Speakers

Session: Selecting trusted ICT vendors through government procurement processes – minimising security, privacy, and other supply chain risks

Mathew Baldwin is a highly experienced legal and strategic advisor specializing in regulated industries and government. As a Partner at Ashurst since October 2022, Mathew provides expert counsel on contracting and procurement law, with a focus on major projects, cloud services, cyber security, and data protection.

He also serves as a Non-Public Employee Member of the ACT Government Procurement Board, a role he has held since September 2020. Based in Canberra, Mathew brings extensive expertise in commercial projects and IT, offering tailored solutions to public and private sector clients.

Session: Working with Indigenous suppliers and First Nations businesses to drive positive social and procurement outcomes

Deb Barwick is the CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc. Deb is also a national and international award-winning Aboriginal entrepreneur and business owner who believes that Aboriginal people themselves are the solution to social and economic parity and that enabling Aboriginal leadership regionally, nationally and globally is a strategic and wise investment toward a stronger Australian economy and nation.

Deb’s many professional achievements include:

Establishing Australia’s first Indigenous chamber of commerce in 2006 and leading the establishment of a new national peak body in 2015 to represent the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners and enterprising communities. Today, the national body collectively represents over 5,500 members.

Deb received a NSW Premiers Award for Excellence in 2008 recognising the impact of her work over many years to support the establishment and growth of Aboriginal owned businesses in NSW and to advocate for their inclusion in the supply chains of government and industry. Today she is a Specialist Procurement Advisor for the NSW Government’s Business Connect program providing advice and guidance to small businesses seeking to improve their understanding of procurement and capacity to submit quality tenders.

Deb Barwick’s accomplishments as one of Australia’s leading grass roots advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners are complemented by her accomplishments as a private businessowner. Her company Winya Indigenous Furniture, established in 2016, has won multiple awards including the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Management Awards. Winya went on from this success to become the first and only Australian company to ever win a United Nations Sustainability Goals Award in 2018.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can public sector teams embrace and benefit from a commercial approach to procurement?

Strong change leadership and focus on partnering with the business (and people) to enable procurement to create value by implementing solutions for business spend management.

Session: How private sector procurement operations drive efficiency, value and positive business outcomes: insights for the public sector

Coretta Bessi is a passionate executive in the procurement profession, holding a diverse portfolio of roles, including Chairperson, Board Director, Advisory Member, and Executive Coach. With extensive experience across both public and private sectors, Coretta is deeply committed to the positive impact that public sector procurement can have on communities.

As the former Chief Procurement Officer for some of Australia's most iconic organizations—Westpac, nbn, BlueScope, and Ausgrid, Coretta is widely recognized for her expertise and sought after as a trusted consultant, trainer and coach for both public and private entities.

Her board and committee appointments reflect her depth of experience, including Chair of the ACT Government Procurement Board, Director on the Board of Local Government Procurement in NSW, and Independent Member of the Victoria Infrastructure Delivery Authority Procurement Oversight Committee, where she provides oversight of significant procurement expenditure across three jurisdictions.

With a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA, Coretta also has over a decade of experience lecturing in procurement and negotiations at University for Masters programs. Coretta also co-founded Bravo - a female empowerment program now in its fifth year operating globally with several hundred attendees per annum further showcasing her commitment to diversity and advancing the profession.

Session: ROUNDTABLE 2: Driving transformational change through effective leadership

Session: Driving results under pressure: Leadership essentials for procurement success

From humble beginnings, he has forged an international career encompassing several executive leadership roles with both domestic and global organizations. Known for his professional and diverse experience across private, private equity, and public sectors at a global level, his extensive background—from the ground up to executive level—has given him practical experience and exposure to complex cultural, strategic, and commercial portfolios across multiple industry sectors.

He has led numerous transformational, reform, and efficiency initiatives globally and is passionate about authentic leadership and diversity. Known for building high-performing teams, he has coached and mentored many industry leaders. He is recognized as an innovative leader who enjoys working with cross-functional teams and delivering sustainable bottom-line results.

Session: 5 ingredients for an unmitigated contract catastrophe

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can government procurement teams drive value?

