An experienced agency leader and founder of GroupM Commerce in Australia, where he created a hub of specialist services including commerce strategy, retail media activation, and a range of consultancy services at the intersection of media & commerce.
Roger led the practice that created SPARC, a digital shelf analytics SaaS solution, deployed alongside e-commerce strategies to drive online growth for clients such as P&G, Mars, Fonterra & Revlon.
The first person in Australia to be Amazon Advertising certified, Roger established the Criteo retail media business in ANZ and recently developed the CitrusAd go-to-market across Asia Pacific and Japan. He was also engaged by Ebiquity to lead the design & development of their global retail media solution.
Roger was also selected as a ‘Top Retail Expert 2024’ in the technologists section by RETHINK Retail, which annually selects leaders across several categories: Academia, Analysts, Associations, Consultants, Finance, Media, Real Estate, Specialists, and Technologists.
As a member of the MFA Interactive Board Roger helped create the MFA Foundation Certificates I&II. He was honoured to be a juror for the ‘Creative eCommerce’ category at the Cannes Lions in 2020 & 2021, and was a founding member of the IAB Retail Media Committee, helping to create the recently released Foundations of Retail Media training.
Alethea Eckersley
Director Member Relations
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Alethea Eckersley
Alethea leads the Membership team at the ARA and has a strong retail background. With 15 years’ experience across Partnerships and Corporate Services, she is skilled in relationship management and customer service, with a focus on delivering meaningful and exceptional experiences for customers and members. She has a proven track record of delivering program retention and growth, strategic projects, and business objectives, through operational efficiencies and data led, customer centric decisions.
Scott Edwards
Associate Director Sustainability
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Scott Edwards
Scott Edwards is the Associate Director Sustainability for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in Australia. With 15 years experience in environment and sustainability and 25 years in FMCG he’s well versed in decarbonising supply chains, packaging circularity and water stewardship.
Scott was formerly a chemical engineer out of Sydney University and has successfully blended his technical background and significant industry knowledge to engage everyone from the Board room to customers and those on the factory floor in operationalising the CCEP sustainability strategy.
He lives in Sydney with his wife and two boys, loves to travel and yes has a house full of Coke paraphernalia.
Glenn Fahey
Chief Policy Officer & Chief Economist
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Glenn Fahey
Glenn Fahey is the Chief Policy Officer and Chief Economist at the Australian Retail Council, where he leads policy and economic analysis.
Prior to joining the Australian Retail Council, Glenn held senior policy leadership roles in Australia’s think-tank sector, as well as holding research and policy positions at the Australian Treasury, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Institute for Public Policy and Governance.
Glenn is a regular contributor to public debate through media commentary, opinion writing and stakeholder engagement, and is known for translating research into practical policy solutions.
He holds qualifications in economics and public policy and maintains active interests in applied research, governance and institutional reform.
Sarah Faorlin
Head of Acts of Violence & Aggression
Woolworths Group
Sarah Faorlin
Sarah is the Head of Acts of Violence and Aggression for Woolworths Group encompassing Supermarkets AU & NZ, Big W, Metro, EcomX as well as broader group business units. Sarah leads a squad of subject matter experts from across Woolworths Group who actively partner with industry, Police and Government to implement preventative solutions to retail violence. Sarah is accountable for the development and execution of strategic objectives across the Woolworths Group relating to Acts of Violence and Aggression whilst navigating emerging risks and challenges in this critical space.
Sarah brings 25 years of extensive retail leadership experience within the Woolworths Group across various senior roles in Operations, Human Resources, Commercial Buying, Stock Loss and Safety.
Scott Fyfe
CEO
David Jones
Scott Fyfe
Scott Fyfe is the CEO of David Jones, Australia’s iconic department store with a proud 187- year-old heritage.
Under his leadership, David Jones operates 39 stores across Australia and New Zealand and continues to expand its fast-growing online channel. Renowned for its curation of exclusive products and services, David Jones showcases the best local and international brands. In his role as CEO, Scott is responsible for steering the company’s strategic priorities and shaping its future vision.
Under the Vision 2025+ strategy, Scott has successfully led and delivered transformative initiatives that position David Jones for long-term sustainable growth. These include the largest store transformation in the company’s history, the launch of DJs Rewards and a new digital platform, as well as establishing a new financial services offering and a retail media business, David Jones Amplify.
His appointment follows a successful four-year tenure as CEO of Country Road Group, where he transformed the business into a leading omnichannel retailer and delivered market – leading online growth. Prior to this, Scott spent two decades at Marks & Spencer in the UK, holding leadership roles across buying, merchandising and sourcing.
John Gualtieri
Managing Director
Officeworks
John Gualtieri
John Gualtieri has built a career of more than 30 years in retail, working across some of Australia’s most iconic brands. He joined Officeworks as Managing Director in August 2025, bringing a strong focus on transformation, growth, and customer experience.
Before Officeworks, John spent over 17 years at Kmart, where he played a central role in shaping one of the most remarkable retail turnarounds. Starting as Divisional Merchandise Manager for Home in 2008, he went on to become Chief Operating Officer in 2016 and Chief Executive Officer in 2021. Two years later, he was appointed CEO of Kmart Australia & New Zealand and Target.
Earlier in his career, John spent two decades at Myer in operational roles, developing a deep foundation in retail execution and customer service. Known for his transparent style, commercial acumen, and ability to inspire teams, he has consistently championed better outcomes for customers, people, and the community.
John holds a Bachelor of Business from Swinburne University of Technology and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Marcelle Harrison
Head of Diversity and Inclusion
Kmart Group (Kmart & Target)
Marcelle Harrison
Marcelle is the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Kmart and Target and has over 15 years’ experience leading inclusive practice. Holding a degree in Occupational Therapy from Deakin University, Marcelle began her career specialising in community access in the United Kingdom. After returning to Australia Marcelle has worked across a range of sectors, with extensive experience in the retail industry specialising in accessibility and occupational rehabilitation across large, customer-facing environments, before moving into the broader diversity, equity and inclusion space. Over the last seven years, she has led the Inclusion and First Nations portfolio at Kmart Group, driving practical, systems-focused approaches that embed inclusion into organisational strategy and everyday practice, delivering meaningful outcomes for people, customers and organisational performance.
