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We’re excited to bring you a diverse range of speakers, from all industries and sectors, to share their insights and expertise around the applications of data science and AI for business.
Adam Spencer
Well loved Triple J presenter, Adam Spencer as been one of Australia’s best and foremost event hosts, keynote speakers and facilitators for over two decades. His attention to detail and ability to improvise are the hallmarks for which he has been regularly invited back to many events.
Adam has shared the stage with every Australian Prime Minister since Whitlam, but he is equally adept at bringing to life the everyday stories of ordinary people who deserve acknowledgement for their achievements.
Adam’s greatest strength is his versatility. There is virtually no topic he doesn’t enjoy getting his head around and presenting. That said, given his background in mathematics, Adam is particularly strong at presenting on science, technology, digital innovation, medicine and health.
Prof Toby Walsh
Toby Walsh is an ARC Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of AI at UNSW and CSIRO Data61. He is Chief Scientist of UNSW.AI, UNSW’s new AI Institute.
He is a strong advocate for limits to ensure AI is used to improve our lives, having spoken at the UN, and to heads of state, parliamentary bodies, company boards and many others on this topic. This advocacy has led to him being “banned indefinitely” from Russia.
He is a Fellow of the Australia Academy of Science, and was named on the international ‘Who’s Who in AI’ list of influencers. He has written three books on AI for a general audience, the most recent is ‘Machines Behaving Badly: the morality of AI’.
Lily Serna
Math whiz Lily Serna is a mathematician with an unrivalled passion for education, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) advocacy. Her passion for numbers has led her to not just a highly successful career in maths, but she’s also a sought-after presenter, media personality and author.
As an insightful and engaging presenter, Lily quite simply inspires and delights audiences with her unique perspective on numbers.
Lily is currently a data analyst at Atlassian, specialising in building mathematical and statistical models. But she is likely best known for her professional media host work on programs such as SBS’s television program ‘Letters and Numbers’ with David Astle and Richard Morecroft where she appeared as the show’s resident numbers expert.
Tina Ambrose
Tina has 15 years’ experience in the technology industry, connecting a range of talent with great organisations across the UK and Australia. She is passionate about improving the Tech [+] landscape through building diverse and inclusive teams for her clients; as well as providing support and advice to candidates through their various career progression stages.
As a regular attendee of WiTWA events since she arrived in Perth in 2016, Tina has always championed the organisation to her network. In January this year Tina officially joined the WiTWA sub-committee to help enhance their social media presence and support their mission to encourage business change to accommodate diversity and provide a network of support for women in technology, science and innovation – Tech [+]. A mission which she truly aligns to.
Prof Peter Klinken
In 2014 Peter was appointed as the Chief Scientist of Western Australia, after stepping down as Executive Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (formerly the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research – WAIMR). Peter was honoured to be recognised as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2017 for contributions to medical research and for promoting science and innovation in Western Australia.
Peter obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from The University of Western Australia in 1982 and was a Fogarty International Fellow at the US National Institutes of Health in Washington, between 1984 and 1986. In 1989, Peter became a Lecturer in Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia, then Senior Lecturer before being appointed Professor in Clinical Biochemistry in 1994.
Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Stephen was elected to represent the Mining & Pastoral Region at the 2013 state election. He served as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions before being promoted to the position of Shadow Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services and Child Protection in September 2013.
Stephen has been a Chief of Staff to a number of Government Ministers in Western Australia and Victoria and immediately prior to his election to Parliament, he worked as the WA State Manager for Essential Media Communications.
Grant Dusting
Grant Dusting is a social researcher and the Director of Strategy at the internationally recognised McCrindle.
With a background in public policy, community engagement and boardroom experience in the NFP sector, Grant is experienced at advising organisations on how to respond strategically to current and future trends.
Grant brings a wealth of research experience to his engaging presentations and consulting. He loves providing data-led insights so decisions can be made with wisdom and stories told with clarity.
Linda Dawson
Linda Dawson is a senior executive with more than 25 years’ experience working in large Australian and multinational organisations. Linda has a strong belief in equality and respect for all in society, learning from our First Nations people, empowering women and giving back to the community. She has been a Chair of the MCA Indigenous Community of Practice, mentor with WIMWA and a past Chair of the CMEWA Pilbara Regional Council.
She holds a Master’s of Education and Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Western Australia, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Certified Professional of the Australian Human Resource Institute and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
Justin Strharsky
Using the power of technical communities, Justin has helped more than 30 $5-15BN companies to achieve $MMs in efficiency, sustainability, and innovation gains, and have built 3 businesses in the process.
Justin is now building a global community of AI creators.
Previously Justin co-founded Unearthed with the purpose of turning one of humanity’s biggest challenges into an opportunity.
Early in his career Justin worked in Silicon Valley, for both a large network computing company and one of the first companies commercializing artificial intelligence.
Justin has also co-patented several novel industrial applications of machine learning.
Glenn Butcher
Glenn Butcher is a technology company builder with 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles at major companies and organizations. His personal mission is to diversify the WA economy, growing existing innovation industries, and create an ecosystem of innovation in the state.
Glenn holds board and advisory positions at several startups in Sydney and WA.
Glenn is also a venture partner at a Venture Capital (VC) firm, CP Ventures, which invests in the world’s leading early-stage startups. CP Ventures has invested in dozens of companies in the fields of satellites, GreenTech, AI, BioTech, FinTech, logistics, and marketing automation, from Auckland to Seattle. Glenn assesses early-stage companies, provides strategic advice and contributes to investment decisions for the fund.
Alex Bertram
Sarah James
Sarah James is a dynamic and energetic author, innovator and technologist. Sarah has 25 years of delivery excellence and experience in Analytics, AI, IoT and Data and their application. Sarah is co-founder of Jacaranda Hill Farm, an off-grid, sustainable farm in the Darling Ranges that uses innovation to be WA’s first tech-focused regenerative farm open to visitors and campers. Sarah has also written a book called Are You Ready to Change the world? Technology Leadership for the Future.
Sarah is a TEDx speaker and a passionate advocate for Autism. Sarah is on the Curtin University AASQA program board and a mentor at a Neurodivergent Coderdojo club.
Barry McGuire
Barry is an experienced Managing Director, with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety industry.
Barry is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching, Event Management, Public Speaking, and Facilitation.
Barry has strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) focused in Design and Applied Arts from Central Institute of Technology and contributes to investment decisions for the fund.
Hans Boehm
Hans specialties lie in education and care pedagogy, compliance, management and investment.
Hans is an experienced facilitator, master of ceremonies and content author.
You might recognise Hans from the 2022 Data for Business Conference.
Alex Jenkins
Alex Jenkins, a seasoned technology expert and current Director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH) at Curtin University, boasts over 15 years of experience in advancing data science and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Alex has collaborated with prominent organisations to develop cutting-edge big data implementations, supply chain modelling solutions and data science strategies. As part of his role at Curtin University, Alex regularly speaks to the media about how AI works, the safety and ethical implications of AI, and how the workforce will change with AI technology. Alex is particularly focussed on how AI will impact education and the health care areas and spoke in 2023 at TEDxPerth on the topic “An (AI) Tutor for Every Child”.
If you are interested in being at speaker at the 2023 Data & AI for Business Conference and Exhibition, we are accepting expressions of interest until 31st May 2023.
We would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of the land on which the WADSIH office is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation.