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Manufacturing Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (FCIPS). She has over 25 years procurement and supply chain experience in both local and Asia region roles within FMCG, Financial Services, Higher Education and Government, and is currently the Head of Procurement at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

A highly active member of the Australian procurement community, Sarah was formerly a member and Chair of the NSW CIPS Committee and the ANZ CIPS Profession Steering Committee (CPSC). She also represented CIPS and the Australian practitioners on the Standards Australia Committee for the development and adoption of the global standard ISO20400 Sustainable Procurement.

Sarah is passionate about developing current and future procurement professionals and works closely with the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies on their procurement postgraduate units of study. She is also a tutor with AcademyGlobal for CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

Session: ROUNDTABLE 5: Identifying and addressing greenwashing in procurement

Session: Utilising contract management as a tool to save costs, create incentives & thrive in a challenging budgetary environment with restricted resources

Having almost 15 years private and public sector experience, Lorna brings valuable insights and specialist knowledge across operational and commercially based roles. With qualifications in business, human resources, leadership and sustainability, she has navigated complex projects, managed risk and budgets as well as facilitated optimal outcomes by adopting best practice strategies.

In the last 5 years Lorna has developed a passion for climate change, sustainability, and social engagement, focusing on optimizing supply chain accountability in these areas. Advocating for partnerships that highlight sustainable initiatives, social participation and transition to more circular economy models.

Session: Navigating change: effective strategies for successful procurement change management

Session: ROUNDTABLE 6: Implementing sustainable procurement practices while achieving procurement goals

David an enthusiastic procurement professional who enjoys the challenges of delivering efficient, agile and innovative procurement that positively contributes to organisational outcomes. David has worked across the energy, aerospace and now government sectors and his focus is on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness in delivering procurement outcomes.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can government procurement teams drive value?

Session: Implementing the best supplier engagement approach for your organisation

Luke is the CEO of Local Government Procurement.  He is responsible for $1b in annual spend under contract. He oversees a procurement training organisation and a Procurement Consulting practice.

Luke has been with Local Government Procurement for 8 years.  He is a Board Chairman, and has spent the last 25 years in senior executive roles across public and private sectors.

Luke has an MBA, a Communications Degree, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a certified Executive Coach, and currently completing a post graduate law degree.

Session: Examining Indigenous procurement standards, expectations and realities: making it work in practice

As CEO of Project Net Zero and a proud Aboriginal man from Kamilaroi Country in NSW, he leads innovative, large-scale sustainability and net-zero carbon initiatives, driving measurable impact across industries. With a strong background in executive leadership across corporate, mining, and both state and federal governments, he has successfully managed complex projects, including operations management, environmental rehabilitation, and town transitions, integrating net-zero carbon strategies and circular economy principles into every phase. His expertise in establishing high-value partnerships and implementing advanced procurement frameworks enables organizations to achieve carbon neutrality and long-term resilience while advancing Indigenous leadership. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Law from Charles Sturt University, he brings strategic vision and operational excellence to guide organizations toward sustainable growth and alignment with their broader business and environmental goals.

Session: Developing tools to improve performance, well-being and project results

Hanelie Lategan is an accomplished procurement leader with over 30 years of experience across the public and private sectors in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As Director of Procurement for the Queensland Government, she crafts strategies that prioritize ethical, sustainable, and culturally responsive practices. Hanelie’s leadership has consistently delivered value for money while achieving positive social outcomes.

Raised in a small, semi-desert town in South Africa, she developed resilience and a strong work ethic from a young age, helping her mother run a local shop. These early experiences continue to guide her professional journey, where she has delivered impactful work wherever she went, including in New Zealand’s government and housing sectors.

An accredited World Commerce and Contracting member, Hanelie is a passionate and optimistic speaker who shares insights on supplier performance and relationship management, and innovation in end-to-end procurement at international conferences. Committed to workplace well-being, she also speaks on the connection between mental health and leadership. She is currently writing two books: one to demystify procurement and another focusing on mental health at work.

Hanelie’s dedication has earned her recognition across the Asia-Pacific region. Her journey—from humble beginnings to driving transformative strategies—reflects her commitment to persistence, community, and ethical leadership.

Session: Elevating & upskilling teams to improve capabilities and outcomes

Session: ROUNDTABLE 3: Improving outcomes with performance-based contracting

Fern helps people by working within a trusted partnership to deliver quality procurement outcomes for her clients. She enjoys decoding and teaching others procurement best practice.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can public sector teams embrace and benefit from a commercial approach to procurement?