Fiona Hayes
CEO & Managing Director
7-Eleven Stores
Fiona Hayes
Fiona joined 7-Eleven in 2022, as General Manager – Channel before being appointed CEO and
Managing Director in July 2024. She is responsible for leading the 7-Eleven Australia team, driving the business strategy, growing the brand and maintaining the company’s position as Australia’s
first choice in convenience retailing.
She has extensive experience in operations and retail networks having held a range of senior roles with Telstra over 26 years, including 12 years as part of the Telstra executive team.
Fiona thrives on engaging and leading large cross functional teams to deliver strategic customer, people and commercial outcomes.
Fiona is a former Telstra Foundation Board member
Rebecca Hard
The Sussan Group
Rebecca Hard
Rebecca Hard is Group Retail CEO for The Sussan Group, incorporating Sussan, Sportsgirl and Suzanne Grae.
With almost 25 years working in various roles for the Group, Rebecca has been integral to the development of key strategies that have elevated the brands and ensured the ongoing success of some of Australia’s most loved and iconic labels.
In her previous role as Sussan CEO, Rebecca launched the highly successful Sussan brand campaign “For Women By Women”, which supports and celebrates the spirit of every Australian woman.
Since taking on the Group Retail CEO role, Rebecca has supported all brand MD’s to refine & amplify their individual brand purposes & market positions, with a focus on customer at the core of the Group’s purpose.
She has successfully guided the business through the challenging Covid years, rapidly pivoting and adapting operations and creating a culture of support and encouragement for her teams.
During her tenure, Rebecca has overseen the replacement of plastic to paper stopping bags across The Group, and more recently the signing on as a Foundation Member of Seamless, a national stewardship scheme that aims to make Australian fashion and clothing truly circular by 2030. In June 2024, Rebecca led The Group to achieve B Corp status. She is focused now on continued growth for the 3 brands in each of their market segments, along with continuing to improve the impact and responsibility of the brands and The Group overall.
Louise Heath
Partner, M&A Consulting Services
Deloitte
Louise Heath
Louise is Deloitte Australia’s Consumer sector lead and a Partner in the M&A Consulting practice, advising Board and Executive teams across the consumer and retail value chain. She has extensive experience working with retailers to execute their corporate strategy through large-scale transformation and transactions. Louise is passionate about helping clients future-proof their operations — embedding data-led decision making, resilient supply chains, and scalable platforms — while strengthening brand trust and community impact, ensuring retailers remain relevant, responsible and competitive in rapidly evolving markets.
Kenny Heatley
Principal Media Advisor
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Kenny Heatley
Kenny Heatley is a seasoned Australian broadcaster with more than two decades of experience across radio and television. He has been on the front line of some of the country’s biggest stories of the past decade, most recently as a senior journalist and news anchor at Sky News Australia.
His experience spans politics, finance and the economy, natural disasters and multinational crime, using a trademark delivery that is relatable, authoritative, and engaging.
Today, Kenny brings that newsroom edge to the national policy arena as Principal Media Advisor at the Australian Retail Council. In this role, he helps shape the public narrative of Australia’s retail sector – a $444 billion industry and the nation’s largest private-sector employer.
With a career spanning breaking news, live broadcasting and high-stakes media engagement, Kenny is known for his ability to cut through complexity with clarity and confidence.
Andy Hitchen
Executive General Manager of Retail
Optus
Andy Hitchen
Andy’s retail career began on the shop floor at his local Woolworths, where he developed a deep appreciation for the impact customer-facing teams have on both brand and commercial success. That early experience shaped a career spanning grocery, fuel, telecommunications and insurance, across strategy, marketing and product leadership roles.
Across each industry, Andy has consistently gravitated back to the frontline – the store teams, contact centres and digital service specialists who bring customer experiences to life every day. He is passionate about equipping these teams with the tools, clarity and confidence they need to serve customers brilliantly and sustainably.
In his role leading Retail at Optus, Andy is all about making work simpler, putting customers first and setting teams up to do great work every day.
As he explains to his kids: “We have a big team of people who help customers and my job is to help those people and make their jobs easier and more rewarding.”
Jane Huxley
Chief Executive Officer
Are Media
Jane Huxley
Jane is Chief Executive Officer of Are Media Australia & New Zealand.
With more than 20 years’ experience across technology, media, telco and content, Jane has held senior leadership roles in some of the world’s most influential organisations. Before joining Are Media, she served as Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Spotify, based in London.
Her career also includes leadership roles at Microsoft, Vodafone, Fairfax Media and Pandora Internet Radio, giving her deep expertise at the intersection of media, technology and culture.
Jane is a passionate advocate for people-led leadership, believes strongly in the power of aligning culture with strategy, and values the role of family alongside a fulfilling career.
Kasey Jamison
Head of Endemic Ads
Amazon Ads, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)
Kasey Jamison
Kasey Jamison leads Amazon Ads’ Endemic Advertising team across Australia and New Zealand, helping brands create meaningful customer connections through innovative advertising solutions. With two decades of industry experience across the US, Australia, and New Zealand, Kasey brings deep expertise in digital strategy and advertising technology.
Since joining Amazon in 2010, Kasey has held various positions within the advertising organisation, building and managing high-performing teams that help brands achieve their full-funnel marketing objectives. Her experience extends across multiple industry sectors, including financial services, entertainment, FMCG, consumer electronics, automotive, and beauty.
Prior to Amazon, Kasey held roles at the New York Times, Yahoo!, and Instacart, where she was recognised as one of Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery (2021). She currently serves as a member of the IAB Retail Media AU Council and is a Board Member of Women@ Amazon ANZ, demonstrating her commitment to industry leadership and diversity.
Dr Byron Keating
Professor and Co-Lead, Vulnerability Research Group,
Queensland University Technology (QUT)
Dr Byron Keating
Byron was appointed a Capacity Building Professor in Service Management and Technology in the QUT Business School in 2019 after a decade in Canberra, most recently as the Head of the Management School at the Australian National University. He is also a Director of the Service Innovation Lab, a service-focused management and research consultancy based in Canberra and Brisbane, and holds an honorary position with the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures.
