Robert leads Solutions and Innovation initiatives at GS1, where his team engages businesses, organisations, and industries on how to transform their organisations, adapt their value networks, and thrive in a time of unprecedented technological and societal change. His consultative approach relies on perspectives gained in leadership roles in sales and marketing, systems engineering, consulting, research & development, and analytics design. 

Kate brings extensive experience and knowledge to the role of Ombudsman, having run her own small businesses for 15 years before becoming ACT Chief Minister in 1995 for a five year period. Prior to her appointment as the inaugural ASBFEO, Kate held the position of CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which represents more than 300,000 businesses across Australia. She has also served two years as CEO of beyondblue, four years as CEO of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, four years as CEO of the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) and three years as CEO of the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI). 

Levine has led multiple initiatives of economic significance across a number of geographies. His passion is to reduce business friction within several supply chain related disciplines. These include procure-to-pay, logistics and trade facilitation underpinned by a financial ecosystem with regulatory oversight in every industry vertical. Levine chairs the OASIS Universal Business Language (UBL) Australian Localisation Subcommittee whose charter includes providing implementation guidance on the use UBL for the procure to pay lifecycle.

Alison Verhoeven is Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, the independent peak membership body and advocate for the Australian healthcare system and a national voice for universally accessible, high quality healthcare in Australia.  Its members include public and not-for-profit hospitals, primary health networks, primary and community health services, universities and individual health leaders.  Ms Verhoeven has broad experience in health, education, corporate governance and communications, and has worked in both the private and public sectors in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe.

Duncan Sheppard is the General Manager for Freight and Contractors with the Australasian Railway Association, the peak body for the Australasian Railway Industry. Duncan is responsible for freight policy matters within ARA and works with ARA’s members to promote the freight rail sector to all levels of government throughout Australia and New Zealand. Duncan has had more than 10 years' experience in the transport sector, holding senior positions both in both industry associations and government.

Responsible for the maintenance and governance of SAP material master data for parts used on the Sydney rail network, and supporting the Logistics Services Central Warehouse with system and process support. Looking forward to an interesting journey on the Rail Industry iTRACE implementation to standardise the capture of data relating to all assets and materials in the rail industry. With over 20 years of experience in the FMCG sector I have seen how a standard set of data can enable supply chain efficiencies between business partners.

A performance driven professional manager and leader with 19 years’ experience delivering mission-critical infrastructure, maintenance, and logistics management services. Michael spent 2 years conducting a significant transformation of the Supply Chain group within V/Line’s Asset Management department, servicing both infrastructure maintenance and capital projects across the state.More recently Michael has taken a role to head up the Asset Reliability & Performance department. This will give him the opportunity to establish and lead the reliability engineering, asset performance and data science capabilities within V/Line.

Maria joined GS1 Australia shortly after it was founded in 1979. During her time with the organisation, Maria has been responsible for successfully implementing global standards for eCommerce applications within many companies in different industry sectors throughout Australia.

Maria has also been responsible for producing many industry specifications as well as collaborating on the introduction of eCommerce strategies in a range of industry sectors including defence and government.

Maria has held the position of CEO since 2002.

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James joined Alibaba Group in 2017 as a founding member of the Australian and New Zealand team overseeing Alibaba Group’s marketing, media and government relations activities across Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to joining Alibaba Group, James was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australia China Business Council’s NSW Branch supporting member companies in their trade, investment and business engagement with China.  

Part of the Executive team of Australia’s national Health Department, responsible for the Federal government’s $100 billion investment in health, aged care and sport. Line responsibility for the Therapeutic Goods Administration & the Office of Drug Control.  

Formerly a Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Government, Deputy CEO of a Commonwealth Statutory Authority in the Foreign Affairs portfolio, senior research manager in CSIRO and in industry joint venture partnerships. From 2009-2012 he was Chair of the Board of a global technical organisation.  

