2025 BCCM Leaders' Summit

Andrew Pakes

Labour (Co-op) MP for Peterborough

Serving as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Mutuals. Andrew has championed co-operative housing, introducing legislation to give renters more security through co-op tenure. His work focuses on expanding the co-operative economy, supporting businesses and communities built on mutual ownership and democratic principles. Andrew is the UK Government envoy for co-ops and mutuals and the commitment to double the size of the mutual economy.

Shirine Khoury-Haq

Group CEO Co-operative Group

Shirine is Group CEO at Co-op and has been a Director on the Co-op Board since joining in 2019. Shirine joined the Co-op in August 2019 as Chief Financial Officer and later also became Chief Executive Officer Life Services, leading Co-op Funeralcare, Insurance and Legal Services.

Before joining the Co-op, Shirine was Chief Operating Officer for the Lloyd’s insurance market, which comprised of more than 50 leading insurance companies operating in over 200 countries. She also led the digital modernisation programme for the wider London insurance industry.

In addition to holding senior positions at IBM, McDonalds and insurer, Catlin Group, Shirine has worked in a number of regulated sectors in the UK and overseas including retail, IT, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.

Shirine was previously a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Persimmon Plc and a Non-Executive Director at the Post Office.

Kevin Parry OBE

Chairman Nationwide Building Society

Kevin Parry is a chartered accountant who brings a wealth of experience across a broad range of organisations. He is Chairman of Nationwide Building Society, the UK’s largest building society, with over 16 million members. He has held the positions of Chairman of Royal London Mutual Insurance Company Limited and Intermediate Capital Group plc and Senior Independent Director of Standard Life Aberdeen plc, as well as having been the Chief Financial Officer of Schroders plc and the Chief Executive Officer of Management Consulting Group PLC. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Marie Curie and has recently been appointed Chairman of the newly formed Mutuals and Co-operatives Business Council.

Jeroen Douglas

Director General International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

With over 30years of experience, Jeroen Douglas has dedicated his career to building resilient communities through market transformation across the globe. His work spans sustainable supply chains in sectors such as agriculture, mining, renewable energy, textiles and carbon credits, always with a focus on ethical finance and local wealth creation.

Jeroen is a passionate advocate for the solidarity economy, an approach that combines sustainability, democratic ownership and inclusive growth. Throughout his career, he has held global leadership roles across social enterprises, membership associations and civil society, promoting sustainability as a core principle of the global economy.

As the former Executive Director of Solidaridad, Jeroen led a network of over 1,100 staff in 45 countries, guiding industries toward transformative ESG strategies and pioneering new financial models to support institutional growth and change, including through mergers and acquisitions.

Now as Director General of the ICA, he leads the world’s largest network of democratically controlled enterprises, 3 million co-operatives that represent at least 12 per cent of the global population and generate around 280 million decent jobs. Under his leadership, the ICA advances a more inclusive, democratic and sustainable economic model aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond.

Louise Miller-Frost MP

Federal Member for Boothby, and Co-Chair, Parliamentary Friends of Co-operatives and Mutuals

Louise Miller-Frost has spent her entire working life delivering outcomes that make real difference in people’s lives.

Louise left a job as CEO of St Vincent de Paul South Australia to run for the seat of Boothby, winning the seat for Labor for the first time in 73 years.

Louise knows what it takes to get things done for our community. She has delivered health services and provided support for older Australians and people with disability. She’s delivered economic opportunities for local businesses and spearheaded the retention and expansion of the facilities that build community: libraries, community centres, sporting clubs and open spaces.

A mum of triplet sons and a step-mum to three step-sons, all now adults, Louise is a strong voice for Boothby, working every day as part of a Government that is:

• Easing cost of living pressures on families by delivering cheaper medicines, limiting power price increases and managing the budget responsibly.
• Taking real action on climate change to cut electricity prices, create jobs, and drive down emissions.
• Strengthening Medicare, making it easier and more affordable to go to the doctor.
• Creating secure, well-paid jobs with better pay and conditions – by making things here in Australia and investing in fee-free TAFE and more university places.
• Bringing integrity back to our politics by establishing a Federal Anti-Corruption body.

Experienced and caring, Louise will work with anyone to make sure everyone in our community can get ahead.

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC

The Governor of South Australia

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC was born and grew up in South Australia.

She studied economics at the University of Adelaide, while there becoming the first female captain of the boat club in its 103-year history and went on to join the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985. Her Excellency worked in Hong Kong during the early years of China’s reform and opening, headed the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei and later served as Australia’s Ambassador to China. Earlier in her career she served twice in the Australian High Commission in London.

