Luci Badge, Company Secretary, Helping Hand Aged Care

Luci is an experienced Company Secretary specialising in corporate governance and legal compliance disciplines. Luci has cultivated a deep understanding of the aged care sector having worked in executive-level positions across a number of large aged-care providers in South Australia.

Luci has an extensive background in governance and compliance management and has successfully guided governing bodies through complex regulatory reforms.

Luci completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of South Australia, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Henry Curtis, Enterprise Account Executive, Riskonnect

Henry Curtis is an enterprise risk and compliance professional at Riskonnect, with seven years of experience helping organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and meet regulatory requirements. He focuses on turning complex risk and compliance challenges into clear, practical strategies that support better decision-making and long-term resilience.

Pauline Carr, FGIA FCG, Chancellor of Adelaide University

South Australian-born Pauline Carr has built a 35-plus-year career bringing her executive experience, business improvement, governance, compliance and risk management services to a range of organisations in the resources, construction, superannuation, education, retail and community healthcare sectors. She has extensive experience with ASX listed companies in particular.

Pauline was appointed as Chancellor of the Adelaide University Transition Council in March 2024. She has over 14 years’ experience in the higher education sector including a number of years as Chancellor of the University of South Australia (2018 to 2024). Prior to being appointed as UniSA’s Chancellor, she chaired its Audit and Risk Committee (2011–2018) and was a member and subsequent chair of several other Council committees.

A graduate of ANU, Pauline has a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA. As a graduate, she joined an international resources company where she worked as a financial analyst, accountant, internal auditor, and in government and community relations. Pauline then returned to Adelaide to a divisional accounting leadership role with Normandy Mining Limited. She ultimately became an Executive General Manager and a member of its executive team and was an integral part of the company’s rapid growth and international expansion through mergers and acquisitions. She continued in an executive role with Newmont Mining Asia Pacific (part of Newmont Mining Corporation) following its takeover of Normandy.

Pauline is a professional non-executive Director and in addition to her Adelaide University chancellor role she currently chairs the board of Adelaide headquartered National Pharmacies and is a non-executive director of ASX-listed companies Highfield Resources Limited and Australian Rare Earths Limited. She is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Directors.

Bonnie Hancock

34-year-old Bonnie Hancock recently broke the Guinness World Record for fastest person to circumnavigate mainland Australia by paddle. Growing up in the small NSW town of Sawtell, Bonnie was primarily a board paddler and swimmer and as a late bloomer on the ski, didn’t pick up a paddle until the age of 17.

After a move to the Gold Coast, Bonnie qualified in the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series, completing seven years on the professional circuit. After finishing her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics Degree, Bonnie decided to focus on ski paddling, medalling at the Queensland State and Australian Championships in her first year of doing so.

In 2020, Bonnie was inspired by a book about a previous circumnavigation of Australia by paddle. Two years later, she set off from Mermaid Beach on her surf ski and after 254 days, finished a clockwise loop around the country, breaking the previous Guinness World Record by over two months.

Bonnie also broke the Guinness World Record for furthest distance paddled in 24 hours (open ocean) by a female, completing 235 kms on her surf ski at Airlie Beach.

In 2024, Bonnie published her memoir about the circumnavigation, titled “The Girl Who Touched The Stars” through Harper Collins. She also premiered her documentary “Diamond Of The Sea” at the Gold Coast Film Festival, after which the film was released nationally on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Bonnie now enjoys sharing her journey as a keynote speaker, and in November 2023, presented a TED talk in Paris.

Ben Hooper, Senior Consultant, Corporate Conversations

With a career spanning almost 30 years in media and public relations, Ben is a trusted communications advisor to leading Australian companies and organisations including some of the country’s largest private and family-owned businesses.

His clients span a broad selection of industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, food & beverage, agriculture, finance, infrastructure, aged care, technology, professional services, tourism and property.

With a strong understanding of the corporate arena and an impressive base of business and inance media contacts, Ben helps build and protect brand reputations.

