SPEAKERS GUIDE WOMEN IN RENEWABLES MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE The lack of female representation on panels and in speaking positions has always been a key obstacle in fulfilling our vision. Many intelligent, talented and inspirational women work in the renewable energy industry. I meet them every day, in boardrooms and attending industry events. The number is growing all the time, as more women are attracted to work in an industry on the rise. But the number of women speaking at many of those industry remains eclipsed by their male counterparts. This means many audiences are ultimately missing out on the broader range of insights they would enjoy if there was greater gender diversity in the speaking line-up. The Clean Energy Council’s Women in Renewables initiative was started to address imbalances such as these, and I am proud to present the third edition of our Speaker’s Guide. Kane Thornton Chief Executive Clean Energy Council SPEAKERS BY STATE Australian Capital Territory 3 New South Wales 9 Northern Territory 26 Queensland 28 South Australia 38 Tasmania 43 Victoria 46 Western Australia 70 The Clean Energy Council will not be liable or responsible for: • arrangements or agreements made between you and any speaker listed in this guide, • any views, thoughts, opinions or behaviours expressed by the speakers listed in this guide, or • any errors or omissions in the content of this guide The speakers listed in this guide do not represent the Clean Energy Council or its views (except where the speaker is an employee of the Clean Energy Council). The information contained in the guide is provided on an “as is” basis and you should make your own enquiries as to its accuracy and the appropriateness of any speaker you might engage. SPEAKERS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SPEAKERS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Dr Fiona J Beck Rebecca Colvin Jo Evans RESEARCH FELLOW/ LECTURER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE DEPUTY SECRETARY AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SPECIALIST DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY AND ENERGY Dr Beck leads a research Bec’s work on renewable energy Jo is the Deputy Secretary group focused on integrating has been focused on wind energy responsible for Climate Change nanophotonics and optoelectronic and the social conflict that can and Energy Innovation at the device design for applications in accompany its development. Department of the Environment renewable energy production, Specifically, Bec studied the nature and Energy, which includes and the next generation of of conflict associated with a wind the Climate Solutions Fund, photodetection technologies. energy proposal in Tasmania, and international climate programs analysed how the community and clean energy innovation. Jo Dr Beck currently holds a consultation process interacted is proud to be the department’s Discovery Early Career Researcher with local dynamics to cause Indigenous Champion. Award from the ARC, as well as conflict. the Future Engineering Research Prior to joining the Department in Leader Fellowship from the ANU. Currently, Bec works as a September 2016, Jo was Deputy She joined the Research School knowledge exchange specialist Secretary at the Department of of Engineering at the ANU as a with the Climate Change Institute Agriculture and Water Resources, research fellow and lecturer in at the ANU. Bec’s role is to where she had responsibility for 2015. She spent the previous four facilitate the strengthening of international trade and market years as a Marie Curie Research links between climate change access and export certification Fellow at ICFO - The Institute of researchers and end users of the services. Jo was also responsible Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, research. Before joining the CCI, for the department’s corporate Spain, employing plasmonics Bec’s research at The University functions. to enhance the performance of of Queensland explored ways novel optoelectronic devices. of understanding social conflict She obtained a PhD from ANU in about the environment through 2011, with a thesis on designing using the social identity approach plasmonic light trapping schemes to interrogate processes of for applications in solar cells. She stakeholder and community has an MSci degree in Physics engagement. Present research from The University of Glasgow, interests include knowledge and was awarded the Eve and exchange, the human dimension Ravenscroft prize for the most of climate change, and the links distinguished graduate from the between social psychology and Faculty of Physical Sciences. decision-making processes. INTERESTS INTERESTS INTERESTS • Renewable energy • Renewable energy • Leadership • Technology • Communications • Innovation • Science of solar cells • Social impacts • Energy transformation • Women