In 2016, Her Excellency was appointed head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, pursuing Australia’s interests as world powers shifted and the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. She also led the department through a period of cultural change, encouraging more women into senior ranks.

She has also been International Adviser to the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister and Defence Minister.

In June 2021, Her Excellency was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through the advancement of Australia’s diplomatic, trade and cultural interests, particularly with the People’s Republic of China and the Indo-Pacific region, to innovative foreign policy development and high level program delivery, and as the 36th Governor appointed in South Australia.

She is also a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John and patron of some 120 organisations in her own right and more than 50 jointly with her husband Rod.

Her Excellency is a Fellow of both the Institute of Public Administration of Australia and the Australian Institute of International Affairs. She holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Adelaide and the Australian National University.

Her Excellency is married to Mr Rod Bunten, a physicist, former British diplomat and high school teacher. They have four adult children and a Cavoodle, Alfie.

David Speers

Host ABC Insiders

David Speers is the host of Insiders on ABC TV, Australia’s premier political interview and discussion program. He appears across ABC television and radio programs providing political analysis and writes a regular Sunday column for ABC news online.

Prior to joining the ABC in 2020, David was the Political Editor of Sky News Australia for 19 years.

David is one of Australia’s most respected political journalists and interviewers and has been chosen to host Leaders’ Debates and Forums at the last 5 federal elections.

David has won 3 Walkley Awards, 2 Kennedy Awards, an AACTA award and the 2019 Press Gallery Journalist of the Year Award. He served as Press Gallery President for 3 years and a Director of the National Press Club in Canberra for 15 years.

Acknowledgement: David Speers appears by arrangement with Claxton Speakers International.

Annabel Crabb

Author and Journalist 

Annabel Crabb is one of Australia’s most beloved journalists. She is an ABC writer and presenter who has covered Australian politics for 25 years but also is nationally well known for her insightful and humorous analysis on gender and current affairs.

She is the creator and presenter of Ms Represented, and of the long running political interview series Kitchen Cabinet. She wrote and presented the ground-breaking documentary series on life inside Australia’s Parliament House, The House with Annabel Crabb. She also hosts ABC’s popular history and food series Back In Time For Dinner. She is a regular face on ABC TV’s election night and Budget broadcasts and has a long history of appearances on ABC’s Insiders program.

Her published work ranges from The Wife Drought – a 2015 best-seller on women and work – to the cookbooks she co-writes with childhood friend Wendy Sharpe – and she won a Walkley Award for her biographical work “Stop At Nothing: The Life & Adventures of Malcolm Turnbull”.

With friend and colleague Leigh Sales, Annabel hosts the top-rating podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 and they’ve co-written their first book together, Well Hello.

Craig Brooke

CEO KeyInvest

Craig was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of KeyInvest in October 2022. Craig has spent the past 26 years in senior leadership roles across the financial services industry in different parts of Australia as well as offshore within the Asia Pacific region. Craig previously worked with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank as Head of Enterprise lending Strategy and Credit Transformation.

Craig also held Senior Executive roles with ANZ and the Commonwealth Bank. In his last role with ANZ he was the Head of Operations across Australia which included share investing, margin lending, private bank and financial advice.

Brenton Woolston

CEO Almondco

Brenton Woolston is Managing Director of Almondco Australia Ltd, a 100 per cent dedicated almond processing and marketing company. Brenton was appointed to Almondco as Marketing Manager in 2001 and was promoted to Group General Manager just over a year later. In 2012 Brenton commenced his leading role as Managing Director. He continues to lead and manage a sustained period of significant growth and success in Almondco’s long history and is a strong advocate for promoting Australian almonds as a premium, food safe product on the world stage. Brenton has been an active industry participant, by providing long service as a Director of the Almond Board of Australia (ABA) and was Chairman from 2007 to 2009.  Mr Woolston also held the position of President of the Australian Nut Industry Council (ANIC) from 2006 to 2009. Brenton has represented and presented on behalf of the Australian almond industry at several international conferences and events.

Ben Macnamara

CEO CBH Group

Ben was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CBH Group in July 2021. Previously, he was Chief Operations Officer, where he was responsible for leading CBH’s world-class storage and handling, logistics and shipping services. Ben is leading CBH Group in creating a sustainable future and returning value to Western Australian growers.

Before joining CBH, Ben worked for an investment advisory firm and an international professional services firm. Ben is a member of the Chartered Accountants, Australia.

Steve Laidlaw

CEO People First Bank

Steve has significant people leadership and executive management experience in the retail banking and finance industry. Steve was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of People’s Choice Credit Union from 2016 until the merger with Heritage Bank in 2023 which formed People First Bank. Steve was appointed Deputy CEO following the merger and assumed the role of CEO in July 2024. People First Bank is the largest mutual bank in Australia with approximately $25bn in assets, 750,000 members and 2,000 employees.

