The Honourable Danny Pearson MP, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Minister for Finance & Minister for Government Services
The Honourable Danny Pearson is the Member for Essendon in the Victorian State Parliament, first elected in 2014. The Minister brings extensive experience in government oversight and leadership to his roles, having served as Chair of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee from 2014 to 2018 and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier from 2019 until June 2020. In June 2020, he joined the Cabinet, taking on the roles of Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Government Services, and Minister for Regulatory Reform. Later that year, he also assumed the Creative Industries portfolio, which he held until June 2022. His commitment to social and governmental reform saw him appointed as Minister for Housing in June 2022 and subsequently Minister for Government Services and Consumer Affairs, then WorkSafe and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) in December 2022. In October 2023, Mr. Pearson was appointed to the Suburban Rail Loop and Transport Infrastructure portfolios, where he oversaw significant transport infrastructure projects and regulatory bodies. In December 2024, Mr. Pearson was appointed to his current portfolios, where he continues with the role of Minister for Finance and is now the responsible Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs. December 2025 he was again commissioned with the portfolio for Minister for Government Services.
Michael McNamara, Executive General Manager, Enterprise Services, Australia Post
Michael joined Australia Post in July 2023. Prior to this, Michael was the Chief Executive Officer at Digital Victoria for two years and also held the roles of Chief Information Officer and Deputy CEO for Services Australia, where he led the Australian Government’s program of widescale digital transformation. This included centralising digital services and digitising critical government services to support millions of Australians through the COVID-19 Pandemic. With more than 25 years of experience in digital transformation, Michael has played a critical role in this evolving space. Before joining the public sector, he had a lengthy private sector career supporting the likes of ANZ, CBA and other banking and energy providers to build and modernise their digital infrastructure. Michael was ranked in the top 10 in the CIO50 awards in 2021 for his work supporting essential government services such as Centrelink and Medicare during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Brendan Hopper, Managing Director, Innovation Ecosystems, Commonwealth Bank
Brendan is Managing Director of Innovation Ecosystems at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he focuses on building partnerships across industry, education, and government to accelerate technology capability and innovation. He has held senior technology leadership roles at the bank, including Chief Information Officer for Technology, driving large-scale engineering transformation and digital capability. Brendan is also a Non-Executive Director of the Future Skills Organisation, with a strong focus on developing Australia’s technology workforce and advancing accessible pathways into tech careers.
Elizabeth Wilson, Chief Information Officer, Department of Education
Elizabeth is an experienced executive with a demonstrable track record in innovative leadership and applying technology as a transformation agent for business change. Elizabeth is passionate about education and gender diversity in technology. Elizabeth is the CIO at the Department of Education, Victoria where she has initiated and delivered a digitalisation program, incorporating a shift to new digital services using composable, cloud platform- based architecture and agile practices. his role has oversight of one of the largest IT networks in Australia, with a team of over 1100 staff providing services to more than 1560 schools and 14 Early Learning Centres, as well as the Department’s School, Early Childhood and Corporate Services portfolio and program areas
Pieter Vorster, General Manager, Data Platforms & Chief Digital Officer, Westpac
Pieter Vorster is a senior technology leader at Westpac, responsible for driving large-scale digital transformation and advancing the bank’s data and AI capabilities. He leads the delivery of secure, scalable platforms that enhance customer experience and operational performance across the organisation. With deep experience in complex enterprise environments, Pieter brings a strong focus on modern engineering, resilience, and risk management.
Kathryn Gulifa, Chief Data & Analytics Officer HBF
Kathryn leads HBF Health’s data analytics strategy, turning data into actionable insights that improve member outcomes. With 20 years’ experience across banking, insurance, government, and retail, Kathryn specialises in advanced analytics and AI to enable proactive, data-driven decisions.
Robin Mann, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Monash Health
Adjunct Professor Robin Mann is Chief Digital and Information Officer at Monash Health, Victoria’s largest public health service. A former medical doctor with more than 20 years’ experience in digital health, he has held leadership roles across the NHS, consulting firms and health organisations globally. Robin specialises in digital transformation, health informatics and the integration of clinical care through data and technology.
Stacey O'Toole, Chief Information Officer, Victorian Ombudsman
Stacey is a senior leader at the Victorian Ombudsman, where she plays a key role in overseeing investigations and driving accountability across the public sector. With extensive experience in governance, risk, and regulatory frameworks, she works to ensure transparency, fairness, and integrity in government decision-making. Stacey brings a strong focus on public trust, ethical oversight, and the responsible use of data and technology in complex environments.
