2022 Judging panel
The Premier of Queensland's Export Awards received a large volume of applications this year and we would like to thank each of our Judges for their time and efforts in selecting our finalists for 2022.
View our Judges for this year below in alphabetical order.
With more than 25 years’ professional experience in private and public organisations and a background in economic and community development, Rebecca Andrews has a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing business and industry.
As the Queensland State Head for Ai Group, Rebecca is responsible for government and stakeholder engagement, and business and industry development. She is passionate about helping business and industry succeed.
Rebecca has previously held senior roles in the Queensland Government and has worked in economic development and tourism in the Whitsundays, New Zealand and South Australia.
As the Queensland State Head for Ai Group, Rebecca is responsible for government and stakeholder engagement, and business and industry development. She is passionate about helping business and industry succeed.
Rebecca has previously held senior roles in the Queensland Government and has worked in economic development and tourism in the Whitsundays, New Zealand and South Australia.
As the CEO of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), Ali Davenport leads a highly motivated team to deliver economic development for Toowoomba, the Western Downs and Maranoa.
TSBE is a purpose-driven organisation linking local businesses with opportunities and offers a number of export initiatives. They help members access opportunities domestically and internationally and assist product development.
Ali’s professional career has taken her to many parts of regional Queensland as well as Brisbane. Previously she worked in media managing radio and television stations as well as newspapers, but since 2018 has established firm roots on the Darling Downs leading TSBE through a period of growth.
TSBE is a purpose-driven organisation linking local businesses with opportunities and offers a number of export initiatives. They help members access opportunities domestically and internationally and assist product development.
Ali’s professional career has taken her to many parts of regional Queensland as well as Brisbane. Previously she worked in media managing radio and television stations as well as newspapers, but since 2018 has established firm roots on the Darling Downs leading TSBE through a period of growth.
Bryony has more than 15 years’ experience at executive level in complex government and private-sector organisations, where she has led corporate affairs, marketing and stakeholder engagement, and media operations. She joined Trade and Investment Queensland in January 2020.
Bryony has worked across a range of sectors, including health, social housing, construction and property development, state economic and industry development, and telecommunications. She has also led high-profile business transformation and organisational change programs, including New Zealand’s first social housing stock transfer in 2015.
Bryony holds an Executive Master of Public Administration, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Communication Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Media.
Bryony has worked across a range of sectors, including health, social housing, construction and property development, state economic and industry development, and telecommunications. She has also led high-profile business transformation and organisational change programs, including New Zealand’s first social housing stock transfer in 2015.
Bryony holds an Executive Master of Public Administration, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Communication Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Media.
Clayton is a Director at Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC), the central finance authority for the Queensland Government.
Responsible for the commercial and investment portfolio within the client advisory business, he provides advisory services to Queensland Treasury, state agencies and departments, government owned corporations, local councils, and universities.
Prior to joining QTC, Clayton held positions in investment banking, principal investing and funds management in Sydney spanning 13 years.
As adviser and principal, he provides unique perspectives on commercial strategy, capital structure, risk management, due diligence, capital sources, market insight and transaction execution.
Responsible for the commercial and investment portfolio within the client advisory business, he provides advisory services to Queensland Treasury, state agencies and departments, government owned corporations, local councils, and universities.
Prior to joining QTC, Clayton held positions in investment banking, principal investing and funds management in Sydney spanning 13 years.
As adviser and principal, he provides unique perspectives on commercial strategy, capital structure, risk management, due diligence, capital sources, market insight and transaction execution.
Dylan has been in the video game industry for over 25 years. He has worked for several major companies including EA Canada, THQ USA, Pandemic Australia and Gameloft and worked on multiple major licensed IPs including FIFA, NHL, MLB, WWE and Batman.
In 2014 Dylan Joined Gameloft as Studio Manager in Brisbane. So far, Gameloft Brisbane has developed several AAA mobile games including Zombie Anarchy, Ballistic Baseball and Apple Arcade’s most played game in the US for 2021, the multi-award winning, The Oregon Trail. The studio will release a new game for Apple Arcade in Dec 2022.
Dylan is a board member for both IGEA and Screen Queensland.
In 2014 Dylan Joined Gameloft as Studio Manager in Brisbane. So far, Gameloft Brisbane has developed several AAA mobile games including Zombie Anarchy, Ballistic Baseball and Apple Arcade’s most played game in the US for 2021, the multi-award winning, The Oregon Trail. The studio will release a new game for Apple Arcade in Dec 2022.