Kathy Gramp

President Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited

Kathy Gramp is an accomplished executive and non-executive director with almost 30 years of board experience across a wide range of industries, including commercial radio and digital media, telecommunications, industrial technology, health, education, finance and insurance.

She is Chair of RAA Group Ltd, one of South Australia’s most respected member-based organisations, where she brings strong financial and governance expertise to support the mutual’s continued growth, and member and community impact.

Kathy is also a Director of Codan Limited, an ASX 200 technology company delivering communications, safety and security solutions to more than 150 countries. She’s also a Director of Adelaide Community Hospital Alliance Inc.

Earlier in her career, Kathy served as CFO of Austereo Ltd for over two decades, playing a key role in building it into Australia’s largest commercial radio network and a leader in digital media.

She holds a BA in Accounting, is a Chartered Accountant, and is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Life) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants ANZ. She is also a member of Chief Executive Women, reflecting her strong commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting women in leadership across Australia.

Dr Marcus Spiller

Deputy Chair, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council

Marcus is a founding partner at SGS Economics & Planning Pty Ltd, an honorary Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne and a Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.

He is currently the Deputy Chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council.

Holding degrees in urban planning and economics, Marcus’s expertise covers urban governance, housing policy, infrastructure funding and the productivity of cities and regions.

Marcus has operated as an independent consultant for more than four decades.  Throughout his career he has undertaken numerous secondments and part time appointments including lecturer in urban economics at Melbourne University, adviser to the Minister for Planning and Housing in Victoria, Senior Executive in the Queensland Department of Housing, Local Government and Planning and executive adviser to the Commonwealth Government on urban policy.

He is a principal contributor and co-editor of two books covering metropolitan governance, and infrastructure funding and management.

Chris Burns CSC

CEO Hutt St Centre

After a distinguished military career spanning over 30 years, Chris transitioned into advisory roles across government and private sectors, specialising in defence and international relations.

As CEO of South Australia’s peak defence industry body, the Defence Teaming Centre, he spearheaded the highly successful national ‘Australian Made Defence’ campaign. This initiative played a pivotal role in persuading the Federal Government to build Australia’s next-generation naval submarines and warships domestically.

Chris was later appointed as the inaugural South Australian Mental Health Commissioner. In this role, he led the co-design and co-production of the state’s first mental health strategic plan. The plan focussed on prevention and early intervention while ensuring the voices and needs of people with lived experience were embedded at every level. 

He now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Hutt St Centre, a leading South Australian organisation dedicated to supporting individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Peter Lalor

Strategy and New Ventures Beyond Bank

Peter has more than 30 years experience in banking and financial services in Australia and various parts of Asia. He has worked in a variety of roles including Management Consultant, Head of Operations, Head of Marketing and Digital Strategy Adviser. Peter has also built and sold 2 successful fintech businesses.

In his current role Peter is responsible for developing Beyond Bank’s corporate strategy and working with community organisations to improve the financial wellbeing of their employees, volunteers and supporters.

Peter is a Chartered Accountant and has an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services from Deakin University.

Peter has a passion for improving the financial wellbeing of Australians and is an active volunteer and leader in his local community on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Rohan Mead

Chair BCCM

Rohan was appointed Group Managing Director of Australian Unity Limited on 1 July 2004. As Group Managing Director, he is a member of subsidiary boards and most committees. Rohan is Chairman of the Business Council of Australia’s Healthy Australia task force and a member of its Indigenous Engagement task force. He is also a Director of the Centre for Independent Studies, Platypus Asset Management Pty Limited & Private Healthcare Australia Limited (PHA).

Prior to joining Australian Unity, Rohan was employed by Perpetual Trustees Australia Limited (1996-2003) in a range of senior roles.

Cathy Main

CEO Barossa Co-operative

Cathy is an experienced leader in large and complex organisations, with a career spanning property, retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries. Over her thirty-year career, she has worked for ‘blue chip’ organisations including Westfield, Faulding and Coca-Cola Amatil. She has experience in the not-for profit sector through previous Board roles – previous Chair of Casey Cardinia Visitor Economy Inc, Victoria; and Non – Executive Director for Cora Barclay, Adelaide. She is currently a Non-Executive Director on the Foodbank SA/NT Board. Cathy’s expertise lies predominantly in Leadership, Strategy, Sales, Marketing and Finance. She has pursued career opportunities in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Cathy’s return to Adelaide, as the CEO, Barossa Co-op, meets her passion for community, forging organisational cultural change and building high performing, cohesive teams, in the interest of delivering extraordinary customer and member experiences and bottom-line results.

