Plenary Speakers
Mrs Lisa McLean
Managing Director & CEO, Circular Australia
Lisa McLean is a circular economy and zero-carbon business transformation leader and Managing Director, CEO of Circular Australia, a national independent NFP leading the transition to a zero-carbon circular economy in Australia.
She has been successfully advising industry and governments in developing new policy frameworks and regulations that bring about market change to enable the circular zero-carbon economy over the past 20 years. This work has covered the supply chains, infrastructure, energy, water, waste and mobility sectors in the UK and Australia.
Prof Stuart White
Director Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Professor Stuart White is Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures where he leads a team of researchers who create change towards sustainable futures through independent, project-based research. With over twenty years of experience in sustainability research, Professor White’s work focuses on achieving sustainability outcomes at least cost for a range of government, industry and community clients across Australia and internationally. This includes both the design and evaluation of programs for improving resource use efficiency and an assessment of their impact. Professor White has written and presented widely on sustainable futures and is a regular commentator on sustainability issues in the media.
Dr David Bergmann
Chief Executive Officer, Water Research Australia
Dr David Bergmann is the CEO of Water Research Australia, bringing nearly 25 years of experience in R&D across the chemicals, food, and water and wastewater sectors, from global multinationals to regional utilities. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Monash University and is an AICD-qualified Company Director. David is an experienced manager and people leader of large R&D teams, spanning diverse industries, cultures, and organisations. He joined the water industry in 2015 at Victorian utility South East Water, where he significantly expanded their research portfolio and partnerships. His notable contributions included the innovative Aquarevo water- and energy-saving estate, the development of pyrolysis technology to produce Biochar from biosolids with RMIT, and various IoT devices for real-time monitoring. A holder of multiple patents and a collaborator in scientific publications on contaminants, alternative water, pyrolysis technology and biochar applications, David also has extensive leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, including four years on the Board of WaterRA. As a strategic and practical thinker, David excels in developing collaborative partnerships, leading high-performing teams, and translating research into real-world solutions.
Dr Michael Storey
Director of Innovation, SUEZ in Australia & New Zealand
Dr Michael Storey is a trusted leader and adviser to the water industry, with 30 years experience across public, tertiary and private sectors. He has experience at Board, Executive and Senior Management level, corporate strategy and planning, customer services, research and innovation. He’s a passionate water industry professional who has worked across all aspects of the local and international water sector. Michael has extensive experience in water quality and public health, customer experience and human-centred design, and have led and managed change in highly regulated environments. He’s a university lecturer, Distinguished Fellow of the International Water Association and have made more than 350 local and international peer-reviewed publications and presentations, workshop and conference presentations to Prime Ministerial level.