Speakers
International Keynote
Fiona Fletcher-Smith
CEO, London & Quadrant, UK
Fiona was appointed as L&Q’s Chief Executive in September 2020. London & Quadrant house around 250,000 people in more than 105,000 homes, primarily across London, the South East and North West of England. With almost 30 years’ experience in the housing sector, Fiona has worked in a variety of voluntary and public sector roles including advising homeless people in Dublin, housing management, development and regeneration, strategy and policy development. Fiona was previously L&Q’s Director of Development and Sales, spearheading a £5.1 billion development programme. Whilst in this role, Fiona led on our development and strategic land programmes, including landmark projects such as the 10,800-home Barking Riverside development. She also oversaw the group’s expansion beyond the South-East and delivered change programmes to improve both the efficiency and diversity of our Development and Sales function. Prior to joining L&Q, Fiona was Executive Director for Development, Enterprise and Environment at the Greater London Authority (GLA). As part of their senior management team, Fiona was responsible for overseeing the delivery and implementation of key strategies such as the London Plan and overseeing the operation of the Mayor’s powers in relation to significant planning applications in the capital. Fiona is the current chair of trustees at the Centre for London, helping the capital’s think tank to meet their charitable objectives. Fiona is also Chair of the G15 group of London’s leading not-for-profit housing associations. Its members provide more than 715,000 homes across the country, including around one in ten homes for Londoners.
International Keynote
Priya Jayachandran
CEO, National Housing Trust, US
Since early 2018 Priya Jayachandran has led National Housing Trust (NHT). NHT is committed to the preservation of home, opportunity, and dignity through affordable housing. In her role as CEO, Priya leads NHT’s engagement in public policy, lending and energy sustainability. Priya previously led Housing Development at Volunteers of America (VOA). In her role, she managed the strategic direction, acquisition, and development of rental housing for VOA. Priya served in the Obama Administration at the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2014 until 2017, as Senior Policy Advisor, Director of the front office of Multifamily Housing, and ultimately as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs. Before joining HUD, Priya spent more than 15 years in community development real estate banking in New York and Washington, DC. She led client teams delivering debt and tax credit equity for affordable housing and charter schools during that time. Under Priya's leadership, the Mid-Atlantic market at both Citi and Bank of America were the top production offices in the country. Priya is a recognized industry expert on affordable finance deal structuring. Priya has also worked as a consultant to women’s microcredit organizations in La Paz, Bolivia; at Credit Suisse as an investment banking analyst; and at California State Treasurer Kathleen Brown as a Capital Fellow. Priya earned her B.A. from the University of California and her MPA from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
International Keynote
Dr Eric Anthony Johnson
President and CEO, Aeon, US
Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson joined Aeon as President & CEO in February 2022. He brings extensive academic and professional experience to Aeon. He holds a PhD in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. He is an alumnus of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate. He also holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee. Most recently, he served as Chief of Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhood Services at the City of Dallas, where he led efforts to create a $100 million fund to support affordable housing, and adoption of the City’s comprehensive economic development policy. Johnson was born and raised in New Orleans and has worked in urban development in cities across the county. He is not new to Minnesota. Johnson earned a Master of Public Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1996. From 2018 - 2020, he was Community Development Director at the City of Bloomington. There he led the creation of the City’s opportunity housing ordinance and Bloomington’s $15 million affordable housing trust fund. Its first investment was in Blooming Meadows South, a property Aeon acquired to preserve 306 affordable homes.
International Keynote
Sarah Smith
Chief Financial Officer, Southern Housing UK
Sarah started her career as an external auditor with BDO Stoy Hayward. Specialising in social housing she moved to KPMG. She moved on to London & Quadrant Group and then to Amicus Horizon (now Southern Housing following two mergers) in 2009, with over 77,000 homes across the South East, the Isle of Wight and the Midlands. Her responsibilities include: Governance including managing the relationship with the Regulator of Social Housing Internal audit, risk management & assurance Financial services Procurement Pensions. She has led on the due diligence for seven successful mergers & acquisitions in social housing during her career, the most recent one completing in December 2022. Sarah currently sits on the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) social housing sub-committee and the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) Finance & Policy Advisory Group. She has previously chaired the g15 Finance Directors’ Group and was Vice Chair of the NHF’s SORP Working Party up until 2020. She is a non-executive Board member at Dolphin Square Foundation and Reall Limited (a charity who’s aim is to provide climate-smart affordable homes in urban Africa and Asia) where she also chairs the Audit Committee. Sarah is also a member of the Sustainability for Housing Board.
