Carolyn Bond AO
Carolyn Bond has worked in consumer rights, financial counselling, and legal advocacy for over 40 years.
She co-founded the Consumer Credit Legal Service and was joint CEO of the Consumer Action Law Centre, where she worked on financial regulation and access to fair financial services.
She has served on the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman Board, the Legal Services Board, and ASIC’s Consumer Advisory Panel. 
Professor Mark Evans – Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Charles Sturt University
Professor Mark Evans (PhD, FIPPA, FRSN) is a governance and public policy specialist with experience in evaluating policy and service systems and financial relief programs in Australia and overseas.
He is presently transitioning from the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at Charles Sturt University, to work on international conflict mediation issues in the Middle-East.
He is also co-convenor of the Democratic Audit of Australia and is leading the collaborative design of a new agency focusing on supporting the wellbeing of veterans and families. Mark brings expertise in policy evaluation, public sector governance, and service innovation.
Dr Kylie Heneker – Managing Director, Strategic Solutions Co
Dr Kylie Heneker has worked in strategic reform across government, non-profits, and community organisations.
As Managing Director of Strategic Solutions Co, she has led projects in new service design, workforce planning and impact measurement for over 50 clients.
Since 2019, she has conducted evaluations for human service programs in partnership with South Australia’s universities and the Department of Human Services, including financial counselling services.
She has served as a Director on statutory, industry-based, and community Boards, chaired a large SA aged care and community services not-for-profit, and is currently a Governor of the Wyatt Trust, with a focus on grant making that creates meaningful and sustainable impact for South Australians experiencing poverty.
Michelle Mackenzie – Principal, Mira- Consulting
Living and working in Halls Creek, Michelle Mackenzie brings a deep understanding of the physical and financial challenges of service delivery in regional and remote Australia.
As Executive Director, Regional Investment she managed the $6.1 billion Royalties for Regions program which included 550 funding partnerships. As CEO of Shelter WA, she shaped housing and homelessness policy, securing funding and driving strategic initiatives.
She has also worked in senior roles in local government and the resources industry, gaining expertise in governance and stakeholder engagement.
Currently, as Principal at Mira-Consulting, she works with clients, including business, government and non-government agencies, on strategy, policy and funding.
Scott Pape OAM – Financial Counsellor & Founder, The Barefoot Investor
Scott Pape is a financial literacy advocate and volunteer financial counsellor. He is the author of The Barefoot Investor and has contributed to national financial literacy initiatives in collaboration with ASIC and the ATO. He founded the Barefoot Money Movement, a financial education program for schools. He provides financial counselling services to Australians facing financial hardship and has worked on policy initiatives aimed at improving financial resilience and access to financial support services.
Bill Simpson-Young – CEO, Gradient Institute
Bill Simpson-Young is the CEO of Gradient Institute, a non-profit organization focused on helping make AI systems safe, ethical and transparent.
He has over 25 years of experience in research and technology leadership, with previous roles at CSIRO’s Data61, NICTA, and Canon’s R&D lab, where he worked on AI, machine learning, and data privacy.
He advises government and industry on AI ethics and serves on the NSW Government’s AI Review Committee, the ANU’s School of Computing Advisory Board and was on the temporary AI Expert Group advising the Australian government on AI regulation.