in STEM • Community engagement • Gender diversity • Stakeholder engagement • Environment • Government Get in touch via LinkedIn Get in touch via LinkedIn Get in touch via LinkedIn eeme.anu.edu.au/people/ linkedin.com/in/ linkedin.com/in/jo-evans- fiona-j-beck rebeccacolvin/ 97a9574/ 4 SPEAKERS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Kirsty Gowans Michelle McCann Shahana McKenzie GENERAL MANAGER, PARTNER CEO PROJECT DELIVERY PV LAB AUSTRALIA BIOENERGY AUSTRALIA ARENA Kirsty is a highly experienced Michelle has worked in solar Shahana leads Bioenergy commercial lawyer and corporate energy since 1996. She is currently Australia’s contribution on matters governance professional who a consultant to the PV industry including climate science, jobs joined ARENA in 2016 to take and co-founder, CEO and Director creation, regional development up the role of General Manager, of PV Lab Australia. Michelle and energy supply to ensure Project Delivery. Prior to was also the CEO and one of the national benefits for the future. commencing work with ARENA, founders of Spark Solar Australia, She is a vocal contributor to Kirsty was General Counsel for an Australian company seed- Australia’s energy debate. An Indigenous Business Australia funded by a group of German immediate priority for Bioenergy (IBA). She also played a key role experts in the photovoltaic field Australia is to ensure bioenergy in supporting the governance with the mission of raising funds features prominently at all levels of functions of the board and to establish a PV manufacturing government as they plan energy overseeing IBA’s governance, company in Australia. Prior to this, strategies. compliance and legal risk she worked in the photovoltaic management framework. group at the University of Shahana is a member of the Konstanz in Germany, where she International Energy Agency’s In addition to her legal was group leader of the novel Bioenergy Australian Exco Joint qualifications, Kirsty has devices group. Michelle has twice Committee, the Commonwealth postgraduate qualifications in held a world record for high- Fuel Standards Consultative Aboriginal and Torres Strait efficiency solar cells. Committee, the NSW Forest Islander Studies. She is a member Industries Taskforce R&D Advisory of the Australian Institute of Group, the ACCC Fuel Consultative Company Directors and the Law Committee, the NSW Government Society of the ACT. Biofuels Expert Panel and the Queensland Bio futures Industry Advisory Group. INTERESTS INTERESTS INTERESTS • Women in leadership • Renewable energy • Leadership • Energy storage • Startups • Energy transformation • Energy transformation and • Renewable energy renewable energy • Gender diversity • Indigenous/Native title • Career progression • Community engagement • Environment • Dispute resolution • Communications • Human rights • International law • Risk management • Contract law Get in touch via LinkedIn Get in touch via LinkedIn Get in touch via LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kirsty- linkedin.com/in/michelle- linkedin.com/in/shahana- gowans-22283998/ mccann-6349863/ mckenzie-b0ab3617/ 5 SPEAKERS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Nicola Morris Melissa Pang Anne Pellegrino CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DIRECTOR, PROJECT SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER ARENA ARENA PELLEGREEN Nicola commenced as Chief Melissa is Director, Project Anne manages a portfolio of Operating Officer at ARENA in Solutions at the Australian business clients who are on the July 2016. She provides oversight Renewable Energy Agency journey to become sustainable of the Strategy, Human Resources, (ARENA). Throughout her career, businesses. Corporate Affairs, Legal and Melissa has worked as a consulting Projects teams. engineer in industries such as She provides tailored consulting defence, building services and advice on implementation of Nicola previously worked at energy efficiency. The past five business sustainability actions to ARENA as General Manager years have been spent at ARENA become energy efficient and gain and General Counsel. She was in multiple roles: developing and energy independence. also the head of the ARENA contributing to ARENA’s solar R&D Establishment Team in the lead to commercialisation strategy, up to the commencement of managing ARENA’s marine and ARENA. Previously Chief Lawyer geothermal energy portfolios, for the Department of Resources, navigating the multi-dimensional Energy and Tourism and a and multi-stakeholder issues lawyer in private practice, Nicola surrounding the grid integration has transitioned to program of renewable energy technologies management, with a particular and, finally, managing a team interest in innovation programs to deliver ARENA’s complex and the intersection between contracts. public sector programs and private sector expertise and delivery models.