Michele Adair
CEO, Housing Trust
Michele Adair is the CEO of Housing Trust, a large Community Housing Provider of social and affordable rental housing on the NSW South Coast, and in December 2022 she was appointed the inaugural Chair of Homes Tasmania, a new statutory body tasked with making the state’s housing system more effective and sustainable. Her previous roles include Chair of the Community Housing Industry Association of NSW and executive leadership roles in health, aged care and education. Michele is a respected, passionate and pragmatic voice in public policy. She has been instrumental in achieving significant reforms in housing, health services and gender equity. In 2021, Michele received the Illawarra’s Outstanding Business Leader of the Year award and in 2023 she was honoured with the UDIA National Women in Leadership Award for Excellence. Most recently the Australian Financial Review acknowledged Michele as one of the most powerful figures in the Australian property industry for 2023.
Bridget Archer MP
Federal Member for Bass
Bridget Archer was first elected as the Federal Member for Bass in the May 2019 election. At the 2022 federal election, Bridget became the first Liberal member in more than 30 years to hold the seat for a second term. Prior to being elected to federal parliament, Bridget served on the George Town Council from 2009 first as a Councillor, before Deputy Mayor in 2011 and then Mayor from 2014-2018. In both local and federal government, Bridget has actively worked to break the short-term mindset that come with election promises and instead focus on long-term strategic planning for to create a stronger economic future for the next generation, not just to the next election cycle. As someone committed to being a genuine and authentic representative her community, Bridget is passionate about wanting voters to have trust and faith in their elected representatives which at its core, must come from acting with integrity and truly representing the views of the community first and foremost. Bridget lives with her husband Winston and her five children on a family farm in George Town.
Andrew Barr
ACT Chief Minister
As a social progressive and economic reformer, Andrew has led an inclusive and positive agenda for Canberra since being elected ACT Chief Minister in 2014. Canberra is Australia’s knowledge capital, playing to its strengths and opening up its economy to drive job creation in emerging industries. From nation-leading tax reform to city-shaping infrastructure and progressive economic policies, Canberra is thriving. During Andrew’s time as ACT Chief Minister, Canberra has been ranked by the OECD as the best city in the world to live and by Lonely Planet as one of the world's best cities to visit. Andrew’s progressive and action-focused government ensured that Canberra became the first city outside Europe, and the 8th in the world to be powered by 100% renewable electricity. Andrew has lived in Canberra for more than 40 years and attended Holt Preschool, Turner Primary, Lyneham High and Lake Ginninderra College, before studying a Bachelor of Arts (Policy Studies) at the Australian National University, majoring in economics and political science. He was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2006 and has served in a number of Ministerial portfolios including planning, education, housing, community services and sport. He is Australia’s longest-serving Tourism Minister and is also the ACT's Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment. Andrew is passionate about supporting Canberra’s diverse community. Through innovative policies, he has helped shape Canberra to become Australia’s most inclusive city and the most LGBTIQ-friendly city in the country. The Barr Labor Government is focused on creating a positive, progressive city that provides world-class healthcare, excellent schools and tertiary education, and infrastructure and services that are built for Canberra; built to support the city Canberrans want. Over the next few years, Andrew will ensure Canberra is a world leader of contemporary urban renewal. Through nation-leading tax reform, he aims to make Canberra a fairer place to live that leaves no-one behind.
Sarah Barclay
ACT Chief Minister
As a social progressive and economic reformer, Andrew has led an inclusive and positive agenda for Canberra since being elected ACT Chief Minister in 2014. Canberra is Australia’s knowledge capital, playing to its strengths and opening up its economy to drive job creation in emerging industries. From nation-leading tax reform to city-shaping infrastructure and progressive economic policies, Canberra is thriving. During Andrew’s time as ACT Chief Minister, Canberra has been ranked by the OECD as the best city in the world to live and by Lonely Planet as one of the world's best cities to visit. Andrew’s progressive and action-focused government ensured that Canberra became the first city outside Europe, and the 8th in the world to be powered by 100% renewable electricity. Andrew has lived in Canberra for more than 40 years and attended Holt Preschool, Turner Primary, Lyneham High and Lake Ginninderra College, before studying a Bachelor of Arts (Policy Studies) at the Australian National University, majoring in economics and political science. He was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2006 and has served in a number of Ministerial portfolios including planning, education, housing, community services and sport. He is Australia’s longest-serving Tourism Minister and is also the ACT's Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment. Andrew is passionate about supporting Canberra’s diverse community. Through innovative policies, he has helped shape Canberra to become Australia’s most inclusive city and the most LGBTIQ-friendly city in the country. The Barr Labor Government is focused on creating a positive, progressive city that provides world-class healthcare, excellent schools and tertiary education, and infrastructure and services that are built for Canberra; built to support the city Canberrans want. Over the next few years, Andrew will ensure Canberra is a world leader of contemporary urban renewal. Through nation-leading tax reform, he aims to make Canberra a fairer place to live that leaves no-one behind.
