The Hatchery

George Bassili has more than two decades of experience working as a Data Analytics, Data Management, and Business Improvement consultant. George has led the development of numerous Technology & Data Strategies for Federal, State and Local Government authorities, as well as developed Data Management and Data Sharing frameworks for numerous cross- government initiatives including for Justice and Child Protection. Before moving into consulting in 2004, George was the Chief Product Architect for a popular BI & Analytics product, in use by almost half of the Fortune 1000 companies. George currently sits on the DAMA Australia National Committee as past president, and is the Managing Partner at IM Systems.

Lane has over 10 years’ experience as a Senior Executive with the ABS, and has held a variety of roles in that time. Prior to his current role, Lane was the acting General Manager for Statistical Business Transformation Program (SBTP). As a recent Regional Director for the ABS Victorian Office, Lane managed relationships with the Victorian State Government, supported Census field operations for Victoria, and provided leadership to the National Crime and Justice statistical program. Lane was also the Program Manager for the ABS Integrated Collection Branch where he managed ABS data collection activities, and has also held Program Manager roles within the Technology Services Division of the ABS including leading technology infrastructure delivery and setting technology strategy.

Prior to being promoted to the senior executive service, Lane held a variety of roles within the Technology Services Division, largely in the areas of information technology infrastructure and security. Before joining the ABS in 1999, Lane worked at the Australian Customs Services, initially as an APS employee and then as an employee of Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Australia.

For nearly 15 years, Simon Gallant has transforming public sector data. From developing Linked Data applications in CSIRO to leading data strategy across multiple Australian Government departments, Simon has both the practical and policy experience to shape the way organisations respond to the ever growing need to collect, manage, use and share data. Simon now leads the Office of the National Data Commissioner’s Governance and Engagement team, implementing major reforms to Australian Government data sharing.

Experienced Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Policy Analysis, Government, Program Evaluation, Strategic Planning, and Social Policy. Strong professional with a MSC focused in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Shane is the Director, Data Strategy and Open Data, within the Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group. He recently led the development of a Data and Analytics strategy for the Queensland Government and played a key role in data management and privacy functions for a number of Queensland Government COVID services including the CheckIn Qld app. Shane also leads Queensland’s contribution to cross-jurisdictional collaborations in data, analytics, and open data and is deeply committed to using data to drive and sustain lasting change and improve outcomes for citizens and communities.

Narelle Grayson is the Director, Data Program and Practice at the NSW Department of Customer Service. She has over 20 years’ experience in data management, analysis, interpretation and dissemination and has spent the last seven years leading data strategy implementation, including establishment and operation of data and information governance policy and programs in New South Wales and Commonwealth government agencies.

Andrew is the Assistant Secretary, Data and Digital Branch at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where he oversees whole of government public sector data policy, engagement and governance and supports the Australian Government’s digital transformation agenda.

Previously Andrew worked at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science where he led the Data Management and Analytics Taskforce. Andrew has also held senior roles relating to skills policy and programs, aviation security, broadband infrastructure and innovation policy.

Peter leads the South Australian Government’s Office for Data Analytics and is also the state’s Chief Data Officer. He has spent most of his career in or around data and analytics, and led innovative change in reporting, analytics and actuarial activities. Peter has held a number of leadership roles in operations and analytics in both public and private sector and is passionate about improving business understanding, efficiency and customer service.

One of the 20 most powerful UK entrepreneurs, awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of her international web science work. One of the 250 Founders of Tech City in December 2016 she pivoted her company FlyingBinary to meet the challenge of Brexit and the deployment of Deep Tech with spectacular results.

She is recognised as one of the #15 Most Influential Woman in UK Technology and one of the 50 most Inspiring Women in Cyber, a Top Ten Global IoT innovator, and is an independent industry analyst for IoT. One of 4 IoT leaders developing the policy agenda for the European Commission focused on Smart Cities, Citizens and AI strategy.

Globally recognised as the world’s first Smart City Tsar, and a strategic Advisor to the UK Government, Cities lead on Digital Built Britain, Principal Independent UK Expert lead for BSI’s international team for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technology, and Smart Cities. As a UK Science Diplomat she is working across the world helping organisations and nations transition to the Industrial Internet of Things.

Her company FlyingBinary is one of the 109 companies appointed to deliver secured and accredited AI services to the UK Government. She is an international independent Principal AI Expert at the British Standards Institute. Her AI expertise has been used to develop AI procurement guidelines with the UK Office for AI and the World Economic Forum. FlyingBinary is one of the 50 European companies chosen to test the European AI Guidelines. Jacqui has been appointed as an Expert Advisor to the United Nations to oversee the development of Global Procurement guidelines and has accepted a Parliamentary appointment to the UK’s Cabinet Office to deliver Open Standards to unlock the next steps for the UK government.

One of the 20 most powerful UK entrepreneurs, awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of her international web science work. One of the 250 Founders of Tech City in December 2016 she pivoted her company FlyingBinary to meet the challenge of Brexit and the deployment of Deep Tech with spectacular results.

She is recognised as one of the #15 Most Influential Woman in UK Technology and one of the 50 most Inspiring Women in Cyber, a Top Ten Global IoT innovator, and is an independent industry analyst for IoT. One of 4 IoT leaders developing the policy agenda for the European Commission focused on Smart Cities, Citizens and AI strategy.