His research interests are concerned with the design, deployment, and evaluation of interventions that seek to transform complex service systems, particularly public-facing service systems supporting people with vulnerability. This research has received more than $16m in competitive funding, including a current project funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing that explores light-touch strategies to help retailers employ and support staff with mental health challenges
Vince Koh
Global Head of Digital Commerce
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Vince Koh
Vince Koh is the Global Head of Digital Commerce at Amazon Web Services (AWS). He focuses on helping retail and consumer goods companies innovate by providing industry-specific solutions that align with new customer expectations across digital channels and touchpoints. Vince has 20+ years of experience leading digital commerce strategy and operations for global enterprises and high-growth eCommerce companies.
Prior to Amazon, Vince established his expertise through various leadership roles in retail and digital commerce. He was SVP of Commerce & Conversion at Weber Shandwick (IPG) and VP of eCommerce at Iconix Brand Group. His experience extends to leading merchandising, strategy, and operations at venture-backed startups including Fab and Keaton Row, as well as luxury fashion retailers like Longchamp and Barneys New York. Vince’s career also includes work on global retail consulting projects at Accenture.
Liana Kohn-Gardner
Vice President Merchant Partnerships A/NZ
American Express
Liana Kohn-Gardner
Liana is the Vice President of Merchant Partnerships for American Express in Australia and New Zealand. In this role, Liana drives the growth of a dynamic merchant network by building strong partnerships and innovative account development strategies. She also has responsibility for Amex’s merchant product suite, including AccessLine, which delivers a convenient and rewarding solution for business payments.
In her 13 years at American Express, Liana has led business development for network partnerships and global merchants across both the U.S. and APAC.
Most recently as Vice President of Loyalty and Partnerships, Liana was responsible for Amex’s proprietary rewards program, Membership Rewards, and co-brand card partnership strategies for Qantas and Velocity.
Liana has a Bachelor of Psychology from Wesleyan University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Alice Kuepper
Head of Sustainability
Winning Group
Alice Kuepper
Alice Kuepper is Head of Sustainability at the Winning Group and a recognised sustainability leader within Australia’s retail and consumer goods sector. She established the Group’s first sustainability function, embedding ESG into business strategy and operations and supporting the organisation to stay ahead of regulatory, customer and stakeholder expectations.
Alice leads sustainability strategy across responsible sourcing, climate action, circularity, community engagement and reconciliation. She serves on the Circular Australia Industry Taskforce and is a Founding Board Member of the Coalition for Sustainable Solutions.
She holds a Master’s in Sociology from the University of Munich and a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School, bringing a global perspective and a strong focus on practical, business-led sustainability outcomes.
Miles Langford
Policy Advisor – Risk & Resilience
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Miles Langford
Miles Langford is a Policy Advisor at the Australian Retail Council with nine years of experience in the retail sector, having worked across commercial, operational, and strategic roles in both Australia and the UK.
He advises on policy strategies that help retailers navigate a shifting competitive landscape and evolving consumer expectations. With a focus on shaping industry-wide approaches that drive innovation, strengthen operational resilience, and deliver measurable outcomes, Miles brings a practical, business-focused perspective to his work.
His current priorities include Retail Crime, Supply Chain, and Technology policy. He draws on hands-on experience consulting with Lidl on retail security and operational risk, as well as leading large-scale retail innovation initiatives at the UK National Lottery.
Michele Levine
Chief Executive Officer
Roy Morgan
Michele Levine
Michele Levine was born with a passion for people and what makes them tick, social justice and an insatiable curiosity about life.
With over 30 years’ experience as a researcher, Michele has been responsible for thousands of surveys, including many of the largest research projects ever undertaken in Australia, many of which continue to play a critically important part in shaping our society today.
With a fundamental belief in the empowering value of information, Michele was instrumental in the development and refinement of Roy Morgan Single Source, the world’s leading consumer study (based on over 50,000 interviews a year) and, in 2010, the introduction of the Roy Morgan Business Survey.
Michele was ahead of her time in foreseeing the exponential growth of big data and, consequently the need for software (like ASTEROID) which can manage and order massive volumes of data – as well as the need for highly trained analysts and data scientists who can help make sense of it.
Still a proud ‘researcher’, she is a hands-on CEO, personally involved with the company’s core products and the results of the company’s surveys on a daily basis.
Many of the company’s innovative products – including Technology Adoption Segments and Web Audience Measurement (WAM) – would not exist had it not been for Michele’s foresight and determination to lead rather than follow.
A popular speaker at seminars and conferences and sought after by the media as a knowledgeable and thought-provoking social commentator, Michele has ambitious plans for Roy Morgan as a world leader in providing information that matters and answers that help our clients discover their competitive edge.
Leslie Lorenz
Head of Retail Americas
Snowflake
Leslie Lorenz
Leslie Lorenz is the Head of Retail and QSR Go to Market for the Americas at Snowflake working to support data strategy, data innovation, collaboration, and transformation across the retail and QSR industries. Leslie’s 20+ year data-focused career spans across retail, ecommerce, data strategy, consulting and high–tech companies. Prior to joining us at Snowflake, Leslie built and led the Data and Analytics organization at lululemon and as the Chief Data Officer at Chord Commerce, where she was key in transforming the culture of data and accelerating organizational growth. Prior to lululemon, she worked as a strategy and data consultant across many organizations (including Microsoft, Nordstrom, Redfin, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and industries in the greater Seattle area.
Amy Lynes
Acting Principal Workplace Relations Consultant
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Amy Lynes
Amy Lynes is the Acting Principal Workplace Relations Consultant with the National Retail Association, a not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests of retailers and quick service restaurants across Australia.
Amy is passionate about authentic leadership, and empowering others to reach their potential and achieve their goals. As an experienced people leader, Amy has spent over decade leading Human Resources teams and managing complex business projects. Amy’s broad range of expertise spans the entire people experience; from recruitment to learning and development, strategic planning to industrial relations, work health and safety to employee engagement, Amy is dedicated to helping organisations leverage their people to drive them to success.
Gareth Mann
Managing Director
MTA Energy
Gareth Mann
Gareth Mann is an experienced energy markets executive with more than four decades in the global power and infrastructure sectors. His career spans leadership roles across Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States, where he has overseen major projects in coal, gas, hydro, wind, solar, and energy storage.
