Speakers include:

  • Krish Alahakoon
    Global Logistics Leader,

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you manage the ethical, legal & reputational risks of modern slavery in procurement?

    Krish is a CSCP and CPL certified procurement leader with extensive experience in leading transformational strategic sourcing programs across multiple business units in the transport and logistics sector. She has a proven track record of managing a spend portfolio of up to $450Mil and leading successful sourcing teams working in multiple industries and geographies. Krish is passionate about developing high-performance teams and taking procurement operations towards excellence through innovation.

     

  • Tara Anderson
    Chief Executive Officer, Social Traders

    Session: How Procuring for impact is a game-changer for your career; lessons from the C-Suite

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How should organisations adapt their processes in times of rapid technological, economic, and industry change?

    Tara is the CEO of Social Traders, Australia’s leading social enterprise procurement intermediary. Tara has international experience across social enterprise, charities, social innovation and for-purpose intermediaries in the UK, Europe and Australia.

    Tara has led large scale collaborations, designed and implemented organisational-wide strategies for growth and diversification, and repositioned brands for increased impact. Her career has spanned strategy, business development, innovation, marketing, social impact and cross-sector collaboration at executive and Board level. She’s passionate about building the for-purpose sector and seeing more businesses take up the opportunity to work with certified social enterprises - creating positive social and environmental impact for a more inclusive and equitable Australia.

  • Else Bright
    Head of Region APAC, Director ANZ, World Commerce & Contracting

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you leverage commercial acumen to enable procurement and business success?

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How should organisations adapt their processes in times of rapid technological, economic, and industry change?

    Experienced Commercial, Subcontract Manager with extensive and demonstrated history of working in the Defense & IT industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Government Procurement, Management, Contract Management, and Supply Management. Strong sales professional graduated from Scotwork Negotiating Skills.

  • Neha Chaudhuri
    Strategic Sourcing Specialist, The Walt Disney Company ANZ

    Session: SKILLS SPOTLIGHT: Successfully managing stakeholders and implementing effective strategic procurement practices

    Neha Chaudhuri is highly motivated and experienced Procurement professional with over 10+ years in working within Strategic Procurement in marketing, retail, telecommunication, logistics and supply chain industry. Skilled in supplier negotiation, ethical and sustainable sourcing, indigenous Procurement, Contract Management, Policy/Spend Analysis and Business Process Improvement. She has strong detailed ability to understand the business requirements and have experience from various industries. Neha has been involved in creating policies and procedures for the organisations.

    Neha is currently working with the Walt Disney Company and responsible for the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement business across ANZ along with APAC projects with international procurement teams. Apart from work she actively participates in Disney and outside Disney volunteering activities and is also a part of ANZ Volunteering and Social events.

    Neha is passionate about Procurement, supplier, stakeholder management, women in procurement and enjoys her role.

  • Catherine Constable
    Advisor, Indigenous Procurement Policy, National Indigenous Australians Agency

    Session: Indigenous engagement in Australian Government procurement: Leveraging the power and potential of procurement in delivering outcomes for First Nations people

    With 15 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service, across corporate, operational and policy roles at the Australian Treasury and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Catherine is passionate about leveraging the potential of Commonwealth procurement to generate meaningful economic opportunities and outcomes for First Nations people.

  • Nicole Cutler
    Head of Procurement Capability & Governance, TAFE NSW

    Session: CASE STUDY: Tackling your procurement pain points through dynamic, nimble, technology-led strategies

    Nicole is an executive leader with experience leading teams in large and diverse organisations. She is a highly skilled and experienced procurement professional within framework, governance, risk, analysis and planning, eprocurement, category management, contract management and supplier relationship management.

    Nicole's diverse practical experience is complimented by a Bachelor degree in Business Management and MCIPS qualification.

    Nicole has highly effective communication skills and can engage and negotiate outcomes with all stakeholders. She is influential, motivated, competent and dedicated. Nicole thrives on leading organisational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.

    She has demonstrated capability building high perfoming teams that are motivated, innovative, collaborative and outcome focussed.

    Nicole is a highly reputable female leader that inspires and drives results.

  • Lorna Elisei
    Procurement Specialist, Ambulance Victoria

    Session: Using sustainability and circular economy strategies to improve environmental, social, and financial bottom lines

    Lorna has over 10 years’ corporate and government experience, bringing valuable insights and specialist knowledge across both operational and procurement based roles. With qualifications in business, human resources, leadership and management and ESG she has navigated complex projects, managed risk and budgets as well as facilitated optimal outcomes by adopting best practice strategies.

