This is a past event. Registration is closed. View other AIIA ACT Branch events.
Andrew Kobylinski (Policy and Political Affairs Officer at International Committee of the Red Cross, Australia)

Andrew Kobylinski

Policy and Political Affairs Officer at International Committee of the Red Cross, Australia

Andrew is the Policy and Political Affairs Officer at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mission in Australia. He manages the ICRC’s engagement with the Australian Government including with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), parliamentarians and Department of Home Affairs. Prior to joining the ICRC Andrew worked for DFAT where he promoted Australia’s free trade agreements to Australian businesses.

Martine Letts (Group Chief Executive Officer at Asialink)

Martine Letts

Group Chief Executive Officer at Asialink

Martine’s experience encompasses government, non-profits, and international policy. She is a former CEO of both the Committee for Melbourne and the Australia-China Business Council and was Deputy Director of the Lowy Institute. As Secretary-General of the Australian Red Cross (2001-2004), she delivered improvements to community and relief services across Australia and globally. Martine was an Australian diplomat for 17 years and an adviser to Foreign Minister Evans from 1992 to 1994.

Dr Alicia Mollaun (Senior Manager at Equity Economics)

Dr Alicia Mollaun

Senior Manager at Equity Economics

Alicia has extensive experience in domestic and international public policy making and has worked as a policy adviser to the federal government for over 15 years. Her experience includes the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, DFAT (including as a diplomat in New Delhi), and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP. Alicia holds a PhD in Public Policy from the ANU.

Alex Park (Director, Australia-EU FTA, of DFAT)

Alex Park

Director, Australia-EU FTA, of DFAT

Alex works in the Office of Global Trade Negotiations in DFAT. He has experience in Australia’s diplomatic missions overseas in Fiji, Cambodia and Tuvalu, as well as at the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva and the Cabinet Office in the United Kingdom. Alex has a Master of Public Administration from the London School of Economics.

Assoc. Prof. Minako Sakai (Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra)

Assoc. Prof. Minako Sakai

Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra

Minako has a wealth of research experience in gender, Islamic and international development studies with a focus on Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific region. She has completed research fellowships at the ANU, Cornell University, and the National University of Singapore. Her recent book, with Professor Amelia Fauzia, is entitled, 'Women Entrepreneurs and Business Empowerment in Muslim Countries'. Minako has a PhD in anthropology from the ANU.

Dr Merredin Varrall (Director, Australia Geopolitics Hub of KPMG)

Dr Merredin Varrall

Director, Australia Geopolitics Hub of KPMG

Merriden is developing thought leadership that analyses how tax environments around the world are shaped by geopolitical trends and events. Before joining KPMG, Merriden was Director of the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute. She spent almost 8 years living and working in China, including working for the United Nations (ILO and UNDP) and lecturing in foreign policy at the China Foreign Affairs University. Merriden has also worked for the Treasury’s macro-economic group.

Kate Webb (Director, AUKUS Engagement of DFAT)

Kate Webb

Director, AUKUS Engagement of DFAT

Kate Webb is currently the Director of International Engagement in the AUKUS, Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Division at DFAT where she has managed Australia's engagement with the region during the development of Australia’s decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. She has had overseas postings to Solomon Islands and Myanmar and previously worked for the Attorney General’s Department in international engagement roles.