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I have over 30 years of Retail experience across DIY, General Merchandise, Electricals and Apparel starting in Stores and working through to Field and Project Management roles in Finance and IT. I then spent some time in Consulting advising clients on Multi-Channel Strategy through to System, Process and People requirements and finally implementation. My last 10 years have been in the eCommerce space, not only in landing the vision and strategy but, more importantly, how you operationalize and integrate this back into the wider business across Buying & Merchandise, Marketing, IT, Supply Chain and Stores. 

James commenced with Coles in July 2013, previously working in the UK Food, Pharmacy and Fashion retail sectors with Iceland foods, Co- Op Pharmacy and Matalan spanning over 20 years.

James in his role as Head of supplier collaboration is focused on improving supply performance through enhanced data metrics and analysis enabling both supply partners and Coles to work collectively to improve stock availability for customers.

James represents Coles in the AFGC Trade Partner Forum particularly on the Perfect partner Project. 

With over 36 years of experience in the wholesale distribution business, Jeff has held positions of increasing responsibility in finance, procurement, contracts and chargebacks as well as Information Technology. 

Over the last 13 years, Jeff has been very involved in a variety of aspects around the supply chain security initiative for track and trace. In addition, he has participated in numerous standards-activities within HDA and GS1.  

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Saar has worked for the Catch in the role of DC manager for seven years.

This period saw the company grow significantly becoming Australia's leading online retailer and going from a small DC of 1,200 sqm to currently operating out of two MCG sized facility totalling 50,000sqm.

Saar continuously challenges everything and believes in research, experimentation and continuous improvement, encouraging all the team at Catch to contribute ideas and solutions, ever seeking that small improvement that will keep Catch one step ahead of the competition. 

I have worked in the Retail Technology space for over 20 years most recently Leading technology for the Seafolly Group in January 2016.  

We have built and  introduced new Data & Analytics platforms, New Digital Wholesale systems, New eCommerce Enterprise Architecture, New CRM and Loyalty Solutions. 
Major enhancements and developments to the core ERP, introduced new in  store technologies such as mobile POS and new Payment systems Afterpay, Wepay and Alipay, and our most recent program is leveraging RFID technologies powered by SOLOS to underpin everything from the Groups supply chain, in store automation, digital fitting room experiences and to deliver true omni channel endless isle shopping services to our customers.   

Ben leads the Strategy, Development and Fleet functions for Transport in Woolworths Group. He has extensive experience in strategy and logistics developed over a long career with Woolworths performing various senior management roles in operations, projects, strategy development and delivery, and corporate business development. He recently returned to Woolworths after 2 years as Chief Strategy Officer for SCF Group.

Ben is on the Board of the Australian Logistics Council (ALC).

Prior to coming to Victoria in 2018, Mr Board headed the eHealth and Medication Safety program at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Mr Board is a registered nurse and has worked in clinical, management, and informatics roles, including six years managing leprosy and primary care programs in the Brazilian Amazon. He implemented radiotherapy information systems and Area-based clinical cancer registries in NSW, and has published on hospital in the home, use of data in health care, short stay surgery and post-acute care.  He is Adjunct Fellow at Macquarie University’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation.

Barbara is an accomplished professional and Victorian Government official. As the Director for Business Victoria, Barbara has helped small business owners and operators plan, start and successfully grow their business and worked with many small businesses as CEO of Bookseller's Association.

She has over 12 years’ experience working with retailers across Asia and Oceania to increase both their online sales and store footfall via digital marketing and measurement. She frequently consults on growth strategy for omnichannel retailers, online pure plays, and e-commerce marketplaces, and has recently been working with global brands on their digital trade spend and co-op marketing plans.

As a professional facilitator Brett has delivered on complex strategic projects across multiple

sectors including Healthcare, FMCG, Tourism, Government, Financial Services, Academia and Advanced Manufacturing.

Currently working with Australian healthcare providers and (SME) suppliers to build greater

capability through digital transformation and traceability of products / services within supply chains nationally.