Globally recognised as the world’s first Smart City Tsar, and a strategic Advisor to the UK Government, Cities lead on Digital Built Britain, Principal Independent UK Expert lead for BSI’s international team for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technology, and Smart Cities. As a UK Science Diplomat she is working across the world helping organisations and nations transition to the Industrial Internet of Things.

Her company FlyingBinary is one of the 109 companies appointed to deliver secured and accredited AI services to the UK Government. She is an international independent Principal AI Expert at the British Standards Institute. Her AI expertise has been used to develop AI procurement guidelines with the UK Office for AI and the World Economic Forum. FlyingBinary is one of the 50 European companies chosen to test the European AI Guidelines. Jacqui has been appointed as an Expert Advisor to the United Nations to oversee the development of Global Procurement guidelines and has accepted a Parliamentary appointment to the UK’s Cabinet Office to deliver Open Standards to unlock the next steps for the UK government.

Marek Rucinski is the Deputy Commissioner for the Smarter Data Program. He has the strategic responsibility for the ATO’s data and analytics capability to support the ATO’s business; Australia’s tax, super and social welfare systems; and the government’s legislative agenda. This combines the traditional roles of chief data and chief analytics officers in many other organisations. Marek leads the ATO Data and Analytics Professional Stream and is a member of the senior working group for the APS Data Professional Stream.

Marek’s passion centres on elevating the enterprise role of analytics and the transformational role it plays as we enter the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Marek has driven the evolution of data and analytics capabilities for over 20 years in industry roles and in a consulting services capacity across Australia, Asia and global clients. He has worked in retail, telecommunications, consumer goods, financial services, mining and utilities sectors and now, the federal government. Prior to ATO, Marek was a Managing Director in Accenture and was the Analytics Practice lead for Australia and New Zealand.

Marek Rucinski is the Deputy Commissioner for the Smarter Data Program. He has the strategic responsibility for the ATO’s data and analytics capability to support the ATO’s business; Australia’s tax, super and social welfare systems; and the government’s legislative agenda. This combines the traditional roles of chief data and chief analytics officers in many other organisations. Marek leads the ATO Data and Analytics Professional Stream and is a member of the senior working group for the APS Data Professional Stream.

Marek’s passion centres on elevating the enterprise role of analytics and the transformational role it plays as we enter the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Marek has driven the evolution of data and analytics capabilities for over 20 years in industry roles and in a consulting services capacity across Australia, Asia and global clients. He has worked in retail, telecommunications, consumer goods, financial services, mining and utilities sectors and now, the federal government. Prior to ATO, Marek was a Managing Director in Accenture and was the Analytics Practice lead for Australia and New Zealand.

Alison Rose was recently appointed the Chief of Geoscience Australia’s Place, Space and Communities Division. Prior to her appointment, Alison led the Border Intelligence Support to Operations branch at the Department of Home Affairs providing integrated intelligence support to the Australian Border Force on migration systems, trade enforcement and border protection priorities.

Previously, Alison held senior executive positions within both the private and public sector, including Director of National Government Industry Solutions with Esri – a US-based GIS technology company; delivery of the Department of Defence’s corporate and geospatial ICT programs and projects and enterprise information management implementation; and, leadership of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation’s foundation mapping, advanced analytics, training and tradecraft, data and collection management, and customer services.

Dr James Johnson has been the Chief Executive Officer of Geoscience Australia since April 2017. A geologist with over 30 years’ experience, including private sector mining and mineral exploration, Dr Johnson has led teams of geoscientists for over 20 years with a range of diverse achievements. Through the discovery of over 2 million ounces of gold reserves in industry, to national scale pre-competitive geoscience programs that have attracted exploration investment to Australia, these achievements have supported Australian industry and attracted exploration investment to Australia.

Dr Johnson first joined Geoscience Australia in 2006 and in that time has been head of various divisions with diverse duties including carriage of energy and mineral programs. He has also been a member of the Board of the CO2CRC (CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies) since 2014 and the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) at the Australian National University since 2017.

Dr Johnson has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Geology from the University of Sydney and a PhD from the Australian National University.

Dr Johnson’s vision for Geoscience Australia is one of unity in deploying geoscience for the economic, social and environmental benefit of Australians. He is driving a strong agenda of inclusiveness, particularly new programs to engage with aboriginal Australia.

Barry Sandison recently commenced as a research fellow with the ANU School of Health and Medicine and also with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. He is also a member on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and a local Canberra not-for-profit, as well as a strategic advisor to a number of commercial and not-for-profit organisations.

Prior to his departure from the Australian Public Service in June 2021, he was the CEO of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for five years. In his time there, Barry focused on sharpening the Institute’s strategic focus, growing the awareness of the Institute’s impressive capabilities and broadening the range of health and welfare data products managed by the Institute. Recognition of the Institute’s growing capabilities can be seen in its doubling in size over the five-year period.

With over 38 years of experience in the public sector across more than 13 agencies, Mr Sandison’s expertise covers a wide range of health- and welfare-related work, with previous roles in both policy and service delivery.

Prior to joining the Institute, Mr Sandison was a deputy secretary within the Australian Government Department of Human Services, where he undertook roles in both the Centrelink and Medicare elements of the department and oversaw its strategic information management function. Prior to this role, Mr Sandison held senior executive roles in various other Commonwealth departments involved in social policy.

Mr Sandison is known across the Australian Public Service and in state and territory agencies for his interest and leadership in data and information management. This interest and knowledge has been applied in both policy and service delivery roles and most recently very directly through his role in leading the work of the nationally recognised Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.