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Generative A1 Summit - Quest Events0962 (1)

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Ali Nezhad

Head of Sustainability and Innovation
Boral

Ameen Bou Diab

Lead Idea Validator
11point2

Andrew Cheah

Head of Group Energy
Borg Manufacturing

Andrew Stewart

Group Executive and President - Specialty Mining Chemicals
Orica

Anoop Thakur

Procurement and Sustainability General Manager
Orora

Ben Burge

Chair, MicroTau; Chief Executive
LocalAgentFinder

Brian Restall

Managing Director and Regional Leader
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners

Hilary Newstead

General Manager - Energy Markets
GFG Alliance/SIMEC Energy

Jackie McKeon

Program Director
Business Renewables Centre Australia (BRC-A)

Jai Coppen

Senior Energy Sourcing Manager
Yara International

Jarrod Leak

Chief Executive Officer
Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity

Joe Oliver

Managing Director
Delorean Corporation

Joshua Watts

Director, QUT Energy Storage Research Group
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Kimberly Camrass

Sustainability Lead- Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific
Boeing

Matt McKee

Chief Researcher
Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE)

Meredith Read

Head of Sustainability
Orica

Peter Haenke

Technical Lead - Industrial Decarbonisation
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Rebecca Irwin

Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Executive

Rory Bracken

Head of Carbon and Circular Economy
Fulton Hogan

Samantha Langley

Head of Sustainability
Vulcan Energy

Shayna Jones

Product Stewardship Manager
Big Bag Recovery

Sonia Fourie

GM - Environment & Sustainability
Jemena

Summer Steward

ESG Project Manager
Team Global Express

Tamara Sling-Ronen

Environment Director
Lion Co

Tennant Reed

Director – Climate Change and Energy
Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)

Tim Bray

Assistant Coordinator, Strategic and Consumer Policy
Energy Policy WA

Vanessa Lenihan

Future Fuels Manager
Viva Energy Australia

Rebecca Irwin

Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Executive

Rebecca Irwin is a respected executive leader with deep experience across the public and private sectors, known for her clarity, conviction and values-driven leadership. At AEMO, she led government and stakeholder engagement through a time of transformational change in the energy sector.

Her career has spanned senior roles in sustainability, ESG, climate strategy, public policy, and stakeholder engagement. As Chief Sustainability Officer at Adbri, she delivered the company’s first Net Zero Roadmap. At Newcrest Mining, she led the development of its Climate Change Position Statement and transformed ESG practices to align with ICMM standards.

Rebecca has also held leadership roles at BHP, Newcrest and within the Australian Government, including advising the Prime Minister and representing Australia before international tribunals.

A Fulbright Scholar with a Master of Laws from Harvard University, Rebecca brings strategic acumen and diplomatic skill to some of the most complex challenges facing industry and government today.

Speaking at

08:50

Opening remarks from the Chair

Speaker Speakers

Rebecca Irwin,

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08:50

Opening remarks from the Chair

Speaker Speakers

Rebecca Irwin,

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Andrew Stewart

Group Executive and President - Specialty Mining Chemicals
Orica

Andrew was appointed President - Specialty Mining Chemicals in June 2024. Andrew is responsible for the growth of our specialty mining chemicals business and the integration of Cyanco. Andrew was previously Orica's Chief Development and Sustainability Officer. Andrew has over 20 years of international experience in the energy, chemicals and infrastructure sectors, having held several Group Executive roles at Wood PLC and operational accountability for business performance in Asia, Australia Pacific, Latin America and North America.

Speaking at

09:00

Harnessing global manufacturing synergies to advance sustainability outcomes

Speaker Speakers

Andrew Stewart,

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Panel Discussion

09:30

Panel discussion: How can we navigate the current policy landscape to identify opportunities for driving emission reductions in heavy industry?

Speaker Speakers

Tennant Reed,

Andrew Stewart,

Hilary Newstead,

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Tennant Reed

Director – Climate Change and Energy
Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)

Tennant Reed is Director - Climate Change and Energy at the Australian Industry Group.  Since 2008 he has been deeply involved in Australian climate and energy issues: advising Ai Group’s Leaders’ Group on Energy and Climate Policy; coordinating joint research and advocacy with wider energy stakeholders; facilitating the Australian Climate Roundtable; developing reports on energy prices, carbon border adjustments and business energy use; and closely observing international climate negotiations. In 2021 he was appointed to the Independent Expert Panel recommending 2035 emissions targets for the State of Victoria.  Tennant lives in Melbourne.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

09:30

Panel discussion: How can we navigate the current policy landscape to identify opportunities for driving emission reductions in heavy industry?