Simon Reiter, Chief Technology Officer, CareSuper
Simon is a Top 50 Australian CIO and Digital Transformation Executive with over 27 years’ experience across Financial Services, Property, Government, Health, Education and Legal sectors. He is currently the Chief Technology Officer at CareSuper and has previously held senior technology leadership roles at Aware Super and Cbus Property, including Acting CTO and Head of Technology Strategy. Simon specialises in enterprise-scale transformation, cloud and core platform modernisation, and M&A integration, leading complex, multi-disciplinary teams through high-risk change. He is also an executive mentor with TechLX and Women.4/STEM, actively supporting diversity and inclusion in the technology sector.
Dilan Perera, Chief AI Officer, Bendigo Kangan Institute
Dilan’s appointment as Chief AI Officer is the first such appointment in the Australian education sector. He leads enterprise AI strategy and the delivery of a sector-leading AI program, with a focus on human-centred AI, strong data foundations, and ethical, purpose-led adoption. Prior to BKI, Dilan spent 20 years leading major customer, technology and digital transformations across the banking, insurance and energy sectors, delivering significant operational and commercial outcomes through technology-led innovation.
Professor Jeannie Paterson CAIDE Co- Director & Digital Ethics Advisor, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics, The University of Melbourne
Professor Jeannie Paterson is Co-Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) and a leading expert in digital regulation, consumer protection and AI governance. She works at the intersection of law, technology and ethics, advising on responsible AI, emerging risks and the regulatory frameworks needed to build trust in digital systems. Jeannie is widely recognised for her work shaping policy and guiding organisations on the ethical deployment of AI in complex, high-impact environments.
Simon Kriss, Chief Executive Officer, Sovereign AI Australia
Simon leads initiatives at Sovereign AI Australia that are focused on building Australia’s sovereign capability in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. With a background spanning data, AI and digital transformation, Simon works with government and enterprise leaders to navigate the strategic, economic and security implications of AI at a national level. He is a recognised voice on the role of sovereign AI in driving resilience, competitiveness and future industry growth.
Dr Maruf Hossain, Chief AI Strategist, Author & Global Top 100 Innovator
Maruf is named among the 2024 Global Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics, is Australia’s leading Fractional Chief AI Officer (CAIO), providing strategic leadership in artificial intelligence to boards, consulting partnerships, and technology firms. He holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Melbourne, complemented by GAICD governance credentials. Maruf’s executive experience spans the enterprise and public sectors. Maruf supports organisations worldwide in building sustainable AI capabilities. Previously, as Vice President of Data Science at ANZ Bank, he led large-scale AI adoption across banking operations. His earlier roles with Credit Clear, Telstra Global, IBM Global Business Services, Infosys Consulting, and the Australian Government involved establishing Data and AI Centres of Excellence and embedding responsible AI frameworks across regulated industries. Author of AI Success Beyond Perfect Data and several research papers, Maruf is recognised for aligning AI strategy with measurable organisational and governance outcomes.aru
Manohar Esarapu, Chief Information & Innovation Officer, City of Port Phillip
Manohar leads the digital strategy, technology and innovation initiatives at the City of Port Phillip where he strives to enhance community services and operational outcomes. With extensive experience across government and enterprise, he focuses on leveraging data, AI and emerging technologies to drive smarter, more responsive service delivery. Manohar is passionate about building future-ready organisations through innovation, collaboration and responsible technology adoption.
Dr Imtiaz Bhayat, Chief Information Officer, Regis Aged care
Imtiaz leads technology, digital and data strategy across a complex, highly regulated healthcare environment. With deep experience in enterprise IT, transformation and service delivery, he focuses on leveraging technology and AI to improve care outcomes, operational efficiency and resident experience. Imtiaz is passionate about driving innovation while ensuring security, compliance and trust in critical care systems.
Joe Locandro, EVP & Global Chief Information Officer, Rimini Street
Joe is responsible for leading Rimini Street’s global, mission-critical IT business applications and operations team and establishing strategic plans for the company’s current and future capabilities of IT. Joe is a seasoned business technology and transformation leader with over 25 years in senior IT executive roles including CTO, CIO, CDO and Chief Transformation Officer, a career spanning a range of complex industries from airlines, utilities, and manufacturing to building and construction. His extensive background includes working for many global organizations along with providing his expertise to advisory boards for governments, universities, and statutory authorities. With deep experience leading culturally diverse international environments such as mainland China, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, Joe champions a culture of collaboration across internal and external stakeholders. Focused on delivering tangible and measurable results, he enjoys identifying business opportunities using a combination of contemporary and emerging technologies, and bringing together people, tools and a shared purpose in realizing the company vision. Previously, Joe served as CIO at Fletcher Building (Australia and New Zealand), Chief Digital & Business Transformation Officer at Austral Energy Market Operator, Vice President of Business Technology Services at Emirates Airlines, CIO of Cathay Pacific Airways and CIO of China Light & Power.