Speakers

Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM

Dr Jane Lomax-Smith is the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, an academic and civic leader with a background in medicine, research and public policy. Trained in London, Boston and Adelaide, she holds a PhD in immunology and has led both hospital departments and private medical practices. A passionate advocate for sustainable urban development, heritage conservation and the protection of Adelaide’s Park Lands, Dr Lomax-Smith has dedicated much of her public life to shaping a greener, more liveable city. She has served as a City Councillor, State Member of Parliament, and as South Australia’s Minister for Education and Tourism. Beyond public office, she has authored national and state government reports on university funding and regional sustainability, and currently chairs the Don Dunstan Foundation, which advances research and action on social justice and inclusive growth.

Jeremy Conway

As Chief Executive of Infrastructure SA, Jeremy has led development of the State’s first 20-year infrastructure strategy and is responsible for providing independent advice to the South Australian Government on infrastructure projects and prioritisation. His team has a strong focus on evidence-based decision-making and seeks to improve the maturity of infrastructure planning and investment across government. Infrastructure SA also aims to identify projects that deliver benefits for all South Australians by adopting a state-wide cross-sectoral lens. This is aided by Jeremy’s deep experience in both the public and private sectors. He has held senior roles at the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and Department for the Premier and Cabinet; meanwhile his vast commercial and business experience comes from having worked in property development at Places Victoria for three years and in private equity CVC Capital Partners in London for nine years.

Peter Taylor

As the Head of Project Delivery at Adelaide Airport Limited, Peter Taylor leads a team of project managers and specialists delivering all capital infrastructure projects of both aviation and commercial developments at Adelaide and Parafield Airport Ltd. Peter possesses extensive experience in construction projects, ranging from residential through to commercial and aviation capacity and expansion initiatives. He holds a keen interest in governance as part of his role at Adelaide Airport and continually strives for efficiency and improved ways of working. As a dedicated professional, Peter is committed to continually advancing his knowledge and experience through self-learning, training, education and learning from peers. Additionally, he is devoted to volunteering with Surf Life Saving SA and holds several development coach awards to assist in training future coaches in the movement. Peter has over 20 years’ experience in project management and the built environment, working across multiple sectors in varying roles.

Julie-Anne Burgess

Julie-Anne Burgess is the Chief Executive of the South Australian Housing Trust, where she is responsible for the delivery of housing to over 30,000 tenants across South Australia, with the goal of fostering inclusive and economically connected communities. The current housing crisis is a strong motivator for the valuable work of the team that she leads. Julie-Anne has extensive experience across South Australian government having worked as the CEO of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and as an Executive in the Department for Trade and Investment, Department of Treasury and Finance, Courts Administration Authority and SA Health. She commenced her career as a podiatrist and worked clinically before moving through academia and into health leadership. Her career has spanned the public sector in Tasmania, NSW, Queensland and South Australia. Julie-Anne’s leadership skills have been developed in her various roles across the public sector and augmented through the life lessons of being part of a family.

Anouk Darling

Anouk Darling is the CEO of Scape Australia, where she leads the country’s largest Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) platform. Under her leadership, Scape has scaled to over A$13 billion in assets with 19,000+ apartments across 40 assets, and a pipeline of 5,000+ more and now expanding into Build-To-Rent. She has built a values-driven, high-performance culture of over 800 people, with Scape recognised among the AFR’s Top 10 Best Places to Work in 2024. Named CEO Magazine’s CEO of the Year in 2024, Anouk is widely respected for her leadership, strategic foresight, and innovation at the intersection of technology, design and experience. She is a strong voice in housing policy and urban design, serving as Chair of the Student Accommodation Council and a Board Director of the Property Council of Australia. Her advocacy supports greater resilience, equity and investment in the living sector. As an ‘architect of the future of living’, Anouk is a sought-after keynote speaker and media voice, known for turning bold visions into billion-dollar realities with purpose, community, and impact at the core. She holds an MBA, is a member of Chief Executive Women and the AICD and actively supports women-led innovation through startup investment and mentorship.

Craig Holden

Craig Holden is Chair of the South Australian State Planning Commission, and a board member of the ACH Group and The South Australian Housing Trust. His company, Forme Projex, specialises in the development of city residential apartments. Craig is a member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA), Business SA and The Real Estate Institute of South Australia. Craig has a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) Degree from the University of Adelaide, and a Graduate Diploma in Building Project Management from the South Australian institute of Technology. In addition, he has a General Builders Licence, is a registered Land Agent and has Professional Planning Level 2 accreditation.