Speaker Speakers

Tennant Reed,

Andrew Stewart,

Hilary Newstead,

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Hilary Newstead

General Manager - Energy Markets
GFG Alliance/SIMEC Energy

Hilary Newstead is a strategic energy executive with deep experience across decarbonisation, energy markets, and demand-side innovation. At SIMEC Energy Australia, she leads the energy markets function focused the development and execution of energy and carbon strategy to support GFG Australia’s steel and mining operations through the energy transition.

Throughout her career, Hilary’s work has centred on creating sustainable futures for heavy industries and infrastructure portfolios. She has held a range of senior roles within SIMEC, and also brings sustainability leadership experience from her time at Telstra, where she managed national energy and climate initiatives.

A respected voice in the industry, Hilary serves on the boards of the Energy Users Association of Australia and the SA-H2H Hydrogen Technology Cluster, and is Deputy Chair of CitiPower and Powercor’s Customer Advisory Panel.

With a background in meteorology and environmental management, Hilary combines technical insight with commercial acumen to deliver outcomes that benefit both business and the climate.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

09:30

Panel discussion: How can we navigate the current policy landscape to identify opportunities for driving emission reductions in heavy industry?

Speaker Speakers

Tennant Reed,

Andrew Stewart,

Hilary Newstead,

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Samantha Langley

Head of Sustainability
Vulcan Energy

Samantha Langley has more than 20 years' experience in the mining, energy and resources sector, with expertise in environmental and sustainability management, operational compliance and reporting, climate change action planning and decarbonisation project delivery across complex mining and mineral processing value chains. Prior to joining Vulcan Energy as its Head of Sustainability, Ms Langley was Superintendent of Asset Decarbonisation at BHP Nickel West.

She has been publicly recognised for her leadership in sustainability and has been the recipient of the 2023 Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award, and was a finalist in the 2023 National Minerals Council of Australia Women in Mining and Resources Awards. Ms Langley holds a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) from Murdoch University and postgraduate qualifications in occupational health and safety.

Speaking at

10:10

Accelerating operational decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors through electrification

Speaker Speakers

Samantha Langley,

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Panel Discussion

16:20

Panel discussion: Paradigm shifts and radically reapproaching decarbonisation find out of the box solutions

Speaker Speakers

Shayna Jones,

Ben Burge,

Ameen Bou Diab,

Samantha Langley,

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Vanessa Lenihan

Future Fuels Manager
Viva Energy Australia

Vanessa Lenihan is a seasoned leader in environmental engineering and resource recovery, now spearheading future fuels and decarbonisation efforts at Viva Energy. With over two decades of experience spanning water utilities, consulting, and the energy sector, Vanessa brings a pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach to Australia’s energy transition.

She previously served as Group Manager of Resource Recovery at South East Water and was CEO of Biomix Compost, where she drove innovation in organics recycling. Through her consultancy, she supported industry clients on trade waste, wastewater treatment and circular economy projects.

Vanessa’s work focuses on building commercially viable pathways to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, underpinned by deep technical knowledge and strong stakeholder engagement.

She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering from RMIT University and an MBA in Technology Management from Chifley Business School.

Speaking at

11:10

Reducing operational emissions to strengthen energy resilience in refining and distribution

Speaker Speakers

Vanessa Lenihan,

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Rory Bracken

Head of Carbon and Circular Economy
Fulton Hogan

With over 20 years in civil engineering and manufacturing, Rory is a passionate leader dedicated to driving sustainable change. As Head of Carbon and Circular Economy at Fulton Hogan, he leads decarbonisation and circular economy initiatives across Australia, ensuring strategic alignment and measurable impact. With a strong HSEQS background, Rory leverages his expertise to develop innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and the business. He collaborates with executive leadership, operational teams, clients, and industry partners to implement best practices that advance Fulton Hogan’s sustainability goals.

