2023 speakers

Sreeraj has over 15 years of experience in Rio Tinto’s Aluminium operations, where he has held both operational and technical leadership roles.

As part of his current role, Sreeraj supports RTA operations to develop a net zero decarbonisation pathway. He is very passionate about scoping and developing technologies that provide a viable decarbonisation pathway for RTA’s mines, refineries and smelters.

Sreeraj is based in Brisbane and holds a doctorate in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Melbourne.

Linden Birch is Group Sustainability Manager with CSR Limited, a leading building manufacturing company with operations in Australia and New Zealand. Linden has a strong background in environment, sustainability and strategy having worked in the private, public and not-for-profit arenas in a range of sectors including manufacturing, property and aviation.

Linden’s role focuses on developing and embedding sustainability within the strategic direction and operational processes of CSR.  This includes the identification and management of climate change risks and leading CSR’s approach to decarbonisation.

Linden worked with environmental consultancies in Australia, UK and Hong Kong before moving to the Airport Authority in Hong Kong as Senior Environmental Scientist during the construction and first year operation of the Hong Kong International Airport.  After leaving the Airport Authority, Linden became the first Environmental Manager for Swire Properties, a large Tier 1 property developer in Hong Kong and mainland China, which develops residential and commercial premises. On returning to Australia and prior to joining CSR, Linden worked with the not-for-profit The Hornery Institute, embedding sustainability into master-planned communities such as Docklands in Melbourne and North Lakes in Brisbane. 

Linden is an environmental scientist with a Masters Degree in Science (Environmental Management) from the University of Hong Kong, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Michael has over 20 years’ experience across oil and gas, gas pipelines and distribution, electricity generation, renewable energy, electricity retail, carbon offsets and energy supply for mining. 

Michael is the Manager Energy and Carbon for South32 providing commercial subject matter expertise in energy procurement for assets in Australia, Africa, South America and North America and South32’s carbon procurement. During the past 2 years Michael has been a key member of the team developing decarbonisation plans for Worsley Alumina, near Perth.

With almost 20 years' experience in financial services, Ian Campbell has seen first-hand the biggest markets moments, from the Global Financial Crisis to the rise of Sustainable and Responsible Investing (SRI).

Ian's interest in Sustainability was first triggered while he was running Citi's Debt Capital Markets Division. In this role Ian led the team to number one on the leader board for six years running. Sensing a growing urgency around ESG-related issues, Ian decided it was time to pivot his career and immerse himself in the science of climate change.

Leading the charge locally, Ian was this year appointed as Citi Australia and New Zealand's Head of Sustainability and Corporate Transition.

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.

Andrew joined Origin in 2008 and has over 18 years energy industry experience with wholesale, retail, and distribution exposure.

Leading the Distributed Energy and Supply Services team as part of Origin Zero, Andrew is responsible for bringing innovative and commercial applications of product to market with a focus on distributed energy.

Andrew previously worked in Origin’s Future Energy team, where he was responsible for exploring new technologies and new business models to grow Origin’s business.

This included assessing investment and partnership opportunities with IoT and energy related start-ups through the global Free Electrons program.

Scott is an accomplished financial services professional with significant risk management experience in the alternative investment sector, with a demonstrated career in financial markets spanning over a decade. He has worked across global markets from Sydney to New York, originating and structuring custom solutions for financial sponsors and corporates to manage commodity, foreign exchange and liquidity risks.

Scott is currently focussed on environmental markets, and supporting clients as they transition their business models to a low carbon economy and ensure their operations are fit for the future.

Mike Davis has over 15 years of experience in the energy sector. Prior to joining Optimal Renewable Gas, Mike held several senior technical and commercial roles with APA, ATCO Australia and Jemena where he was responsible for developing and commercialising underground gas storage, gas transmission and expansion, gas-fired power generation, green hydrogen production and blending into the gas grid as well as Australia’s first biomethane to grid project in collaboration with Sydney Water.

Prior to joining the energy sector, Mike served as a Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Navy for 9 years and holds bachelor or Engineering degree from Sydney University and Master of Business and Technology from the UNSW.

Having recently relocated from The Netherlands to Australia, Tjakko is a Technical Director and currently leads Arcadis’ national sustainability advisory team with over 20 years experience in sustainability, urban development, climate change, politics and strategic consulting. His past experience in urban planning, policy advisory and stakeholder management has been with the Dutch National Parliament and local governments, focusing on the implementation of policy to support their urban development and sustainability (net zero) goals. Tjakko also worked for Over Morgen, an affiliate consultancy of Arcadis specialising in sustainable urban development and energy transition.