Julie Collins MP
Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness,
Minister for Small Business
Julie Collins was elected as the first female representative for Franklin in 2007. Julie entered politics because she deeply believes quality education, decent health services and fairness in the workplace should be available to everyone. Throughout her career in politics, Julie has worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of others. Julie has held numerous portfolios in both Government and Opposition. Julie is currently the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Small Business. Julie lives on Hobart’s Eastern Shore with her husband Ian and has three children.
Nerida Conisbee
Chief Economist, Ray White
Nerida is Ray White’s chief economist and one of Australia’s leading property experts. She provides market commentary to a wide range of Australian media outlets across digital, print, television and radio. She also contributes to Ray White’s publications including Ray White Now. Nerida is the Chair of the Construction Forecasting Council and is a member of the Australian Taxation Office’s Foreign Investment Stakeholder Group She also provides updates on property market conditions to major Government bodies. Nerida has more than 20 years of property research experience throughout Asia Pacific and has held senior positions within commercial agencies and major consulting firms during this time. Her experience covers residential and commercial property from both an investor and occupier’s perspective. Nerida holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours and Masters of Commerce, majoring in Econometrics, from the University of Melbourne.
Nathan Dal Bon
CEO, Housing Australia
Nathan has been CEO of Housing Australia since its inception as the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation and has more than 25 years' experience in economic policy development and advising across government. Nathan has held senior executive roles in the Commonwealth Treasury, and the departments of Industry, Innovation and Science; Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has served as a non-executive director of AHURI. In 2014, Nathan was Australia’s representative to the United Nations for the Report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing. Nathan holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Economic (Hons). Nathan has been Chief Executive Officer of NHFIC since its inception in 2018 with the organization transitioning to Housing Australia in late 2023. He has more than 25 years' experience in economic policy development and advising across government. In his previous role as a senior Commonwealth Treasury official, he led the team that worked extensively on the establishment of NHFIC. As CEO, Nathan is focused on building an organisation that improves housing outcomes, particularly in affordable housing. Prior to joining NHFIC, Nathan held senior executive roles in the Commonwealth Treasury, and the departments of Industry, Innovation and Science; Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has served as a non-executive director of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). In 2014, Nathan was Australia’s representative to the United Nations for the Report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing. Nathan holds a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Economic (Hons) degree from the University of Newcastle.
Peter Johnston
Managing Director, Lighthouse Infrastructure
Peter joined Lighthouse in 2016 as a Managing Director, where he is responsible for the investment process and management of the business. Peter also has responsibility for portfolio management and growth initiatives and is a member of Lighthouse’s Investment Committee. Peter has over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure investment and management across a variety of roles and has completed extensive investments and transactions in Australia, Europe and North America. Prior to joining Lighthouse, Peter was a member of the leadership team at Hastings Funds Management with specific responsibility for growth of the business. Over five years, Peter oversaw considerable expansion in the Hastings business and was also involved in new investments in the energy, transport and water sectors in Europe and Australia. Prior to this Peter worked at Macquarie Group for over eight years across a number of roles in the infrastructure sector including Macquarie Infrastructure Group. Prior to Macquarie, Peter was the portfolio manager for what is now IFM Investors’ Australian Infrastructure Fund, adding significant investments in the transportation, telecommunications, water and utility sectors. Earlier in his career, Peter held senior roles at KPMG Corporate Finance and Multinet Gas.
Trina Jones
NSW Rental Commissioner, NSW Government
Inaugural Rental Commissioner Trina Jones was appointed by the NSW Government in July 2023. Trina is a voice for renters and working to drive change for a fair, quality, and affordable renting experience in NSW. Trina has more than 15 years’ experience leading responses to complex social issues including housing affordability, homelessness, community safety, food insecurity and drug and alcohol use in Australia, the UK and Ireland. Trina’s leadership positions as CEO of Homelessness NSW, Deputy Chair of Homelessness Australia, and in local government give her a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing the sector. Trina seeks to work in partnership with renters, property providers, industry experts, advocates and community leaders for greater impact, informed by those with lived experience to develop innovative solutions resulting in lasting system change. Trina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (BA) and a Master of Arts in Community Development (MA).
