Speakers

David Fogwill

David Fogwill is the Director of Engineering Assurance and Integration for Inland Rail and is responsible for managing key development, detailed design, construction and commissioning risks to ensure solutions meet all stakeholder needs and business requirements.

David has over 20 years' experience in project delivery, integration and engineering from across the transport and energy sectors.

Prior to joining Inland Rail, David held several leadership positions with Sydney Metro, including Associate Executive Director Project Integration and Director Project Engineering and Design (City and Southwest Metro), where he was responsible for the delivery of integration, assurance, engineering and design outcomes across all projects.

David’s extensive experience and diverse background will be an asset to Inland Rail as we move closer towards Delivery.

Hayley Jarick

Hayley is living the dream. Her role as CEO and Company Secretary of the Supply Chain Sustainability School Limited (Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) keeps her busy full-time four days a week. In her spare time Hayley volunteers for Responsible Steel (Independent Non-Executive Director), Maat (Co-founder and Co-Managing Director), Planet Ark (Chair of the ACE Hub Procurement Working Group), WWF (MECLA PCG member, co-chair working group 5a steel and working group 3/4 knowledge), Green Gown Awards (judge since 2019), and Scouts NSW (State Commissioner Inclusion Scout NSW and Group Leader Kingsford Smith Scout Group).

CEO, Company Secretary and Non-Executive Director. Experience in governance, strategic management, marketing, membership, adult learning, advocacy, financial analytics, sales and customer service in manufacturing, residential and commercial building, heavy construction, professional services and international trade; for-profit and for-purpose; big and small; paid and voluntary. Loves scrapbooking and paint-by-numbers. Myers and Briggs call me an ENFP, Other Personality Types gurus call me a Driver, Herrmann calls me an Experimental thinker, Scouts call me Ikki, and my two children call me Mum.

Dena Jacobs

Dena Jacobs is an Executive Director in the Strategy Division at Infrastructure NSW, with extensive experience from across a range of infrastructure and economic policy roles.

She leads Infrastructure NSW’s sustainability and resilience work programs, including the Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery policy and measurement approach that focuses on reducing embodied emissions in infrastructure delivery.

Dena has a background in economics, having previously worked at Deloitte, NSW Treasury, the Bank of England, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Daniel Powrie

I have over 24 years of heavy civil engineering experience in highways, rail and marine environments with over 10 years spent as a Project Manager/Director. I am currently working with Transport for New South Wales helping deliver Sydney Metro West; I have the ideal background to manage the successful delivery of complex and challenging construction projects on time and below budget by ensuring rigid commercial controls, high safety standards, engineering innovation at tender through to construction and proactive risk and programme management. I drive teams to perform and ensure the Projects are a success not only for the Sponsor but all stakeholder and Project partners.

Mike Taherian

Mike is a Senior Manager with 19+ years of experience in different industries. He has successfully delivered new build and development projects across various sectors, including Water, Wastewater, HVAC, Oil and Gas. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer, Mechanical and Principal Design Practitioner with expertise in Piping, HVAC, Programming, Coordination and Management. He leads a dynamic team of Civil, Structural and Mechanical engineers and Architectural designers, who use advanced software to enhance engineering workflows and design quality

Prof. Fang Chen

Distinguished Professor Fang Chen is a highly acclaimed leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, known internationally for her award-winning innovations. Her expertise in developing data-driven solutions has significantly impacted various sectors, including transport, water, energy, health, agriculture and education. She is a fervent advocate for ethical and human-centric AI.

In 2018, Professor Chen received the prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Science, often regarded as the "Oscar" of Australian science. She was named "Water Professional of the Year" by the Australian Water Association in 2016 and won the Australia and New Zealand "Women in AI" Award in Infrastructure in 2021, along with the NSW Premier's Prize of Science and Engineering. 

Leading multidisciplinary teams, Professor Chen has achieved several major scientific and industry accolades nationally. These include the Intelligent Transport Systems Australia National Award (2014, 2015, and 2018), the NSW iAwards (2017), the VIC iAwards (2019 and 2020), and the Australian Water Association's National Award and NSW "Research and Innovation Award" (2018 and 2022). Her career spans innovation, digital transformation strategies, and execution in industry, government, and academia. 

Professor Chen has extensive international experience, collaborating with over 100 entities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Her work encompasses early-stage R&D to product development and deployment, expertly bridging customer needs with technological innovations to add business value. 

A prolific researcher, Professor Chen has contributed over 300 refereed publications in science and engineering, authored several books, and holds over 30 patents across multiple countries. She is a key member of the NSW Government AI Advisory Committee, serves on the Singapore National Science Foundation expert panel, and holds positions on several boards including Industry Innovation and Science Australia (iisa) and ITS Australia. She is currently the Executive Director of UTS Data Science Institute.

Elouise Robinson

Elouise is an experienced Digital Engineering Manager and chartered Civil Engineer. She has experience working on road and rail infrastructure projects in Australia and the United Kingdom and is passionate about helping the construction industry become more digitally mature. Elouise currently leads the NSW Digital Engineering team for Bridges, Aviation and Roads at WSP, working collaboratively with engineering design teams and clients to apply information management and Digital Engineering strategies on transport projects, and to explore new opportunities to use digital tools on projects.

