Industry

Managing Director, Keller Australia

Qualifications and Memberships:

• BE Civil (Hons)
• MBA
• FIEAust
• Member AICD

Areas of Expertise:

• Executive Leadership
• Major Project Delivery
• Government
• Construction
• Design & Consulting

Biography:

Athena is a diverse thinker and business leader and currently the Managing Director of Keller Australia, contractors who provide geotechnical solutions including heavy foundations and ground improvements globally. With 30 years of experience in project management and delivery of complex and multidisciplinary projects, Athena brings a range industry skills including perspectives from the owner, the designer and the contractor.

She has extensive experience in planning, feasibility, design, construction and management of major infrastructure projects in Australia and abroad both for the public and private sectors. With highly developed interpersonal skills that respect diversity and are resilient and adaptable, Athena is able to think strategically regarding the future and encourage teamwork that is outcome driven and manages constant change. 

Athena is highly technically experienced and is both a chartered civil and structural engineer. Her experience covers a range of projects including, tunnels, highways, railways, airports, large bridges, cable tunnels and water pipelines. Athena has also managed the delivery of major world class, time bound events including the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the Melbourne 2006 Grand Prix, demonstrating her experience to on-time delivery.

Throughout her career she has actively participated in progressing the development of Women in the Engineering profession, encouraging diversity and fostering an inclusive culture. 

Principal, GHD

Qualifications and Memberships:

• CSM
• FIEAust
• BEng
• Grad Dip Phil
• psc

Areas of Expertise:

• Project management
• Energy
• Consulting
• Business strategy

Biography:

After graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon with Civil Engineering from the University College, UNSW, Greg had 23 years in the Australian Army as an engineer, staff officer, future strategist, leader and commanding officer. Then followed 7 years at AGL / Agility / Jemena leading the delivery of the gas capital programs for multiple asset owners. Most recently Greg has had 14 years at GHD consulting as an experienced Project Director bringing complex multi disciplinary projects together across future energy, substation, gas, transmission, heavy / light rail and Metro, due diligence, commercialisation of new technology, utility and property related projects.

Greg has extensive and versatile experience in managing the engineering and capital delivery programs for multiple infrastructure asset owners and is an organisational leader of engineering and service delivery enterprises. He has been on the IAC for nearly 10 years.

Senior Advisor, E3 Advisory

Qualifications and Memberships:

• BEng (Construction), UTS
• Diploma of Engineering Practice, UTS
• AI for Executives Program, UC Berkeley

Areas of Expertise:

• Transaction Management
• Delivery Strategy
• Commercial Advisory
• Claims and Disputes

Biography:

Lucas is a Senior Advisor at E3 Advisory with over 18 years' experience in infrastructure advisory across transport, energy, water, mining and social infrastructure sectors. His career spans significant roles in both public and private sectors, providing a unique blend of hands-on project delivery experience with high-level commercial and transactional expertise. His expertise covers collaborative and hard-dollar contractual models including Alliance, PPP, Design & Construct, and Construct-Only frameworks.

Prior to his transaction management focus, Lucas held key delivery roles including client-side Project Manager at Barangaroo Reserve, Contracts Manager on BHP-Mitsubishi's $4B Caval Ridge Mine, and PMO Delivery Manager on the $2B Nation Building Housing Stimulus Plan. This foundation in project delivery and contract management enables him to bring a practical, results-oriented approach to complex procurement challenges.

Lucas has also provided commercial advisory services and claims analysis on major projects including Sydney Metro Northwest, West Gate Tunnel, Northern Beaches Hospital, New Zealand International Convention Centre, and Sydney Light Rail, contributing to successful negotiations and dispute resolution outcomes.

Lucas is currently leading E3 Advisory's artificial intelligence strategy, applying insights from UC Berkeley's AI for Executives Program to transform procurement and delivery processes in the infrastructure sector.

Director at Ian McIntyre & Associates Pty Ltd

Qualifications and Memberships:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons 1), University of New South Wales, Sydney
• Fellow, Engineers Australia
• President of Region 3 (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific), Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
• Member, Executive Board of Dispute Resolution Board Foundation
• Member, Resolution Institute
• Member, Expert Determination and Expert Witness Sub-Committees of Resolution Institute

Areas of Expertise:

• Major Project Delivery
• Dispute Prevention and Resolution
• Causes and consequences of project delivery problems

Biography:

Ian has had a long career as a Construction Company Executive and then Consultant to the Infrastructure Industry. His experience in major civil engineering and multi-disciplinary resources, transportation, power and industrial infrastructure projects throughout Australia, Asia and Dubai. He was for 30 years a Principal of Evans & Peck and Advisian (same company renamed).

