MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Ashley Fell is a leading social researcher and futurist dedicated to helping organisations make sense of a rapidly changing world. With over a decade of research experience, Ashley unpacks the shifts in culture, technology, and generations that are reshaping the future of work and leadership. A trusted media commentator and the author of Work Wellbeing and Generation Alpha, Ashley is renowned for her ability to turn complex data into stories people remember. Her keynotes are designed not just to inform, but to inspire. With clarity and warmth, Ashley equips audiences with the essential insight and foresight needed to lead with confidence into the future

Michael Ilinsky is the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Life Saving NSW, leading one of Australia’s most prominent water safety organisations. In this role, he oversees strategic planning, operational management, government funding agreements, and key partnerships with government, communities, and industry stakeholders.

Under Michael’s leadership, Royal Life Saving NSW has strengthened its focus on drowning prevention, advocacy, education, training, and community engagement. He plays a key role in advancing initiatives that support safer aquatic environments, with particular attention to high-risk populations, public swimming pools, inland waterways, and communities requiring targeted water safety support.

Michael brings extensive experience in education, water safety, and organisational leadership. As a former State and National Operations Manager, he has led major water safety strategies, public awareness campaigns, and high-profile projects designed to reduce drowning and improve aquatic safety outcomes.He is also a strong advocate for the aquatic industry, regularly engaging with local, state, and federal government agencies to promote policy and legislative improvements. Throughout his career, Michael has remained committed to building a culture of safety around water, ensuring communities across NSW have access to the resources, training, and support needed to prevent drowning and promote safe aquatic participation.

Nikki has been advising Councils and Statewide Mutual for over 20 years on all things Council, liability and risk management. Over those years, Nikki has acted for Councils on almost everything that comes their way be it disputes arising out of storm water, historic landfill sites, trees and tree roots, sale yards, caravan parks, contaminated land, slip/trips and falls, dog attacks, road accidents, playground accidents, labour hire and systems of work and planning issues.

Lindsay is a graduate of Melbourne University Graduate Certificate Arboriculture. Lindsay has worked in all tree management roles over his 26 years in Local Government, including private and public tree assessment, development assessment, compliance, tree asset management, systems development, strategic policy and process and legal matters.

This combined with 13 years Private industry experience provides the basis for Lindsays holistic and pragmatic approach to tree management, ensuring integrating processes with other asset classes to deliver practical and sustainable outcomes.

Lindsay has taken an active role on Standards Australia committees and leading the Local Government Tree Resources Association for many years in delivering education to tree officers in tree management and risk.

Ben Lewis is a senior project leader at Maitland City Council and Director / Principal Consultant at Elevate Project Consulting, where he helps organisations create clarity, structure and momentum at the front end of complex work.

Ben works with organisations to align stakeholders around the real problem and context, design practical future states and delivery pathways, and establish the governance, cadence and capability needed to deliver outcomes that stick.

Ben currently leads the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility Stage 3 program, a major waste infrastructure and operating model transformation transitioning Council from landfill based operations to transfer, resource recovery and bulk haul ahead of landfill capacity constraints.

His experience spans major infrastructure planning, business improvement across private and public sector operations, waste service transformation and emerging technology feasibility. He has developed NSW Treasury aligned business cases, led delivery readiness for complex infrastructure programs, project managed bulky waste reform, planned and implemented regional FOGO service change across Maitland, Cessnock and Singleton Councils, and supported hydrogen mobility feasibility work with public transport and infrastructure partners.

Ben holds a postgraduate qualification in project management from Swinburne University. His presentation explores how project risk management extends beyond the risk register into project clarity, structure, decisions and discipline.

Yoav Lipschitz is the Partnerships Manager at Eftsure, where he helps organisations strengthen their payment security and fraud prevention strategies through collaborative partnerships. With a background in insurance and risk management he is committed to educating individuals and organisations about emerging digital threats and promoting a safer, more informed digital environment.

Leanne Siveyer is the CIO at Sutherland Shire Council, a position she has occupied for just under 5 years. She is passionate about the evolving Governance, Risk and Compliance space and its practical application cybersecurity, data governance and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Leanne is optimistic about AI space and the opportunities it presents to increase efficiency and improve service delivery to the community. Her aim is for her Council staff to be educated consumers of AI technology and has encouraged staff to embrace the technology within the appropriate guardrails.

Jane Whiter is an accomplished executive leader and board director with extensive experience across government, not-for-profit, and private sectors. Having led complex, multidisciplinary organisations across a range of industries including construction, consulting, SaaS, NGOs, and insurance, she brings deep expertise in strategy, operations, governance, and enterprise risk management. As the Interim, CEO, President and Chair of RMIA, Jane is committed to advancing risk management and business preparedness across Australasia, while championing innovation, diversity, mentorship, and industry excellence.

Shane Wilson CSM is an accomplished infrastructure executive and project management professional with over 35 years of experience across the building industry, defence, and local government. He specialises in planning, design, and delivery of complex infrastructure projects, with a strong track record managing multimillion-dollar programs and leading high-performing teams.

Shane provides strategic oversight of major capital works and operational services, ensuring efficient, sustainable outcomes aligned with community needs.

He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Project Management, supported by postgraduate studies in Business Law and qualifications in Leadership, Building Surveying, and Architecture, and is known for his practical leadership and strong governance.

Rachelle Passmore is the Manager Open Spaces & Facilities at Clarence Valley Council, with more than 20 years of local government experience across Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in recreation, events, open space planning and facility management, delivering projects and services that enhance community wellbeing and liveability.

Rachelle has extensive experience in strategic planning, procurement, contract management, stakeholder engagement and the delivery of complex capital works projects. She currently leads a diverse portfolio including parks, sportsgrounds, community facilities, aquatic centres, holiday parks and other public assets, while overseeing multidisciplinary teams and significant operational and capital budgets.

An advocate for quality and accessible community infrastructure, Rachelle has successfully delivered numerous recreation and community projects throughout her career, including the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre. Her practical experience in balancing governance, risk, community expectations and project outcomes provides valuable insights for local government professionals delivering major infrastructure projects.