Business Connect 25

Speakers

Internal Speakers

Vicki Brady

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Telstra

MScM (Stanford GSB), B.Com (ANU), CA

Vicki Brady became the Telstra CEO and Managing Director of Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company, on 1 September, 2022.

Brendon Riley

Chief Executive Officer, Telstra InfraCo

Brendon Riley became the CEO of Telstra InfraCo on 1 October 2018. In this role Brendon is responsible for efficiently leveraging Telstra’s significant portfolio of assets, ensuring it maintains and monetises these assets and meets its obligations to wholesale customers.

Dino Georgiou

Executive, Customer Success and Sales, Telstra InfraCo

Dino is the Executive Customer Success at Telstra InfraCo, with responsibility for sales, business development, marketing and the commercial management of InfraCo’s active and passive business.

He is also responsible for leading Telstra InfraCo’s customer relationships including Telstra Ltd, nbn and wholesale customers.

Prior to his current role Dino was InfraCo’s Strategy Executive, setting the long-term strategy for InfraCo’s business working with the Senior Leadership team and delivering range of critical functions including business planning, transformation, and risk & compliance. Dino was also the Executive responsible for leading the legal restructure of Telstra Corporation, involving the establishment of a new holding company for the Telstra Group, the creation of new subsidiaries, and the transferring of assets and staff to the new subsidiaries via a scheme of arrangement. The restructure, which became operational earlier this year, was one of the largest and most complex in Australian corporate history.

Dino, who is based in Melbourne, has 20+ years’ experience in the ICT industry, and has also held senior leadership positions at Telstra including as InfraCo’s Executive for the National Broadband Network, and in Telstra Enterprise Australia where he led Technology Sales for Cloud, Network & Security solutions and Public Sector Sales for Victoria and Tasmania. Dino has also served in senior marketing, commercial and regulatory roles in Telstra Wholesale and Telstra Regulatory.

A former corporate lawyer specialising in banking, finance and commercial, Dino has also served as a Senior Adviser for Federal Ministers of Finance, with responsibility for Asset Sales, IT Outsourcing and oversight of the Commonwealth Government Business Enterprises and the Minister for Defence on acquisitions and procurement, major projects and industry. Dino has also served as a Chair and Director of State Trustees, Victoria. Dino holds degrees in Law (Hons) and Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

Dipan Patel

Executive, Digital Infrastructure Solutions, Telstra InfraCo

Dipan joined Telstra InfraCo in January 2024, as their Digital Infrastructure Solutions Executive. Leading a dynamic team, he is dedicated to maximizing value from InfraCo's asset base through innovative digital infrastructure solutions.

Kathryn Jones

Executive, National Infrastructure Projects, Telstra InfraCo

Kathryn has worked at Telstra for 22 years across a number of customer facing commercial, sales and operational delivery roles.

Mary Roberts

Executive, Infrastructure Strategy, Performance and Risk, Telstra InfraCo

Mary is responsible for setting the long-term strategic direction and investment strategy for Telstra InfraCo, as well as managing Telstra InfraCo’s planning, risk, compliance, transformation, and people/diversity programs.

Bronwyn Clere

Executive, Operations and Asset Management , Telstra InfraCo

Bronwyn is currently the Operations & Asset Management Executive for the InfraCo business within Telstra.

InfraCo is Telstra’s market-facing asset-based business and in this role she oversees the national functions that design, construct, operate, maintain and service the substantial passive asset portfolio within Telstra along with providing a range of ancillary business services.

Bronwyn first joined Telstra in 2012 where she was responsible for the overall management of Telstra’s extensive portfolio of capital expenditure investments and project delivery strategy. Following this, she was Executive Director for a significant Telstra change programme to transform the way central corporate services are managed and delivered and most recently was part of the Telstra Health business where she led the design and successful delivery of the technology supporting the government’s National Cancer Screening Programmes for Cervical and Bowel Cancer as well as establishing the clinical and operational support services.