Speaking at

12:00

Driving demand for low-emissions products through policy, procurement and carbon transparency

Speaker Speakers

Rory Bracken,

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Panel Discussion

14:20

Panel discussion: How can organisations balance short-term costs with long-term emissions reductions to achieve a ‘no regrets’ decarbonisation strategy?

Speaker Speakers

Jarrod Leak,

Sonia Fourie,

Meredith Read,

Rory Bracken,

Tim Bray,

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Andrew Cheah

Head of Group Energy
Borg Manufacturing

Andrew is a seasoned energy industry professional with over 10 years of experience in commercial management, business opportunity development, strategic sourcing, team leadership, operations, engineering, and change management. He has a proven track record of delivering significant value through change, leveraging his expertise in analysing the market and competitive environment to develop and successfully implement strategic plans.

At CSR, Andrew played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the company's energy procurement strategy, resulting in CSR directly supplying electricity and gas to its manufacturing sites. He also led a team in developing an integrated renewable energy solution that combines solar generation, energy storage, and flexible demand in an industrial environment.

Prior to this, Andrew was responsible for leading a team at Qenos that negotiated strategic commercial agreements valued at over $500m. He skillfully negotiated key business-critical supply agreements, securing long-term contracts that optimised costs without comprising on quality, ensuring continued business viability.

Andrew's accomplishments are underpinned by his exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing, and negotiation skills. His strategic insights and ability to lead teams have proven to be valuable assets in achieving organisational goals and driving results.

Speaking at

13:30

How Borg is creating demand for new products with reduced waste and emission profiles

Speaker Speakers

Andrew Cheah,

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Jarrod Leak

Chief Executive Officer
Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity

As CEO of A2EP, Jarrod is focussed on taking energy productivity in Australia to the next level by building on A2EP’s reputation for innovative programs and engagement. We will continue to build awareness of the economic, productivity and environmental benefits of investing in energy productivity and to support the success of currently available innovative technologies, as well as looking further afield for the next generation of developments.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

14:20

Panel discussion: How can organisations balance short-term costs with long-term emissions reductions to achieve a ‘no regrets’ decarbonisation strategy?

Speaker Speakers

Jarrod Leak,

Sonia Fourie,

Meredith Read,

Rory Bracken,

Tim Bray,

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Sonia Fourie

GM - Environment & Sustainability
Jemena

Sonia Fourie is an environment, sustainability and safety professional with cross-industry experience spanning corporate, construction, manufacturing, utilities and consulting sectors across South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

She has a proven track record in developing and implementing effective climate, environment, and safety management systems, including climate-related risk, opportunity, and transition planning within the energy sector.

Her strong focus on learning, collaboration, and risk-based, whole-of-economy strategies supported her career transition in 2023 towards advancing environment, sustainability, net zero 2050 goals, and sustainable outcomes for Jemena and its customers.

Sonia has been recognised for her innovative solutions and pragmatic approach to problem solving, and she led the development and implementation of her Jemena’s first Group Climate Transition Plan. She holds a Master of Occupational and Environmental Health from Monash University.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

14:20

Panel discussion: How can organisations balance short-term costs with long-term emissions reductions to achieve a ‘no regrets’ decarbonisation strategy?

Speaker Speakers

Jarrod Leak,

Sonia Fourie,

Meredith Read,

Rory Bracken,

Tim Bray,

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Meredith Read

Head of Sustainability
Orica

Meredith Read is Head of Sustainability at Orica, where she leads the company’s strategy to decarbonise operations and enable net zero outcomes across its global footprint. With more than 18 years of experience spanning process engineering, industrial manufacturing, technology, and carbon management, Meredith brings deep technical insight to one of the world’s most emissions-intensive sectors.

During her time with Orica, she has held a series of senior roles focused on advancing sustainability and climate strategy, most recently overseeing key elements of the organisation’s decarbonisation program. Meredith is passionate about delivering practical, science-based solutions for hard-to-abate industries and supporting Australia’s broader energy transition.

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne. Meredith’s collaborative, systems-level approach has made her a trusted leader in navigating complex industrial challenges with a strong focus on impact, innovation and integrity.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

14:20

Panel discussion: How can organisations balance short-term costs with long-term emissions reductions to achieve a ‘no regrets’ decarbonisation strategy?