Dylan is a board member for both IGEA and Screen Queensland.
Elton has over 30 years of public sector experience at both the State and Commonwealth level in Australia, across a range of economic research, policy and operational roles.
Elton currently leads TIQ’s state-based sector specialists and regional network in their trade and investment activities, working closely with TIQ’s international Commissioners. As General Manager Queensland Operations, he is also responsible for Migration Queensland.
Part of his previous role in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries included driving export and investment outcomes in food and agribusiness.
Elton has a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics with first class honours from the University of New England, Australia.
Elton currently leads TIQ’s state-based sector specialists and regional network in their trade and investment activities, working closely with TIQ’s international Commissioners. As General Manager Queensland Operations, he is also responsible for Migration Queensland.
Part of his previous role in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries included driving export and investment outcomes in food and agribusiness.
Elton has a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics with first class honours from the University of New England, Australia.
Heidi Cooper is the CEO of CCIQ and is passionate about driving Queensland’s strategic growth. Throughout her career, Heidi has worked extensively for the advancement of business in Queensland.
With over 20 years’ experience in law, corporate affairs and policy making, Heidi has successfully driven strategies for major companies with strong growth agendas and significant customer and community relationships. She has specialised in leading sustainable business initiatives with a key focus on economic growth, job creation, education, sustainability and community engagement.
Heidi has worked across a diverse range of industries and held board positions and senior roles in infrastructure, energy, education and training, agriculture, and not-for-profit sectors. She is also a member of the Jobs Queensland Board and the Brisbane Festival Giving Committee.
With over 20 years’ experience in law, corporate affairs and policy making, Heidi has successfully driven strategies for major companies with strong growth agendas and significant customer and community relationships. She has specialised in leading sustainable business initiatives with a key focus on economic growth, job creation, education, sustainability and community engagement.
Heidi has worked across a diverse range of industries and held board positions and senior roles in infrastructure, energy, education and training, agriculture, and not-for-profit sectors. She is also a member of the Jobs Queensland Board and the Brisbane Festival Giving Committee.
Kathleen Newcombe is the CEO of the Sarina Russo Group of Companies, incorporating James Cook University Brisbane, Sarina Russo Job Access and Sarina Russo Institute. The role builds on her 40 years’ experience in the higher education, vocational training and employment sectors in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Kathleen holds qualifications in education and business, and has completed professional development programs at Harvard Business School, University of Florida and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kathleen is a member of the Expert Panel for International Education, a council member at King’s College at the University of Queensland, a board member at Study Queensland, and a Fellow of the Institute of Management and Leaders. She has also received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the Education Faculty at Queensland University of Technology for her contribution to education and training.
A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Kathleen holds qualifications in education and business, and has completed professional development programs at Harvard Business School, University of Florida and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kathleen is a member of the Expert Panel for International Education, a council member at King’s College at the University of Queensland, a board member at Study Queensland, and a Fellow of the Institute of Management and Leaders. She has also received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the Education Faculty at Queensland University of Technology for her contribution to education and training.
Dr Mark Shadur is a Project Manager in Manufacturing Strategy, Regional Development and Manufacturing, within the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.
Mark has extensive experience in regional economic development with a focus on the manufacturing, resources and agriculture sectors.
Prior to joining the Queensland Government, he worked as an academic and researcher with universities including Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University in the United States, and in Australia, QUT and University of Queensland.
Mark has a PhD from the Australian National University, has presented at international academic conferences, and published in refereed scholarly journals.
Mark has extensive experience in regional economic development with a focus on the manufacturing, resources and agriculture sectors.
Prior to joining the Queensland Government, he worked as an academic and researcher with universities including Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University in the United States, and in Australia, QUT and University of Queensland.
Mark has a PhD from the Australian National University, has presented at international academic conferences, and published in refereed scholarly journals.
Melissa has been Director of the Queensland State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) since March 2021.
She is a career officer with DFAT and most recently Director of the G20 and OECD Section.
Melissa served as Australia’s Ambassador to Ukraine from September 2017 to September 2020. She has also served in Moscow, Brussels and Bangkok.
Melissa holds a Master of International Law from the Australian National University and a Master of International Relations and Asian Politics from The University of Queensland (UQ). She also has a Bachelor of International Business from the Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from UQ.
She is a career officer with DFAT and most recently Director of the G20 and OECD Section.
Melissa served as Australia’s Ambassador to Ukraine from September 2017 to September 2020. She has also served in Moscow, Brussels and Bangkok.