Whilst now semi-retired and working part time, Ian is President of Region 3 (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific) of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation. He is also a member of the international board of the Foundation. He is a past Chairman of the Industry Advisory Committee for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Ian is an experienced expert witness and is still active in that space. He is also a member of the Resolution Institute sub-committees for Expert Determination and Expert Evidence.

Ian is well known in regard to analysis of project delivery problems and failures. He has frequently been retained in ‘trouble shooting’, independent review, due diligence and expert determination roles and has considerable experience in analysis of the reasons for and effects of project delivery problems.

Consulting assignments have covered a wide range of infrastructure and systems integration projects, including hydro power projects, dams, tunnels, roads, bridges, airports, ports, railway rolling stock, power stations, wind farms, transmission lines, mineral processing plants, water processing plants, water distribution systems, LNG processing plants, automated crane control systems, automated toll collection systems, bulk handling facilities, industrial facilities, CBD office buildings, public entertainment and convention facilities, hospitals, schools, hotels and ICT system integration projects. These consulting activities were undertaken throughout Australia, and in Dubai, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, India, Vietnam and Singapore.

Expert reports have related to project scheduling issues, project management decisions, project management processes, the effect of various events or factors on project performance, causation, delay, disruption, construction methods, productivity, loss of production, quality of work, contract administration, the cost and valuation of variations, the reasonable cost of work carried out, delay costs, project overheads, corporate overheads, loss of profit, and quantum of damages.

Chief Operating Officer, Aurecon

Qualifications and Memberships:

• BE Civil (Hons 1)
• MIEAust
• CPEng

Areas of Expertise:

• Executive Leadership
• Major Project Delivery

Biography:

As Aurecon's Chief Operating Officer, Scott is responsible for optimising delivery, execution and impact across Asia Pacific, focused on strengthening capabilities to ensure Aurecon’s teams consistently deliver innovative, high-quality solutions in a rapidly evolving market.

Scott leads critical business areas such as major projects, programme governance and risk management and work closely with the Group Executive Leadership Team to unlock strategic pursuit opportunities and enable profitable growth.

With over 26 years in the industry, Scott has extensive leadership experience including his most recent role as Managing Director – Operations where he was responsible for the performance and operational efficiency across Aurecon including major project delivery, global design delivery, project and financial performance.

Throughout his career, Scott has been recognised for building high-performing teams, delivering strong financial outcomes, leading global change programmes and providing exceptional client value. He is also passionate about mental health in the workplace and the positive benefits that a diverse and inclusive culture can have on innovation.

Executive Director - NSW Regional Stream Lead, Delivery & Engineering Infra Group (Australia)

Biography:

Jessica Qiu is a highly regarded Visionary engineering and management executive, recognised for her expertise in Infrastructure Contracts and Delivery. She is currently practising as a commercial and program delivery professional, bringing extensive experience as a Commercial, Project Delivery, and Business leader with 20 years in the Infrastructure Sector.

Ms Qiu possesses extensive industry knowledge and a broad range of skills, promoting well-governed project rollout and efficient, cost-effective infrastructure delivery with the highest integrity. She is passionate about supporting and growing resilient businesses of the future to deliver sustainable infrastructure. Her focus involves defining engineering excellence and cultivating a winning team with a leadership mindset, achieved through policy engagement, governance, and operational improvement.

She advocated for Holistic Engineering to address complex infrastructure challenges, emphasising the importance of a common data source and collaboration by design through commercial and technical alignment of engineering, commercial, and architectural teams, improving trust in the industry and better practices by design to manage risk differently.

She is recognised by the industry as one of the incredible women who continues to shatter glass ceilings in the STEM field, and is considered a cornerstone of the current STEM undercurrent in Australia. Her distinguished leadership credentials include serving as President of Engineers Australia - Sydney for two terms from 2020 to 2021, during which she founded and led various industry programs. Ms Qiu was the Chief Judge in Sydney for the Australian Engineering Excellence Award for 2023-2024 and continues to serve as an active judge on the Sydney Project Panel and the International People's Awards panel for the Award program. Furthermore, Ms Qiu was one of the youngest members to be awarded the Fellowship status in Engineers Australia at age 35. She holds International Charterships in the areas of Civil Engineering, Project Management, and Leadership and Management.

A committed alumnus of UNSW, Ms Qiu graduated with a double degree in Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Environmental Engineering, and also holds further advanced credentials from other institutions, including a Master of Environmental Law, an MBA, and a Master of Construction Law. As an alumna, she aims to support and drive positive growth for the University for generations to come.