Speaker Speakers

Jarrod Leak,

Sonia Fourie,

Meredith Read,

Rory Bracken,

Tim Bray,

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Tim Bray

Assistant Coordinator, Strategic and Consumer Policy
Energy Policy WA

Tim Bray leads Energy Policy WA, a group within the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. As Coordinator of Energy, Tim oversees energy policy and regulatory arrangements in Western Australia, as well as providing advice to the Minister for Energy on energy policy development and navigating the energy transition.

The Coordinator of Energy role is also the designated Hazard Management Agency for disruption to electricity, natural gas or liquid fuel supplies in Western Australia.

Tim's experience in the sector is extensive and spans both public and private. This includes policy, economic regulation, market design, network service provision, energy productivity and the evolving distributed energy space.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

14:20

Panel discussion: How can organisations balance short-term costs with long-term emissions reductions to achieve a ‘no regrets’ decarbonisation strategy?

Speaker Speakers

Jarrod Leak,

Sonia Fourie,

Meredith Read,

Rory Bracken,

Tim Bray,

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16:30

Driving decarbonisation through regional energy transitions: The Pilbara Energy Transition (PET)

Speaker Speakers

Tim Bray,

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Kimberly Camrass

Sustainability Lead- Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific
Boeing

Dr Kimberly Camrass is a sustainability professional with a PhD in Regenerative Futures.

In her current role as Regional Sustainability Lead at Boeing, Kimberly drives efforts to decarbonise aviation across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. This includes a strong focus on policy development for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and emerging flight technologies, including electric and hydrogen.

Kimberly is Boeing’s representative on the Federal Government’s Jet Zero Council and is also driving aviation sustainability through partnerships with industry, State Governments and the research sector.

Kimberly has extensive experience in the development and implementation of policy, strategy and programs to achieve positive environmental, social and governance outcomes. Prior to joining Boeing, she was the Director – Climate Positive Brisbane 2023 within the Queensland Government, shaping initial sustainability planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Kimberly is an Adjunct Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast and is engaged in strategic foresight and futures work globally to drive innovative thinking around regeneration and sustainability. She is a published author, with works covering a range of themes, including futures studies, regeneration, sustainability and leadership.

Speaking at

15:30

Unlocking carbon feedstock opportunities and navigating sustainability and supply chain risks for Australia's biofuel future

Speaker Speakers

Kimberly Camrass,

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Tamara Sling-Ronen

Environment Director
Lion Co

Tamara has 23 years’ experience in environment, process improvement, and quality engineering in manufacturing (Food and pharmaceutical industries). She has a vast knowledge in lean manufacturing methodologies, statistical process control, 6 Sigma, and validations.

Tamara started at Lion in 2022 and is responsible for the creation and execution of the carbon zero roadmap, water stewardship, circular economy, network energy of water efficiency, and waste management for the Australian & New Zealand market, and the carbon emission reduction for the US business.

She was previously Beverage Operations Manager ANZ at PepsiCo for 2 years, where she was responsible for business strategy for the ANZ team and providing governance and improvement opportunities to PepsiCo bottlers manufacturing sites. Tamara led the implementation of rPET bottles (the first market in APAC), provided Subject Matter Expertise Supplier’s capabilities, project management, and technical leadership in resolving quality issues.

Tamara has previously worked with AstraZeneca, Teva Pharmaceutical and hP.

Speaking at

16:00

Interview: Structuring PPA agreements to achieve carbon neutrality in scope 2 emissions

Speaker Speakers

Tamara Sling-Ronen,

Jackie McKeon,

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Jackie McKeon

Program Director
Business Renewables Centre Australia (BRC-A)

Jackie is Program Director of the Business Renewables Centre Australia (BRC-A). Jackie has over 15 years’ experience in carbon and energy management, renewable energy procurement, decarbonisation strategy, strategic planning, corporate advisory & stakeholder engagement.

Jackie and her team launched the BRC-A in 2018. BRC-A is Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation for corporate renewable PPAs, providing independent training, connection and ‘how-to’ resources to drive renewable energy procurement and industry decarbonisation. BRC-A recently announced it has already surpassed its goal to support industry to contract 5 GW of renewable energy PPAs by 2030 - seven years ahead of target.