Prior to working in public relations, Ben was a leading business journalist. He offers our clients exceptional media strategic advice and a deadline-focused approach to a wide array of communication services – including crisis management as well as media and presentation training.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Economics from University of Adelaide and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment.

Mark Harris, Solution Sales Director, IT Risk Management, APAC, Diligent

With over 30 years of experience in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) including Enterprise Risk Management, and Internal Audit, Mark Harris brings deep expertise and strategic insight to helping organisations navigate complexity, enhance resilience, and drive performance.

He has worked with a number of leading global organisations, including KPMG, EY, Nasdaq and SAI Global, delivering risk transformation programs and advising clients on aligning risk, audit, and compliance strategies with organisational objectives.

Mark’s core capabilities include the design and implementation of enterprise GRC frameworks and helping clients assess and deploy GRC technology solutions. He has supported both global and regional organisations across sectors such as financial services, government, mining, telecommunications, property, and hospitality.

A passionate advocate for innovation in risk and compliance, Mark champions the use of data-driven insights, automation, and AI-enabled platforms to streamline processes and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. His mission is to empower organisations to take a proactive, integrated approach to GRC, supporting better decision-making and long-term sustainability.

Karin Geraghty FGIA FCG, National Board Member, Governance Institute of Australia

Karin is a senior executive management consultant with over 25 years of experience in strategy development, digital business transformation, risk and information governance and technology governance.

Karin is a Fellow and Board member of the Governance Institute and the Chartered Governance Institute Committee for Australia. She is also a member of the Academic Board of the GIA and former chair of the Risk and Technology Committee.

Hannah Guest, Lawyer, Piper Alderman

Hannah Guest is a lawyer in Piper Alderman’s Financial Services and Fintech team. Hannah works with banks, credit unions, building societies, and financial service and credit providers providing advice on regulatory compliance. Hannah has a keen interest in privacy obligations and the implications of the AML/CTF framework. She is passionate about helping organisations and individuals understand their AML/CTF obligations and providing guidance that is easy to follow and unpack. Hannah serves as the SA Law Society’s representative on the Law Council of Australia’s AML/CTF Working Group and is also the Treasurer of the Law Society of SA.

Michelle Feros FGIA FCG, Governance Services University of Adelaide and Company Secretary, Autism Spectrum Australia

Michelle is the Manager, Governance Services at Adelaide University. Prior to this she was the Company Secretary for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and has over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector in Human Resources, Health and Safety, and Quality executive roles. She is a member of GIA’s SA & NT State Council; the Accreditation Committee of the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia; and the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee for Access 2 Place; and Secretary of the Adelaidean Community Corporation.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Arts Asian Studies, Masters in Learning Science & Technology, Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management, and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and member of. She was awarded the Institute’s 2023 Best in Subject (National) Award for Enterprise Risk Management.

James Kwie, Chief Executive Officer, Ingenique (Australia) Pty Ltd

James is the Chief Executive Officer of Ingenique, where he develops and executes strategic plans to drive the company’s growth and strengthen its position as a trusted Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance solutions provider. He leads cross-border, cross-functional teams across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Australia, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture aligned with Ingenique’s business objectives and Board directives.

Prior to joining Ingenique, James held senior leadership roles at two companies listed on the Singapore Exchange, with responsibilities spanning investments, portfolio management, capital markets, compliance, and strategic mergers and acquisitions. He has extensive experience in private equity, real estate, and fintech investments, and has led deal teams in the successful execution of numerous transactions. James actively engages with industry stakeholders at events and forums and is committed to advancing innovation and best practices in AML/CTF RegTech. He was a Defence Science scholar, holds a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) from the National University of Singapore, and is a CFA charterholder.

Rebecca Knol, Former CEO, SA Chamber of Mines & Energy and Chair, Australian Network of Mining Engineering Educators (ANMEE)

Rebecca Knol is an experienced board director and senior executive, currently serving on the board of Uniting Communities with a career spanning the design, education, resources and not-for-profit sectors.

She now works across strategy, governance and stakeholder engagement, drawing on two decades of executive leadership experience.