As Managing Director of MTA Energy, Gareth leads MTA in delivering innovative electrcity retail and behind-the-meter solutions that help commercial and industrial clients reduce consumption, costs and carbon. These solutions integrate wholesale market participation and demand-side management to deliver demonstrable savings and certainty.
Gareth holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Vanessa Matthijssen
Partner, Strategy Consulting and National Consumer Products Lead
Deloitte
Vanessa Matthijssen
Vanessa is a strategy partner at Monitor Deloitte and leads Deloitte Australia’s Consumer Products sector group.
With more than 20 years’ experience advising clients in the consumer products, Agri, FMCG and retail sector, Vanessa has a deep understanding of the industry dynamics, consumer and market trends and related growth opportunities. She combines her skills in corporate and commercial strategy, turnaround programs as well as the design and management of large transformations with her passion for food to drive positive commercial results with progressive societal outcomes.
Glenice Maclellan
Partner,
Egon Zehnder
Glenice Maclellan
Glenice Maclellan focuses on Board and CEO engagements with significant clients across a range of sectors. She has served on the Firm’s global Board of Directors and is the former leader of Egon Zehnder in Australia & New Zealand.
Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Glenice headed up the Telstra Consumer Division, based in Melbourne. Previously she led the Category Marketing and Operations group with commercial responsibility across the consumer portfolio. Prior to this Glenice spent 10 years working in Europe and the USA with Procter& Gamble, AT&T Wireless and Eurotel, which is now part of the Telefonica Group. Glenice was also on the Board of Directors of CSL New World Mobility Group, CSL is one of Hong Kong’s leading mobile operators.
In 2007, Glenice was named Young Executive of the Year by the Australian Financial Review. She has a Business degree with Distinction from the University of Technology, Sydney. Glenice enjoys spending time with her husband and son at their small cattle farm in the Victorian Alps and staying connected with family in Prague, where she and her husband also lived for 7 years. Glenice previously served on the Board of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and is a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW) and the Young Presidents Association (YPO).
Sharon Mc Vicker
Country Omni Area Manager
IKEA Australia & New Zealand
Sharon Mc Vicker
With over 35 years of retail experience across fashion, homeware, sportswear, and warehousing, before joining IKEA, Sharon held leadership roles with major UK and Irish retailers, including Burton Group, Debenhams, and TK Maxx, developing deep expertise in store operations, HR, sales, and expansion project management.
Sharon joined IKEA in 2007 at IKEA Belfast, the first and only store in Ireland at the time, before moving to Australia in 2012. Her career reflects a strong trajectory of transformation and leadership from the shop floor to country management roles.
In 2025, Sharon became Omni Area Manager for Australia and New Zealand, an executive role overseeing omnichannel operations, e-commerce, customer experience, and remote selling initiatives. Known for her operational knowledge and passion for innovation, Sharon is a key driver in shaping the future of omnichannel retailing for IKEA. With a leadership philosophy that centres on clarity, trust, and empowerment, Sharon focuses on creating highly engaged teams to deliver sustainable transformation.
Rachael McVitty
Chief Customer Officer
Bunnings Group
Rachel McVitty
Rachael is Bunnings’ Chief Customer Officer, responsible for leading the teams that deliver the customer offer and growth across the Bunnings store and trade network as well as the commercial sales and service teams. Prior to this, Rachael was Bunnings’ Chief Financial Officer.
Rachael has worked in the Wesfarmers Group for over 14 years. Prior to Bunnings, she spent over five years in the Wesfarmers Insurance Division and over five years in the Wesfarmers Industrials Division and held various roles including Chief Financial Officer and Blackwoods Chief Executive Officer for New Zealand and Australia.
In addition to Wesfarmers, Rachael has broad experience across corporate finance, M&A and risk management from working at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New Zealand, at Rothschilds in London within the healthcare investment banking team and at CHAMP Private Equity in Australia.
Rachael holds a Bachelor in Science majoring in Decision Science and a Bachelor in Business majoring in Entrepreneurship from Massey University. She has completed the Management Acceleration Program at INSEAD, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder and a director of a number of Wesfarmers Group subsidiaries.
Gary Mortimer
Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Retail Marketing
Queensland University Technology (QUT)
Gary Mortimer
Gary Mortimer is a Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at the QUT Business School. Prior to joining QUT, Gary spent over 25 years working with some of Australia’s largest retailers. In 2023, he was appointed as Chair and Independent Director of ‘Services and Creative Skills Australia’ – the largest, federally funded Jobs and Skills Council, representing retail, hospitality, tourism, personal services, and the Arts. He is an active consumer behaviour researcher with interests in understanding positive deviance and customer aggression in the retail and services sectors. He continues to work closely with Australian retailers and peak associations.
Catriona Noble
NED,
Football Australia
Catriona Noble
Ms Catriona Noble was appointed to the Football Australia Board on 3 September 2021. She is an experienced senior executive and non-executive director with a career spanning leadership roles across some of Australia’s largest organisations, including Australia Post, ANZ Bank and McDonald’s.
Catriona most recently served as Executive General Manager Retail at Australia Post, where she led significant transformation initiatives and operational growth across the retail network. During her time at ANZ, she was responsible for key retail distribution channels, including the Australian branch network.
Her 20-year career with McDonald’s saw her play an integral role in the transformation of the brand in Australia, holding a range of senior leadership positions including CEO and Managing Director for McDonald’s Australia, as well as Chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Ms Noble has completed the AMP (Advanced Management Programme) at INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, the Strategy & Business program at Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM), and the Digital Business Transformation Programme at MIT Boston. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Maria Palazzolo
GS1 Australia
Maria Palazzolo
Ms Palazzolo is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GS1 Australia, a neutral, not-for-profit global standards and services organization serving multiple industry sectors throughout Australia.
In her time as CEO Maria has lead the organization to be a change agent bringing together industry, government, regulators and associations to collaborate on eCommerce strategies. With a growing membership of over 24,000 companies, expanding services, innovative approach and customer focus GS1 Australia has become a partner of choice for many Australian organizations.
Willie Pang
General Manager
Amazon Ads, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)
Willie Pang
As GM of Amazon Ads ANZ, Willie leads a passionate team committed to connecting brands across the region to their customers and relevant audiences through innovative advertising solutions. With over 20 years of experience across the US, UK, ANZ, China, and Asia Pacific, Willie’s expertise includes technology infrastructure, cloud computing, automation, and big data analytics, contributing to his track record of driving growth and customer success in the digital space.