Head of Further Education & Career Development

Qualifications and Memberships:

• BEd
• DipTeach
• MEd

Areas of Expertise:

• Curriculum development 
• Careers counselling

Biography:

Des Sinovich has worked in education for most of his working life both in Australia and abroad at school and tertiary levels. He spent nine years in South Africa where he developed school integration programs at the time of significant political change. He served as a consultant to educational authorities, developed curricula, was involved in teacher retraining programs as well as adult literacy and other outreach initiatives. He has held executive and leadership roles. As a Careers Counsellor, his interest is in empowering individuals to explore widely and consider their innate abilities and qualities in their further education and career development decision-making.

Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Discipline Leader Dams, PSM

Qualifications and Memberships:

• BEng (Civil) (Hons) 
• PhD (Civil & Environmental)
• Fellow Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia
• National Engineering Register, Registered Professional Engineer Queensland, Registered Professional Engineer Victoria
• Member of the NSW Independent Expert Panel for Mining, Australian Geomechanics Society, Mine Subsidence Technical Society organising committee and the AGSE PhD in Industry Advisory Board

Areas of Expertise:

• Geotechnical Engineering, Dam Engineering, Mine Tailings Disposal and Mine Subsidence assessment and management

Biography:

Gareth has over 40+ years since experience graduating from Adelaide University (Beng) and UNSW (PhD).  Gareth’s career includes 15 years of research, teaching, and consulting at UNSW before joining PSM in 2005 where he currently leads the dams team.

Gareth’s major projects range from predicting the impacts of team pressures on the slope stability of Lihir Gold mine, the design and review of several large tailings dams across Australia and Oceania, tunnel designer for Brisbane’s Airport Link and closure planning for the Mt Arthur mine in the Hunter Valley, the Yallourn mine in Victoria and the Ranger Uranium. Mine in the Northern Territory. Gareth is also involved with the assessment of the potential impacts of mining activities such as subsidence and blasting on the built environment and natural features.  Gareth has been a member of the Technical Committee overseeing the underling of the Hume Highway and Douglas Park Twin Bridges for nearly 20 years and has overseen assessment of potential trial mining impacts on natural caves, rock bars, grinding grooves and other indigenous heritage sites.

Gareth is also an active researcher and contributor to UNSW in a number of ways including participation on several committees, guest lecturing in both the School of Civil and Environmental  Engineering and Mining Engineering and coordinating and/or presenting  short courses on tailings management and engineering and mien slope stability. Gareth has produced over 60 publications in many aspects of his work and is a co-author of the NSW EPA guidelines on landfill gas biofiltration. Gareth has been an expert witness on several high-profile court cases related to geotechnical engineering.

Managing Director, SDG

Biography:

Craig is the Managing Director of SDG, a Land Title and Survey Consultancy based in Sydney.  He is a Registered Land Surveyor with over 30 years’ experience in Industry and is the current President of Consulting Surveyors National.

Technical Leader, Laing O'Rourke

Qualifications and Memberships:

• MBA (Technology Management)
• BEng (Civil) (Hons 1) 
• BSc (Architecture) (with merit)
• Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia
• Registered member Board of Professional Engineers Queensland Government

Areas of Expertise:

• Construction Engineering

Biography:

With over 20+ years over experience, Nicole has held multiple key leadership roles at Laing O’Rourke (LOR) and is a highly regarded member of the Australian leadership team. Nicole is currently the Project Leader for the TAP3 Footbridge St Marys NSW and most recently, Nicole was the Delivery Partner Lead for LOR on the $2bn Western Tunnelling Package and before this the Project Technical Lead for the Central Station Main Works. Nicole has delivered multiple complex multidisciplinary infrastructure projects across Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Asia in a range of sectors including rail, education, residential, commercial, cultural and civic, sports, and the water and wastewater industries. 

Nicole is a natural leader and communicator, experienced in driving high performing to deliver within program and budget. She understands the importance of collaborative problem solving when working on complex large infrastructure projects and also in the development of a shared best-for-program culture, to enable the flow of innovative solutions across individual company borders to resolve interface and integration challenges. 

Nicole is Laing O’Rourke’s Technically Assured Organisation (TAO) representative, which includes interface management and assurance responsibility in design, engineering and quality for projects for Transport for NSW.

Nicole is a passionate advocate for increasing the participation of women in the engineering sector across all levels of responsibility and she regularly presents at high schools to encourage female students into construction and Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) careers. As a frequent panellist for Women in Engineering events, both for the Institute of Civil Engineers and Engineers Australia, as well as participation in rail sector panels for Australasian Railway Association and Rail Track Association Australia, Nicole continues to foster positive, meaningful relationships within the industry. In September 2021 Nicole was selected to be on the Engineers Australia Sydney Division Committee and is currently the President of the Sydney Division Committee.