Tjakko’s capability centres on the integration of sustainable solutions and stakeholder engagement - he believes that working together is the solution to tackle the critical challenges in our built environment: “Lessons learnt from around the world will help accelerate our journey towards net zero.”

Karen Dobson is Managing Director of Dow Australia and New Zealand, based in Melbourne, Australia.

Having joined Dow’s Australian manufacturing operations as a graduate chemical engineer from the University of Melbourne, Karen has over thirty years’ experience with the company. She has held a variety of technical, marketing and business management roles in that time, including global roles based in Hong Kong, the United States and China.

Karen is a Director of Chemistry Australia and Chair of its Plastics Council, a Board member of the Business Council of Australia, a member of the Ai Group’s Victorian and National Advisory Councils, Advisory Board member of the University of Queensland Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation and Council member of the Royal Institution of Australia.

Karen is corporate sustainability manager at Incitec Pivot, a global fertiliser and explosives manufacturer with a multibillion-dollar ammonia manufacturing base. Before working for Incitec Pivot, Karen’s research investigated the use of stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in carbonate deposits from northwest Queensland to develop past average temperature curves for use in palaeoclimate reconstruction and the calibration of predictive climate change models.

Karen has a working knowledge of the issues associated with climate change for emissions-intensive manufacturers and Incitec Pivot’s agricultural and mining customers. She is GRI-certified, completes Incitec Pivot’s TCFD reporting and oversaw the development of future climate-related scenarios specific to the company. Karen has worked closely with Incitec Pivot’s engineers to develop its net zero pathway and is involved in the development of ‘green ammonia’ projects.

Damian Dwyer was been appointed as Low Emission Technology Australia’s new Director of Policy and International Relations in March 2023.

He was previously APPEA’s Deputy Chief Executive where he led a policy team with key responsibilities for a range of economic and trade issues within the upstream oil and gas industry, including climate change, CCS, clean hydrogen, energy policy, economic and international trade issues.

At LET Australia, Damian focuses on collaborating with international and domestic partners on leading-edge energy innovation, research, development and deployment.

Ben has worked with Manufacturing Australia since its inception in 2011, and as Chief Executive Officer since 2014, helping the organisation to become a champion for Australia’s large enterprise manufacturing sector.

Ben is a respected public commentator on Australia’s energy and emissions transition, and the opportunities and challenges it presents for Australian industry. He participates regularly in domestic and international forums on industrial investment in Australia, and by Australian companies globally.

Prior to joining Manufacturing Australia, Ben’s career in corporate affairs spanned public and private sectors in Australia and the USA, where he worked in senior in house and consulting roles with government departments as well as large corporations, with focus on the manufacturing, energy and higher education sectors.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours, Melbourne University. Commenced his career as a Project Engineer and established Austeng over 25 years ago. Ross brings novel engineering design, flair and innovative thought to projects.  He is also responsible for the overall direction of the company and heads the Estimating Department.

Ross has been inducted as a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australian in recognition of his engineering achievements and leadership in the profession.

Lisa Gooding is the Yallourn Transition Leader with EnergyAustralia and a Board Director for the Committee for Gippsland. She has almost 20 years’ experience across energy and climate change policy working for both government and industry delivering practical outcomes.

Lisa is a fourth generation Gippslander who grew up in the Latrobe Valley and knows firsthand the challenges facing the region. She is passionate about collaborating with stakeholders to generate sustainable economic opportunities and improving living standards.

Previously, Lisa worked in roles including the Director of Energy and Climate Change Policy at the Business Council of Australia and Senior Adviser to the Federal Minister for Resources and Energy. In these roles she has contributed to the strategic development of Australia’s energy and climate change policy creating growth opportunities for communities and business.

With over 20 years of experience in energy and carbon management and corporate sustainability, Peter is excited by the business opportunities of the transition to a low carbon economy.

Key areas of focus include strategy, business growth and development, client management and facilitation.

Having filled both consulting and corporate roles, in Australia and the USA, Peter brings insights gained from working with a diverse range of organisations which have included Australian and international blue chip corporations, utilities, governments, member-owned mutuals and small – medium sized enterprises.

Dr. Taku Ide serves as the Head of Carbon for Cleanaway, where he is responsible for setting Cleanaway’s climate aligned targets and supporting business units across the organisation define activities to achieve them. He also helps design climate aligned products and services that are aligned to Cleanaway customers’ climate goals.