Prior to joining Telstra, Bronwyn worked predominantly in the Financial Services industry where she has held transformation, operations management, finance and change roles with organisations such as JP Morgan in Australia and New Zealand, AIA in Hong Kong and AXA in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Bronwyn was also an Employer Director for the Telstra Superannuation Scheme and was the chair of Telstra Super’s Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee from December 2013 until December 2023.

Bronwyn is a graduate of the Australian Graduate School of Management and has a Master of Project Management awarded from the University of New South Wales.

Justin Caswell

Executive, Mobile, Messaging & IoT, Telstra Wholesale

Justin is the Executive for Mobile, Messaging & IoT and leads a team responsible for growing non-Telstra mobility solutions leveraging the Telstra network.

Maria Tsiaplis

Executive, Customer Channel Success, Telstra InfraCo

Maria Tsiaplis, the Executive for Channels and Customer Success at Telstra InfraCo, leads the team responsible for supporting and enabling the company's market channels.

This includes positioning and selling InfraCo products and services to key customer segments and channels. The channels to market encompass both direct customers (wholesale customers) and indirect channels, including working through international and enterprise to position InfraCo products. The team also consists of pre-sales, ICF deal lead, and the service management team.

The vision for InfraCo is to become the preferred digital infrastructure provider for key customer segments and channels, delivering exceptional customer experiences, leveraging global leading specialist expertise, and offering world-class solutions to meet current and future customer needs.

Maria brings over 24 years of experience in direct and indirect sales strategy and sales transformation roles within Telstra and the broader ICT industry. She has served as the Head of Global Partner Development for Telstra Enterprise, where she was responsible for designing and executing the indirect sales strategy and channel transformation program for over 400 partners. Additionally, Maria has held the position of Head of Sales Operations for Telstra Enterprise, focusing on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian sales organization through improving sales tools, optimising sales processes, and managing the sales incentive plan.

TStarting her career in sales leadership roles in Wholesale and Enterprise at Telstra, Maria has also worked for Verizon, AAPT, and Dow Jones (Financial Markets). Before assuming her current role, Maria was the executive in charge of the corporate legal restructure, a critical program underpinning Telstra's growth strategy.

Craig Hancock

Executive, Security & Operations & Global CISO, Telstra

Craig Hancock is Telstra’s Security and Operations Executive, Global Chief Information Security Officer & Chief Security Officer for Telstra.

Craig has over 30 years of experience in Cyber, IT and telecommunications. Craig is responsible for the monitoring, management and operation of all of Telstra’s Network & IT Systems and its customer networks platforms. This includes incident management, delivering network and IT security globally, managing network and IT system changes and improving the business through the innovative application of tools and systems.

Before joining Telstra in 2003, Craig held a variety of roles in Singtel Optus, culminating as Director of Network Operations, responsible for Optus’ Network and IT Systems, including field delivery of networks and provision of customer service and network performance and Cyber Security. Prior to this, Craig worked at Rockwell / Boeing, as a senior communications engineer and IT expert in general. He began his career as a Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Craig graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1st class honours) with a degree in Digital Systems & Communications Engineering. He was also the recipient of the Ray Martin Prize for Engineering Design Excellence. In 2013 he was awarded the Victorian Customer Service Executive of the Year by the International Council of Customer Service Organisations and in 2023 won the AISA Cyber Security Enterprise Employer of the Year.

In 2019 CrowdStrike, an American cybersecurity technology company awarded Craig their Excellence Award. This award recognises organisations and business leaders who have demonstrated a lasting commitment to elevate the role and impact of cybersecurity and have implemented cutting-edge security technologies and proactive security strategies. This award was great recognition of the collective work of Telstra’s Cyber Security Team which Craig has built and led since its inception.

Guest Speakers

Victor Dominello

Chief Executive Officer at Future Government Institute and Co-Founder at ServiceGen

The Hon Victor Dominello is a former senior NSW Government minister, with his last role as the former Minister for Customer Service and Digital, NSW Government.