Qualified in landscape architecture, environmental science and business, she has worked across ASX, NFP and SME organisations and brings extensive experience engaging with Boards, industry leaders, communities and State and Federal governments.

Rebecca is perhaps best known for leading South Australia’s peak resources industry association for 10 years, where she delivered a bold strategic vision, nation-leading advocacy and meaningful reform. Her work consistently sat at the intersection of strategy, governance, stakeholder trust and public influence.

Across her career, Rebecca has built and led high-performing teams, navigated complex stakeholder environments and shaped engagement strategies aligned to organisational priorities and long-term outcomes. She has significant experience reporting to Boards and Finance, Risk & Audit Committees, and is committed to governance that is practical, transparent and effective.

Rebecca brings a grounded and thoughtful perspective to board and stakeholder engagement, particularly where competing priorities, advocacy and trust must be carefully balanced.

Melissa Lovell, Deputy Company Secretary, Worley Limited

Melissa is a senior corporate lawyer and governance professional with deep experience supporting Boards in listed and other complex regulatory environments. She works closely with directors and senior executives to support effective governance, decision‑making and information flow, bringing a structured and pragmatic approach focused on clarity, consistency and judgment.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Studies from Flinders University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Australia (now Adelaide University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Eddie Major, AI Learning and Teaching Coordinator, Adelaide University

Eddie Major is AI Learning and Teaching Coordinator for Adelaide University, where he develops institutional approaches to the strategic adoption and governance of AI in higher education.

Previously, he was Communications Manager at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), where he also led strategic communications to help establish the national Kingston AI Group. His work has contributed to raising the profile of Australia’s AI research capability and informing government AI policy and safety initiatives at both state and federal levels. He also contributes to AI policy analysis for the global AI safety community.

Christine Manuel FGIA FCIS, Company Secretary, FCT Holdings

Christine is an experienced non-executive director, chartered company secretary and executive with broad experience in the public listed company environment as well as unlisted public and private companies, not-for-profits and government-owned enterprises.  An active participant in the corporate governance community, she is a past director of Governance Institute of Australia, past Chair of the SA/NT Council of Governance Institute and a member of Governance Institute’s Legislation Review Committee. She has been a training facilitator for Governance Institute’s certificate courses in governance and risk management topics since 2012. Christine has over 25 years of experience as a director and committee member. Her extensive company secretarial experience has included several ASX-listed companies as well as smaller entities. She has also held CEO and senior corporate roles.

Amit Malhotra, Head of Cyber, Risk and Assurance, Discovery Parks

Amit Malhotra is a senior cybersecurity and enterprise risk executive with over 20 years of experience leading cyber, risk, assurance, and resilience functions across complex and regulated environments.

As Head of Cyber, Risk & Assurance at Discovery Parks, Amit provides organisation-wide leadership across cyber security strategy, enterprise risk, and assurance, working closely with executive leadership to align cyber and enterprise risk with business objectives and regulatory expectations. He plays a critical role in shaping organisational responses to evolving regulatory demands, including cyber resilience, privacy obligations, and governance accountability, while also serving as the senior incident commander during major cyber events.

Amit has a strong track record of building and scaling integrated cyber and risk functions from the ground up, embedding cyber security into enterprise risk management, third-party risk, and business continuity frameworks. His earlier leadership experience at ISD Cyber saw him deliver large-scale security, resilience, and compliance programs aligned to NIAT 2.0, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 31000 across multiple industries.

He is recognised for his ability to translate complex regulatory and cyber risk landscapes into clear, board-level insights, enabling organisations to navigate increasing enforcement pressure across AML, climate, cyber, and governance domains while maintaining commercial focus.

Con Michalakis, Chief Investment Officer, Funds SA

Con Michalakis commenced with Funds SA in February 2025 as the Chief Investment Officer and is responsible for leading the Investment Team. He is responsible for the development and implementation of investment strategy, portfolio management, and management of the Funds SA investment options.

