Speakers

Andrew Barr MLA

Andrew Barr is the longest-serving Chief Minister in the Australian Capital Territory’s history, with more than a decade leading Canberra’s growth and transformation. He has overseen delivery of major city-shaping projects, including Canberra’s first light rail network, the Big Canberra Battery, expansions of Canberra Hospital, the new Northside Hospital, CIT Woden and the new Canberra Theatre. Over the past two decades, Andrew has helped guide the ACT through a period of sustained economic growth and population expansion, transforming Canberra into a modern, inclusive and dynamic capital. He continues to drive the Territory’s long-term infrastructure agenda through the Built for CBR program, supporting investment in transport, health, education and housing to keep Canberra liveable, connected and sustainable.

Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA

Craig Gillman

A proven and distinguished leader, Craig Gillman leads the City Renewal Authority as Chief Executive Officer, driving the future of Canberra's City Centre. Mr Gillman has been an integral part of the City Renewal Authority since 2019, serving as its Deputy Chief Executive before his appointment to Chief Executive in 2024. Prior to working at City Renewal, Mr. Gillman honed his expertise in strategic leadership and project delivery as acting CEO at the Suburban Land Agency and Executive Director at Transport for NSW and EY Canberra. Possessing a deep understanding of central Canberra's development needs, Mr Gillman has been instrumental in shaping City Renewal’s operating model. He has a proven track record of success, spearheading transformative projects such as the revitalisation of Garema Place, City Walk and the future neighbourhood at Acton Waterfront.

Adam Davey

Adam Davey is the Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Government's Suburban Land Agency. He leads Canberra's land development and urban renewal program, overseeing major greenfield and city-shaping projects that support housing supply, economic growth and sustainable development. Adam works across government, industry and communities to deliver infrastructure, housing and place outcomes that contribute to Canberra's long-term growth and liveability.

Tony Pan

Tony Pan is the Founder and Managing Director of TP Dynamics, a Canberra-based construction and development group creating residential, commercial, mixed-use and precinct-scale projects across the ACT and NSW. Since establishing the company in 2011, Tony has guided TP Dynamics from boutique residential developments into a recognised force in urban renewal, driven by a commitment to design excellence, sustainability and long-term community value. With a background in management and marketing from the Australian National University, he brings commercial insight and a people-focused approach to every project. Passionate about Canberra's future, Tony works with government, industry and community stakeholders to deliver connected places that support housing diversity, economic growth and vibrant urban centres. Through TP Dynamics, Tony aims to shape Canberra's next chapter through considered, sustainable developments that place people, purpose and community at the centre.

Joe Agius

Joe guides design quality for the COX Sydney practice as studio design lead, and design integration nationally as ‘design pillar’ lead. He has led award-winning projects across public & culture, research & health, education, convention/exhibition, sports, and master planning. Recent projects include the Australian Museum’s Project Discover, the University of Sydney Faculty of Engineering Building, and Allianz Stadium. Current projects include Canberra Lyric Theatre, Riverside Theatres and Shellharbour Hospital. Key award-winning public projects include Sir John Monash Centre, and the National Wine Centre. Joe is a past Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW State president. He has held leadership roles across professional and university advisory boards. He is currently a member of the Committee for Sydney’s Cultural Policy Advisory Panel.

Stephen Harding

Steve holds tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering from Sydney University and an MBA majoring in property development from University of Technology (Sydney). Prior to commencing work on the Ginninderry development in early 2014, Steve worked for Lend Lease for close to 20 years. He has broad experience in property development, working on several landmark projects in Sydney before moving to Canberra in 2007 where he also worked on the master planned communities of Forde and Springbank Rise. Steve enjoys the variety and challenge of large complex projects and working alongside people who share his passion for creating master planned communities like Ginninderry.

Ashlee Berry

Ashlee Berry is the ACT & Capital Region Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. Ashlee is the lead advocate for the property sector in the Capital Region, championing better tax and investment settings, delivery of infrastructure, as well as housing supply and affordability. Prior to joining the Property Council in 2024, Ashlee held senior roles in another industry association and local law firm. Ashlee brings a strong focus on member and stakeholder engagement, ensuring the Property Council policies, thought leadership, and advocacy delivers real benefit for the community.

Sam Pedram

Sam Pedram is an accomplished leader and senior executive with over 20 years’ experience leading multi-billion-dollar portfolios and shaping strategy across the private and public sectors. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Project Management (FAIPM), Certified Practising Portfolio Executive (CPPE™) and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), she has been serving on the AIPM Board as well as other sector boards and advisory committees, contributing to governance, risk, and stakeholder engagement at the highest level. Sam’s executive career spans national and international contexts, where she has overseen large-scale programs and delivered major projects in infrastructure, planning, education, and commercial management. Recognised for aligning strategy with delivery, she is skilled at navigating complexity, managing risk, and driving sustainable outcomes. Sam is the author of several books and numerous articles, and the recipient of multiple leadership awards.