Speaking at

16:00

Interview: Structuring PPA agreements to achieve carbon neutrality in scope 2 emissions

Speaker Speakers

Tamara Sling-Ronen,

Jackie McKeon,

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Anoop Thakur

Procurement and Sustainability General Manager
Orora

Anoop Thakur is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience driving sustainability, commercial and operational transformation in the manufacturing sector. Holding an engineering degree and an MBA specializing in supply chain and finance, Anoop Thakur has successfully led initiatives at the intersection of innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

At Orora, a leading beverage packaging manufacturer, Anoop Thakur played a pivotal role in reducing carbon footprints while ensuring operational resilience while orchestrating a transition of one of Australia’s largest energy-consuming companies to renewable energy. Anoop’s expertise in strategy and financial acumen enabled the seamless integration of sustainable energy solutions, optimizing both cost and performance. Anoop Thakur has been instrumental in doubling the recycled content in glass production at Orora, championing circular economy principles and resource efficiency.

Passionate about leveraging technology and strategic partnerships, Anoop Thakur is committed to building a more sustainable industrial future. With a proven track record in large-scale transitions and operational excellence, Anoop continues to influence the industry through innovation, leadership, and a results-driven approach.

Speaking at

09:00

Implementing oxyfuel combustion to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions in glass manufacturing

Speaker Speakers

Anoop Thakur,

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Panel Discussion

13:50

Panel discussion: What are the best approaches to building a workable plan to reduce carbon emissions across industrial operations?

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Brian Restall,

Jai Coppen,

Summer Steward,

Anoop Thakur,

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Ali Nezhad

Head of Sustainability and Innovation
Boral

Ali is the Head of Sustainability and Innovation at Boral, responsible for leading the development and implementation of sustainability and innovation strategy with a key focus on meeting Boral’s decarbonisation ambition of net zero by 2050. Ali has more than 20 years of experience in developing and implementing decarbonisation technologies as well as developing lower carbon and recycled products in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Ali is also an adjunct professor at the University of New South Wales and an internationally recognised scholar in the field of sustainability in construction, having received several international awards and published over 140 scientific articles.

Speaking at

09:30

Developing calcined clay technology to reduce carbon footprint in concrete production

Speaker Speakers

Ali Nezhad,

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Brian Restall

Managing Director and Regional Leader
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners

Quinbrook’s Managing Director and Regional Leader in Australia, a member of the Global Investment Committee and the Chair of the Global Procurement Committee.

Mr Restall has over 26 years’ experience in making and managing energy-related infrastructure investments in Australia, the US, Europe and Africa through the complete investment lifecycle. He has led over US$20 billion of generation development, US$4 billion of generation construction projects and been the CEO of an operating renewable energy business during his career. He has extensive experience in corporate strategy, business improvement, project and financial management.

Mr Restall is the Chairperson for the Boards of all of Quinbrook’s portfolio companies in Australia;

Energy Locals – one of Australia’s leading green retailers and operator of the world’s largest VPP
Energy Trade – one of Australia’s leading community energy network businesses
Lockyer Energy Project – a 900MW renewable firming project in Queensland
Supernode Project – a combined 2,000MWh energy storage and 300MW data storage project in Queensland
Cape Byron Power – one of Australia’s largest baseload renewable energy companies.

Prior to Cape Byron, he was a Senior Business Development Manager at EnergyAustralia (a major Australian energy utility) between 2010 and 2013 with responsibilities including corporate strategy, thermal power development, renewable development and operational efficiency.

Between 2007 and 2009, Mr. Restall was the Business Development Manager at Drax Group plc in the United Kingdom, where he was a senior member of the team that developed, constructed and operated one of the world’s largest baseload renewable power plants.

Mr. Restall previously held various senior management construction roles at Shell, InterGen and Fluor Daniel, where he delivered power and mining projects in Australia, the UK and the Niger Delta.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the Queensland University of Technology.

Speaking at

10:00

Scaling up electric smelting to transform traditional steel/ironmaking processes with renewable energy and new technologies

Speaker Speakers

Brian Restall,

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Panel Discussion

13:50

Panel discussion: What are the best approaches to building a workable plan to reduce carbon emissions across industrial operations?