Tim Lawless
Head of Research, CoreLogic Asia Pacific
Tim is executive research director of CoreLogic’s Asia–Pacific research division, managing a team of economic and data specialists across Australia and New Zealand. He brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role, providing deep insights and analysis on national housing trends. Recognised as a leading authority on residential property, Tim regularly provides expert commentary on real estate market conditions and the interplay between housing markets, demographic trends and economic factors. As one of Australia’s most popular property market analysts and commentators, Tim’s expertise is frequently sought by a diverse array of audiences from government bodies and policy makers through national and international corporate entities across the property, banking and financial sectors, insurance, valuations and consumers. Tim’s research is regularly featured in Australian and global media and he is a popular keynote speaker.
Dai Le MP
Independent Federal Member for Fowler
Dai Trang Le is the first Independent Federal Member for Fowler, and the first Vietnamese refugee to be elected to the 47th Parliament of Australia for the electorate of Fowler, a division of Western Sydney that was named after Lilian Fowler, the first female mayor in Australia. Her remarkable and well documented journey from war torn Vietnam to Australia has shaped her into the passionate advocate she is today, speaking out for her community on issues that can help improve their standard of living. In 2008 she embarked on a journey to make a difference; to be the voice of her community and to be the voice of the people who had previously been ignored. Dai Le was elected to Fairfield City Council in 2012 where she continues to this day, to serve the community and works hard to understand the day-to-day issues families face every day. It wasn’t until May 2022, that Dai took a gigantic leap of faith and entered the Federal election race, as a passionate advocate for those who had been ignored and marginalised for too long and today, Dai Trang Le is the first woman of Vietnamese heritage and the first Independent to win the safe-Labor seat of Fowler.
Mike Mantle
Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Mike Mantle joined Morgan Stanley in 2009 and led the design of Morgan Stanley’s community and economic development lending and investments business. Mike is Managing Director and Head of Morgan Stanley Community Development Finance, President of Morgan Stanley Community Investments, and Vice Chairman of the Morgan Stanley Impact SBIC, where he is also a Member of the Investment Committee.
Stephen Miners
Deputy Under Treasurer and Coordinator General for Housing, ACT Treasury
Stephen has provided policy advice for the ACT, Australian and United Kingdom governments for over 33 years across a range of areas including fiscal and budget strategy, housing, government service delivery, economic conditions, international finance, taxation and organisational strategy. Stephen is the Coordinator-General for Housing in the ACT, with responsibility for co-ordinating advice to the government across all areas that intersect with housing, including Commonwealth Government initiatives, land release, public housing, community housing and tax reform. He is also the Deputy Under Treasurer with responsibility for economic, revenue and insurance issues. Stephen filled the role of Under Treasurer for the ACT for most of 2021, guiding the ACT through the financial and budget implications of the COVID-19 health restrictions. He has previously lead ACT Treasury’s advice on fiscal and budget policy, financial reporting, capital works, workplace safety and industrial relations, property and shared services.
Ben Phillips
Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research
and Methods, Australian National University
Ben is a Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Research and Methods. He has 25 years of experience as an economic and social researcher in Australia. Ben manages the ANU's microsimulation modelling team which mostly focusses on the Australian tax and welfare system. Most of Ben's research focusses on modelling policy in Australia in the areas of personal income tax, welfare, superannuation and housing. Prior to joining the ANU Ben was responsible for a range of modelling projects at NATSEM including the STINMOD microsimulation model of Australia’s tax and transfer system. Ben managed several key projects including the distributional analysis of the Federal Government’s 2014-15 and 2015-16 Budgets. Prior to joining the ANU Ben twice worked at NATSEM and has also had roles at the ABS as a methodologist and economist and the Housing Industry Association as a senior economist.