Taku has over 17 years of experience in mitigating risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions and has worked closely with global businesses, public sectors, Sovereign Nations and universities to deliver greenhouse gas emissions risk management strategies. He thrives in bridging the gap between leading climate science and meeting commercial requirements. He holds a B.S. in Chemical engineering, and an M.S. and Ph.D in Petroleum Engineering, all from Stanford University.

Sam Marshall has been with ResourceCo since 2021. He leads development of the energy division’s biomass/energy recovery facilities, including development and environmental approvals, technical & commercial workstreams, as well as carbon market activities associated with alternative fuels and alternative waste treatment within the ACCU and voluntary sectors.

Prior to ResourceCo, Sam was Head of Macquarie Projects in Greater China as part of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG), focusing on the technical and commercial aspects of balance sheet development and investments in the APAC renewables and infrastructure sectors.

Paul has 26 years’ experience with Mars Inc with roles in Process Engineering, Project Management, Environmental Management & more recently Sustainability Management for Mars Petcare Operational plants in Australia.

Paul leads Mars Petcare Australia’s energy NetZero roadmap, with ambition for the Wodonga plant to achieve this in 2025.

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.

Liam McWhirter has been in the energy sector for over 14 years and held a range of leadership roles across Origin’s energy markets and integrated gas businesses.

Liam is currently responsible for business development and marketing at Origin Zero which partners with large business customers to support their energy needs.

He specialises in business optimisation and transformation, customer experience redesign, renewable energy product development and sales leadership.

Liam is deeply passionate about the energy transition and helping large businesses accelerate towards net zero.

Craig Morgan (B.Eng Mech, CMVP), Group Sales Director of Northmore Gordon, has over 25 years’ experience in assisting large organisations reduce energy costs, adopt renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He registered one of the first ACCU projects under the Industrial Energy and Fuel Efficiency methods, and Northmore Gordon has created over 6 million environmental certificates covering Carbon, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency.

Currently he lives in Singapore which is the centre of carbon trading in the Asia Pacific region. Today, Northmore Gordon assists organisations set decarbonisation targets, put in strategies to meet them, and use Environmental Attribute Certificates for compliance, and creating value.

Sam joined QIC in 2020 to further build our asset management capabilities across our energy and utilities businesses. In addition to direct asset management responsibilities, he has sector asset management oversight and will further develop our active asset management framework across QIC’s interests in energy and utilities. 

Sam has over 30 years of industry experience in the energy and utilities sectors, spanning operations, investment management, corporate development and strategy, and transaction execution responsibilities. He has worked in merchant energy, gas distribution, power generation (gas and renewables), and electricity and gas transmission primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to joining QIC, Sam held executive and senior management / corporate development roles at APA Group, Stockland and AGL, and before moving into industry he was a lawyer at Clayton Utz with transactional, anti-trust and corporate finance experience.

Sam holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws from Sydney University, and a Master of Business Administration from Macquarie Graduate School of Management and is a graduate from INSEAD’s Advanced Management Programme.

Ian is an experienced technical development manager, advancing the use of Energy Management, BIM, IOT & Digital Transformation, with a demonstrated history in Electrical, HVAC, Utility Data & Control Systems, (Design and Deployment).

Ellis Air was recently purchased by Sojitz Corporation with the aim of actively developing the energy conservation business centred on air conditioning design, construction, and maintenance projects, which reduce capital & operations costs for customers through smart procurement and energy efficient services, that both improve lifecycle performance and contribute to a decrease in CO2 emissions.

Melissa Perrow is the General Manager Energy at Brickworks Limited and is responsible for managing the energy needs as a large user of electricity and gas. Melissa has transformed Brickwork’s east coast gas strategy, transitioning from a retail customer to a wholesale gas participant in all of the Short Term Trading Markets and the Victorian gas market. The transition to wholesale gas markets has provided Brickworks with cost and flexibility benefits.

Melissa has 20 years of wholesale energy trading experience gained across electricity, gas, carbon and green markets and holds a Bachelor in Applied Science, a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Technology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance. She is currently studying a Global Masters of Business Administration.

John has 25 years of industry experience, primarily working within capital markets, advisory and reinsurance.

Prior to joining Lockton, he was the CEO of Willis Reinsurance Australia, Co-Head of Asia Pacific for Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, and has held various roles within the investment banking industry across the UK, Japan and the US.