Prior to Amazon, Willie held executive positions within Australia’s marketing industry, leading Yahoo!’s advertising business and serving as CEO of global advertising agency, MediaCom. His career spans the global marketing, data, and advertising landscape across startups, agencies, and multinational corporations.
Willie is a member of ADMA and AIMIA, and has served on the Media Federation Awards committee and the Australian Federal Government’s ICT advisory board.
David Phillips
Partner
Deloitte Digital
David Phillips
David brings nearly twenty years of experience across a range of commercial disciplines from a local and global perspective. These disciplines include: organisational strategy, brand (custodianship and communication), general management, insights and innovation.
Prior to establishing the Brand, Creative and Media practice at Deloitte, David led strategy and media at one of Australia’s most successful agencies. He has an MBA from Melbourne Business School, and has established two successful start-ups in the research and psychometric strategy fields.
While David’s particular strength has seen him recognised as a leader in marketing strategy for consumer brands, he has also led client and agency teams across the public sector, as well as, education, financial services and the retail industry, distinguishing David as one of the region’s leading marketing strategists.
Natalie Phillips-Mason
Founder and Chief Ally
Inclusive Change
Natalie Phillips-Mason
Natalie is the Founder and Chief Ally of Inclusive Change, a change management consultancy with a focus on inclusive customer and employee experience. Inclusive Change is pioneering research into the neurodivergent customer experience, showcasing unique global insights into the impact of the sensory environment on shopping behaviours. Inclusive Change has attracted clients from Retail, Consultancy, Government, NFP and Social Enterprise. The research is prompting Australian brands to identify opportunities for in-store inclusion. Natalie’s work has been endorsed by the Australian Retailers Association, Aspect and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. She is a respected voice on neuroinclusion and allyship and was awarded 2026 Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail.
Richard Pittard
Chief Sustainability Officer
Australia Post
Richard Pittard
Richard is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Australia Post; a government business enterprise that plays a critical role connecting communities across Australia. Leading the team responsible for developing and embedding the sustainability strategy, Richard drives the integration of sustainability priorities within the enterprise strategy to achieve lasting change.
With over 26 years’ experience dedicated to sustainability, climate change and environment, Richard’s background spans various roles in listed organisations, professional services as well as industrial and consumer product sectors.
Richard is a passionate believer that integrating sustainability values and principles into business strategy is essential to creating long-term value and resilience.
Nathan Powell
Director of Strategy and Co-Founder
Fabulate
Nathan Powell
Nathan Powell is Co-Founder, and Product and Strategy Officer at Fabulate, an influencer marketing platform connecting creators with brands through campaigns that balance creativity with data.
With a background spanning strategy, partnerships, digital product sales and performance analytics, Nathan helps brands grow by aligning creator storytelling with clear business outcomes. His focus is on building influencer programs that connect on a human level while delivering measurable impact.
At Fabulate, Nathan is helping build technology that simplifies and strengthens every stage of the influencer marketing process, from intelligent creator discovery and AI-led brand safety to real-time performance and audience insights. The platform enables marketers to move faster, make smarter decisions and scale campaigns with confidence, without compromising creative integrity.
Nathan has previously held senior roles at Nine Entertainment Co. and Fairfax Media, and served as Chair of the IAB Australia Video Council. Fabulate has since been recognised with multiple industry awards for both campaign performance and technology innovation.
Trent Rigby
Director
RC Advisory
Trent Rigby
Trent Rigby is a retail and consumer strategy advisor. As director of RC Advisory, he works with retailers, brands, landlords and private equity to turn customer insights into practical commercial decisions. He brings over 15 years’ experience advising CEOs and senior leadership teams across strategy, customer engagement and growth.
With deep expertise across customer experience, commercial strategy and future trends, Trent has worked with leading Australian and global retailers including Nespresso, Accent Group, Super Retail Group, The Iconic and Mirvac – delivering insights that blend actionable intelligence with real-world impact.
A trusted voice in retail innovation, Trent’s work spans consumer behaviour, category leadership and digital transformation – including advanced research into how customers interact with AI-driven systems to shape more human-centred experiences. He is a regular media commentator and industry speaker, known for cutting through the hype to focus on what matters for retailers navigating the next phase of change.
David Roddick
General Manager
Active International
David Roddick
David Roddick is General Manager of Active International Australia, a global corporate trade and media solutions company that helps brands unlock value, improve efficiency and drive growth.
His career in sales spans four continents, primarily across the media and communications sector. Over more than 30 years, David has built sales functions from the ground up, led teams ranging from small specialist groups to large-scale organisations, and driven sales effectiveness programs across markets including Singapore, Poland and Brazil. His experience includes senior roles at News Corporation, DMGT, Clear Channel and most Adshel, where he introduced trading and operational innovations that have since become industry standards.
A consistent theme across David’s career has been helping media businesses navigate change and maintain relevance in fast-moving markets. He has seen first-hand that organisations with a clear sense of what they stand for are better equipped to adapt, grow and withstand disruption – ultimately building stronger, more engaged teams and businesses.
Chris Rodwell
CEO
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Chris Rodwell
Chris Rodwell is CEO designate of the Australian Retail Council (ARC) – the amalgamated entity which will combine the strengths of leading retail peak bodies the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA).
He is determined to elevate the critical contribution the $430 billion retail sector makes to the Australian economy and communities across the nation.
A seasoned CEO and Board Director with experience working across Australia and internationally, Chris was previously the outgoing CEO of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA).
During his seven-year tenure at CCIWA, Chris secured several major policy outcomes, including landmark reform of Australia’s system for GST distribution, improving environment regulation and employment support for people with disabilities. Chris also led CCIWA in playing a fundamental role in supporting business and workplaces through the pandemic.
Prior to this role, Chris spent an extended period abroad developing Australia’s international trade and investment footprint for both the Australian and Queensland Governments, supporting business across all sectors of the economy.
His work in international business spans Australasia, North America, Latin America, and Europe. Chris will be located in Sydney and has lived and worked across many parts of the nation.
He is married to Katie and together they have four children. He is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities through D-Dads.