Peter Magnisalis

Life-long Penrith resident and contributor Peter Magnisalis is the Founder and Managing Director of Winter Sports World.

He has 27 years’ experience and qualifications in large scale property development and construction. In the past, he has built residential, aged care, retirement living, special and mixed-use projects with groups such as Anglicare, MJH Group, PBS Property Group, John Hollands and Abi Group.

So why on earth is he building Australia’s first indoor snow resort in one of the hottest places on Earth?

Chris Fox

Chris Fox is an artist, architect and academic with 30 years’ experience in the built environment navigating the complex constraints of the public domain. He is passionate about transforming our cities, towns and landscapes through artful thinking and collaboration.

Chris founded the multi-disciplinary design studio Studio Chris Fox in 2013 with the aim of transforming the built environment, bridging the disciplines of art, architecture and engineering. SCF utilises an innovative computational workflow to create structures that push the boundaries of what seems physically possible, whilst telling meaningful stories of place and people through time. In addition to his studio practice, Chris is a Senior Lecturer in Art Processes and Architecture at the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is inspired by the future-thinking of academia, and the chance to influence upcoming generations of young designers and creative thinkers.

Chris holds degrees in both fine arts and architecture. He has been the recipient of many Awards, grants and residencies including the 2018 National Trust Heritage Award for the Most Outstanding Project of the Year (Interloop, 2017). Chris ‘s work has been exhibited widely via solo and group exhibitions in Australia, the USA and Europe. Landmark public commissions include Interchange Pavilion (2020), Interloop (2017) and Rozelle Interchange (2023). Chris is a member of AKIN, the competition award-winning design team for Sydney’s Barangaroo Harbour Park, due for completion in 2027.

David Donnelly

David leads the infrastructure team at Allens. 

He is one of Australia's most experienced infrastructure and development lawyers and has worked extensively across the asset lifecycle on major infrastructure, energy, and property development projects.  David is actively involved with a number of peak industry bodies so has a keen interest in emerging trends and development in the infrastructure market – including efforts to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the industry and its impact on the communities which it supports.

Austen Shoebotham

Austen is Business Leader of the Arcadis NSW Civil Infrastructure business unit of over 95 staff including the disciplines of Civil Engineering, Road Design, Drainage and Flooding, Pavement Engineering, Utility Engineering, Civil CAD & Modelling, Project Management and Commercial. As part of his role, Austen is also a Project and Technical Director with a depth of experience from delivering major projects at all stages of the project lifecycle. 

Austen’s 20 years of project experience includes a background of highway engineering, design management and project management across a diverse range of projects, and currently comprises a number of governance and leadership roles on major projects across a range of rural and urban major highways and other infrastructure projects. Austen understands what it takes to form teams and deliver a major project successfully and has a strong grasp of the scope, commercial and leadership requirements for success. 

Austen is responsible for management of the NSW Civil Infrastructure business within Arcadis. As part of this role Austen provides governance through Project Director and Steering Committee roles on major projects such as Western Sydney Airport, the Great Western Highway Upgrade and Warringah Freeway Upgrade, with responsibility for the contract, commercials, and delivery. Austen’s role also includes responsibility for sales and work winning, with significant experience and expertise in pursuits, teaming, bid management, proposal writing and contract negotiations.

David Harding

As Executive Director at Business NSW, David leads a number of diverse and capable teams ranging right across NSW's cities and regions, and also sits on the national business Executive Leadership Team.

He is dedicated to ensuring a strong economic and social future for all NSW communities. 

He is co-Chair of the Committee for Sydney Commission into the Future of the Sydney CBD, represents customer’s interests at the Australian Energy Regulator and within the energy industry, and sits on a wide range of other government, trade and industry bodies both here and oversees.  He presently advises the NSW Government VET review, the NSW Government Housing Taskforce, and also sits on the NSW Government 24hr CBD Economy and Smart NSW Advisory boards. 

A supporter of good social investment, he is a director of Engineering Aid Australia, and Apprenticeship Support Australia, as well as serving on the boards and committees of other sporting and community charities and foundations in NSW.

He is a leadership mentor to a number of emerging leaders across the private and public sectors.

David is experienced in the successful co-creation, deal-making, design and construction of highly complex projects. He has spent many years leading transformational programs in the public and private sectors, largely within infrastructure and the built environment.

Emily Low

Emily is a proven Sustainability Leader with 25 years’ experience working across buildings, precincts and infrastructure projects. Emily’s experience spans local government, state government secondment roles and private consultancy in both the UK and Australia.
Emily is an experienced Green Star Accredited Professional (Communities) and ISCA Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP). I am currently a member of the ISC Technical Working Group (D&AB) and the chair for the Green Star Nature Expert Reference Panel. Emily recently worked with Infrastructure NSW on their Decarbonising Infrastructure Policy.
Emily was part of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) UK (2017) EIA and GHG Task Group Member and has undertaken carbon and climate change assessments for a broad range of projects.
Emily is a strategic thinker who likes to work at the nexus of infrastructure, biodiversity and climate resilience. She has a background in strategic environmental planning and provides strategic sustainability advice to support clients on corporate strategy, policy, reporting and business case projects as well as through the entire project lifecycle.