As the Founder and Managing Director of DETA Consulting, Jonathan has been working in the process and energy industry for over 19 years. Jonathan excels in decarbonisation strategy, project strategy and governance, strategic engineering planning, stakeholder communication and cultivation of strong client partnerships. 

As the Managing Director he has ultimate responsibility for all DETA’s projects, ensuring both project objectives are met, and business strategic objectives are aligned.

Jonathan is passionate about exploring a range of creative and effective solutions tailored to clients operating in various industries across New Zealand and Australia. Jonathan regularly delivers training across sustainability and decarbonisation, including with the Carbon and Energy Professionals New Zealand.

Stephen has been the Head of Sustainability, Innovation and Trade at InfraBuild since April 2021 - leading the Company’s ESG activities with a particular focus on developing and deploying its decarbonisation strategy,

Stephen has over 30 years experience within the Steel and Construction industries, including General Management roles in Sales, Marketing and International Trade Law.

Simon Prebble is a leader in the Electric Mine Consortium, a collaborative membership group of resources companies seeking to accelerate the transition to electrified, low emissions mining.

Simon has extensive operations management, technology development and project management experience across the resources industry including in the iron ore, mineral sands, uranium and coal sectors.  Simon has also led the implementation of innovative automation and robotics projects in freight rail and timber processing. 

He is the founder of technology strategy and implementation consultancy Ops iQ.

Blair is a partner at Australia's leading dedicated climate tech fund, Virescent Ventures, which was spun out of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation in 2022. Virescent do early stage investing (typically seed to Series B) in Australian companies developing technology that enables renewable energy, energy efficiency and low emissions technologies.

Blair’s current board positions include Hysata, Relectrify, Wattwatchers, AgriWebb and Zoomo. He is interested in any tech that has the potential to make a massive difference to the environment. Particular interests include cities and urbanism, soil health, transport, plastics, energy storage and hydrogen.

Dr Ratnam BEng (Hons I) and PhD in Electrical Engineering, FIEAust CPEng, leads a research group in Power Systems, & Optimization that focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of controlling renewable and distributed energy sources within power grids. Her overarching research thrust is to accelerate the energy transition — towards creating a carbon-neutral power grid.

Dr Ratnam earned the BEng (Hons I) degree in Electrical Engineering in 2006, and the PhD degree in Electrical Engineering in 2016, from the University of Newcastle, Australia. She subsequently held postdoctoral research positions with the Center for Energy Research at the University of California San Diego, and at the University of California Berkeley in the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE). During 2001–2012 she held various positions at Ausgrid, a utility that operates one of the largest electricity distribution networks in Australia. Dr Ratnam currently holds a Future Engineering Research Leader (FERL) Fellowship at the ANU and is a Senior Lecturer in the ANU School of Engineering. She is a Senior Member of IEEE and a Fellow of Engineers Australia.

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 also co-hosts the Let Me Sum Up podcast and lives in Melbourne.

Glenn has over 20 years' experience in engineering processing and manufacturing where he has held both senior and general management positions focused on operations and strategy. Glenn is a steam and thermal specialist in reviewing processing plants, delivering on efficiency improvement projects and system design. 

His passion lies in facilitating practical and financially viable solutions in the form of decarbonization pathways for industries within Australasia.

Glenn is currently based in Queensland and holds an MBA and a MSc (Project MgM) along with engineering diplomas.

Gretta Stephens joined BlueScope as Chief Executive New Zealand & Pacific Islands in 2018. Gretta led the mining, manufacturing and downstream businesses in New Zealand and the Lysaght and Acier manufacturing and distribution businesses in the Pacific Islands.

In early 2021 Gretta was appointed Chief Executive Climate Change for BlueScope globally. In this role, Gretta leads the development and implementation of BlueScope’s Climate Strategy and decarbonisation pathway towards the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. From early 2022 Gretta has taken on an expanded role as Chief Executive Climate Change & Sustainability.

A qualified engineer, Gretta has over 30 years’ experience in heavy industry in Australia and New Zealand and has held senior leadership roles in operations leadership, business transformation and technical development. Gretta is a member of the Institute of Company Directors and has sat on a number of internal boards including the New Zealand Business and Parliamentary Trust, was a member of the NZ Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council and the Electricity Authority’s Security and Reliability Committee.

Prior to joining BlueScope, Gretta was in the aluminium industry, as General Manager and Chief Executive of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters from 2013-2018 and General Manager of Business Improvement & Technology for Rio Tinto’s Pacific Aluminium business from 2010.