Jason Di lulio

Following a successful career at ANZ, Jason established Finance Mutual Australia in 1998, which has become one of the largest and most respected financial services groups in South Australia. Since 2000, Jason has been actively involved in property circles, personally developing, investing, and advising on some of South Australia's most significant real estate transactions and developments. Presently his businesses have an active development pipeline in South Australia, across various property sectors, in excess of $500m. Jason is frequently requested to advise and comment locally and nationally on developments in both the finance and property industries by the media, industry peers, and government bodies. On several occasions, Jason has been requested to formally present his views to various levels of both the State and Federal Government. Jason and his businesses have been nominated for numerous awards. Jason is also an Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards finalist, in recognition of his innovative business enterprises. Jason is a Senior Member of the Australian Institute of Bankers and Finance (AIBF), the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), and is a member of the Justice of the Peace in South Australia. Jason is also a member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO). Jason also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide.

Elizabeth Vines OAM

Elizabeth Vines OAM, a conservation architect, trained and worked in Melbourne and Sydney, and is now based in Adelaide. She has worked as a heritage architect most of her career in South Australia, Victoria and NSW, and provides specialist heritage advice on challenging conservation projects. She has contributed to urban revitalisation for historic precincts and restoration projects throughout Australia and Asia. Elizabeth has consulted to a wide range of Government agencies, as well as undertaking international work with UNESCO, European Union, Getty Institute (and as a Getty Scholar in Los Angeles) and the World Bank. She is committed to the practical rejuvenation of city centres and historic buildings and is a passionate advocate for heritage conservation issues. She was an Australia ICOMOS president, an Adjunct Professor at Deakin University and a visiting Professor at Hong Kong University. Elizabeth has a Medal of the Order of Australia for Services to Heritage Architecture (2009) and Presidents Medal, SA Chapter Australian Institute of Architects (2020).

Diane Dixon

Diane Dixon is the State Project Lead for Lot Fourteen in Adelaide. She manages the delivery, curation, operations and long-term governance of Lot Fourteen, a 7ha defence, space, cyber and critical technologies focussed innovation district. Diane is responsible for the delivery of significant pieces of infrastructure to drive the creation of skills and jobs as part of the Adelaide City Deal. She is also responsible for innovation and economic places across South Australia and has developed a recently launched South Australia Innovation Places Leadership Framework to elevate the state as a global leader in innovation and economic outcomes. This leadership will unlock even greater value from investment, ensuring South Australia is globally responsive and competitive. Diane has worked in major infrastructure project management, economic development, stakeholder engagement, strategy development, investment and trade, innovation and precinct delivery in both the UK and Australia over the past 25 years. She has also sat on a variety of innovation, education and government boards. Diane has led the planning and delivery of a range of infrastructure and innovation projects to drive economic, cultural and social outcomes. She holds an MBA, BSc (Hons), and GAICD.

Sandy Wilkinson

Sandy Wilkinson has degrees in both Planning and Architecture with honours in Conservation. He commenced his career in the early 1990’s as a DA Planner dealing with local heritage at the City of Adelaide and later as Heritage Consultant to the City of Adelaide. Sandy established Alexander Wilkinson Design in 1999. This practice primarily undertakes private residential design and development but specialises in heritage conservation projects. Sandy has provided evidence to the Environment, Resources and Development Court on several occasions. He has also presented at various public forums on matters of heritage, planning and urban design. Practicing what he preaches, Sandy purchased his own property from a client who was seeking to demolish it and instead renovated the 1882 house. He developed three townhouses on the tennis court land behind. Sandy has served on the Adelaide City Council from 2007- 2018, the National Trust, North Adelaide Society, Civic Trust and is currently President of Community Alliance SA.

Matthew Khoo

Matthew Khoo is Chief Executive Officer of ICD Property, overseeing a development portfolio exceeding $5 billion across Australia and New Zealand. His leadership spans complex urban projects including Market Square in the Adelaide Central Business District (CBD) ($500 million), Sydney House in Sydney CBD, Eq. Tower and Aspire Melbourne, the Fyansford community in Geelong, and Brisbane’s West End riverside precinct. He prioritises enduring outcomes through disciplined benchmarking, efficient construction, sustainability, and the integration of smart technology. Matthew builds collaborative partnerships with landowners, institutional capital, and government, aligning development with city-wide objectives and contemporary living needs. He contributes to industry discourse as an active member of the Property Council of Australia and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, and is recognised for insights into urban trends and market dynamics shaping the future of city living.