Nathalie Rosette-Barber
Chief Operating Officer
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Nathalie Rosette-Barber
An experienced retail professional, Nathalie has strong operations and management expertise and deep experience as a change agent within retail environments. She is a highly collaborative and results orientated leader with a finance, compliance and commercial background and strong strategic skills. Her previous roles have included more than 14 years with David Jones in roles including: Head of Strategy Delivery, General Manager Change Management, and Project Delivery; General Manager – Stores Planning; Administration where she has focused on operations performance and planning and working on large scale transformation programs.
Belinda Rowe
NED, Sky NZ, NED, Sydney Swans, NED, Temple & Webster
Belinda Rowe
Belinda has extensive experience in C Level roles across marketing, digital and the media sector across Global, UK and Australian companies. She brings a strong commercial focus on customer-centric growth, digital innovation and expertise in strategy, leadership and business transformation.
She held roles at Telefonica O2 UK (now Virgin Media O2) leading Brand and Marketing Communications with a focus on brand and customer transformation to increase demand and customer retention. Prior to this she was a member of the global executive board at Publicis Media and leading Zenith globally based in the UK, one of the largest media and communications companies.
Belinda created and led a unique global content and sports business within Publicis Media bringing together content, technology, data & digital across 32 markets, integrating several content marketing acquisitions.
In Australia, she was an executive Director of Mojo, successfully launched and led ZenithOptimedia and former Chair of the Communications Council (now Advertising Council Australia).
She has extensive sector experience in telecommunications, media, e-commerce, technology, airline & tourism, consumer discretionary products, finance, edtech, entertainment and sport.
Active member in Chief Executive Women, Minerva Network (Co-Chapter Chair NSW & Chair Sports Governance Program), AICD, Marketing Group Great Britain, WACL UK.
Kosmos Samaras
Director, Strategy and Analytics
RedBridge Group Australia
Kosmos Samaras
Kos Samaras specialises in compiling and interpreting research, statistical data and polling to provide a unique insight into the cause and effects of social and political issues impacting communities across Australia.
Often sought for expert commentary on polling data and its impact on all levels of politics, Kos’s keen understanding of the nature of political parties and government decision-making (drawn from more than 25 years of political experience with Victorian Labor) allows him to deliver effective solutions for a broad range of clients.
Tim Schaafsma
CEO
Coco Republic
Tim Schaafsma
Tim is the Global CEO of Coco Republic, Australia’s leading luxury furniture and lifestyle retail brand. With a 40 year heritage weaving together experiential retail showrooms with interior design excellence, Coco Republic has presence in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Until December 2024, Tim was the Chairperson of the National Retail Association, a peak body for the Australian retail industry. Tim was a member of the NRA Board since 2015.
Before his time at Coco Republic, Tim had over 20 years’ experience in household goods and discretionary retail businesses, including as Managing Director of Freedom Furniture and Chief Operating Officer of Greenlit Brands (a $2.5bn vertically-integrated household goods conglomerate).
Tim started his career as a lawyer.
Nicole Sheffield
Chair
Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Nicole Sheffield
Nicole was appointed Managing Director, Wesfarmers OneDigital in November 2021, leading the Group’s cross-divisional data and digital strategy and implementation. This includes the OnePass membership program, the Group shared data asset, and from July 2022, the Catch marketplace.
Prior to joining Wesfarmers, Nicole held a number of leadership roles. She was the Executive General Manager, Community & Consumer, at Australia Post where she led the Australia Post retail network of 4400 Post Offices, digital channels and the customer contact centre. Previous roles include Chief Digital Officer and Managing Director, Digital Networks at News Corp Australia, overseeing digital strategy, audience and subscription growth, and Chief Executive of NewsLifeMedia, leading the lifestyle publishing division.
Nicole is a regular speaker and commentator on business and media and is the President of the Australian Retailers Association Council and a member of Chief Executive Women. She has previously served as Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Advisory Council, Chair of the Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia and was a non-executive director of Capital Health. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University and a Masters of Business from the University of Technology Sydney.
Ainsley Simpson
Chief Executive Officer
Seamless
Ainsley Simpson
With over two decades leading not-for-profit and professional service organisations, she is known for driving large-scale industry change, shaping national policy, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. As CEO of Seamless, Ainsley leads Australia’s national clothing product stewardship scheme, transforming the clothing lifecycle – from design, production to use, re-use onto recycling to achieve circularity by 2030; positioning Australia as a leader in circular fashion and diverting 200,000 tonnes of clothing from Australian landfills each year. Her career spans public and private sectors including ASX-listed companies. Prior to joining Seamless, she led the Infrastructure Sustainability Council; a globally recognised ESG performance benchmark for infrastructure in Australia and New Zealand. A champion for climate action, she has led multiple industry partnerships for a resilient, inclusive transition. She holds an MBA, BSc and post-graduate degree in sustainable resource use.
Aleks Spaseska
Managing Director,
Kmart Group
Aleks Spaseska
Aleks Spaseska is a seasoned retail executive and leader with broad experience across finance, property, strategy, data science, risk and compliance as well as global sourcing and domestic and international supply chain strategy and management. In April 2025 Aleks became Managing Director of Kmart Group. Since joining the business in 2020 as Chief Financial Officer, Aleks has been instrumental in the development and execution of its strategic agenda across Australia and New Zealand as well as international markets. Prior to joining Kmart Group, Aleks held several senior roles within Wesfarmers. Aleks has a Bachelor of Commerce and PhD from the University of Western Australia.
Gary Starr
EGM – Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services
Australia Post
Gary Starr
As Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services, Gary is helping to transform Australia Post into a customer-led, solutions-based organisation that delights its diverse range of customers – from consumers and small privately run businesses, all the way up to large corporations and government agencies.
Gary leads Australia Post’s freight business, encompassing both domestic and international services, designing and delivering compelling products and experiences underpinned by fast and reliable parcel delivery. With a focus on innovation, customer centricity and world-class go-to-market capability, Gary also leads the transformation of Australia Post’s customer experience, ensuring the organisation is well placed to continue to respond to growth in eCommerce.
Gary is an accomplished business leader with more than 30 years’ of experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors. During this time, Gary has held a range of senior leadership roles across sales, marketing, operations, and executive management. Prior to joining Australia Post in 2016, Gary spent a decade at Motorola. In this role, he led Motorola Solutions’ business across South East Asia, with a particular focus on the public safety, transportation, retail, supply chain and manufacturing sectors.
