Guest Speaker Bios

Adam Slater
The founder of Zero Plastics Australia and we specialise in turning single use plastic lids into brand new practical products.

Alicja Kuzmycz
Ali is a multidisciplinary creative in fashion, fine art, and communications, currently a PhD candidate in Fashion and Textiles at
Ananya Bhattacharya
President of Zero Waste Victoria, Advocate, Educator and Trainer on all things Zero-Waste and Sustainability. Kirsty is a big picture

Anna Matilda: The Urban Nanna
Caitlin is a circular economy (CE) leader, who supports the circular innovation ecosystem as a trainer, facilitator and strategic convenor.

April Seymore
Liz is a junior doctor working in Victorian public system, and part of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA). DEA

Chris Buntine
A seasoned sustainability consultant dedicated to embodying his values through his work and personal life. He is currently leading a

Cip Hamilton
Saina Mirpuri, year 9 student of Huntingtower School, is a courageous, fun loving and passionate person who loves travelling, food

Clancy Lester
Clancy Lester is an environmental educator, and passionate about biodiversity, sustainability, and finding hopeful ways to act on climate.

Connor Write
As an enrolled nurse, entrepreneur, and owner of Recycle Wise, Antoinette is a passionate advocate for environmental and climate action

Darren Thorpe
Darren Thorpe is Managing Director of APR and a respected leader in Australia’s recycling sector. With over 40 years’ experience,

dirtgirl
Through 2023 and early 2024 Lucy planned and delivered Bayside City Council’s Roving Repair Program, funded by Sustainability Victoria. <br

Dr. Elizabeth Hu
Dr Georgia McCorkill is a senior lecturer in design in the School of Fashion and Textiles. Her research explores sustainable

Elly Hanhrahan
Even the best ideas can hit roadblocks when dealing with the law. Meet Andrew Swann, co-founder of Circular Resources Australia

Felix Toohey
Since the age of 15, Felix has applied his skills in art and design to support businesses and individuals in

Frankie Cox
Owner of the local salad bar Green-On in Richmond, champions eating for impact by minimizing food waste with creative recipes

Gabrielle McKeown
Gabrielle has spent the past three years at the Richmond Football Club, playing a key role in delivering the club’s

Gilbert Rochecouste
Vice President of Circular Economy Victoria (CEV), holds formal qualifications in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Applied Finance, and Innovation for Sustainability. Inspired

Jacinta Bisognin
Jacinta Bisognin is a passionate and adaptable changemaker with a background in environmental management and community engagement. From working with

Julia English
Vice President of Circular Economy Victoria (CEV), holds formal qualifications in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Applied Finance, and Innovation for Sustainability. Inspired

Kade Berman
Kade is a dedicated advocate for social justice and environmental protection, with experience in volunteer coordination, fundraising, and program development.

Kate Stewart
Director of Every Bit Counts, crafting sustainable events that make a positive impact without the waste. Joining us to explore

Katrina Naish
Chef and owner of Flavours of Syria, is a celebrated public speaker with a profound impact, having presented at Festival21,

Kirsty Bishop-Fox
A dynamic comedian, broadcaster, and keynote speaker with over thirty years of experience entertaining audiences from Melbourne to LA and

Konrad Benjamin
A distinguished leader in strategic innovation and sustainability, with over 20 years of experience in commercializing research and advancing circular

Mario Mendez
Environmental Consultant specializing in waste management and minimisation as part of the Circular Economy team at Ratio. Mario’s work provides

Max Moolman
Challenging conventions excites Max Moolman, especially when it comes to questioning the wastefulness of perfectly edible produce. Growing up on

Michael Dossor
Michael has been instrumental in introducing groundbreaking smart packaging technologies to the Australian market. He shares his expertise at key

Miriam Borcherdt
Miriam Borcherdt is a visionary designer and researcher at RMIT University, currently pursuing a PhD that reimagines pre-consumer textile waste

Petra Creed
Vice President of Circular Economy Victoria (CEV), holds formal qualifications in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Applied Finance, and Innovation for Sustainability. Inspired

Saina Mirpuri
Saina Mirpuri, year 9 student of Huntingtower School, is a courageous, fun loving and passionate person who loves travelling, food

Sarah Furnell
Sarah Furnell is a Circular Economy Officer at Brimbank City Council. She led the delivery of Brimbank’s Soft Plastics Initiative

Shamila Gopalan
Associate Professor Lukas Parker is a top expert in social marketing and sustainability, leading the Communication Collaboratory to tackle behavior

Simon Toohey
Vice President of Circular Economy Victoria (CEV), holds formal qualifications in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Applied Finance, and Innovation for Sustainability. Inspired

Susanne Etti
Saina Mirpuri, year 9 student of Huntingtower School, is a courageous, fun loving and passionate person who loves travelling, food

Tarun Grover
Tarun, a PHD candidate, seeks to make advancements in circular economy and environmental conservation, making meaningful contributions to sustainable practices

Thomas Fox
Thom Fox is Repurpose It’s Education and Communications Specialist.
He has worked in the environmental education space for

Toby Cummings
Team leader of Evaluation and Research at Sustainability Victoria. Toby will share the SV State of Sustainability report findings relevant
Waleed
Writer, educator, speaker, author, and passionate zero waste/plastic-free living advocate, Lindsay is a dynamic force in the movement toward sustainable

Xuan Wang
Founder of City Compost Network (CCN), dedicated to making composting and food waste recycling a natural part of life. CCN

Zavi Fatima
Zavi is a Merribek resident who is a volunteer member of Merri-Back Council’s Sustainable Communities Working Group .She has not