Jamie Higgins

CEO MBL

Jamie is a proven leader with over 20 years of experience in key executive roles across multiple industries. Joining MBL in 2019 as CEO, Jamie has driven significant business improvements and ultimately substantial year on year growth for South Australia’s oldest co-operative.

Recognising the value of MBL to its core business in the meat industry, Jamie’s vision to shape the food, produce and beverage industries saw him implement a companywide rebrand, expanding MBL’s reach to the wider food and beverage market – a move that has and will continue to support a mutually beneficial co-operative for all.

A baker by trade, Jamie understands and is in touch with businesses of all sizes. A knowledge that assisted MBL in receiving the accolade of AMIC’s Supplier of the Year in 2023.

Jamie holds qualifications from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Deakin University and the University of South Australia.

Liz O’Connell

CEO Kudos

Liz O’Connell (GAICD MBA) brings two decades of experience in the Human Services sector from working on the frontline to Executive roles, and as a Director and Strategic Advisor for a number of social enterprises. With an educational foundation in social sciences and business administration; Liz has demonstrated success in service innovation, corporate strategy, and leadership of high performing and consumer experience oriented organisations. She also brings a wealth of knowledge and personal passion for social impact investment, outcome measurement, research, and evaluation. Liz is the current CEO of employee-controlled mutual, Child and Youth Services Mutual Ltd (aka. Kudos), and a Non-Executive Director of Helping Hand Aged Care Inc and The Reily Foundation.

Saya Wahrlich

CEO Cooperative Business New Zealand

Saya Wahrlich was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cooperative Business NZ in February 2024. She is an experienced executive leader in organisations spanning high growth, listed and private multinationals; not-for-profit; Government and tech export.

Leaving University with a BSc(Tech), she started her career as a Development Chemist in the manufacturing sector, before pivoting into marketing, business and digital transformation. She has since supported hundreds of Kiwi businesses to grow internationally; been part of the leadership team of a tech company during IPO and is now a champion for co-operatives and mutuals in New Zealand. Saya is passionate about businesses making a positive impact on New Zealand.

Siobhan Henderson

Head of Social Impact & Strategy Manager, Australian Unity

Currently Australian Unity’s Head of Social Impact & Strategy Manager, Siobhan joined the company in 2013 with various roles across Wealth, Banking and Group Operations. She previously specialised in project management, strategic execution, operational efficiency and process improvement.

The Group Strategy & Impact Team leads the continued development of Australian Unity’s social impact work, including the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index and Australian Unity’s wellbeing outcomes measurement framework (the Community & Social Value Framework). The framework applies a financial value to the social impact created by the company and is used by Australian Unity to report its social impact, shape strategic and investment decisions and as a benchmark for continuous improvement.

Most recently, Australian Unity has used this reporting to secure one of the world’s first Wellbeing focused Sustainability-Linked Loans with Westpac, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to increasing and becoming more efficient in its efforts to create positive community return and systemic change.

Professor Tracey Danaher

Department of Marketing, Monash Business School

Professor Danaher is a distinguished Professor of Marketing at Monash University. She has made substantial contributions to the field of Marketing, particularly in Services Marketing. With over 50 refereed international journal articles, Professor Danaher is recognised as a leading academic in Australia and globally in the area of service science.

Her research interests are diverse and include examining the customer experience and journey, service quality and satisfaction, customer value cocreation, service environments, and the role of frontline service employees. Additionally, she investigates multi-media advertising effectiveness, how firms can embrace a social profit orientation, and consumer well-being. Professor Danaher is particularly interested in healthcare marketing.

Her research is driven by a desire to provide consumers, marketers, firms, and policymakers with the means to make better, more informed decisions for themselves, their organizations, and society.

Associate Professor Paul Thambar

Director Mutual Value Lab

Paul is an Associate Professor of Accounting and Director of the Mutual Value Lab at Monash Business School. Following a strong career in industry in senior accounting roles in banking, insurance and aged care and consulting, Paul entered academia and has had a good research track record focused on examining performance measurement issues in diverse organisational models such as cooperatives and mutuals and non-profit organisations. Paul has led the research that developed the Mutual Value Measurement (MVM) framework and the partnership with BCCM and the CME sector. Paul has published his research in high quality accounting journals.

Professor Simon Wilkie

Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics and Head of Monash Business School

Professor Wilkie’s career spans a remarkable array of roles that extend beyond the higher education sphere and include appointments as Chief Economic Policy Strategist at Microsoft Corporation and Chief Economist with the US Federal Communications Commission. In 2019, Professor Wilkie joined Monash Business School from the University of Southern California (USC), where he was Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics and Professor of Economics, Communication and Law in the USC Gould School of Law.