Arnab Chakraborty

Chief Responsible AI Officer at Accenture

As chief responsible AI officer at Accenture, Arnab Chakraborty oversees the company’s strategy, market-leading capabilities, C-suite client engagements, as well as technology ecosystem relationships and research partnerships related to responsible AI.

Arnab has recently taken on the role to lead the Telstra-Accenture JV on Data & AI and is the CEO of the JV.

Arnab is a regular contributor to important conversations on AI regulation, including speaking to the U.S. Senate AI Insight Forum to address the impact and implications of AI on the workforce. He also led discussions on responsible AI at the World Economic Forum.

With 25+ years of experience, Arnab has led data-driven transformation for Fortune 100 companies and holds 10 patents in machine learning solutions for business challenges. Throughout his career, he has built diverse, global teams to deliver high performance.

Arnab is a member of the advisory board of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois. He also serves as the Accenture national sponsor of Upwardly Global, providing support and mentorship for immigrants and refugees to restart their careers in the U.S. Arnab is a regular speaker and author with Fortune, Forbes, WSJ, MIT and Stanford.

Prior to this, Arnab led the Data and AI business in North America and setup the Data & AI practice in Silicon Valley. Before his time in the US, Arnab served as the Accenture Data and AI lead for Austria, Switzerland and Germany across industry groups. He has been instrumental in rapidly scaling Accenture’s Data &AI business with clients in Europe and North America as well as developing innovative AI solutions.

Arnab holds an MBA in Industrial Management and a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has relocated recently from Chicago and is based in Melbourne.

Breakout Presentations Speakers

Brenton Richards

Principal, Fixed Backhaul & Intercity Fibre Products, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Digital Experience Roadmap and Simplification

Brenton is a seasoned Digital Product Experience leader with a passion for creating impactful, user-focused digital experiences.

Steve Brumby

Senior Solutions Specialist, IT Enablement Delivery, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Digital Experience Roadmap and Simplification

Steve is an experienced Product Owner with a history of working in the telecommunications, sales & manufacturing industries.

Vito Radice

Principal, Fixed Backhaul & Intercity Fibre Products, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Driving Backhaul Connectivity Success: Metro and Intercity Fibre Solutions

Vito has worked at Telstra since 2011 when he joined as the ICT Pricing Manager in Telstra Enterprise (TE).

Adrian De Santi

Senior Solutions Specialist, Intercity Fibre Products, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Driving Backhaul Connectivity Success: Metro and Intercity Fibre Solutions

Adrian De Santi is a Senior Product Manager with expertise in cloud, telecommunications products, and solutions.

Diego Marre

Director of Sales & Business Develop, ANZ Ciena

Breakout session: Driving Backhaul Connectivity Success: Metro and Intercity Fibre Solutions

Diego Marre is Director of Sales and Business Development, at Ciena ANZ.

Matt Lough

Global Head of Strategic Tech, Telstra International

Breakout session: How will AI impact digital infrastructure now and in the future

Matt Lough is the Global Head of Strategic Tech at Telstra International, where he leads a global team in driving partnerships with hyperscalers, expanding Telstra’s portfolio of technology solutions in the Wholesale business and delivering high-quality solutions to customers.

Regan Ireland

Global Head of Solutions, Products, and Digital Experience

Breakout session: How will AI impact digital infrastructure now and in the future

Regan is the Global Head of Solutions, Products, and Digital Experience with Telstra International, based in Singapore.

Channa Seneviratne

Executive, Technology Engagement & Advancement, Global Networks & Technology, Telstra

Breakout session: The Mobile Network for growth

In this role he contributes to the continuing evolution of Telstra network differentiation and ensures our engineering teams continue our drive for technology leadership through world and Australian first’s.

He will help grow Telstra’s reputation locally and internationally in network leadership and superiority through thought leadership and influence in the telco industry globally via his role in GSMA, ORAN Alliance and other industry bodies. He has accountability for network sustainability and energy resilience & optimisation for GN&T and to drive greater advocacy and engagement with our customers and our segment teams including Regional Australia.