Gary is a board member of Mount Scopus College and a member of its Audit and Risk Committee. As the Senior Executive sponsor for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, Gary is passionate about recognising and celebrating Australia Post’s diverse workforce.
Ryan Swenson
Founder & Managing Director
InPact Advisory
Ryan Swenson
Ryan Swenson is Founder & Managing Director of InPact Advisory, an impact-led sustainability advisory founded on the belief that sustainability should be a growth driver, not a compliance burden. InPact works alongside leadership teams to navigate regulatory complexity, align ESG strategy with commercial priorities, and embed capability that delivers long-term value. Ryan brings cross-sector experience spanning commercial leadership, sustainability transformation and government engagement, to deliver pragmatic, business-aligned, outcomes.
Slav Tabachnik
National Generative AI Transformation Partner
Deloitte
Slav Tabachnik
Slav is the National Generative AI Transformation Partner, bringing over two decades of expertise in creating Data & AI solutions for clients across various industries. His focus is on embedding AI to augment human judgement in our services, boost efficiency, streamline processes, and increase client value. Slav leads technical teams comprised of data scientists, developers, solution architects and spearheads the transformation of service delivery, ensures the rapid scaling of AI innovations, and drives collaboration across the firm for a cohesive Generative AI strategy.
Robert Tedesco
Vice Present & General Manager of American Express Global Merchant Services Australia & New Zealand
American Express
Robert Tedesco
Robert is the Vice President and General Manager A/NZ of Global Merchant Services for American Express.
With extensive knowledge of the financial services industry and over 20 years of experience at American Express, Robert has held numerous executive leadership positions, accelerating growth across the enterprise and backing customers’ success.
Robert’s former responsibilities included leading the American Express Consulting team in APAC, being the Head of Account Development in the Global Commercial Card team across Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines and the Global Head of the Mining and Energy team within Amex GBT’s Global Client Group. In 2019 Robert was acknowledged for his contributions to the business with the American Express Hall of Fame Award.
Robert has a Bachelor of Economics/Accounting degree from the University of Sydney and an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Craig Tiley
CEO
Tennis Australia
Craig Tiley
Craig joined Tennis Australia in 2005 as Director of Tennis and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2013. A passionate player since childhood, Craig became an award-winning coach who has helped develop players at the highest level.
He was named US National Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2003, and served as the South African Davis Cup captain from 1998-2001. As the Director of Tennis/National Championship Head Coach at the University of Illinois, Craig led Illinois to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship in 2003. He was inducted into the US Collegiate Hall of Fame in 2010.
He serves as the Chair of the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) in Australia (since 2019) and is on the Boards of Safety Culture (since 2020) and Rising (Melbourne’s International Arts Festival) (since 2019).
Professor Michael Townsley
Director, Social Analytics Lab, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice,
Griffith University
Professor Michael Townsley
Professor Michael Townsley (Griffith University, Australia) is a criminologist, with expertise in crime analysis and prevention. He has studied diverse crime types, employing advanced data science methods to uncover patterns in criminal behaviour. This research has informed effective strategies for reducing crime risks, with his work spanning diverse areas including burglary, vehicle crime, alcohol-related violence, clandestine drug labs, card-not present fraud and return fraud.
Dr Adam Triggs
Partner,
Mandala
Dr Adam Triggs
Dr Adam Triggs is a partner and co-founder at Mandala – an economics consulting firm specialising in data science and public policy. He is a non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and is a research fellow at the ANU Crawford School. In previous roles he was an advisor to the Minister for Competition and the Treasury, an advisor in the Prime Minister’s Department, an investigator at the ACCC and Research Director at the ANU Asian Bureau of Economic Research.
Simone Van Veen
Chief Member Officer,
Rest
Simone Van Veen
Simone Van Veen joined Rest in August 2025 and brings over 25 years of financial services experience to her role as Rest’s Chief Member Officer.
Simone is responsible for Rest’s member experience across all channels, including the fund’s products and services, education and advice, member engagement, digital experience and employer connections.
Before joining Rest, Simone was Chief Member Officer at Bank First. Prior to this she spent 15 years at National Australia Bank, including as Executive, Consumer Everyday Banking Experience.
Simone is a highly experienced member-focused financial services leader known for her genuine care for people. She is passionate about delivering seamless high-impact experiences – paired with the right advice, tools and products – to help members build financial confidence and support retirement futures.
She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Master of Business Administration.
Natalie Warren-Smith
General Manager, Customer & Marketing
Stockland
Natalie Warren-Smith
Natalie is an accomplished strategic marketing executive with over 25 years’ experience driving customer‑led brand evolution and digital performance for leading Australian organisations across retail, fashion, property and financial services. Her career includes senior leadership roles at iconic brands such as Stockland, Westpac, Myer and Kmart.
With a relentless focus on customer insight and experience design, Natalie has a proven ability to shape aspirational brands and deliver differentiated customer journeys that strengthen engagement and fuel growth. She specialises in transforming data into action, building digital capability, and orchestrating integrated marketing strategies that meet customers’ needs in an increasingly dynamic retail landscape.
Renowned for navigating complexity and leading transformation at scale, Natalie builds empowered, purpose‑driven teams and consistently delivers measurable, customer‑centric outcomes across diverse and multi‑brand environments.
Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein APM
NSW Police Force
Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein APM
Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein APM is a distinguished law enforcement professional with over 29 years of dedicated service in the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF). His career is marked by a series of progressive leadership roles, strategic initiatives, and significant contributions to public safety and organisational transformation.
Assistant Commissioner Weinstein began his career with the NSWPF on 21st May, 1995, quickly advancing through the ranks, demonstrating a commitment to professional development and excellence. He holds a Diploma of Policing from Charles Sturt University (2001), a Certificate IV in Business Management (2010), an Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Investigations), and a Graduate Certificate of Applied Management from the Australian Institute of Police Management.
His career is characterised by a series of key leadership roles where he has driven significant organisational change and operational improvements:
- A/Assistant Commissioner, Transformation Office (2024): Led the Transformation Office, delivering strategic programs that enhanced service delivery outcomes and aligned with the Commissioner’s priorities. He transformed the operating environment, improved project transparency, and fostered a culture of accountability and innovation.
