Councillor Andrew Rowse was elected to Melbourne City Council in November 2024. Cr Rowse is the portfolio head for Innovation and Education and portfolio deputy for City Economy and Business, as well as Council's representative on the Design Excellence Advisory Committee.

Andrew graduated from the University of Melbourne with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering before returning to study entrepreneurship at the Wade Institute. Currently, he is the Director of Programs at the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre, University of Melbourne.

The Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC) is a university-wide initiative developed to assist the support, creation and sustainable development of new ventures. It's the mechanism for turning new ideas into strong economic, social, and environmental outcomes; in short, helping the University of Melbourne ecosystem stop dreaming large and start doing large.

Kelsie Gaffey, owner of Gracie’s Wine Room, left her corporate 9-5 in Marketing, to pursue her dream of opening up a Wine Bar in Melbourne’s inner-south. After posting her raw and authentic journey to social media, her 3-month-old venue & unconventional marketing strategy has already been recognised in award-leading media outlets such as the New York Post, Broadsheet, Urban List and Hospitality Magazine.

Kevin has extensive experience across the business, government and community sectors and spent seven years at the City of Melbourne as Chief of Staff to the former Lord Mayor John So, before being elected as a Councillor in 2008.

Kevin is the portfolio head for the City Economy and Business portfolio. He also represents the City of Melbourne on the following advisory committees and external organisations:

•  Enterprise Melbourne Pty Ltd
•  Business Partner City Network
•  Invest Melbourne Advisory Board

Kevin has been part of several City of Melbourne business missions and also represented the City of Melbourne at numerous Business Partner City Network roundtable meetings. The Business Partner Cities network helps promote business interaction within the Asia–Pacific region and involves numerous cities including Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka and Singapore.

Having worked extensively in the China market, Kevin has a strong understanding of the cultural and business etiquette of operating successfully in China. Kevin is passionate about working with small business and activating the city to increase visitation.

Salina Chu is a Patent Examiner of Medical Devices and is currently working as a Senior Advisor in the Public Education and Awareness team supporting the Customer Experience Group at IP Australia. She holds bachelor's degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Science from Flinders University. Salina has a keen interest in helping others understand their IP rights and providing continuous development for patent examiners.

Crystal leads Booked Solid AI with a sharp focus on growth and innovation. With a strong background in marketing and sales strategy, she blends business know-how with cutting-edge AI to transform customer engagement and automation.

Kate leads the strategy and development of our intelligent chat solutions. She’s the force behind AI-powered conversations that improve user experience and streamline communication.

Jack is a Presales Engineer working from Zoho's Adelaide office. Day to day Jack listens carefully to business' requirements and presents features or tailored solutions which address core business functionalities and automations.

Rakesh Prabhakar is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience at Zoho Corporation, where he currently serves as the General Manager for Australia and New Zealand. He began his career as a technical consultant and gradually transitioned to a business function, fostering growth and leading business operations in the region, helping Zoho expand its footprint in the competitive tech landscape.

Rakesh relishes working with businesses of all sizes to understand their technical challenges and offer them actionable feedback. His expertise lies in navigating the complexities of market dynamics, building strategic partnerships, and leading teams with a vision for innovation and customer success. 

Clint Hong is a seasoned host, MC, and local government professional with nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of portfolios managing events, arts, tourism, and community services. With a strong track record of working closely with local communities, Clint now focuses on economic development—supporting small businesses, activating local shopping precincts, and assisting new businesses to connect via local network groups. In addition to his government role, Clint runs his own successful business as a professional MC and celebrant, bringing energy, professionalism, and humour to every event.

Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) officers provide information on migration to industry, business, government agencies and Regional Australia stakeholders. BIRO officers engage with stakeholders across Australia to increase understanding of visa pathway options to help employers fill vacant positons where Australian workers are unavailable.

Damon has been a presales engineer for Zoho Australia and New Zealand for nearly two years. Coming from a tech sales background, he has leveraged his industry knowledge to help him advance in the essential product knowledge required for this role, focusing on Zoho's CRM application. His day-to-day tasks involve conducting specialised demonstrations and consultations on the features and functions of CRM, focusing on how they can be adapted to meet the specific needs of his clients.Recently, he has been upskilling in customer support as he prepares to take on a new role specialising in Zoho Desk. In addition, he has built up a varied knowledge of Zoho's complete line of integrated products through his work with Zoho One – the comprehensive business management bundle Zoho offers to small businesses.Outside of work, he enjoys full-day golf rounds that take up his whole afternoon, and sharing hot takes on the latest cricket news.