Natalia Anderson

Anna Neelagama

Kevin Lloyd

Kevin is one of the most experienced designers in Hassell’s Sydney studio, with more than 30 years working as an architect on high-profile jobs in the UK, Middle East and Australia. His award-winning portfolio is testament to his ability to inspire and lead large design teams on complex developments, particularly in the education, commercial, transport and residential sectors. A thoughtful, calm designer and collaborator, he managed the redevelopment of Herston Quarter, a health and innovation precinct in Brisbane, Australia, that’s set a global benchmark for integrated mixed-use and health projects. He’s also involved in city-shaping projects including Cross River Rail, Brisbane and Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport, Sydney. For Kevin, one of the keys to great design is striking a balance between global inspiration and ambition – and local meaning and identity. Success comes from creating a context- driven place that resonates with the people who use it.

Michael O’Grady

Sam Tindal

Sam is a dedicated Charted Professional Construction Engineer with extensive experience working across large infrastructure projects and for major clients including Transport for NSW, Australian Rail Track Corporation and the ACT Government. He is highly adept, working across multidisciplinary teams and complex projects. Sam’s expertise encompasses overseeing all aspects of project construction, delivered under various contract models. Sam has demonstrated experience in multi construction disciplines including complex bridge structures, retainment structures, bulk earthworks, pavements, drainage and road infrastructure.

David Allt-Graham

As Head of Development at Assemble, David leads the delivery of projects that reflect the business's commitment to design excellence, placemaking, and long-term community impact. Assemble is an end-to-end housing business that delivers investment models on behalf of its investor clients, with a focus on increasing housing supply and choice for Australia's renters and homebuyers.
With over 25 years of experience across Australia's property sector, David has built a career spanning construction, development, and architecture, having held senior leadership positions at Lend Lease, CITTA, and MAB Corporation. Since joining Assemble in 2024, David has brought deep sector knowledge and steady leadership to the design and delivery of the business's growing national pipeline, including Assemble's first mixed-tenure housing project in Belconnen, ACT.

Iain Davidson

As State Chief Executive for Colliers in the ACT and a member of the Australian Executive Leadership Team, Iain leads the local real estate and professional services business in Canberra. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Iain is a trusted adviser to both government and private sector clients, recognised for delivering complex projects and achieving outstanding commercial outcomes. His expertise spans multiple sectors, enabling him to provide strategic advice across real estate development, construction projects, consultancy and property transactions. Over the past decade, Iain has been directly involved in more than 200,000 square metres of pre-commitment leasing projects and has successfully delivered numerous high-profile construction projects nationally. Passionate about people, performance, and client success, Iain is committed to leading the Colliers ACT business to consistently deliver exceptional results for a diverse mix of clients and the community.

Tomas Keraitis

Tomas is Group Manager, Asset Management at Evoenergy, with responsibility for the planning and stewardship of the ACT’s electricity network. His portfolio spans network planning, asset management, engineering standards and governance, network operations, and the development of Evoenergy’s future network capability. Tomas is focused on ensuring the electricity network evolves to support Canberra’s growth and changing energy needs while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient services to the community. This includes long-term network and investment planning, integration of emerging energy technologies, and ensuring the network has the capability and resilience to meet the ACT’s future electricity needs.

Greg Thornton

Greg Thornton is Executive General Manager, Infrastructure Planning and Delivery at NBN Co, where he leads the planning and delivery of Australia's largest fibre network infrastructure programs. With more than 26 years' experience in telecommunications and infrastructure delivery, Greg has played a key role in the rollout and evolution of the nbn, from leading the original NSW/ACT nbn deployment through to the delivery of the national fibre upgrade program supporting Australia's digital future. Recognised for his strong focus on safety, innovation and execution excellence, Greg is passionate about building high- performing teams and delivering infrastructure outcomes that support Australia's long-term digital growth. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland.

Mel Jones

Mel Jones is an Associate Director in Urban Design with more than 15 years' experience delivering strategic planning, master planning and urban design projects across Australia. Her work spans city shaping, urban renewal, housing, education and health precincts, with a focus on translating policy and long-term vision into practical and deliverable outcomes. Mel has played a leading role in several significant ACT Government initiatives, including the Canberra City Centre Urban Design Framework, the Missing Middle Housing Design Guide, and the ACT Urban Design and Housing Design Guides that support the Territory's new planning system. Through these projects, she has helped shape the future of housing, urban growth and design quality across Canberra. Mel is recognised for her ability to balance strategic thinking with practical implementation, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to deliver places that are functional, sustainable and people-focused.