Channa has extensive experience in telecommunications networks having worked in both Operations and Engineering across both fixed and wireless technologies. During his time in Telstra, Channa has played key engineering design, support and operational roles as Telstra moved from being a start up in wireless through the evolutions of 2G, CDMA, 3G, 4G ,5G and now towards 5G Advanced.

Channa led the launch of the world’s first commercial gigabit LTE network, the activation of Australia’s largest IoT footprint through our Cat M1 and Narrowband IoT technology and the launch of our 5G network. More recently he has been engaged in the increasing AI based automation of networks as applied to increased resource optimisation, service optimisation balanced with better energy efficiency.

Channa has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Queensland specialising in Telecommunications. Away from work Channa enjoys travel, sport, wildlife photography and spending time with his family.

James Kitschke

Product Owner, Data Centre, Network Building Colocation, Satellite Base Stations, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Data Centre Colocation: Powering Digital Connectivity and Data Transformation

A seasoned professional in the data centre and telecommunications industry, currently serving as Product Lead at Telstra InfraCo, leading products including Datacentre Colocation, Network Building Colocation and Satellite Base Stations. His expertise includes data centre colocation, connectivity solutions, and customer relationship management. James has been instrumental in enhancing Telstra InfraCo's data centre offerings and customer engagement strategies.

Heidi Swain

Product Lead, Data Centre Colocation, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Data Centre Colocation: Powering Digital Connectivity and Data Transformation

Product Lead of Datacentre Colocation at InfraCo and leads the development and implementation of the Data Centre Colo product. With a strong focus on innovation and enhancing customer experiences, Heidi brings her extensive experience in Sales and Product across multiple technologies, including Datacentre, Cloud, and Telecommunications. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a customer-centric approach to her role, ensuring InfraCo's data centre offerings are both technologically advanced and aligned with customer needs.

Lee Heggan

Sales Director, Data Centre Solutions APAC, CBRE

Breakout session: Data Centre Colocation: Powering Digital Connectivity and Data Transformation

Lee Heggan is the Sales Director APAC for CBRE's Data Centre Solutions, bringing extensive experience from both the EMEA and APAC regions.

Graham Taylor

Manager, Access and Broadband Product Management, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Business Access with more options

Has spent 25 years in Australasian Telco in roles across Sales, Operations and Product Management and hopes to have less than 25 years more to go in Telco.

Mark Lisle

Team Leader, Bid Management, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Business Access with more options

Mark will be well known to many of our business customers. He is a telco expert with 20+ years in our industry, working for both Telstra Wholesale and Optus, leading both product development and commercial opportunities for customers.

Suzy Domingues

Senior Account Management, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Business Access with more options

Long standing senior account manager who has had the pleasure of managing many of the Wholesale / InfraCo customers. Suzy has deep knowledge of both InfraCo’ s product range & our customer’s requirements, she is always pushing commercial and product teams to get the best for her customers.

Kelly McGuckin

Principal, Customer Service, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Elevating service excellence: Wideband and Dark Fibre

Kelly McGuckin, Principal of InfraCo Customer Service team, has over 18 years' experience in various operational roles across our Customer Service teams and in Service Management plus has had a stint in Product Lifecycle management for Ethernet Access.

Dean Frimont

Principal, Wideband & Dark Fibre Delivery, Telstra InfraCo

Breakout session: Elevating service excellence: Wideband and Dark Fibre

Dean Frimont, Principal of our Wideband and Dark fibre delivery team in InfraCo Design & Construct has been with Telstra for over 15 years and for many of those years he has been closely involved in the construction and delivery of fibre infrastructure for our customers.

Nils Vesk

Innovation Futurist & Consumer Trends Expert

Breakout session: Innovating Mobile, Messaging and IoT Services for the 2030 consumer

In the mobile services market innovative ideas are the currency for success.  While we know innovation is valuable, it’s a sad fact that too many people in organisations just don’t have the time to innovate... Or do they? In this session, we’ll explore what consumer mobile services, messaging and IoT could look like in 2030 and consider ways to innovate and improve.