    In the last 5 years she has developed a keen interest and passion in climate change, sustainability and social engagement both personally and professionally, with a focus on supply chain accountability through sustainable initiatives, efficiencies and reporting, promoting a transition to circular economy principles, fostering community engagement by promoting diverse and inclusive workforces, fair hiring practices and ensuring supply chain oversight with the introduction of modern slavery commitments and reporting. In 2022 Ambulance Victoria was honoured to win the Social and Environmental Sustainability Award. This was as a direct result of joint collaboration and meaningful engagement with a supplier who’s sustainability initiatives and objectives not only benefited AV but the community as well.

    Lorna believes that best practice procurement strategies and can contribute to the greater good - not only by protecting our precious environment and resources, but by helping communities to thrive by feel supported and engaged.

  • Kylie Groeneveld
    Head of Procurement, Australian Football League

    Session: Navigating procurement in 2024 – what’s changing, what’s new & what it means for you

    Session: ROUNDTABLE 2: Empowering mentorship to drive, you, your team and your organisation to success

    Kylie has excellent communication skills and even better listening skills to drive the “purpose of the business” creating purposeful relationships with credibility and influence.

    She specialises in cross business partnering, stakeholder management and demand management - underpinning and managing planned delivery. Kylie is skilled in global tenders, supplier negotiations, contract management, cost savings, business process improvement, short and long range procurement strategy and project planning.

  • Anouk Guignard
    Head of Procurement – Food & Beverage, Crown Resorts

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you improve diversity, equity & inclusion and drive organisational success through leadership?

    With a strong background of 8 years in commercial procurement and sourcing, Anouk has successfully carried out a number of roles in the retail sector. Highly driven by results, she is proficient in leading end-to-end projects with excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills. She has a high capacity to manage the engagement and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.

    Anouk works best in challenging environments, which gives her an opportunity to learn and grow. Her results focus is supported by her analytical skills where she has a proven track record in identifying the root issues and delivering pragmatic, working solutions.

    She believes that best results come from high energy within her team and she is very dedicated to drive colleagues to work better as a team.

  • Karina Harris
    Director – Customer Value ANZ, Coupa Software

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you leverage commercial acumen to enable procurement and business success?

    Karina has over 20 years of procurement and supplier management experience developed through working at the executive leadership level as part of the global procurement team within a major company in the energy and oil industry. During her career, she has been responsible for managing high levels of spend, and has developed in-depth knowledge of the contingent workforce, HR services, business travel, fleet, facilities management and professional services categories. Karina has experience in leading cross-functional remote teams and transforming the end-to-end procurement process, as well as developing strategies for improving stakeholder engagement and communications in alignment with the objectives of the business.

  • Jessica Iacobucci
    Head of Trade and Supply Chain Sales – Australia & PNG, ANZ

    Session: The convergence of the physical and financial supply chain

    Jessica has had a career in Banking and Finance spanning 19 years. Working within the Transaction Banking business, Jessica has held roles both in Australia and offshore (UK) in Payments & Cash Management and Trade & Supply Chain, including Business Development and Advisory functions.

    Over the last 10 years, she has focused on specialisation in Trade & Supply Chain with leadership roles spanning Corporate & Institutional Banking. In her current role, Jessica leads a team of Trade specialists across both Australia and PNG markets.

    Jessica is degree qualified holding a Bachelor of Business Information Systems from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), is Lean Six Sigma qualified and has also completed her Certification in International Cash Management with the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in the UK.

  • Libby Jenkin
    PSCM Senior Manager H2 Projects, BP

    Session: SKILLS SPOTLIGHT: Expertly mitigating residual risks – strategies for the unpredictable in procurement

    Libby focuses on providing best practice Supply Chain outcomes, by building effective teams, and adopting innovating methods to improve efficiency and provide increased value to the business.

    Her passion lies in bringing out the best in the people she works with – both direct and indirect reports; and integrating and increasing the performance of our external teams.

  • Fern Makeham
    Director – Procurement and Contracting, Australian Public Service

    Session: ROUNDTABLE 4: Applying lessons learned in the procurement industry to your work

    Session: SKILLS SPOTLIGHT: Developing an efficient and effective procurement project management plan

    Fern helps people by working within a trusted partnership to deliver quality procurement outcomes for her clients. She enjoys decoding and teaching others procurement best practice.

  • Marissa Moraitis
    Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, South Australia Department for Education

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you manage the ethical, legal & reputational risks of modern slavery in procurement?

    Session: ROUNDTABLE 5: Nurturing work-life balance and harmony while achieving career progression and growth

    Commercially focused senior procurement leader known for delivering considered, sustainable and innovative outcomes across government, defence, oil and gas, construction, facilities management and bulk liquid storage industries.