Nadia Jaworski

Nadia Jaworski, Partner and Social Infrastructure Lead at Ontoit, brings more than 20 years' experience in major infrastructure investment, commercial strategy and delivery across government and the private sector. Her work focuses on translating government policy and investment priorities into fundable, deliverable infrastructure programs across housing, health and social infrastructure. Nadia has held senior State Government investment and commercial advisory roles, leading major investment strategies and Cabinet submissions including the $1.65 billion Hospital Infrastructure Development Fund. She has also shaped investment, commercial and procurement strategy across housing and social infrastructure portfolios worth close to $20 billion, focused on prioritisation, funding, delivery models and market capacity. Her current housing work includes developing the National Centre of Excellence for modular construction, accelerating affordable housing delivery at greater scale. Nadia's modern methods of construction experience also includes acting as the Commonwealth's National Commercial Advisor on the National Quarantine Centres program, establishing a national modular supplier panel for rapid infrastructure deployment. Nadia is also a Board Director of HousingFirst, a community housing provider, adding a governance and delivery perspective to her advisory background, and a view on how infrastructure programs move from funding decisions to market-ready delivery.

Collin Smith

Collin Smith is the Managing Director and CEO of the International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM), a position he has held for the past nine years. With more than 30 years of experience spanning government, industry, consulting, executive education and organisational transformation, he is a recognised authority on the leadership, governance and delivery of complex projects and programs. Through ICCPM's globally recognised research, thought leadership and capability development programs, Collin works with infrastructure, defence and public sector organisations to strengthen project leadership, improve decision-making and build organisational capability for project success. He is a published author, industry researcher, conference speaker and former university lecturer, and contributes to academic and industry research. Collin regularly publishes articles, discussion papers and thought leadership on major project governance, complexity, systems thinking and project leadership, and is widely recognised for translating complex concepts into practical strategies that help organisations navigate uncertainty and deliver better outcomes from major projects and transformative initiatives.

Tom Best

Tom is the Chief Operating Officer of Eku Energy, leading development, construction and project management teams across the entire value chain to deliver and commission high-quality battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Europe, Japan and Australia. Tom ‘s team is currently developing and constructing projects on three continents, having commissioned 6 BESS to date since 2023. As a first not only for Eku but also for Australia, Tom oversaw the Hazelwood BESS project that originated from repurposing the site of an aged coal-fired power station in the La Trobe valley, paving the way for more renewable energy on the grid to supply Victoria. In addition, Tom was instrumental in developing Rangebank BESS in the South of Melbourne and getting Eku shortlisted for our largest project to date, the Big Canberra Battery in the ACT due to be operational later this year. Similarly in the UK and Japan, Tom laid the groundwork for our initial sites to ensure key risks were identified early on. With over two decades of experience in energy construction projects, Tom is a specialist in renewable energy and has worked on projects across solar, onshore and offshore wind energy. Before moving into his current role, Tom served as the Construction Director for APAC at Macquarie Group and worked with First Solar Australia where he established the project development team, delivering systems in Australia and Japan. He held technical, operations, and construction roles in energy and infrastructure companies such as Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Infigen Energy, DONG Energy, and Aurecon.

Mark Mikolajczak

Jeremy Smith

Jeremy Smith is a senior public sector executive with more than 25 years of experience leading complex transport, infrastructure, city development, and organisational transformation initiatives across the ACT Government. As Executive Group Manager of Transport Canberra, he is responsible for leading Canberra’s public transport network and delivering strategic transport outcomes that support the Territory’s growth, sustainability, and liveability objectives. Jeremy has built an extensive career with the ACT Government, combining strategic leadership with a strong track record of delivering major infrastructure and service reform programs. Prior to his current role, he served as Executive Group Manager, Development, and Implementation, where he oversaw the delivery of significant development and growth initiatives supporting Canberra’s future planning and urban development agenda. His background includes leading major infrastructure projects as Executive Branch Manager, Infrastructure Delivery, as well as playing a pivotal role in the delivery of Canberra’s light rail program as Executive Branch Manager of the Light Rail Project Management Office. These roles provided executive leadership across some of the ACT’s most significant city-shaping transport and infrastructure investments. Jeremy’s earlier career included leadership roles in transport operations, contract and asset management, organisational change, workforce services, and corporate operations, giving him a broad understanding of both strategic policy development and frontline service delivery. This breadth of experience has enabled him to successfully lead large, multidisciplinary teams through periods of growth, transformation, and complex program delivery. Recognised for his collaborative leadership style and focus on outcomes, Jeremy has consistently delivered initiatives that improve public services, strengthen organisational capability, and support long-term economic and community outcomes. His expertise spans transport, infrastructure delivery, urban development, governance, stakeholder engagement, and organisational transformation. Today, Jeremy leads Transport Canberra’s efforts to deliver an integrated, customer- focused, and sustainable transport system, ensuring Canberra’s transport network continues to meet the needs of a growing city while supporting broader environmental and economic objectives.