Melissa holds a Master of International Law from the Australian National University and a Master of International Relations and Asian Politics from The University of Queensland (UQ). She also has a Bachelor of International Business from the Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from UQ.
Natalya leads BDO’s Brisbane transfer pricing practice. Before joining the BDO team, she worked with a number of global accounting firms and has more than a decade of transfer pricing experience in Australia and the UK.
Natalya has extensive experience advising companies in a variety of industries, with a focus on technology and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, all aspects of debt financing and BEPS Advisory. She also has extensive experience dealing with tax authorities in Australia and the UK, including successfully concluding tax authority reviews and audits, and negotiations of advance transfer pricing arrangements.
Natalya holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Business Administration and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and a UK Chartered Tax Adviser with the UK Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Natalya has extensive experience advising companies in a variety of industries, with a focus on technology and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, all aspects of debt financing and BEPS Advisory. She also has extensive experience dealing with tax authorities in Australia and the UK, including successfully concluding tax authority reviews and audits, and negotiations of advance transfer pricing arrangements.
Natalya holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Business Administration and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and a UK Chartered Tax Adviser with the UK Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Nina Shen, MBA, is Project Director of the International Engagement Team, Office of Precision Medicine and Research, at Queensland Health.
She has been responsible for leading international engagement and collaboration in the healthcare sector, with a focus on biomedical investment, clinical trials, research and professional development collaboration and export.
Nina has two decades of international trade and business development experience, in the areas of education and training, sciences and creative industries, working for the government and QUT.
She has been responsible for leading international engagement and collaboration in the healthcare sector, with a focus on biomedical investment, clinical trials, research and professional development collaboration and export.
Nina has two decades of international trade and business development experience, in the areas of education and training, sciences and creative industries, working for the government and QUT.
Peter is a senior member of the Executive team at the Port of Brisbane, managing a number of key business units.
Peter is responsible for improving trade, shipping and landside services in the Port of Brisbane, including operations of the Brisbane Multimodal Terminal (BMT), Port Operations, Port Security, Marine, Dredging, Hydrographic Services, Marine Maintenance, Trade Development, Strategic Projects, the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, Safety and Emergency Response.
Peter is responsible for improving trade, shipping and landside services in the Port of Brisbane, including operations of the Brisbane Multimodal Terminal (BMT), Port Operations, Port Security, Marine, Dredging, Hydrographic Services, Marine Maintenance, Trade Development, Strategic Projects, the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, Safety and Emergency Response.
Salvo’s grandparents’ roots are from a farming background, and he has a long history working in the agriculture and natural resource management sectors. He has had various roles in government, industry and private business.
He is committed to shaping and implementing an effective and functioning agriculture system in Queensland that benefits our state, especially rural and regional communities.
During his time in the Queensland Government, he designed and delivered policies and programs focused on sustainable production in partnership with industries and community-based organisations across a variety of areas, including agriculture and biosecurity.
Currently Salvo focuses on collaborations that maximise innovation and sustainability opportunities for the agribusiness sector, commodities, and their related value chains and services created by changing domestic and international trading markets.
He is committed to shaping and implementing an effective and functioning agriculture system in Queensland that benefits our state, especially rural and regional communities.
During his time in the Queensland Government, he designed and delivered policies and programs focused on sustainable production in partnership with industries and community-based organisations across a variety of areas, including agriculture and biosecurity.
Currently Salvo focuses on collaborations that maximise innovation and sustainability opportunities for the agribusiness sector, commodities, and their related value chains and services created by changing domestic and international trading markets.
Referred to as Netflix or Spotify for workplace training, Go1 is a Logan founded and headquartered company which in seven years has grown from a team of four to almost 600 across 10 offices globally.
As a co-founder and chief evangelist of Go1, Vu’s responsibilities include engaging with key industry leaders and stakeholders across all sectors to share Go1’s experience in transforming workplace learning.
This includes engagement with government sectors working to leverage Go1’s experience, technology and course marketplace to address key social issues including skills, employment and supporting industry and small business.
A graduate of Bond University, Vu is also a medical doctor and practicing general practitioner who trained at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
As a co-founder and chief evangelist of Go1, Vu’s responsibilities include engaging with key industry leaders and stakeholders across all sectors to share Go1’s experience in transforming workplace learning.
This includes engagement with government sectors working to leverage Go1’s experience, technology and course marketplace to address key social issues including skills, employment and supporting industry and small business.
A graduate of Bond University, Vu is also a medical doctor and practicing general practitioner who trained at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.