Justin McKenzie is the Chief Procurement Officer for the Northern Territory’s sole utility provider ‘The Power and Water Corporation’. His responsibilities include the end to end management of procurements within the Corporation as well as the management of a multidisciplinary team of procurement and administrative staff, managing construction, goods and services acquisition contracts, within a unique and developing procurement framework. His experience includes capability development, logistics and supply chain management, as well as system design and integration.

Prior to joining the Power and Water Corporation, Justin was the Procurement and Supply Manager with the Northern Territory Police Fire and Emergency Services where he implemented new procurement and supply chain policies, procedures and systems to improve service delivery and reduce costs. Justin developed and honed these skills during his twenty five years’ service as an Australian Army Officer, working throughout Australia and abroad. He has Masters Degrees in Business and Management.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can government procurement teams drive value?

Session: ROUNDTABLE 4: Mastering project management in government procurement

Results orientated professional with over 20 years’ experience in stakeholder management and strategy with strong leadership experience in State Government infrastructure, research, and transport organisations. Easily builds knowledge and positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders across all government sectors and departments, colleagues, and a wide range of business operators, providers and community partners.

High Level Achievements

• Ownership of the organisational structure and change process for the transformation of the divisions within Department of Transport
• Strong leader with motivational management style and reputation for building and retaining highly motivated individuals, teams, and networks
• Results oriented individual who successfully drove the strategy for ‘mobile myki’ (digital ticketing) for improved passenger experience

Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

Session: Realising the benefits of the new Australian Public Service (APS) Procurement & Contract Management Profession

Charlotte leads a passionate team dedicated to raising the capability of procurement and supply management in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Charlotte has been part of CIPS for nearly 20 years and throughout that time has worked with a range of organisations within the public sector, private sector, as well as NGOs and education providers to further the profession around the world. She has worked in the UK and Europe, China, South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Malawi and Zambia as well as Australia and New Zealand. She attained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Birmingham and holds MCIPS Chartered Professional certification.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can public sector teams embrace and benefit from a commercial approach to procurement?

Session: FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveraging Australian suppliers for environmental, social and value impact

Teresa Scott is Executive Director of the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC). Her responsibilities include working with the Council of Chief Executives to set the strategic direction of the APCC, and expanding the APCC’s role as Australasia’s leading public sector procurement and construction forum.

Session: FIRESIDE CHAT: Leveraging Australian suppliers for environmental, social and value impact

He is an experienced senior leader with 15 years in the environmental management sector. Described as strategic, focused, and adaptive, he has a proven track record across strategy, operations, and delivery. With experience in both public and private sectors, he is skilled in sustainability, strategy development, and the delivery of environmental policy. As a considered and engaging leader, he empowers teams through an authentic and honest leadership style.

Session: Leveraging government procurement to transition to the circular economy

Jessica Vorreiter, a Senior Project Officer in the Circular Economy Markets team at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW), has extensive experience in environmental sustainability across both public and private sectors. At NSW DCCEEW, Jessica has specialised in emissions reduction and improving circularity within NSW Government agencies. Her particular expertise is in sustainable procurement and her current focus is on improving sustainable procurement practices across NSW Government.

Session: ROUNDTABLE 1: Understanding and adapting to your suppliers, the challenges they're facing, and current market conditions

Nicole West is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in Australia's defense sector, where she has held various roles in procurement, compliance, and project management. She is currently the Director at Defence Australia, a position she has held since May 2023. In this capacity, Nicole oversees strategic initiatives, with a strong focus on compliance and contract management. Before assuming her directorship, she served as the Procurement Contract Manager for over a decade, where she was instrumental in managing procurement operations for the PFAS Program and Material Procurement CASG, ensuring rigorous compliance with defense standards.

Nicole's expertise extends to financial compliance, a skill she honed as a Compliance Officer from 2012 to 2013, and further developed as a Financial Compliance Officer and SAP Trainer from 2004 to 2012. During this period, she led training initiatives and managed project courseware for financial applications, helping shape robust training programs across the organization. Based in Canberra, Nicole’s dedication to excellence has made her an invaluable asset within Australia’s defense sector.