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Brian Restall,

Jai Coppen,

Summer Steward,

Anoop Thakur,

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Joe Oliver

Managing Director
Delorean Corporation

Joe Oliver is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Delorean Corporation, an ASX listed company pioneering Australian bioenergy. Joe has extensive experience across Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe in the bioenergy sector in leading the development, design, construction and engineering of renewable energy infrastructure. He designed and delivered the award-winning Jandakot Bioenergy Facility in Western Australia and has been at the forefront of change and innovation in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Joe utilises his experience to ensure optimisation of anaerobic digestion assets and technology in a range of global applications.

Speaking at

11:00

Using biomethane to support decarbonisation of the hard to abate large industrial sector

Speaker Speakers

Joe Oliver,

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Peter Haenke

Technical Lead - Industrial Decarbonisation
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Peter is a mechanical and environmental engineer with over 30 years experience assisting business to identify and capture the opportunities in the transition to a low carbon economy.

Peter has worked in corporate, consulting and government agency roles across a diverse range of sectors including the mining, manufacturing, property, transport and energy sectors in Australia and abroad. He brings these perspectives together to provide engineering and business insights to the challenges of rapid decarbonisation.

As an Investment Manager at ARENA, Peter provides technical and strategic guidance to ARENA and ARENA Applicants regarding decarbonisation projects in sectors as diverse as: alumina refining, iron & steel production, food and beverage manufacturing, and the built environment, amongst others.

Speaking at

11:50

Leveraging the Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS) to accelerate emissions reduction in hard-to-abate sectors

Speaker Speakers

Peter Haenke,

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Summer Steward

ESG Project Manager
Team Global Express

Summer Steward is an experienced environmental professional who has spent over 15 years driving sustainability outcomes across the mining, energy, and transport sectors. She currently leads the landmark ARENA-funded “Depot of the Future” project at Team Global Express, where she has overseen the rollout of 60 battery electric trucks, 63 charging stations, and a 1MWh battery energy storage system at the Bungarribee depot in Western Sydney.

Summer brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to ESG delivery, combining strategic vision with deep technical expertise in environmental compliance, electrification infrastructure, and operational transformation.

Prior to joining Team Global Express, she held senior environmental roles at AGL and Downer, with a focus on governance, emissions reporting, and regulatory compliance. Summer holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Earth Science from James Cook University and is passionate about building practical pathways to decarbonise heavy industries.

Speaking at

13:20

Decarbonising heavy transport to cut freight emissions

Speaker Speakers

Summer Steward,

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Panel Discussion

13:50

Panel discussion: What are the best approaches to building a workable plan to reduce carbon emissions across industrial operations?

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Brian Restall,

Jai Coppen,

Summer Steward,

Anoop Thakur,

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Matt McKee

Chief Researcher
Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE)

Matt brings over two decades of experience in energy, technology, and manufacturing, with a track record of turning bold ideas into impactful outcomes. He has led national and global teams across startups, scale-ups, and major corporations - driving innovation in cleantech and operational strategy. Matt was the COO and Chief Digital Officer for RedEarth Energy Storage and supported many early-stage companies in the energy sector. He holds an MBA from IMD and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

13:50

Panel discussion: What are the best approaches to building a workable plan to reduce carbon emissions across industrial operations?

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Brian Restall,

Jai Coppen,

Summer Steward,

Anoop Thakur,

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Jai Coppen

Senior Energy Sourcing Manager
Yara International

Jai is the Senior Energy Sourcing Manager for Yara Pilbara in Western Australia with responsibility for assets including Yara Pilbara Fertilisers, which accounts for 5% of the world's tradeable ammonia. He oversees a portfolio including a 33PJ/annum gas book, green hydrogen, carbon credit trading, CCUS, water and electricity .

Jai has a broad background in the energy and maritime sectors including eight years at Shell in the domestic gas trading and origination business in Perth, LNG Marketing and Trading businesses in Dubai and sailing as a navigator on the company's North West Shelf LNG fleet.

Previously, Jai served for six years as a Maritime Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, holding several leadership and operational planning roles globally.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

13:50

Panel discussion: What are the best approaches to building a workable plan to reduce carbon emissions across industrial operations?