Malcolm Short

Malcolm has over 40 years experience in road, rail, tunnel and bridge projects with expertise in developing and delivering major and complex mega transport infrastructure projects across Australia and globally. As the Director, Engineering for the North-South Corridor, River Torrens to Darington Project, Malcolm is responsible for the development of the Reference Design, engineering aspects of procuring major contractors for the Project and the technical oversight for delivery of the $15.4 billion Project. Malcolm has both Honours and Masters degrees in civil engineering from the University of Adelaide. He is a chartered engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers and a member of the Australasian Tunnelling Society.

Bettina Venner

Bettina Venner is the Head of ICN SA within the Department of State Development, and she is currently the National Chair of the ICN Network. ICN is part of a national network that connects local companies with opportunities by building supply chains and growing local capability. Key sectors of focus include energy, defence, mining, manufacture, infrastructure and construction – including the emerging hydrogen sector. Bettina worked as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry in South Africa, Germany and Australia before joining government; her government roles include environmental and regulatory policy, regulation and economic development.

Karyn Dale

Karyn Dale is the Chief Executive Officer of MATES in Construction SA, leading the organisation’s work to improve mental health and prevent suicide across South Australia’s construction industry. Since becoming CEO in 2024, Karyn has strengthened partnerships, expanded regional training, and advanced research to ensure MATES remains an evidence-based leader in workplace wellbeing. With over seven years at MATES, including in marketing & business development, Karyn brings deep industry insight and a strong focus on collaboration. She works closely with government, industry, and community stakeholders to build safer, healthier workplaces where workers and their families are better supported.

Jesse Judd

Jesse Judd provides design and project leadership for major community, recreational, commercial, retail, urban design, cultural, public and residential projects. He has practised architecture for more than 20 years, playing major design, delivery and executive leadership roles on some of ARM’s highest profile projects. A straight shooting and uplifting leader, Jesse cuts through formality and ego to work side-by-side with clients, consultants and communities to get jobs done, and done well. He also heads ARM’s design teams, whose work across Australia proves that serious ideas can be delivered with humour and humanity. Jesse has specific expertise in environmentally sustainable design as well as concept development, team management, and stakeholder consultation. He has been an accredited professional with the Green Building Council of Australia and acts as a sustainability leader at ARM. Among his current commitments, Jesse is ARM’s project director on the Flinders Medical Centre Redevelopment.

Evan Hayes

Tom Jarrett

Tom Jarrett is a Director of PACT architects, a dynamic, design-led and solution-focused architecture and interior design practice based in Adelaide. As one of three Directors, Tom provides strategic and creative direction, balancing design excellence with commercial pragmatism, an essential combination in delivering commercially successful projects in today’s complex construction environment. Tom recently completed The Harrington on Prospect Road, a $45M mixed-use development he led through every stage from concept to completion. Most recently, he led the design and approval of Adelaide Central Plaza Tower, a $260M premium commercial tower on North Terrace, Adelaide’s most prestigious boulevard. A passionate architect and designer, Tom began his career in the Netherlands and now brings more than 20 years of experience within Adelaide’s design and construction industry.

Peter Harrison

Peter Seltsikas

Matt Rodda

Serena Yang

Adam Rusinksi

Adam Rusinski is a senior commercial professional with over 25 years’ experience in the resources industry. Prior to joining Renascor, Adam served as Head of Analysis at Beach Energy Limited during a period of substantial new investment by the company. Adam’s extensive experience covers a broad range of senior commercial roles at Beach, Woodside Energy Limited and Santos Limited, including senior roles in commercial analysis and decision making, international business development, corporate development & strategy, upstream joint venture management and LNG marketing & shipping. Adam holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Adelaide and a graduate diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, majoring in mining investment analysis.

Tim Tape

Tim leads the planning, activation and delivery of major industrial and defence projects across South Australia’s most significant land precincts. This includes the $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh. The DMMF is a purpose-built four-bay hangar for Boeing 737 variant military aircraft and will enable onshore sustainment of the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail fleets. The project strengthens sovereign capability and will create hundreds of jobs in Adelaide’s north. Tim brings more than 35 years of experience across South Australia’s built environment, with senior management and executive roles at Renewal SA, Baulderstone Hornibrook (now Lendlease), BESIX Watpac, Ecospec and the G’Day Group. His project experience includes the Adelaide Airport Terminal Expansion, Adelaide Convention Centre, Holdfast Shores Redevelopment and City Central Towers. Known for his collaborative leadership and disciplined approach to delivery, Tim translates strategic intent into practical outcomes that support South Australia’s industrial capability and long-term investment.