Samuel Panther is a Pre-Sales Engineer at Zoho, helping businesses enhance customer experiences with tailored software solutions. With technical expertise and a deep business understanding, he bridges the gap between technology and client needs. Passionate about problem-solving, he guides businesses in maximising Zoho’s potential. Their skills in demos, consultations, and solution design drive seamless software adoption.

Benny is a dynamic sales and customer experience leader with over 15 years of hands-on experience in the SaaS industry. As the Global Head of Sales for Bigin, Zoho's latest CRM solution tailored for small businesses and startups, he plays a key role in driving growth and innovation. 

Throughout his career, Benny has worn multiple hats—guiding customers, empowering resellers, and collaborating with implementation partners—to help them succeed with Zoho’s powerful suite of business applications. His deep industry knowledge, combined with a passion for customer success, makes him a trusted leader in the field. 

Beyond work, Benny is an avid cyclist, marathon runner, an active volunteer for local causes, and a food enthusiast who loves discovering new cuisines during his travels. You can connect with him via email at benny@bigin.com. 

As Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand, Elise Balsillie is a leader with a deep passion for empowering small businesses to grow and adapt in the dynamic digital environment.With more than 25 years of experience across media, education, and technology, she has spent two decades at Thryv, driving its success. Elise leads teams across customer channels, focusing on transforming how small businesses embrace digital solutions.Elise's greatest reward comes from helping businesses streamline operations, enabling them to grow, hire and focus on what they love. Under her leadership, Thryv has earned the 'Employer of Choice' recognition for two consecutive years, reflecting her commitment to people and culture. An engaging public speaker, Elise regularly shares her expertise at industry conferences and podcasts, offering insights on digital transformation, organisational growth and employee engagement.Balancing her professional role with her personal life as a mother and wife, Elise advocates for work-life balance and continuous learning. She fosters innovation within her team, encouraging collaboration and new ideas. When not at work, Elise enjoys time outdoors in country Victoria and supporting her boys at their sports events.As Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand, Elise Balsillie is a leader with a deep passion for empowering small businesses to grow and adapt in the dynamic digital environment. With more than 25 years of experience across media, education, and technology, she has spent two decades at Thryv, driving its success. Elise leads teams across customer channels, focusing on transforming how small businesses embrace digital solutions. Elise's greatest reward comes from helping businesses streamline operations, enabling them to grow, hire and focus on what they love. Under her leadership, Thryv has earned the 'Employer of Choice' recognition for two consecutive years, reflecting her commitment to people and culture. An engaging public speaker, Elise regularly shares her expertise at industry conferences and podcasts, offering insights on digital transformation, organisational growth and employee engagement. Balancing her professional role with her personal life as a mother and wife, Elise advocates for work-life balance and continuous learning. She fosters innovation within her team, encouraging collaboration and new ideas. When not at work, Elise enjoys time outdoors in country Victoria and supporting her boys at their sports events.

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Irwin Hau is the Founder of lead enhancement software ConversionCow and Chromatix, a leading Melbourne web design agency, since 2009. Known as the "website whisperer", he has personally analysed over 60,000+ websites and excels in particularly in boosting website conversion for B2B businesses by leveraging practical human behaviour and user psychology. A game-changing approach for businesses who want to improve both lead generation and enhance their website’s conversion potential.

Marek Drummond is the Founder and Managing Director of Optimus Systems, a leading IT solutions provider serving Australia and New Zealand. With over 25 years of experience, Marek has been at the forefront of delivering tailored IT solutions to small and medium-sized businesses, focusing on cybersecurity, cloud management, and IT consulting. 

Under his leadership, Optimus Systems has established a strong presence in the region, with offices across New Zealand and Australia.  Marek’s commitment to providing comprehensive security capabilities is evident in his strategic partnerships, offering affordable and effective security solutions to mid-market customers. 