- A/Assistant Commissioner, State Crime Command (2023-2024): In this role, provided strategic advice and managed major crime investigations. He developed new investigative models and improved service delivery to field operations.
- Director, Crime Operations, State Crime Command (2022-2024): Developed and initiated modern investigative delivery models for regional and metropolitan areas. He also led a review into covert operations in cyber-enabled technology crime, strengthening NSWPF’s capabilities.
- Squad Commander, Raptor Squad, State Crime Command (2021): Established the Raptor Squad to combat gang violence and public acts of violence. He developed the squad’s structure, compliance frameworks, and operational strategies.
- Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Police (2020-2021): Provided high-level strategic advice and managed critical projects, including the coordination of daily statewide briefings and the delivery of a two-day forum for Commanders and the Command Executive Team (CET).
- Police Area Commander, Fairfield Police Area Command (2019): Led cultural reform and achieved significant crime reduction, making Fairfield the best-performing Police Area Command in the Southwest Metropolitan Region.
Angela Winkle
Chief Customer Officer
RM Williams
Angela Winkle
Angela Winkle is a distinguished Australian executive and the Chief Customer Officer at R.M.Williams, where her remit includes the brand’s sustainability program and digital business. A specialist in circular economy, decarbonisation, and ethical supply chains, she also serves on the board of Seamless, the national clothing product stewardship scheme dedicated to diverting fashion waste from landfills.
Angela’s academic background includes an MBA from Harvard Business School, which she attended as a prestigious Harvard Menzies Scholar, and a Master of Climate Change from the Australian National University. Her prior experience includes leadership roles at Peloton Interactive and McKinsey & Company, as well as senior policy advisory work for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Darren Woolley
Chief Executive Officer
TrinityP3
Darren Woolley
With a background as an analytical scientist, creative problem solver and Certified Practising Marketer, Darren brings unique insight to the marketing process. He is widely regarded as a thought leader in marketing management and is a regular industry commentator across trade and business media and forums globally, as well as a keynote speaker on the business of marketing. He has authored more than 1,000 posts on the TrinityP3 blog, published the business book Top 50 Marketing Management Posts of the Year annually from 2013 to 2019, and has hosted the weekly Managing Marketing podcast since 2015.
Darren began his career as a scientist at the Royal Children’s Hospital Neuropathology Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia, conducting research in myopathies, neuropathies, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Repetitive Strain Injury. He later established a chemical recycling company, Resolve, before moving into advertising in the mid-eighties.
During his 15 years as a writer and Creative Director, Darren developed brand and business communication strategies for a broad range of global and local brands. He was Creative Director at J. Walter Thompson and served two consecutive terms as President of the Melbourne Art Directors’ Club.
In 2000, Darren founded TrinityP3, Asia Pacific’s leading strategic marketing management consultancy, supported by an international network of more than 30 industry professionals helping organisations achieve commercial outcomes through effective creative processes. He leverages his extensive knowledge of the marketing and advertising industry to solve advertiser challenges and maximise value from marketing budgets.
Today, TrinityP3 sits at the leading edge of decision-making in the global marketing, media and advertising industry. Its client base includes many of the world’s top 100 advertisers, with offices across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific.
Christelle Young
Managing Director
T2 Tea
Christelle Young
Christelle Young is an innovative and results-driven executive with over 20 years of leadership in strategy, transformation, data analytics, AI, and technology. Currently serving as Managing Director at T2 Tea, a B Corp-certified company, she leads the charge in elevating everyday rituals and the art of living, through 100% sustainably sourced tea done differently. Christelle is dedicated to driving a purpose-led brand with sustainable growth, modernizing the brand, elevating AI into retail operations, and expanding its reach.
Previously, as Chief Data & Analytics Officer at L’Oréal, Christelle delivered transformative business outcomes across 33 countries, creating multimillion-euro value through advanced analytics and operational maturity. Her versatile career also spans corporate strategy, organizational redesign, and interim leadership as GM of Finance OTC at Toll Group, where she spearheaded large-scale finance and shared services transformations.
Recognized as a thought leader, Christelle is a sought-after speaker and media contributor on analytics, technology, and innovation. She has co-authored influential tools like the Kearney Analytics Impact Index and served as an advisor to the Melbourne Business School Centre for Business Analytics, shaping the future of education.
Christelle’s foundation in technology, with a Bachelor in IT and a Master of Business Analytics, complements her ability to drive data-led innovation. A passionate advocate for mental health and education, she also serves on nonprofit and academic boards. As a mother of two, she champions inclusive leadership and inspires the next generation to think beyond boundaries.
Lizzie Young
Chief Executive Officer
Commercial Radio & Audio
Lizzie Young
Lizzie is a media executive with 25 years’ experience across the UK, US & APAC. She currently leads Commercial Radio & Audio on behalf of the Australian audio industry. Her remit at CRA covers industry wide initiatives including regulatory affairs, audience measurement, demand generation, digital transformation.
Previously Lizzie was APAC CEO and Global Growth Officer of social media start-up WeAre8, spent 12 years at Nine, Australia’s largest locally owned media company, rising to the role of Managing Director – Local Markets, Group Marketing & Commercial Partnerships and 12 years in radio at Southern Cross Austereo and Global Radio in London.
Her roles have spanned content, marketing, sales, commercial partnerships and operations. In recent years she has executed a number of transformation projects resulting from M&A activity, leveraging new platforms and technologies for growth.
Lizzie is also a former non-executive director of ASX listed real estate classified business Domain and Founding Board Director of Future Women where she remains as an Advisor and Mentor.
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Highlights from our 2025 event
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If you’d like to showcase your brand at the forefront of the retail industry and connect directly with senior decision-makers, sponsoring the ARA x NRA Leaders Forum 26 is the perfect opportunity. Sponsorship offers you maximum visibility across the two days, alignment with the most influential voices in retail, and the chance to demonstrate your leadership on issues shaping the industry. Connect with us today to explore this opportunity.
Acknowledgement of Country
ARC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to their elders past and present, and recognise Australia’s First Nations’ peoples as Australia’s first traders with a sophisticated network of trading paths that have facilitated the exchange of goods, knowledge and culture for millennia.