Michael Pilbrow

Managing Director, Strategic Development Group

Michael Pilbrow is a special advisor for the BCCM and Program Manager for the BCCM’s Care Together program.

Michael is a former diplomat with wide-ranging experience from a grass roots community level, right up to high-level government strategy. Michael is founder of Strategic Development Group and as Chairman, he oversees the company’s governance and growth from its Yass base in regional NSW, Australia. Throughout his business career, Michael has used his strategy and community engagement skills to work on complex challenges like affordable housing, sustainable health and education services, and employment in regional areas.

Sheena Jack

Managing Director and former CEO, HCF

Sheena was appointed Chief Executive Officer of HCF in August 2017 and Managing Director in September 2017. Prior to this appointment she served as Chief Financial Officer from 2006 and Chief Strategy Officer from 2014.

Sheena has more than 30 years’ experience as a finance professional and corporate executive across various industries including health and life insurance, banking, superannuation and wealth management.

She is also a non-executive director of Private Healthcare Australia and a member of Chief Executive Women.

Damian Pretty

Director Acacia Partners

Damian Pretty is a principal and co-founder of Acacia Partners, a Melbourne-based corporate advisory firm specialising in mergers and acquisitions and capital raising transactions. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, he has held senior roles at Evans and Partners, including Head of Debt Capital Markets, and has worked in research, broking, and institutional derivatives at Goldman Sachs JBWere and Bell Potter.

Damian has advised on a wide range of transactions, including equity and debt raisings, hybrid issues, and capital management initiatives.  His transactional experience includes bonds for mutuals and the Australian Unity MCI offers. He also serves as an independent investment committee member for Stellan Capital’s Family Office and is a member of the Commercial Advisory Board of Venso Labs.

Simon Venus

Partner Piper Alderman

Simon is a lawyer and partner in Piper Alderman’s Corporate Division. He acts on a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions for Australian and international corporations, fund managers and high net worth families and private clients and co-operatives.  He is the National Head of the firm’s Agribusiness Practice Group and has significant experience acting on corporate and commercial agribusiness transactions across Australia.

He has a particular interest in co-operatives and was appointed as a legal panellist to the Australian Government’s Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration program.  Simon has completed a program at Monash University on Co-operative Leadership and Governance and has advised co-operatives across industries including meat, dairy, grains, fruit, fishing, edible nuts and retail.  He has also been a Director of the peak national agri body, Agribusiness Australia, as well as an inaugural member of the South Australian Agribusiness Council.

Among current roles, he is an inaugural member and Chair of the Agribusiness Advisory Board at the University of Adelaide’s School of Business, a trustee of the Michell Bequest Foundation, a Director of Rural Business Support SA & NT and a Director on the boards of several private client companies.

David Marshall

CEO Beyond Bank

David Marshall joined Beyond Bank in 2025 as Chief Executive Officer. He is an experienced financial services executive with a proven track record in leading customer-focused organisations, including past tenure as Chief Executive Officer for Defence Bank and Hume Bank. David has also successfully led the retail financial services networks at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac. He has also led national business, agribusiness segments for major and regional banks. His experience in leading organisations through various business, economic and growth cycles has been a key highlight of his career. David has studied at Lincoln College (Canterbury University), Wharton Business School and London Business School. David is based in Adelaide, South Australia.

Tim White

CFO Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited

Tim joined RAA as Chief Financial Officer in October 2024. Tim has an extensive background in finance, investment banking and strategic leadership across a number of industries.

Having led financial and commercial teams both in Australia and the United States, Tim’s wealth of experience spans highly regulated and complex industries, including insurance, banking, aviation, casinos and land registry management.

With his diverse experience and strong skills in financial management, investment banking and capital markets, Tim is passionate about delivering greater value for our 820,000+ members.

Emily Perry

General Manager Community and Corporate Affairs, Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited

Emily Perry is the General Manager of Community and Corporate Affairs at RAA. RAA is South Australia’s largest and oldest membership organisation representing 830,000 members. She joined RAA in 2020 after seven years with BHP, leading media relations in Melbourne and corporate and community relations for the Olympic Dam operation.

Before BHP she spent 10 years with General Motors in a range of senior communications roles with Holden, GM’s premium brands and the Powertrain division in Europe. Emily has also worked in media relations for Telstra, the University of Melbourne and federal politics.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and is a graduate of Melbourne Business School Management and Australian Company Directors programs.