Mr Michalakis’ most recent role was the Deputy Chief Investment Officer – Portfolio Construction at Hostplus, a $120 billion industry fund. He assumed this role in March 2022 following the merger of Hostplus and Statewide Super, where he held the role of Chief Investment Officer for fourteen years. Prior to this, Mr Michalakis held a variety of roles in Australia and abroad, including positions with Pzena Investment Management, Merrill Lynch, Alliance Capital and Watson Wyatt.

Mr Michalakis holds a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences from the University of Adelaide, Masters in Financial Management from the University of London and an Executive Diploma in Financial Strategy from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Elise Muhlheim, Head of Financial Crime Monitoring & Intelligence, SkyCity Adeliade

Elise Muhlheim has been working in Financial Crime for 10 years. Commencing her journey in the industry as an investigator, she has held numerous roles across the banking, remittance, and gaming sectors.  At present, Elise is the Head of Financial Crime Monitoring & Intelligence at SkyCity Adelaide, where she oversees the transaction monitoring program, customer screening, and the financial crime intelligence team. She remains an investigator at heart, with a passion for mentoring and developing newcomers to the world of financial crime.

Garth Riddell, General Manager, Listings Compliance ASX

Garth Riddell is the General Manager, Listings Compliance at ASX.

Listings Compliance is a specialist function established by ASX to monitor and enforce compliance by listed entities with the ASX Listing Rules and by issuers of investment products with the ASX Operating Rules. Prior to joining ASX, Garth was an Executive Counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills, where he was a senior leader in the Head Office Advisory Team. Garth specialised in advising listed entities on market disclosure, corporate governance and ongoing compliance with the listing rules and company and securities laws.

Teresa Riccio-Goodwin FGIA, South Australian State Council Member, Governance Institute of Australia

Teresa Riccio-Goodwin brings a sharp, disciplined lens to Internal Audit and Risk Management. Her career is defined by an ability to look under the hood of an organisation, identify the gears that are grinding, and design the audit and risk programs needed to keep the engine humming. She’s spent years ensuring that “best practice” isn’t just a buzzword, but a lived reality for the teams she mentors.

Teresa is a founding Director of Oxford and James with over 20 years’ experience in speaking with boards and executives about how to achieve strategic objectives using risk and audit as powerful tools. Teresa’s experience spans across the public and private sectors in Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom.

Erick Rodriguez, Senior Manager, Future Skills Organisation

Erick Rodriguez is a Senior AI and Data Analytics leader with over 12 years of experience deploying AI and data solutions across government, multilateral institutions, and the private sector in Australia and internationally.

At the Future Skills Organisation, he leads a cross-functional team supporting evidence-based workforce policy at a national scale in the finance, business and technology sectors. He has also lectured in AI at Kaplan Business School and previously served as a Senior Research Fellow at the Tech Policy Design Institute, where he supported AI governance research and digital transformation policy across the public and private sectors.

Erick holds two master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University in Information Technology and Public Policy, and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University with a specialisation in New Technologies. He brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and legal and policy grounding to questions of AI governance, responsible automation, and the guardrails organisations need to realise strategic value from AI.

Kerry Rowlands, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Council SA

Kerry Rowlands is a transformational CEO and board director with 25 years’ experience turning strategy into social impact.

As Chief Executive of Cancer Council SA, the state’s leading cancer charity, she mobilises over 700 staff and volunteers and raises around $18 million each year, most of it through community and corporate donations, to fund prevention, research and support services. Kerry also drives national outcomes for the Cancer Council Federation, chairing cross-country initiatives such as the $50 million Cancer Navigation Program that is lifting cancer care standards Australia-wide.

Previously at SA Water, she led multi-million-dollar customer and field operations and won national recognition for pioneering inclusive service design.

Kerry also serves as a director of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Board, bringing her governance and transformational expertise to improve patient outcomes. She holds formal qualifications in business and commerce, is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Her hallmark is purpose-driven, digitally enabled leadership that empowers people, elevates brands and delivers lasting community value.

