About our Speakers:

The Hon. David Elliot MP

Minister for Transport and Veterans and Western Sydney

David has extensive experience in the public and private sectors with a focus on media relations, public policy and public advocacy. As the longest serving Liberal Corrections Minister, David maintains an active interest in the Justice cluster.

He is currently the Minister for Transport and Veterans, having previously served in the Police and Emergency Services, Counter Terrorism and Veterans Affairs portfolios.

David is the Member for Baulkham Hills in the NSW Parliament. It was in this role that he chaired the Committee for Economic Development, the Ministerial Consultative Committees for India and Taiwan and the St John Ambulance Parliamentary Auxiliary.

The Hon. Damien Tudehope MLC

Minister for Finance & Employee Relations

Damien resides in the Hills District and grew up in the Moss Vale area before attending the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws in 1978.

Prior to being elected to the NSW Parliament, Damien was a partner in his own law firm, O’Hara and Company Solicitors, for thirty years. Damien has also been a small business owner, primarily in the childcare sector and was the Chief of Staff to the former Attorney-General Greg Smith.

Damien was elected to the seat of Epping in 2015 with the second highest primary vote in the history of the electorate.

In March 2019, Damien was elected to the Legislative Council and was appointed as the Minister of Finance and Small Business.

In April 2020, Damien was appointed as Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. And in July 2020, Damien was appointed as Leader of the House in the Legislative Council.

In December 2021, Damien was appointed as Minister for Finance and Employment Relations, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi

The Hills Shire Council

For more than nine years, Dr Peter Gangemi has served the residents of The Hills Shire. Upon his election in 2012, he became the youngest Councillor ever elected to The Hills Shire Council. He was elected as a North Ward Councillor between 2012 and 2021 and is now leading Council as the popularly-elected Mayor.

Mayor Dr Gangemi holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours. In the private sector, Peter worked as a Senior Acoustic Engineer for a leading consultancy specialising in Environmental Acoustics, before committing to the mayoralty on a full time basis.

Peter has lived in Box Hill nearly his entire life, firstly on acreage and now in the new subdivisions with his wife and son. Mayor Dr Gangemi is particularly passionate about ensuring residents who move into new communities have the infrastructure they need. Peter seeks to maintain the character of the Hills and deliver upgrades to parks, sports fields, playgrounds and footpaths across the shire. Peter supports initiatives that encourage local businesses to create the jobs of the future, as well as measures that support the rural and tourist economies.

Peter is a director of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport, Chair of The Resource Recovery Task Group and a member of the Local Traffic Committee. Peter was previously the Chair of The Hills Bush Fire Management Committee, a Hills Youth Ambassador, Chair of The Hills Youth Committee and a member of the Hills Relay for Life Committee.

Peter Poulet

Central River City Commissioner, Greater Cities Commission

Peter Poulet joined the Greater Sydney Commission (now Greater Cities Commission) in September 2018 as the Central City and South District Commissioner (now Central River City Commissioner).

Before joining the GCC, Peter was the 23rd NSW Government Architect for six years providing independent, impartial, whole-of-government perspective and advice on the built environment to achieve optimal architectural, urban design and environmental outcomes.

He has over 30 years’ experience in both private and government architectural offices and his projects have received numerous awards including the Horbury Hunt, the Blackett and an Australian Institute of Architects’ award.

Michael Edgar

General Manager, The Hills Shire Council.

Mike commenced his local government career in February 1986 working in three local councils being Blacktown City, Blue Mountains City and The Hills Shire since July 2005.

He has a bachelor’s degree in applied science from the University of Western Sydney (Hawkesbury), an attainment in Building Inspection from (UWSH) and just recently successfully completed the company directors course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mike commenced duties as a Trainee Health and Building surveyor for Blacktown City Council and after graduation progressed his career through a variety of different roles at the three different Council’s. He commenced duties as the Group Manager Environment and Planning in July 2005 for the Hills Shire and appointed its General Manager in July 2017 following the retirement of Council’s then General Manager.