    An energetic professional with extensive experience in engaging stakeholders across all levels and embedding cross-functional collaboration to drive innovative and effective strategies that ensure business goals are achieved

    Awarded the CIPSA Young Procurement Professional of the Year in 2009.

    Specialties:
    - Stakeholder Engagement and Management;
    - Category Management and Strategic Sourcing;
    - Supplier Relationship Management; and
    - Process Improvement and Implementation.

  • Zoanne Morrissy
    Chief Procurement Officer, Parks Victoria

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you improve diversity, equity & inclusion and drive organisational success through leadership?

    Results orientated professional with over 20 years’ experience in stakeholder management and strategy with strong leadership experience in State Government infrastructure, research, and transport organisations. Easily builds knowledge and positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders across all government sectors and departments, colleagues, and a wide range of business operators, providers and community partners.

    High Level Achievements

    • Ownership of the organisational structure and change process for the transformation of the divisions within Department of Transport
    • Strong leader with motivational management style and reputation for building and retaining highly motivated individuals, teams, and networks
    • Results oriented individual who successfully drove the strategy for ‘mobile myki’ (digital ticketing) for improved passenger experience

  • Shirley Mower
    APAC Regional Sourcing Manager – Good, DHL

    Session: CASE STUDY: Managing a high performing procurement team coming from 12 different countries by embracing their diversity

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you manage the ethical, legal & reputational risks of modern slavery in procurement?

    Session: ROUNDTABLE 1: Overcoming imposter syndrome and building your confidence

    Shirley is a procurement strategist, multimillion-dollar negotiator, and global team leader specialized in strategic sourcing and green packaging. Her passion is to help organizations achieve their goals by identifying and implementing cost-saving solutions, managing risks, and building long-term partnerships with their stakeholders.

    As a procurement and supply chain professional, Shirley is driven by my passion for creating value beyond cost savings. With a focus on the future of global logistics, she is dedicated to reducing the total cost of ownership while minimizing our carbon footprint. She is also committed to ensuring compliance with sustainable global practices, making a positive impact in the industry.

    Areas of Expertise:
    Sustainable Sourcing | Performance Management | Supplier Relationships | Innovation | ESG | Automation & Digitalization | Modern Slavery | Diversity & Inclusion | Change Management

    Categories:
    Good, Packaging, MRO, Site Services (Facilities), and Temporary Labour.

  • Charlotte Payne
    General Manager – Australian and New Zealand, CIPS

    Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

    Session: Eliminating the gender pay and promotion gap with benchmarking, transparency & mentorship

    Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

    Charlotte leads a passionate team dedicated to raising the capability of procurement and supply management in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Charlotte has been part of CIPS for nearly 20 years and throughout that time has worked with a range of organisations within the public sector, private sector, as well as NGOs and education providers to further the profession around the world. She has worked in the UK and Europe, China, South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Malawi and Zambia as well as Australia and New Zealand. She attained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Birmingham and holds MCIPS Chartered Professional certification.

  • Molley Qi
    Head of Procurement, Manningham Council

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you manage the ethical, legal & reputational risks of modern slavery in procurement?

    Session: The roadmap to successfully navigating government procurement

    As the Head of Procurement at Manningham Council, Molley is passionate about seizing every opportunity to increase public value and deliver sustainable outcomes for the community. She has over 15 years of experience in leading procurement functions and strategies across various private and public sector organisations, and she holds the MCIPS credential from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

    Her core competencies include strategic sourcing, category and supply chain management, complex negotiations and deal structuring, risk management and governance, organisational change management, and building high performing teams. Currently, she is accountable for the architecture and delivery of one of the largest scale procurement transformation programs in the council, which aims to align the procurement function with the top objectives of delivering value for money, reducing risks, and maximising sustainability outcomes. She also directs and coaches procurement professionals to perform their best and foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Rachel Reilly
    National Manager, Ethical Clothing Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you manage the ethical, legal & reputational risks of modern slavery in procurement?

    Rachel brings a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit space to her role at ECA, with more than 15 years’ experience in the sector. She has a strong commitment to human rights, with a focus on labour and women’s rights. She has formerly held the position of Executive Director of a Not-for-Profit supporting women who had experienced human trafficking; contributed to research with the British Institute of International and Comparative Law on the legal obligations and responsibilities of multinational corporations operating in the tourism industry in Cuba; headed up a policy and advocacy team working across a broad range of social justice issues; and, worked in Indonesia with local grassroots women’s organisations to support women to develop their micro-enterprises and financial literacy to address risk of exploitation by lifting them out of poverty. Rachel holds a Bachelor of International Development and a Master of Human Rights Law.