Gemma Pinnell
Principal, Right Lane Consulting
Gemma is a principal at Right Lane Consulting. She has worked in senior positions in superannuation and the labour movement for over two decades. Her areas of expertise are Affordable Housing and Superannuation. Gemma is passionate about collaboration and bringing together different stakeholders from across sectors and perspectives. She is focused on partnering with clients to tackle challenging problems and deliver solutions that can be executed to achieve impact. Recently she has been working on; • Stakeholder engagement: Working with the NSW State Government to bring together diverse stakeholders to have input into the creation of the new Homes NSW entity, focusing on the voices of people with lived experience of housing stress and homelessness. This included designing, facilitating and reporting on multiple sessions across the state to collect feedback and insights. • Strategy development: Working with the CEO and board of a community affordable housing organisation in Sydney's west to agree their overall strategic direction and aspiration and consider key strategic questions to set them up for future success and to assess their investment pipeline and growth strategy. • Developing an advocacy narrative: Working with the head of External Affairs of a peak body in the energy industry, Gemma worked collaboratively with the team to develop a set of 'mega themes' to better define their work priorities and align their work to the broader organisational goals. Prior to joining Right Lane, Gemma was Director, Strategic Engagement at Industry Super Australia where she was responsible for strengthening relationships between ISA and key stakeholders. Gemma has built her successful career as a skilled leader bringing complex stakeholders together, solving complex problems and leading and driving outcomes. Gemma was also previously a trustee director of AustralianSuper, a director of Industry Fund Services and a member of the senior team at the ACTU. She worked in senior roles in the trade union movement for twenty years, including leading organisational reviews for the ACTU. She is a skilled facilitator and enjoys working with boards and teams across a variety of sectors. Gemma holds a Master’s degree in Communication from RMIT, an Honours degree in Women's Studies and Politics from Monash University and is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors course.
David Pocock
Independent Senator for the ACT
Having migrated from Zimbabwe with his family as a teenager, David went on to captain the Wallabies and Vice-Captain the Brumbies as part of a stellar rugby career in which he has been awarded for leadership on and off the field. With a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture, David also has a track record as a powerful advocate on issues ranging from climate to marriage equality. He has been involved in multiple small businesses and has co-founded numerous not-for-profit community initiatives in Australia and overseas, including with his wife Emma. In 2021, David attended the COP26 climate summit and led The Cool Down campaign that saw over 470 Australian athletes from 40+ sports call on the Australian Government to lift its ambition on climate change. Upon returning home, he announced his run as the community-endorsed Independent Senate candidate for the ACT. After campaigning on a platform of integrity, doing politics differently and making Canberra count, David was successfully elected at the 21 May 2022 Federal Election.
Tamika Smith
Founder, Top 100 Women and Director, My Bella Casa
Recently named 'Entrepreneur Woman of the Year' and shortlisted for Queenslander of the Year, Tamika has been widely acknowledged & respected for the work she has contributed by building commercially viable companies with a social values system to deliver social & affordable housing. Named “Most Influential Woman in Construction” by Built International, Tamika lead the #istandforkelly movement uniting the construction sector to support domestic violence victim, Kelly Wilkinson by rallying the sector by building a new home to mark a new beginning for 8 children. In 48 hours, suppliers stood up to support this family as the notion ‘hope & good people’ was equally as important as the bricks & mortar. Tamika’s expertise stems from building businesses within the construction and affordable housing sectors as a Founder, Executive Director, Chair, Board Advisor from development, to leading the way with advocating for quality offsite built homes within My Bella Casa. Tamika specializes in working with community housing providers to deliver turn key affordable housing, highlighting the largest group facing homelessness - women over 55. Off the back of working in the affordable housing segment for some time, “My Bella Casa”, Australian offsite construction was founded building 1 & 2 bed homes at an affordable price, the most in demand size on our housing waitlist. Delivering a streamlined, turn key solution to social & affordable housing is what we are now effectively equipped to do. Acquiring our own land & delivering a completed housing solution to address permanent tenure nationally. “Housing long term is not a short term fix.” Top 100 Women, also founded by Tamika, is an online community platform for women in construction connecting some 21,000 individuals all over the world. The recently released technology platform has been regarded as an "essential tool for women in the construction sector,” changing the game as we know it today within male dominated segments all over the world.
Carolyn Viney
Chief Executive Officer, Super Housing Partnerships
Carolyn Viney has more than 25 years’ experience in construction, property development and real estate investment. Carolyn was previously Chief Development Officer of Vicinity Centres, prior to this she held a number of leadership roles across Grocon including CEO and Head of Development.
Tim Williams
Cities Advocacy Lead, Grimshaw
Dr Tim Williams heads up Grimshaw’s Cities Initiative which forms part of the Cities and Social Impact Group. This is a new initiative which differentiates Grimshaw. It informs our understanding as to the key urban issues and trends evident in the wake of the pandemic of maximum relevance to those working in the built environment and real estate. It helps us understand the places – their strategic objectives and needs – in which we build so as to maximise our social impact and benefits for both client and community.