2022 National Congress and Mayoral Summit

Saul Eslake

Economist

Saul Eslake is a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Tasmania, and an independent consulting economist. He has previously been Chief Economist at the ANZ Bank, and at Bank of America Merrill Lynch Australia.

Winitha Bonney OAM

Inclusion Expert

Winitha Bonney is a thought leader in the advancement of People of Colour and in building anti-fragile cultures of inclusion and allyship. In 2021 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her extensive work in diversity and inclusion. 

Muheed Jamaldeen

Director Deloitte Access Economics

Muheed Jamaldeen leads the  Deloitte Access Economics urban and regional policy team in NSW. He advises public and private sector clients on a range of public policy and strategy issues, with specific expertise in transport, infrastructure, and urban and regional policy areas. 

Dr Elizabeth Knight

Research Fellow

CIRES, Victoria University

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Knight joined the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) as a research fellow in 2020. Her research areas include: provision of career information, higher vocational education, transitions to tertiary education and the nature of graduate employment and employability.

Julian Szafraniec

Principal and Partner

SGS Economics and Planning

Julian is an urban economist with extensive experience applying economic theories and models to urban issues. He has advised all tiers of government and the private sector about housing, transport, community infrastructure, retail and the economy.

Kylie Legge

CEO

Place Score

Kylie is CEO of Place Score and a founding Director of Place Partners, a multidisciplinary placemaking consultancy based in Sydney. She is an experienced place maker and has worked with communities, government and commercial developers Australia and internationally.

Ross Elliott

Co-founder

Suburban Futures

Ross is the co-founder of Suburban Futures (formerly The Suburban Alliance). He has 30 years’ experience in the property and urban development industry, including national leadership roles for the Property Council of Australia as its Executive Director, then Chief Operating Officer and later as National Executive Director for the Residential Development Council.

David Schwartz

Senior Associate

SGS Economics and Planning

David is an experienced economist bringing rigorous analysis and insight to today’s pressing policy and economic issues.David joined SGS in 2021 bringing more than 15 years of consulting experience throughout North America with specialist expertise in market and financial feasibility assessment, benefit-cost and value-capture analysis, policy formation, strategic planning.

James Collins

Director City Planning and Infrastructure

City of Casey

James has a multi-disciplinary background across the private and public sectors. Previous roles include Director Social and Economic Development at Yarra Ranges Council, manager roles at Monash City Council and Banyule City Council. He has also spent time in senior leadership roles in the private sector in Australia and abroad. Experienced in corporate governance, he has held board roles on Parks and Leisure Australia, Outer East Primary Care, Anchor Housing/Out of Home Care and Yarra Ranges Tourism, and is a member of the NGAA Committee of Management.

Cr Charishma Kaliyanda

Councillor, Liverpool City Council and Community Engagement and Development Officer

Headspace

Charishma was raised in Liverpool after migrating to the area with her family as a young girl. She is a registered Occupational Therapist and works for headspace to build awareness of and reduce stigma around mental health and well-being so that young people can access the help they need in the community. Charishma has worked with young people across many industries to build skills and capacities in the last 10 years. She is a member of the NGAA Strategic Advisory Committee.