Rade Musulin

Principal Finity

Rade Musulin is a Principal at Finity Consulting in Sydney, Australia, focusing on extreme events and climate risk. Previously he served as the Chief Executive Officer of FBAlliance Insurance, Chief Operating Officer of Aon Benfield Analytics Asia Pacific, and Vice President Operations, Public Affairs, and Reinsurance for the Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.

Rade is Chair of the International Actuarial Association’s Climate and Sustainability Committee. He serves on the Actuaries Institute’s Climate and Sustainability Practice Committee and was Vice President – Casualty for the American Academy of Actuaries from 2016 – 2018. He was named as co-winner of the Actuaries Institute’s Actuary of the Year award in 2023. He has been an author on several peer reviewed academic papers and is a member of the Editorial Board for Oxford University’s Environmental Hazards Journal.

His main areas of interest include how changing population demographics affect catastrophe exposure, climate change adaptation, applications of catastrophe models for disaster planning in developing countries, building code development, and community resilience. He represented the International Actuarial Association at COP 27 in Egypt in 2022, COP 28 in Dubai in 2023, and COP 29 in Azerbaijan in 2024.

Elizabeth Thomas

Managing Director CEHL

Liz is an experienced Board Director and CEO who has demonstrated her leadership across government, for profit and for purpose organisations and her own consulting practice.

In her most recent roles, Liz has followed a deep interest in developing innovative housing solutions, culminating in her appointment as Managing Director of Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL) in 2021. Since then, Liz has driven a broad range of positive changes for CEHL’s 100 rental housing co-operatives and their members and has become a strong advocate for the national co-operative housing movement.

Liz currently chairs the Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance (ACHA) and is Deputy Chair of Victoria’s Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA Vic).

Professor Lorenzo Fioramonti

Academic Director NATIVA

Lorenzo Fioramonti is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences of the University of Surrey (UK), where he directs the Institute for Sustainability. After spending two decades in South Africa, he returned to his birth country, Italy, to be appointed Member of Parliament and the Minister of Education, University and Research (2018–2019). One of his first decisions was to make education on sustainable development mandatory in all schools. The news made headlines worldwide, as Italy became the first country globally to take such a decision.

He is a staunch promoter of a new concept of development, which he calls the “wellbeing economy,” and he is the author of over 70 scientific articles and 10 books, translated in over 10 languages. The most recent include Wellbeing Economy: Success in a World Without Growth (MacMillan 2017) and The World After GDP: Economics, Politics and International Relations in the Post-Growth Era (Polity 2017), which have been featured – among others – by Bloomberg and the Financial Times. His research interests range from alternative economic paradigms to the governance of the commons, global political innovations and new forms of supranational regionalism. His opinion pieces have been published, among others, by The New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, Foreign Policy, Harvard Business Review, TruthOut, Die Presse, The Conversation, Das Parlament, Der Freitag, The Mail & Guardian and www.opendemocracy.net.

He is a sought-after public speaker on issues regarding new economic paradigms, wellbeing transformations and purpose-driven business.

His view is that scholars must try their best to make a difference. Daily life is too important to spend all their time dealing with piles of papers and dusty books. Scholars need to get out there and make their voices heard. They owe it to themselves. To their children. And to those who will come after them.

Alison Holloway

Principal and Partner, SGS Economics & Planning

Alison is a Principal and Partner at SGS Economics and Planning, a purpose-driven, employee-owned BCorp shaping public policy for better places, communities and economies. With over 25 years’ experience, Alison has advised governments and the for-purpose sector on urban planning, housing, transport, and economic development. As former CEO of SGS, she embedded cooperative principles into the firm’s strategy and culture. Alison also serves as a Director of the Business Council of Co-ops and Mutuals and Chairs the UNSW City Futures Research Centre Advisory Panel.

Katie Innes

Legal Director BAL Lawyers

Katie has over 17 years’ experience as a commercial and business lawyer and she regularly advises a range of companies, co-operatives, not-for-profit entities, insolvency practitioners, industry peak bodies and local governments on a broad range of commercial issues.

Katie’s practice includes the establishment and commercialisation of business ventures (including the structuring, ownership, capital raising, and succession planning) and advising on business-to-business transactions including negotiating and preparing a wide array of commercial contracts. Katie regularly provides advice on privacy law and intellectual property law. More recently, Katie’s practice has focused on the governance of various entities, including membership engagement and management and working with clients to structure build-to-rent projects to increase the supply of rental housing in otherwise tight markets.

Katie also facilitates various workshops for the co-operatives sector, focusing on structuring, capital raising and governance. Katie is a graduate of the AICD’s Company Directors Course and a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law.