Gretta holds a B.Sc in Chemistry & Materials Science and a B.E in Materials Engineering (Hons) from Monash University.

Holly leads a team that focuses on strategic projects that build the market for energy management and facilitate the transition to an affordable and reliable energy system that underpins a prosperous, net zero economy.

Holly has worked internationally with organisations like the UN and CDP to support private and public sector organisations with innovative solutions to tackling climate change.

Dr Sven Teske is an Associate Professor and research Director at the Institute form Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney with a research focus on energy decarbonisation pathways for specific industry sectors and regions toward Net-Zero by 2050. He has over 28 years' experience in renewable energy market and policy analysis, aw well as solar and on and offshore wind power grid integration concepts in public grids. 

During the Climate Conference in November 2021 in Glasgow (COP26), Teske published the remaining global carbon budget for 12 main industries to limit global mean temperature rise to +1.5°C - the first analysis of this kind globally. In 2021 he also published 'Offshore Wind: Prospects for Australia' - an analysis of Australia's offshore wind project and 'Planning, Policy and Integration for Sustainable Development of Offshore Wind Energy in Vietnam 2022–2030'.

In August 2022, he published the book 'Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement Goals - Part 2: Science-based Target Setting for the Finance industry - Net Zero Sectoral 1.5 C Pathways for Real Economy Sectors', as  a lead author. Dr Teske has published over 50 special reports about renewable energies including 100% Renewable Energy for Nepal (2022), Switzerland (2021), Czech Republic (2021) Italy (2020), Bangladesh (2019), Costa Rica (2019) Tanzania (2017) the REN21 'Global Wind Energy Outlook' (2016). 

He holds a PhD in economics fromthe University of Flenburg in Germany.

Based in Climateworks’ Perth office, Kylie leads the Sustainable Economies system team, pursuing sustainable pathways towards net zero by focusing on how we can accelerate systems change in line with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees in national and sub-national economies.

The Sustainable Economies system supports key stakeholders to engage on net zero strategies and aligned policy that encourages green economic diversification, taking into consideration the economic and development co-benefits that a shift towards sustainable economies can deliver.

Kylie was most recently the program impact manager for the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative, working with heavy industry, finance companies and government to develop decarbinisation pathways aligned to limiting warming to 1.5°C.

Kylie has worked in government, business, and the not-for-profit sector in public affairs roles, focusing on stakeholder engagement. Her speciality is building collaborative relationships and alignment to facilitate transformation.

Kylie holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with RMIT and is currently studying for a Masters in Business Administration, also with RMIT.

Paul is responsible for leading AEMO’s independent subsidiary, AEMO Services.

Prior to joining AEMO Services in June 2021, Paul spent more than 35 years in senior governance and management roles across the financial, government and energy sectors. This includes NSW Government (Energy and Treasury), Commonwealth Government (Treasury) Westpac, Bankers Trust and Macquarie Bank.

Alan Wuyi Wang, B.Eng (Electrical), Hons, CMVP, CEM, Principal Consultant at Northmore Gordon has over 10 years’ experience in carbon markets, carbon offsets and energy efficiency. He has deep technical expertise in measurement and verification of energy and carbon projects, as well as industrial energy efficiency.

Alan is the winner of Young Energy Efficiency Professional of the Year 2022 and the winner of Best Industrial Energy Management Project of the Year 2023 (with Visy Industries) by the Energy Efficiency Council.

Dominic is the Director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI) within the Energy Group at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). ASTRI was established within CSIRO in 2012, through funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The primary focus of ASTRI is to facilitate the commercial uptake of solar thermal technologies through targeted research and commercial engagement activities.

ASTRI's focus includes solar thermal technologies for power, heat and fuels. ASTRI's power application areas include utility scale systems and smaller remote area power systems for mining. ASTRI's heat application areas focus primarily on industrial process heat. The primary objective of this process heat work is to assist industry in understanding decarbonisation options across the full spectrum of low-emission technologies. ASTRI's fuels application areas focus on high temperature renewable fuel (e.g. hydrogen, green methanol) production.

Across all of these focus areas, ASTRI seeks to focus on the required energy outcome, rather than a defined technology solution. ASTRI also provides advice on integrated, hybrid energy solutions, that may encompass a number of different, complementary technologies.

In addition to his ASTRI work, Dominic also support CSIRO's broader strategic approach to Australia's transition to a low emission economy. This includes energy transition collaboration across CSIRO business units, and strategic engagement with key government and industry stakeholders.