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The pharmacist responsible for the strategic leadership and direction for the Eastern Health (EH) Pharmacy Department’s Information and Communications Technology Systems. Her work includes the administration of the Automated Dispensing Cabinets at Eastern Health. Prior to this Maryanne was the EH HealthSMART Clinical Systems Support Pharmacist, a role which evolved from her work on the EH HealthSMART Project Team as a subject matter expert.  This role involved membership of, and chairing, the Department of Health Statewide Medications Review Group, a group responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the medication content of the Victorian Department of Health’s HealthSMART Clinical System.  Maryanne is a member of  the Society of Hospital Pharmacists Electronic Medication Management Leadership Committee.

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James has been working in Informatics and EMM since 2015, acting in a lead pharmacist role for the Queensland Health Digital Hospital Program. Previous roles in clinical pharmacy, management, and pharmacy information systems allows James to describe and problem-solve digital health and pharmacy challenges in a relatable and enthusiastic fashion. 

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He is responsible for maintaining ChannelAdvisor’s strong strategic partner relationships and leading​ initiatives to establish new channels and opportunities for ChannelAdvisor sellers. Simon is passionate about helping retailers and branded manufacturers scale their e-commerce businesses, whether through new marketplaces, digital marketing channels or international regions.

• Industry advisor to governments 

• Extensive experience in bridging industry-government relations on key supply chain issues 

• Leading numerous programs and projects to deliver supply chain improvements, strategic investment in freight networks and to develop individual firms 

• Executive management, project management and public policy in the areas of transport infrastructure, strategic planning, freight and logistics 

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George has over 20 years’ experience in the anti-counterfeit and RFID technology industry, specifically within international business and high technology asset identification and protection. He is also a Mechanical Engineering Graduate from the Institute of Technology, Sydney. George sits on the board of numerous public companies, is an associate member of the Institute of Engineers and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Throughout her career, Shulman has built packaged software products for the retail space and has worked with a large number of leading brands including Prada, Nike, Adidas, LVMH, Gucci) on operationalizing emerging technologies. Currently, she is a passionate advocate of the transformative changes that can be brought to retail through the IoT, big data and real-time analytics based decision making that she believes can unlock an enriched consumer experience. 

Rod is a procurement professional and qualified lawyer with over 20 years experience in procurement, supply management, commercial, legal and relationship management roles in infrastructure, primary industry, healthcare and telecommunications. After seven years at Telecom NZ, including leading the IT, Network and general corporate procurement areas, Rod moved to Australia and took up a role at Qantas. He then moved to the role of Chief Procurement Officer at the NSW Office of Finance and Services and is currently the Executive Director Procurement for HealthShare NSW.

A knowledgeable expert in Supply Chain, Range & Space, Pricing, Value & Analytics, Process Re-engineering, Data Integrity & Merchandise Administration. John has had many years in the supply chain industry both within industry and in academia.

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Michele’s experience is broad and varied, having spent 15 years in the corporate sector as an Australian Chartered Accountant in various roles within the Commercial Sector and Business Consulting.

Over the past ten years, Michele has held a number of volunteer roles while building up her knowledge in health and wellbeing including the study of Clinical Aromatherapy. An accumulation of three decades of knowledge, experience and education has led her to create Aloe Beauty Pty Limited.  A company that has created a range of personal care products specifically formulated with the teenage market in mind.

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Ann McDonald has been an officer of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for over 20 years, working across most import and export areas of the department’s activities. She also worked as a technical adviser to the agriculture minister for around 18 months. More recently, her role has been leading a taskforce to re-write the export legislative framework that underpins the export certification accompanying food and other agricultural exports, and managing a project team responsible for delivering the Agriculture Senior Officials National Traceability Project. 

