
Mr David Spence, Chair
David has been involved in over 25 internet and telecommunication businesses since the early 90s. Born in South Africa, David joined Consolidated Press on arriving in Australia in 1989. He joined pioneering ISP OzEmail as COO in 1994 and has been CEO, founder, chairman of many internet businesses, including CEO of Unwired, the pioneer of wireless broadband and Chairman of Vocus which went from start-up to ASX 100 in seven years. Today, David chairs PayPal Australia, National Narrowband Network Co (NNNCo), DiscoveryAG, GoannaAg and Canopus Networks. He recently co-founded a new business AllThingsEncrypted to look at new ways of encrypting IoT networks.

Ms Judy Anderson
Judy is a highly experienced government relations leader across technology, energy, health, and business and government transformation, she has worked for AustCyber, Optus, IBM and Research Australia. Judy has led industry associations and representative organisations over many years shaping and positioning policy to benefit industry and the wider community. As a passionate advocate for positive industry development, she has worked with start-ups and developed business opportunities for large corporates.

Professor Michael Blumenstein
Michael is Associate Dean (Research Strategy and Management) in the Faculty of Engineering and IT at UTS. He is an internationally recognised expert in automated Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence; his research interests include Marine Life and Shark Detection from Video Imagery, Document Analysis, Video-based/multi-lingual Text Detection, and Signature Verification. He has published over 270 papers. His research applies AI across engineering, environmental science, neurobiology and coastal management. Michael’s team developed SharkSpotter, a world-first AI-based technology detecting sharks, now deployed at 50+ Australian beaches.

Dr Mike Briers AO
Mike founded the Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre, and was its CEO. Mike co-founded the IoTAA, Capital Markets CRC, agtech business The Yield and e-research service provider Intersect Aust. His pioneering efforts in fintech and e-research led to the global success of SIRCA and the founding of big data company RoZetta. In 2016 Mike was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours for distinguished service to the finance and digital technology sectors. Mike was named in the Knowledge Nation 100 as Australia’s chief evangelist for big data and IoT, and appointed Australia’s first Industry Professor of IoT at UTS.

Ms Michelle Fitzgerald
Michelle Fitzgerald is Director of the Technical & Digital Innovation Branch at the City of Melbourne, and is the city’s first Chief Digital Officer.
As our cities face digital disruption, Michelle and her team are responsible for trialling and implementing digital and data tools that will help prepare Melbourne for population changes and help create the jobs and startups of the future. Melbourne was recently rated number 8 ‘smart city government’ in the world.
As our cities face digital disruption, Michelle and her team are responsible for trialling and implementing digital and data tools that will help prepare Melbourne for population changes and help create the jobs and startups of the future. Melbourne was recently rated number 8 ‘smart city government’ in the world.

Mr Matt Codrington
Matt has been Managing Director of Lenovo (Australia & New Zealand) since 2013. Joining Lenovo in 2006 in the Asia Pacific Centre-of-Excellence in Singapore, he was Director of Operations, Japan by 2009. Matt has worked in a number of multi-national global IT vendors in product marketing and sales roles. He is a non-executive board member of the Australian Information Industry Association, HirePay, a Member of YPO, Australian Institute of Company Directors, NSW Business Chamber, International CEO Forum Group, and the American Chamber of Commerce.