Karen Hodgson

Facility Manager, Cypress View Lodge Limited

Karen Hodgson is the Facility Manager at Cypress View Lodge in Coleambally, a position she has held for over 15 years. With a deep commitment to aged care and regional health services, Karen has played a key role in shaping aged care delivery across the region. She is a founding board member and a driving force behind the development of the Murrumbidgee Aged Care Network Cooperative, supporting greater collaboration and innovation in aged care across rural communities.

Peter Rutter

Chief Community and Strategy Officer, Beyond Bank

Peter Rutter has had more than 30 years experience in banking across BankSA and Beyond Bank Australia where he has undertaken a variety of roles across strategy, brand, community development, product management, innovation and retail distribution.

Peter’s current role incorporates corporate strategy and brand, along with leading a unique community program which partners with more than 6,500 not-for-profits across Australia. The program also includes a focus on sustainability where Beyond Bank has been recognised as one of the world’s top B Corp banks.

Peter has an Advanced MBA from Adelaide University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is currently serving as Executive Officer of the Beyond Bank Foundation along with being on the Board of a community housing organisation.

His areas of expertise include:

• Community development
• Shared value
• Business strategy
• Brand & marketing
• Partnerships between corporates and the NFP sector

Mark Love

Legal Director BAL Lawyers

Mark has practised the full spectrum of business and corporate law for more than 35 years.  He is one of the firm’s founding named directors and is an NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law.

His practice concentrates on the areas of contract and commercial law, contract negotiation and drafting, as well as enforcement and compliance strategies. His practice has involved all manner of business-related matters, ranging from advising on the placement of high-end Cray computers in defence sensitive environments to drafting standard terms of sale for goods and services, leasing and hire/acquisition arrangements.

Mark works extensively in the field of corporate duties, including enforcement of duties in the course of insolvency and was a course developer and nearing 20 years a course facilitator of the AICD “Director Duties and Responsibilities” module. He was a long-term director and Deputy Chairman of “Exhibition Park in Canberra”, an ACT Government Corporation. He was formerly the Chair of the ACT Law Society Legal Practice and Ethics Committee. He is experienced in corporate governance law, insolvency, restructuring and intellectual property. Mark’s clients include private industry, government agencies, peak industry representative bodies, Chartered and CPA accountants, insolvency practitioners, corporate retailers and co-operatives.

Ben Facer

Chief Member Officer and Deputy CEO, NGS Super

As Chief Member Officer and Deputy CEO, Ben is responsible for the delivery of personalised services to members and employers of NGS Super, including information, help, education and advice services. He leads a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping our members achieve their best retirement.

Ben has over 30 years’ experience in superannuation, including advising employers on superannuation and retirement matters across Australia, Europe and Asia. Since joining NGS Super in 2017, he has also held executive roles covering Risk, Strategy, Finance and Transformation. Ben holds a Bachelor of Economics, is a Fellow of the Actuaries Institute, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was appointed to the Executive team on 29 August 2017.

Adam Vise

CEO Wealth and Capital Markets, Australian Unity

Responsible for financing (treasury), impact and strategy at Australian Unity.

In terms of financing, Australian Unity have built a funding platform includes the inaugural issue of Mutual Capital Instruments (having now raised $469m via three offers to date), ASX listed debt (currently $463m outstanding) in addition to traditional bank and project financing. Our goal is to deliver scalable impact and commercial returns by systematically and methodically measuring wellbeing outcomes (ie. we systematically measure the S in ESG). As a result, over the last 7 years we have undertaken over $1 billion of investment into health, care and wealth services to our members, while also ensuring strategic clarity and financial resources to help one of Australia’s oldest and most successful companies achieve real wellbeing for our members and the broader Australian community.

Adam is also Chair of Birchal, Australia’s leading equity crowd-sourced funding platform.

Gillian McFee

Program Director, Care Together

Gillian is an experienced CEO and Company Director and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with extensive experience working in social care, housing and community care sectors for the NSW Government and for purpose organisations.

With qualifications in social work, urban planning and an Executive MBA, Gillian has held CEO and senior executive roles that required leadership and strategic capabilities to navigate complex change in highly regulated sectors.

Between 2005–2011, Gillian was Director, Uniting Care Ageing where she led complex change management to integrate 52 local aged care boards into a unified organisation with new operating systems and an ambitious strategic plan.

Prior to this, Gillian worked in senior executive roles with the NSW Department of Community Services, Housing NSW and the NSW Premier’s Department.

Since 2012, as Managing Director of Gillian McFee & Associates Pty Ltd, Gillian has undertaken strategic and operational consulting roles including for the Business Council of Australia, Housing NSW and more recently, with the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM).