From brand owner, to online retailer, Calli created her first Amazon account 4 years ago. Going from Fulfilled by Merchant to Fulfilled by Amazon, Calli saw her Amazon revenue jumping to 5 figures in a matter of weeks. As a member of the Facebook Group Amazon Sellers Australia, Calli regularly helped other members get started on Amazon in 2017. Since then, she’s helped thousands of new sellers in Facebook groups, in person and through her training subscriptions at Private Label Australia (https://PrivateLabelAustralia.com.au).

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Trained as an Exercise Physiologist, Sandra moved into the field of implementing technology solutions to ensure that the needs of clinicians and people accessing health services was at the forefront when designing ICT solutions. Sandra has been working for ACT Health for the last 14 years and is currently the Executive Branch Manager of Future Capability and Governance. This role incorporates development and adherence to the Digital Health Strategy as well as oversight over the delivery of ICT Projects and Programs of work for ACT Health

Angela is a Clinical Leadership and Health Informatics Professional with 30 years’ experience in Hospitals and Public Sector Organisations, with more than two decade’s experience as a paediatric and adult intensive care Nurse.

Angela is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Informatics and serves as President of the ACHI Council. In 2017 Angela was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study methods to prevent patient harm through national digital health safety governance and has recently completed travel to the UK, USA and Canada as part of the Churchill Fellowship research.

Public-sector ICT often has a well-deserved appalling reputation for poor design, execution and maintenance with cost-over-runs almost considered the norm. Like many of my colleagues, I aim to professionalise and transform the provision of public-sector ICT. I have a proven track record of delivering ICT solutions that are delivered quickly using agile methodologies, on-time, on-budget, meet or exceed user expectations/requirements and actually make a real-world difference in both improving quality of life and saving tax-payers’ funds.

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Between 2012 and 2015 I was National Director for Patients and Information in NHS England - a role which combined the functions of chief technology and information officer with responsibility for patient and public participation.

I believe that digital and social media can transform the customer experience in public services. In 2007, I launched NHS Choices, the national online health information service (www.nhs.uk) which now reports around 50 million unique users per month. 

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Experienced Head of Supply Chain and Operations with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry. Strong professional skilled in Negotiation, Operations Management, Freight, StrategicSourcing, and Management.

Jekin manages the Electronics, Office products, and Musical Instruments categories for marketplace in Australia. Prior to joining the Australia team Jekin worked in London for Amazon Fresh (Amazon’s grocery business) where he was responsible for international expansion, delivery experience, and pricing strategy. 

Andrea is an experienced retail technical professional, supporting private label product development and technical standards within the retail sector. Andrea has vast product experience in grocery food, dairy, frozen, bakery, grocery non-food, general merchandise and apparel.

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David has over 35 years’ experience in the manufacture, sale and distribution of steel products in the Australasian market. As a result he has developed a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges in serving customers across  Australian and New Zealand markets.
David’s recent focus has been on Supply Chain Execution. In conjunction with the Australian Logistics Council and GS1, David has led a team that has implemented the GS1 Transport Instruction and Transport Status messages to facilitate the efficient transfer of delivery information between OneSteel and its logistics partners.

With over 20 years’ experience in the rail industry Stephen has held various positions across a number of organisations. His current role at Siemens Mobility has him overseeing the adoption of GS1 standards through the Project i-TRACE initiative and as such he holds a seat at both the i-TRACE working group and Materials Master Data working group. With a background in Engineering, Stephen understands the importance of having standards as the industry moves into the digital age.

Kerry Holmes is the Managing Director and carries the mandate for SmartFreight’s business performance in its Europe, Ireland and South African markets.

Kerry joined SmartFreight in 2010 having been a customer of SmartFreight’s in New Zealand for a number of years. Today, based in Sydney Australia, Kerry leverages heavily off an extensive background in the transport and logistics and telecommunications industries globally.

Mr Abbenante has wide experience in Information Technology and Communications, and specialist knowledge in enterprise-wide digital health programs. He is the Chairman of the Victorian Health Informatics Society for Australia (HISA) and various national committees, and a board director for the Victorian Cytology Service Foundation. 