Brenz Saunders, Chief Executive Officer, Tandanya

Brenz Saunders brings a wealth of experience across both the private and government sectors, from successfully managing his own business to providing leadership within Aboriginal community-controlled organisations throughout South Australia. With a proven record in digital transformation, economic empowerment, community development, and sustainable business planning, Brenz will guide Tandanya towards a future of growth and resilience, positioning the organisation for both immediate progress and long-term success. As Chairperson of Tauondi Aboriginal College, Brenz played a pivotal role in driving transformation and growth, strengthening the organisations strategic foundations and ensuring it continued to service the community to meet the needs of Aboriginal learners across South Australia. His experience in leading Tauondi’s transformation uniquely positions him to understand the aspirations and priorities of Tandanya. In his new role, Brenz will lead the organisation into a new era of operations.

Michael Sedgman, Chief Executive Officer, City of Adelaide

Michael has been a Local Government professional since 1997, building a career that includes financial management roles with the City of Port Phillip and the City of Yarra, as well as serving as General Manager at the City of Adelaide from 2006 to 2013, where he oversaw finance, governance, risk, procurement, contract management, and parking operations. He went on to become Executive Director of Corporate Services at DPTI from 2013 to 2015 and later served as Chief Executive Officer of the Rural City of Murray Bridge from 2015 to 2023. Returning to the City of Adelaide, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 2023, Acting Chief Executive Officer in December 2023, and formally became Chief Executive Officer on 1 July 2024. Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce, an MBA, and a Master of Commercial Law, and currently serves as Board Chair of the Local Government Finance Authority. A past President of Local Government Professionals SA, he remains strongly committed to developing the next generation of local government leaders.

Dr Mark Siebentritt, Executive Director Climate & Sustainability, Edge Impact

Mark brings more than 25 years’ experience in the sustainability services sector, including 17 years specialising in climate risk assessment and adaptation planning. He is known for translating complex technical analysis into practical, decision-ready insights combining data with well-designed stakeholder engagement to drive informed outcomes. Mark has led award winning projects and contributed to over 100 climate change projects in the past 5 years. His expertise spans a wide range of sectors, with a particular depth in urban heat mitigation and climate-responsive planning across Australia.

Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, Adelaide University

Susan Stone is the Credit Union SA Chair of Economics at Adelaide University, where she provides expert analysis and new thinking about South Australia’s economic position and how global economic factors impact the local economy. Prior to joining Adelaide University, Ms Stone was a division head at the OECD, a Director for the UNESCAP, a Senior Research Fellow at the Asian Development Bank Institute in Tokyo, and a Research Manager at the Productivity Commission in Melbourne. Ms Stone is a frequent guest on radio and television, and her opinion pieces have been published in InDaily, The Conversation, The Australian Financial Review and The Australian. Ms. Stone holds a PhD in Economics from Drexel University in the United States.

Jarrod Wilksch, Special Counsel, Johnson Winter Slattery

Jarrod is a corporate lawyer at Johnson Winter Slattery specialising in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and corporate advisory.

He has experience in a wide range of corporate dealings including both public and private mergers and acquisitions, equity raisings, company meetings and general corporate advisory as well as advising on ASIC and ASX Listing Rule requirements.

Jarrod also has an interest in board advisory and corporate governance matters, and has recently spent two years as General Manager – Legal & Governance with an Australian Football League (AFL) Club.

Ella Withers, Head of Investment Risk & Compliance, Hostplus

Ella is the current Head of Investment Risk & Compliance at Hostplus. She is a dynamic and emerging leader within risk and compliance, specialising within the financial services sector. Known for embedding a strong risk culture, her relationship-based approach supports successful embedment of risk and compliance frameworks within organisations to enable better organisational outcomes. With prior experience within the consulting sector, Ella leverages better practice insights and pragmatism to strike the right balance when designing and implementing risk and compliance frameworks. Ella was awarded the Next Gen Risk Professional of the Year in 2025 by the Risk Management Institute of Australasia and is an active member of risk community, currently serving as a Chapter Executive of the SA-NT RMIA Chapter.

Petiola Wilson, Aboriginal Community Educational Officer, Petiola Wilson Org

Petiola Wilson, a proud Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Narungga and Tongan man. He is a respected cultural knowledge holder and educator, known for his powerful truth-telling and spiritual presence on Country.