Marek is also recognized for his insights into industry trends and the future of technology in business. He has shared his expertise at events where he discussed how small and medium-sized enterprises can harness AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency across various departments.  His forward-thinking approach ensures that businesses of all sizes can leverage emerging technologies to stay competitive and future-proof their operations.

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Connect with Marek on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marekdrummond/

Follow Optimus Systems on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimus-systems

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Paul Maguire, LHGE (Honours), B. Com, Grad Dip Labour Law is the Legal Director and Principal Lawyer of Maguire Legal, a Melbourne based law firm focussing on employment, workplace relations and commercial law. Paul has more than 30 years’ experience in business research, advocacy, advice and representation of small business, industry associations and professional organisations such as the Australian Medical Association Victoria, Optometrists Association of Australia, and the Council of Small Business Australia.

Amongst his notable accomplishments is the making of the modern Labour Market Assistance Industry Award, the bi-annual series of the National Survey of Remuneration and HRM Performance for the National Employment Services Association, advising clients on contract law, award interpretation, transmission of business law and regulatory compliance. Paul is also the author of HR for Small Business for Dummies, a Wylie publication.

Maguire Legal has a national focus able to advise and represent all businesses throughout Australia.

Keeley is an Assistant Director in IP Australia's Public Education team. Keeley began her career as an exercise physiologist in the health sector. During this time, she ran a small business as a sole trader specialising in high performance with track and field athletes, before a career change into Intellectual Property. She has held multiple roles at IP Australia since 2019, working within trade mark examination, people and training, executive support and more recently customer experience.

Max Ferguson is the Founder and CEO of Lumin, which has grown under his leadership into a leading document workflow tool trusted by over 100 million customers worldwide.
Lumin empowers SMBs by offering a comprehensive suite of secure solutions, including document management, editing, eSignature workflows, APIs, and AI products – all in one unified platform.

As a Stanford University PhD graduate in Civil Engineering and Computer Science, Max combines technical expertise with business acumen. His well-recognized voice in the SMB space offers both entrepreneurial insights and practical strategies. Max remains passionate about delivering positive change through software innovation, creating intuitive technology that solves modern business problems.

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KateJolly is the Global Head of Talent acquisition at Employment Hero.Katehas over 10 years experience hiring on a global scale for both start-ups and FTSE100 businesses. She's worked with candidates from graduate level through to senior leadership and is passionate about building high-performing, high-velocity recruitment teams.

Michael Price is the Head of Business and Strategy at Nexigen Digital, with a history of expertise in Customer Experience and Employee Engagement. Over the past 20 years, Michael has delivered operational service management, delivery management, and reporting analytics to major entities, including Microsoft, the Australian Federal Government, and ALDI Stores.

As Constant Contact’s APAC Field Marketing Manager, Bianca Blades is passionate about empowering business owners, side hustlers, and creators to simplify and elevate their marketing.With experience living and working in three countries, she began her career as a copywriter before moving into communications roles in fashion, travel, and now technology. Bianca blends strategic marketing expertise with creative storytelling to ensure brands stand out and thrive.

Cathy Middleton has worked in music copyright for over 20 years.  Starting at PPCA as a Licensing Representative in 2001, Cathy’s many years of public performance licensing led her to join APRA AMCOS in 2018 as the Senior Licensing Manager for OneMusic Australia.  Cathy’s focus is leading a team of dedicated professionals to educate and advise business owners on the benefits of using music in their business and to ensure music creators receive fair renumeration for the use of their work.   
 
Cathy lives in south-west Sydney with her husband, son and dog, Baxter.  She is a lover of pop music, the occasional fun run, watching live sports and currently boasts a 1022 day streak in Duolingo.   

The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) is an independent government agency that advocates on issues affecting people in small business, raises their awareness of their rights and responsibilities, and helps them to avoid or resolve disputes.

The VSBC offers low-cost dispute resolution services, including mediation. The VSBC aims to create a competitive and fair operating environment for Victorian small business to operate, grow and prosper.

Renée Chaplin has led marketing and commercial teams in the Asia Pacific region over the last 20 years. With a particular focus on B2B tech companies, Renée’s experience stems from start-ups to multinational SaaS organisations such as Constant Contact, LivePerson and CSG International.

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Based in Brisbane, Australia, Renée is the Vice President – Asia Pacific for leading digital marketing company, Constant Contact and a Small Business Growth Mentor with the Queensland Government. A passionate marketer driven by customer experience and commercial growth, Renée holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management (Marketing) and a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration.