He brings a wealth of experience with a career spanning more than 25 years in senior digital health roles and is currently the Assistant 

Director for digital health for Victoria at the Department of Health and Human Services.   

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Gavin has more than 25+ years working in the IT industry in roles ranging from consulting to systems delivery, and for the last 12 years has been focused in the transport and logistics domain - in both domestic and international markets. At Australia Post, Gavin leads the IT Architecture team to deliver great customer experiences and set up the organisation for growth by enabling technology solutions that bring together people, assets and capability across the letter, mail and parcel teams.

Mandeep Sodhi, Head of Digital Supply Chain, Nestle Oceania, holds a Masters degree in International Business and has over 20 years’ experience in leading-edge Business Technology, B2B, eCommerce, Business Intelligence, Order to Cash and Supply Chain solutions in the FMCG industry.

Focus on inter-organisational processes and improvements by leveraging the latest in standards and technology is high on the agenda for Mandeep. This includes partnering with industry associations, customers, suppliers and chairing several industry working groups to bring about efficiencies in the end to end platforms in an open environment.

Alastair is an RFID technology specialist with RAMP RFID. With more than 20 years of experience building RFID businesses globally, he is an acknowledged pioneer and world authority on RFID. He is a key supporter of the GS1 organisation, contributing to RFID standardisation as a former Working Group Chairman at EPC Global.

Alexander is an experienced IT Solutions Consultant specialising in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solutions and account and relationship management at the PNORS Technology Group.
Priding himself on his technical knowledge of business IT requirements and his customer service, Alexander has worked alongside and consulted with many large Australian and Multinational companies at management level recommending B2B eCommerce solutions or IT solution design requirements.

Craig is Executive Director of Fusion5 and RedFaire International, a global Enterprise IT organisation, running the ERP division. His experience includes 20 years selling and delivering IT solutions for customers in multiple industries with regional and global footprints. This includes business software such as Microsoft/Oracle ERP, CRM and Supply Chain solutions, where he has had exposure to GS1 standards over the years. Craig’s qualifications are in engineering, law and business. Craig is passionate about helping people, understanding businesses and using technology to solve problems. He has the innate ability to bridge the gap between technology and business.

Karl Brooks started his working life as a developer, gaining experience across several industries, before moving into Supply Chain and Logistics about 15 years ago.  He has held various roles in that time, including Customer Solutions Management roles for Transport & 4PL, as well as IT Product & Solutions Management.  Completing his MBA about 10 years ago, Karl now works as DHL Supply Chain Australia’s IT Solutions Architect with responsibility for IT Solution ownership, Innovation and Digitalisation, as well being a member of several internal and external technology advisory bodies.

With 29 years of experience in FMCG Retail,

Replenishment, Logistics & Supply Chain, Matt is passionate about driving improved engagement, communication, consistency, training and education across the industry.

Working with Woolworths, Coles, Metcash and the Australian Food & Grocery Council, Matt has been responsible for developing consistent and user friendly standards, clearer communication, and stronger engagement between retailers and suppliers. Matt’s perhaps best known for creating Woolworths’ supplier training videos, Coles’ Supply Standards documentation and supplier magazines,

Metcash’s 2019 Supply Standards reference guide, and the AFGC Trading Partner Forum’s Common Delivery Guidelines for Industry (2018).

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Helen’s passion for Collaborative Supply Chain developed from her early career in Retail Management with Marks & Spencer in the UK.  Since then she has enjoyed over 20 years managing Supply Chains within Electronics and FMCG.

She joined Associated British Foods in 2006, initially with Twinings in the UK, before relocating with them in 2009 to join DON (a division of George Weston Foods) in Australia. Recognising her Supply Chain, IT and Project Management experience Helen was delighted to be recently appointed as DON Program Manager.