Speaker Speakers

Matt McKee,

Brian Restall,

Jai Coppen,

Summer Steward,

Anoop Thakur,

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15:50

Deploying hydrogen and CCS to decarbonise fertiliser production

Speaker Speakers

Jai Coppen,

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Joshua Watts

Director, QUT Energy Storage Research Group
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Joshua is the Project Lead for the National Battery Testing Centre at QUT and has a PhD in energy and process engineering, specialising in nano-materials synthesis, optimisation and characterisation. He has over 14 years of research and development experience in both industry and academia, primarily focused in the fields of renewable energy generation and energy storage. Joshua’s experience includes the development of nano-material based light harvesting devices, synthesis and optimisation of lithium battery cathode materials to pilot plant scale as well as the synthesis of non-oxide ceramic materials for high performance applications. Joshua has managed multiple battery energy storage related projects commercially and at QUT and has expertise in battery management and control systems design and implementation as well electrochemical testing of battery materials. Joshua has several peer reviewed publications in the fields of materials synthesis and advanced characterisation.

Speaking at

14:50

Selecting optimal battery formats for industrial decarbonisation

Speaker Speakers

Joshua Watts,

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Shayna Jones

Product Stewardship Manager
Big Bag Recovery

Shayna Jones is Product Stewardship Manager at Big Bag Recovery, where she helps lead Australia’s plastic waste transformation through a government-accredited program that turns discarded sacks and bulk bags into valuable resources. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in relationship management and strategic growth, Shayna is passionate about building connections that drive real impact in the circular economy.

Since joining Big Bag Recovery, she has played a key role in expanding its member network, translating complex sustainability goals into clear, actionable outcomes. Her work supports a national program that has recovered over 7,270,423kg of plastic and created 73 jobs (and growing).

Shayna is also Managing Partner at Teneriffe Dental, a practice she co-founded to deliver patient-focused care. With a career spanning payments, design and environmental solutions, Shayna brings a unique blend of commercial insight and purpose-driven leadership to the evolving world of sustainability.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

16:20

Panel discussion: Paradigm shifts and radically reapproaching decarbonisation find out of the box solutions

Speaker Speakers

Shayna Jones,

Ben Burge,

Ameen Bou Diab,

Samantha Langley,

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Ben Burge

Chair, MicroTau; Chief Executive
LocalAgentFinder

Ben Burge is a seasoned executive and energy innovator with a track record of leading transformative businesses at the intersection of technology, sustainability and customer engagement. Currently Chief Executive at LocalAgentFinder and Chairman of MicroTau, Ben previously spent nearly a decade at Telstra, where he held several senior roles including Executive Director and a key position within Telstra Energy.

Well known in the energy sector for his leadership at Powershop Australia and Meridian Energy Australia, Ben drove the growth of consumer-friendly, low-carbon energy offerings during a critical period of industry transition. His career spans senior roles in digital strategy, analytics and executive leadership across both start-ups and large corporates, including IBM and Secure Energy.

Ben is widely recognised for his bold, creative thinking and his commitment to solving complex, meaningful problems. He continues to champion innovation that empowers customers and accelerates the shift to a more sustainable economy.

Speaking at

Panel Discussion

16:20

Panel discussion: Paradigm shifts and radically reapproaching decarbonisation find out of the box solutions

Speaker Speakers

Shayna Jones,

Ben Burge,

Ameen Bou Diab,

Samantha Langley,

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Ameen Bou Diab

Lead Idea Validator
11point2

Ameen Bou Diab is a venture builder and Lead Idea Validator at 11point2, partnering with ASX-listed and multinational energy and resource companies to create the next generation of net zero ventures. With a background in Aerospace Engineering and international experience across Australia and the Middle East, Ameen specialises in helping heavy industry turn complex decarbonisation challenges into commercially viable opportunities that deliver economic, social, and environmental value.

At 11point2, Ameen bridges the decarbonisation strategy with the rapid execution of new ventures, enabling companies to repurpose decommissioning liabilities, unlock stranded assets, and accelerate their path to net zero. His entrepreneurial approach helps industry leaders de-risk innovation, unlock new revenue streams, and move faster toward their sustainability goals.