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At just 13, AndyPudmenzkywas already hand-coding websites in the days of dial-up modems, igniting a lifelong passion for web and A/V technologies. With two decades of experience in tech marketing, Andy now excels as Constant Contact’s APAC Customer Marketing Manager.

As an entrepreneur himself, Andy helps side hustlers and small business owners craft dynamic customer experiences and innovative marketing strategies that fuel growth.

Matt is the National IKEA for Business Specialist for IKEA Australia, with over 5 years of experience in the furniture and home furnishing industry.

In his current role, he is responsible for supporting, developing and implementing strategies to grow the IKEA business service within the Australian market.

Matt is also deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and social justice. He is the co-chair of the IKEA LGBTQ+ pride group and is playing a key role in creating a welcoming and inclusive culture within the company.

Cheyne Jonstone is a seasoned technology executive with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. As the co-founder and co-CEO of Nexigen Digital, parent company of VentraIP. He transformed the business from a small operation in his Melbourne bedroom into Australia’s largest privately owned digital service provider, boasting annual revenues over $50 million and a team of more than 100 local professionals.

For over 16 years, he has guided the company to consistent year-on-year growth, driven by a combination of strategic acquisitions and effective sales and marketing efforts. His emphasis on customer satisfaction and support has been key in fostering strong word-of-mouth marketing.

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Julie-Anne joined R U OK? in 2018 as a volunteer community ambassador and was appointed to this full time role in May 2022.  Julie-Anne comes from a Leadership & Management Training background.

Her role is to lead the management of workplace strategies and resource creation to increase R U OK?’s reach, engagement, participation and the effectiveness of R U OK? Workplace Champions Program to build an R U OK? Culture in workplaces all year round.

•  Lead workplace engagement and act as both advisor/educator and guide across differing types of workplaces
•  Develop new (scalable) practical tools, resources and engagement plans to enable workplaces champions to implement cultural change.
•  Engagement with workplaces to provide strong understanding and in-depth insights to the challenges faced to implement culture change.

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Joel has over 15 years’ experience working in the Australian Public Service across various procurement and contact management positions, including: procurement policy; trade policy; central procurement advice teams, managing Whole-of-Australian Government contracts, and running programs to build the procurement capability of APS officials and suppliers.

Alison is an accomplished leader in strategic human resources, training and development, with a proven track record of designing and implementing people programs that drive engagement, enhance productivity, and deliver measurable business outcomes.  Her innovative approach reflects her extensive global experience across the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific in diverse industries.

As Director of Development, Alison leads the Cloudstaff Academy with a comprehensive and strategic focus on personal and professional growth. By delivering targeted learning solutions and fostering a culture of continuous development, she ensures the Academy empowers teams to excel and achieve their goals.

Gabe Enslin is the Continuity Founder and Leader of adapt. Founded in 2014, adapt’s purpose is to empower SME owners to build resilient, sustainable and scalable businesses. 

Prior to this, Gabe was a three-time founder of businesses in transport and logistics, import - export, and immersive technology. He has led high impact teams in the public, private and NFP sectors in industries including tech, public safety, and social impact ventures. 

Gabe also had the privilege of helping to build tech solutions and customer support infrastructure which served 2 million+ Australians and visitors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Today, Gabe works with ownership and leadership teams of SMEs to help them to build resilient, sustainable, and scalable businesses by implementing Succession Thinking.

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Paul is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in outsourcing, financial services, and global team management. Previously a financial advisor and stockbroker, Paul’s expertise includes optimizing operations within the financial services sector and navigating complex venture capital and M&A initiatives, where he played pivotal roles in securing investments and driving strategic expansions.

With a deep understanding of industry trends and a results-driven approach, Paul is committed to delivering impactful solutions that help businesses scale and achieve their goals.

Lyndon Russell is a qualified accountant, virtual CFO and Amazon #1 best-selling author of ‘Know Your Numbers’. He has over two decades experience in assisting small business owners to build profitable and sustainable businesses. He founded Next Level Accountants with a vision to help business owners know and understand their numbers. His CLEAR method has helped hundreds of businesses of all sizes remove financial stress, improve financial visibility and simplify their accounting.