Through her work with BCCM, Gillian has become a subject matter expert on the application of the co-operative and mutual business model in social care. Over the last 2.5 years, Gillian’s role was Program Director, Care Together, an innovative $7million co operative development and support program, funded by the Australian Government, to improve the sustainability of social care in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. Due to its promising outcomes, Care Together has been extended for 1-year where Gillian is serving as a Strategic Adviser.

Gillian has also held significant non-executive board roles including for Bolton Clarke, Barnardo’s Australia, Stride Mental Health and NSW Government advisory roles in home care and homelessness.

Gillian was an early member of Women on Boards where she has contributed to governance training and education about non-executive business roles.

Les Hems

Principal Right Lane Consulting

Les’ career spans 35 years in management consulting and social impact work. His extensive career has seen him collaborate with community organisations of all sizes, all tiers of government, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals and businesses. For many of these clients, he has become, and remains, a trusted advisor to both executives and boards.

Throughout this work, Les has had the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of many social innovations that have led to better outcomes for disadvantaged communities including: Promoting and evidencing the potential for cooperatives and mutuals to play a greater role in delivering government funded services, including disability and aged case services, social and affordable housing, and health and community services.

Thomas King

Executive Director, Finance & Investments, CEHL

Tom is a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years’ experience across multinational corporations, government enterprises and purpose-driven organisations. He has held senior roles at AXA, ANZ, Australia Post and IntoWork Australia, as well as non-executive directorships in the community health sector.

Tom brings deep expertise in financial governance, strategic investment, M&A and performance improvement to CEHL and the leadership of the organisation’s finance and investment functions and the management of more than 2,200 properties across Victoria.

Tom is passionate about building sustainable housing models and is motivated by a commitment to align financial rigour with social purpose.

Peter Hunt

Managing Director Mutuo (UK) & Adjunct Professor (Practice), Mutual Value Lab

Peter founded Mutuo in 2001 as the first cross mutual sector body to promote co-operative and mutual business to opinion formers and decision makers.

For ten years prior, he was General Secretary of the Co-operative Party (UK). He is co-founder of Supporters Direct, the football supporters’ initiative, which went on to establish over 100 supporters’ trusts at professional football clubs.

He led the Parliamentary teams which piloted five private members bills through the UK Parliament, working with all parties to update co-operative and mutual law.

He advised the UK Coalition Government on its plans to mutualise Post Office Ltd and in 2012 published the report of the Ownership Commission, a two-year study into corporate diversity.

Peter has worked with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) since 2015, co-authoring the ‘Peoples’ Business’ research document.

In 2018/19 he led the successful industry alliance to develop the Australian Treasury Laws Amendment (Mutual Reforms) Act 2019, the first renewal of Australian mutuals legislation for 20 years.

Peter is adjunct Professor of Practice, Mutual Value Lab, Monash University Business School.

Samantha Sing Key

Partner – Sustainability Reporting Advisory, Grant Thornton Australia

As a sustainability reporting technical specialist, Samantha guides her clients through the complexity of local and international sustainability reporting standards and offers practical implementation solutions tailored for each entity. She is responsible for leading the technical interpretation and implementation of Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) at Grant Thornton Australia, including AASB S2 Climate-related Disclosures. She is also a member of the AASB S2 Implementation Advisory Panel.

Samantha is at the forefront of the technical complexities and practical implementation of sustainability reporting standards. With the benefit of having worked with standard-setters and technical teams on the development of sustainability reporting standards, she helps clients understand how sustainability reporting may impact their business. Combining experience in sustainability reporting, IFRS financial reporting and external audit, she helps her clients navigate the intersection of sustainability and financial reporting and assurance.

Samantha is a member of the Sustainability Reporting Technical Expert Group for Grant Thornton International. She is also a core member of subject matter expert groups for CSRD/ESRS and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. Previously she was a member of the Grant Thornton Australia IFRS technical team and an external auditor working with clients in Australia and the UK, including companies listed on the ASX, NASDAQ and LSE.

Samantha is passionate about sustainability education and presents webinars regularly on sustainability reporting. She is also in demand as a lecturer at universities and speaker at conferences. She works with clients across all industries but has particular industry expertise in the renewable energy, technology and life sciences sectors.

Melina Morrison

CEO BCCM

Melina Morrison is a passionate and tireless advocate behind many of the wins our co-operative and mutual sector has achieved. As founding CEO of the BCCM, Melina has helped shape the national conversation on co-operatives and mutuals, from leading key reforms to commissioning the first National Mutual Economy report.

Her work on capital access, legislative change and ethical business models continues to create real, lasting opportunities for our member-owned enterprises. Whether in boardrooms or with policymakers, Melina continues to champion the values we all share – putting members first and building a fairer economy.