Having grown up at North Richmond and principally living and working in western Sydney, Mike has seen a lot of change over the past 50 years arising out of significant population growth with the last 10 years being phenomenal.

He has, in the past worked, casually for TAFE, UTS and UWS lecturing and tutoring across several courses related to the urban and built environment.

Christopher Brown AM

Chairman, Western Sydney Dialogue

Christopher is the Honorary Chair of not-for-profit regional think tank, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue. He is also Executive Chair of national strategy firm, Taylor Street Advisory.

Christopher retired recently as Pro-Chancellor of Western Sydney University (WSU) after eight years as a Trustee Director and he chaired WSU’s engagement subcommittee and Academy.

For twenty years he led two of the nation’s most powerful industry peak groups, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia and Tourism & Transport Forum and chaired the Business Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, based in Madrid.

Having served on dozens of government boards over 30 years, Christopher was a member of the Federal/State Commission that chose the Badgerys Creek Airport site and later devised an advocacy campaign to secure Cabinet support. He served on the NSW Transport & Planning Blueprint Panel that first recognised Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD and then authored an aligned policy paper that gained public traction for the idea of that governance model. Christopher chaired the Western Sydney Rail Alliance, which secured $5+ billion to build a Metro Rail link to Badgerys Creek and the WestLine Partnership that won the funding for a light rail connection in the Olympic Corridor.

Raised and educated in Parramatta, Christopher Brown AM was awarded Australian Honours for services to industry and community in 2014.

Ms Paula Martin

Business NSW Senior Director, Regions & Visitor Economy

Paula Martin is the Business NSW Senior Director, Regions & Visitor Economy and 2021 Most Influential Business Woman Central Coast. She has spent 30 years driving innovation, commercialisation, marketing, branding and strategy for high profile Australian companies large and small to succeed. Paula is also Board Director of the Australian Tourism Industry Council and Central Coast Industry Connect.

Mr Geoff Brailey

Director of Solutions, McCrindle Research

Geoff Brailey is a social researcher, strategic advisor and Director of Solutions at the internationally recognised McCrindle. As an experienced researcher, Geoff understands how evidence-based insights can inform strategy and help organisations to thrive amidst change.

From his experience in solving business problems using research, Geoff has assisted organisations to identify new target markets and improve engagement levels with staff, donors and customers. Geoff regularly develops strategic recommendations that guide CEOs, business leaders, managers and teachers to communicate the trends and shape the culture.

Geoff integrates research statistics with visualised storytelling in his highly engaging presentations. He has presented to organisations across the education, aged care, real estate, government and NFP sectors.

As a gifted communicator and passionate researcher, Geoff brings positivity, curiosity and strategic insights from the latest trends impacting Australia and provides practical ways to respond to the trends at an organisational and individual level.

Tim Spencer

Executive General Manager, Mulpha

Tim leads the Mulpha Development platform that has been delivering projects for over 25 years on the world stage. With its skill base inworld leading, master planned communities such as Norwest Business Park, Sanctuary Cove Resort and Leisure Farm Resort, Mulpha Developments’ expertise in commercial, residential, retail, recreational and infrastructure developments is exemplary.

Tim’s 20 years of property experience was founded in tier 1 construction and development delivery, extending into visionary urban planning and sales and marketing.

Tim has worked for both private and public enterprises’ delivering the full spectrum of property from residential, commercial, industrial, retail, infrastructure and retirement.

Kerrie Sheaves

Chairman, Sydney Hills Business Chamber

Kerrie is the Chairman of Sydney Hills Business Chamber and the Managing Director of Foundational Business Pty Ltd.
She has worked with Small Business owners and Not For Profit organisations helping them grow their businesses for over last 12 years.

Kerrie is passionate about business and community connection, she has been actively involved in the Chamber for over 9 years, 3 of those as a support partner, and served on the SHBC Board for the last 3 years as a project officer, Deputy Chairman and Chairman.

Kerrie serves on a number of Non-Profit Boards and prior to founding her own business, she worked in senior management roles in several of Australia’s leading corporations including PwC Australia, Verizon, AAPT and Optus.