Andrew Martin has worked extensively as an Executive Coach, Presenter, MC, Facilitator, Role Player and Corporate Trainer. Andrew studied drama and media at Rusden College (now Deakin University) then attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), graduating in 1980.

Andrew will be hosting the Awkward to Awesome Networking session at our Conference, which aims to highlight unique skills that can make networking not only a pleasurable experience but an invaluable part of your business practices.

With decades of experience in the construction industry, Cameron has a deep understanding of the manufacturing and engineering sectors. With that foundational knowledge, Cameron is now the CEO of ASPIRE- an online marketplace for business waste exchange.

Cameron is passionate about creating solutions for a sustainable future, with a focus on circular procurement and supply chains and reducing the waste in the construction and manufacturing industries.

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Carl leads the out-sourced energy category expert team for Procurement Australia, introducing Progressive Procurement portfolios and long-term renewable Power Purchase Agreements; as well as fixed price for fixed period tenders. 

He possesses extensive experience in the energy market after having joined the industry when deregulation began in Victoria in 1995. Over the years, Carl has been active in the wholesale market leading wholesale energy trading teams, and since 2003 has been advising large organisations in the management of energy procurement, cost and risk management. 

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Having over 30 years of procurement experience leading transformations and establishing functions to deliver enterprise-wide value, Gordon is recognized as a leader in the industry. He is both a Fellow of CIPS and a council member of World Commerce & Contracting.

Gordon has extensive experience in developing frameworks, processes and governance, ensuring world-class procurement outcomes are achieved. He is recognised as a thought leader within procurement and a sought-after speaker, writer and presenter.

Lawrence has 25+ years’ experience across almost every aspect of international trade and supply chain covering a diverse range of industry sectors and global markets. He has proven expertise in building innovative logistics and market entry solutions through innovative distribution modelling, fulfillment strategies and strategic stakeholder partnerships.

Lawrence established The Australian Trade & Logistics Corporation to ensure importers and exporters are kept up to date with the latest international trade, logistics and supply chain innovations and providers in order for them to achieve long-term growth and success when doing business globally.

Madeleine Taylor has 10 years of experience in procurement across a range of contexts – delivering procurement processes, designing and delivering procurement training for leading organisations across Australasia, and strategic procurement planning, governance and reporting. Madeleine will be sharing some of JLL’s key strategies along with her own experiences in her session focusing on Social Procurement.

Meg Price is the Head of GROW, with the Give Where You Live Foundation. Meg is passionate about tackling complex social issues to create positive change and has 16 years’ experience in senior leadership positions across Federal and Victorian Government Agencies and the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector along with three years’ experience serving on NFP Boards. The GROW (Growing Regional Opportunities for Work) Network is made up of Victorian businesses, government and community organisations in the G21 Region and across Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton and Gippsland. The Network works together to create regional pathways to employment and more job opportunities for people with barriers to work, along with supporting equity and a stronger regional economy through social procurement.

Olivia is the Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand for Edge Environment, an impact-driven full-spectrum sustainability consultancy with operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Chile and the USA. She joined Edge following a 20+ year career working with some of Australia’s largest corporate organisations within the consumer products, retail and financial services sectors.

Olivia held a range of corporate responsibility, sustainability and risk positions at the Westpac Group, Woolworths, Treasury Wine Estates, Foster’s Group and Goodman Fielder. Whilst at Westpac she led the charge to revitalise its Responsible Sourcing and Supplier Inclusion & Diversity programs within the procurement function, before moving into Financial Crime and taking up the position of Anti-Bribery & Corruption and Financial Crime Human Rights Integration Officer.

She has degrees in Marine Science and Environmental Engineering, an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and most recently completed the Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

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Scott Alden is a tendering and procurement expert in both the public and private sectors across all industries, providing advice to government and non-government in commercial transactions and projects of all kinds.

With long term Procurement Management secondments at the Sydney Catchment Authority and State Transit Authority under his belt, Scott is well-positioned to provide essential tips and learnings on the legislation of Modern Slavery.

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Sally Beard is the Founder of Backpacks 4 VIC Kids Inc. She is passionate about people realising their true potential and living authentically.   

As a strong NFP Leader endorsed by the VIC Premier, and with a strong social conscience, community development/management background and personal experience in Foster Care and Informal Kinship Care, Sally is leading the way for change in the children’s safety sector with insight and business intelligence. Collaboration with like-minded organisations enables Sally to solve the challenges of NFPs with increasing obstacles and rising need for their services. 

Sally has been leading the direction and team of Backpacks 4 VIC Kids for eight years, working towards a stronger and brighter future for local children, believing that “You have two hands, one to help yourself and a second to help others.” 

Sharon has over 20 years of experience in managing a wide range of projects in Australia and overseas. Sharon believes procurement and supply is intrinsically placed to be a real change agent and driver for the greater good.

Issues such as modern-day slavery, sustainability and ethics are core not only for the profession but also for the wider society to address.

Fiona Sergi is the Manager of Social Procurement Capability at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions working to improve social, inclusive, and environmental outcomes across government projects.

Fiona will be joining the government panel to share her sustainable procurement experience in the public sector.

Molley Qi is the Head of Procurement at Manningham City Council, working on every opportunity to increase public value - accountable for leading the Procurement function and for the strategy architecture and delivery of one of largest scale procurement transformation programs.

Having worked in senior positions for leading private and public sector organisations I bring a strategic yet practical approach to change and value delivery, including:

- Re-align procurement function with top objectives of delivering value for money, reducing risks and maximise sustainability outcomes;
- Lead procurement strategy and transformation programs in line with leading practices on the way to achieving a significant leap in measurable financial performances and efficiencies that can be tracked and demonstrated to the regulator;
- Build and embed organisational wide procurement capability through process, technology and relationship building with the internal and external stakeholders, and
- Direct and coach procurement professionals to perform their best.

Danielle Watts has an extensive reputation and experience in procurement and supply chain within the public sector.

Danielle will be joining us for the government panel to discuss and share her experience with sustainable and social procurement within the Frankston City Council.

Ben McLaughlin is the procurement & contract management best practice lead at City of Port Philip. Ben has demonstrated experience, qualifications, and achievements in effectively managing and leading large and complex procurement, contract, project, and vendor management activities in diverse roles.

Proven ability to design effective, efficient, and compliant procurement policies and procedures, as well as an ability to implement these processes and manage compliance to improve financial performance.

Nicole is an experienced Procurement Lead with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Government Procurement, Government, Strategic Sourcing, Management, and Community Engagement. Strong Contract Law experience.

Specialising in procurement strategy and governance, Nicole has delivered procurement policy, processes, analysis, and training at organisational and business unit levels.

Nicole is passionate about improving procurement practices to achieve positive outcomes for organisations and staff responsible for procurement activities.