Speakers

Jonathan Spear

Dr Jonathan Spear is Infrastructure Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer.  

Previously the organisation’s Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Jonathan has led Infrastructure Victoria’s work on Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy, research program and provision of independent advice to the Victorian Government. 

Before joining Infrastructure Victoria during its establishment in 2015, Jonathan held senior leadership, policy, strategy and legal roles with the Victorian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Justice, Victoria Police and Slater and Gordon Lawyers. 

Jonathan holds a Doctor of Philosophy in History, Executive Master of Public Administration, Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Honours). He is also a legal practitioner, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Williamson Community Leadership Program, and a director of the Melbourne Forum. 

Hannah Clement

Hannah leads the Civic Infrastructure division at Development Victoria, managing a diverse portfolio with a capital delivery budget in excess of $3Billion made up of major projects being delivered in partnership with a wide range of Victorian government agencies and institutions. With over 25 years of experience in planning and delivering complex civic and infrastructure projects, she heads the team responsible for some of the Victorian Government’s most significant city shaping projects. These have included the Melbourne Park Redevelopment, Geelong Arts Centre, and currently include Nyaal Banyul (Geelong Convention and Event Centre) and the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation. Before joining the Victorian Government, Hannah worked in the private sector, delivering complex and challenging major projects across Australia, the Middle East, and South-East Asia. Originally trained as a civil engineer, she spent over a decade in the engineering consultancy sector, specializing in linear infrastructure and major sporting, event, and social infrastructure projects.

Katrina Sedgwick OAM

Katrina Sedgwick OAM is the inaugural Director & CEO of Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co) which leads the $1.7 billion transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, oversees the management and operations of Federation Square, and seeks to bring to life a single continuous arts, civic, and cultural precinct stretching from Fed Square through Southbank. Prior to MAP Co, Katrina was Director & CEO of ACMI, a role she held from 2015 to April 2022, Head of Arts for ABC TV, founding Director/CEO of the biennial Adelaide Film Festival, producer for the Adelaide Festival of Arts (1996, 1998 and 2000) and the artistic director of Come Out ‘99 and Adelaide Fringe 2002. She has held many committee and board roles with a wide range of creative industry and arts organisations. In 2020, Katrina was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to performing arts, screen industries and visual arts administration

Simon Newport

Simon Newport was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Homes Victoria in July 2023. As CEO of Homes Victoria, Simon leads the agency responsible for delivering new housing, quality asset management and is the steward of Victoria’s social housing and homelessness system. Simon comes to Homes Victoria from the New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation, where as CEO he managed Australia’s largest social housing portfolio. Prior to this, he held various senior leadership positions in the New South Wales’ Aboriginal Housing Office, including Acting Chief Executive. Simon holds graduate and post graduate qualifications in business, building and construction, asset and project management, as well as leadership and corporate governance credentials from Harvard and Wharton Business Schools. With an extensive career in housing, construction, and manufacturing, Simon’s leadership and expertise supports Homes Victoria to deliver more safe, secure, and well-designed homes for more Victorians.

Tiffany Tan

Tiffany Tan is a Principal at NH Architecture and design advocate for honest architecture that eschews unnecessary embellishments. Her approach to shaping diverse and inclusive neighbourhoods is rooted in a profound commitment to engaging deeply, fostering broad perspectives, rehabilitating and respecting Country and ultimately, instilling delight within the community through thoughtful design.

Jeremy Graham

Gilbert Rochecouste

Gilbert is recognised locally and internationally as a leading voice in placemaking and for creating vibrant, resilient, and loved places. For 30 years, he has worked with over 2,500 cities, towns, main streets and communities. A sought-after speaker and master facilitator, he excels at unlocking potential, engagement and mobilisation of stakeholders. Former General Manger of Chadstone Shopping Centre he also developed the Queen Victoria Night Markets and oversaw its operations for the first 12 months. He pioneered applying shopping centre management principles to main streets founding Village Well, Australia’s first placemaking consultancy. Passionate about people, place and the planet, Gilbert’s works spans international communities including Australia, the Middle East and Mauritius. His extensive expertise includes market concept development, branding, operations, retail leasing and management. Gilbert’s focus is on regenerative placemaking and he has become one of the world’s most recognised placemakers.

Tania de Jong AM

Acclaimed Australian soprano, global speaker, award-winning social entrepreneur, creative alchemist, spiritual journeywoman. Founder Creative Universe, Creativity Australia, Umbrella Foundation, Dimension5, Music Theatre Australia, Pot-Pourri, The Song Room and Founder and Executive Producer of Creative Innovation Global and co-founder of Mind Medicine Australia Tania de Jong AM (pronounced Yong) is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators having developed 6 businesses and 4 charities. Tania works across the public, private, creative and social sectors. She founded Creativity Australia, Creative Universe, MTA Entertainment & Events and The Song Room. She co-founded Mind Medicine Australia, Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation working on the use of psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat a range of mental illnesses and expand the treatment options available to medical practitioners and their patients. Tania presents keynote speeches and leadership programs and performs internationally as a soloist and with her group Pot-Pourri. She has released twelve albums. Tania’s TED Talk How Singing Together Changes The Brain has sparked international interest. She is Founder and Executive Producer of Creative Innovation Global winning national and international awards. Creative Universe and Creative Innovation Global were ranked among the top 20 event organizers globally as part of the Eventex All-Stars Index. Tania’s latest charity is Umbrella Foundation which is committed to telling stories that matter through the innovative use of music, theatre and other artforms, raising consciousness and inspiring generosity, diversity, inclusion, harmony and compassion. Umbrella Foundation presented the acclaimed world premiere seasons of Driftwood-The Musical. Tania’s awards include Ernst and Young Australian Social Entrepreneur of the Year. She was inducted into the AGSE Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame at Swinburne University and named Brainlink Woman of Achievement. Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence and the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally in 2021. In 2019 she was honoured with the Award for Meritorious Service to the Community in the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2008 for service to the Arts as a performer and entrepreneur and through the establishment and development of music and arts enrichment programs for schools and communities. Tania has garnered an international reputation as a performer, speaker, entrepreneur and a passionate leader for social change. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

Frankie Carroll