    Email: rachelmccurry@ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au

    Phone: 0370686366

  • Melissa Ruberto
    Director of Memberships, Procurious

    Session: How to manage your procurement career throughout the cycles of womanhood

    Melissa Ruberto is a highly motivated and people-focused professional currently serving as the Director of Memberships at The Faculty and Procurious since September 2022. With over 8 years of dedicated experience in Procurement Operations, coupled with a background in Events and Hospitality Management, Melissa has consistently demonstrated a thirst for professional development and a commitment to achieving outstanding results.

    In her current role as Director of Memberships at The Faculty, Melissa oversees various aspects crucial to the success of the organisation. Her current position has been marked by a trajectory of continuous improvement and professional growth. Melissa’s diverse experience as a Learning and Development Manager, Event Manager, Project Manager, and Business Intelligence Analyst has finely tuned her business acumen and leadership skills. Her proactive approach and instinctive methodical methods leave no stone unturned in exceeding goals, delivering quality results, and optimising the culture within her teams.

  • Kristine Scheul
    Executive Branch Manager, Legal & Contracts, ACT Government
  • Teresa Scott
    Executive Director, Australasian Procurement and Construction Council

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you improve diversity, equity & inclusion and drive organisational success through leadership?

    Teresa Scott is Executive Director of the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC). Her responsibilities include working with the Council of Chief Executives to set the strategic direction of the APCC, and expanding the APCC’s role as Australasia’s leading public sector procurement and construction forum.

  • Jessica Simpson
    Head of Procurement BMA, BHP

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How should organisations adapt their processes in times of rapid technological, economic, and industry change?

    Former radio journalist with extensive experience across operations and functions in the mining and manufacturing sectors. Highly developed skills in stakeholder engagement and holistic risk management. Passionate about cultural excellence and unlocking performance through continuous improvement, trust and collaboration.

    Specialties: Communications (internal and external), stakeholder engagement and mapping. Creation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of partnerships and community development programs. Socio-economic baseline work and issues management as well as co-design and change management with stakeholders on large change agendas. Government Relations including election strategy development. Environmental approvals including Environmental Authority amendments, EPBC referrals, NC Act, Water Act and Cultural Heritage and Native Title Acts. Supply chain E-2-E process management including local and Indigenous procurement.

    Management of small and large cross functional teams including managers, and experience with leading team members with direct and indirect reporting accountabilities.

  • Tracey Tran
    Senior Customer Advocate, Mazda Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can you improve diversity, equity & inclusion and drive organisational success through leadership?

    Throughout her journey, Tracey has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Whether it's in her professional endeavors or personal interests, she takes pride in pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations. her passion for learning has driven her to acquire a diverse set of skills, and she has a track record of successfully tackling complex projects.

    Her dedication to collaboration and teamwork stems from a belief in the power of collective intelligence. She recognizes that the most innovative solutions often emerge when diverse perspectives come together to solve problems. This mindset has allowed Tracey to foster strong working relationships and contribute positively to the success of any group or organization she is a part of.

    In the face of adversity, resilience is a core trait that has carried her through various challenges, and she approaches obstacles as opportunities for growth.

    As she continues on her journey, she remains dedicated to making a meaningful impact and achieving exceptional outcomes. She believes that with passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of growth, there are no limits to what can be accomplished.

  • Marie Westerhof
    Senior Category Manager Supply Chain, Coles Group

    Session: SKILLS SPOTLIGHT: Building strategic relationships with suppliers through expert communication and negotiation

    Senior procurement leader with 16 years of international experience in Strategic Sourcing across one of the most prominent FMCG organisations globally, a top-tier consultancy and a packaging market leader in ANZ. Extensive expertise in Indirect categories.
    Consistently demonstrated leadership to set-up holistic procurement strategies and establish high performing teams to deliver end-to-end sourcing initiatives in complex environments. Successful by leveraging strong interpersonal skills, advanced critical thinking & sourcing proficiency, influencing senior stakeholders and driving supplier engagement.

    Proven ability to work collaboratively in physical or virtual cross-cultural environments, locally and internationally. Driven by intellectual curiosity and a permanent desire to learn. Loves working across borders and boundaries, is a true team player, accountable and results focused.

  • Bron Williams
    Mentor, PhD Researcher, Self-Employed

    Session: Masterclass A:  Leadership skills for women in procurement and supply chain

    Bron Williams is a powerful woman dedicated to helping other women reconnect with their own power. Despite her achievements - including an honours degree, serving as a school principal, being an ordained minister, and having experience working with asylum seekers - Bron once struggled to tap into her full potential because of the expectations of family and society.

    By guiding women to understand their own drivers, needs and values Bron helps women reconnect with their own power, so they can confidently negotiate their salaries and pursue leadership positions, unapologetically celebrating their achievements along the way.