Investment Summit 2025

Paul Abraham
Chief of Investment Services, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation

Paul is the Chief of Investment Services at the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC). CSC provides superannuation products and services to the employees of the Australian Government and Australian Defence Forces.

Paul joined CSC in 2005 and has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. His previous roles were in chartered accountancy, asset management and financial planning in Australia, London, Tokyo and Singapore.

Paul is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and holds a Masters of Financial Management from Australian National University and a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from Charles Sturt University.

Luke Barrett
Partner, Gilbert + Tobin

Luke Barrett is a partner in G+T’s Corporate Advisory practice and the head of the firm’s superannuation practice.

He has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, advising fund managers and superannuation funds across all aspects of their businesses and investments, especially their most sensitive, complex and strategically significant legal issues.

Luke’s experience as a superannuation industry insider means he has a deep understanding of the operational issues and business imperatives within superannuation funds, which he leverages to bolster his clients’ legal positions and commercial outcomes.

Luke has deep, lived-experience across all aspects of the investment activities of superannuation funds. For over 25 years, Luke has:
· Designed investment governance frameworks and policies to comply with all APRA prudential standards;
· Established internal portfolio management capabilities;
· Negotiated hundreds of investment management agreements, custody agreements and investment-related vendor agreements;
· Advised on many private equity investments and significant private market transactions across every asset class;
· Led the legal due diligence on appointments of investment managers, custodians and major investments;
· Defended superannuation funds from greenwashing and other climate-related allegations; and
· Provided highly-strategic and technical advice in relation to issues such as RG 97, product-pricing and the best financial interest duty implications of carbon neutrality.

Luke was previously the general counsel of one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds. He established and led the superannuation industry’s first dedicated investments-legal team, which is a structure which has since been emulated by all the major superannuation funds. This background means Luke has extensive boardroom experience guiding boards and investment committees through their most significant legal issues.

Michael Blayney
General Manager - Dynamic Asset Allocation, HESTA

Michael has 28 years of experience across investment management, investment consulting and superannuation.

Most recently he was Head of Multi-Asset at Pendal for seven years, where he led a team managing traditional and sustainable balanced funds, as well as a range of liquid alternatives strategies.

His other roles have included leading the investment strategy team at Aware Super, and managing a range of diversified funds and smart beta strategies at Perpetual. He started out his career in consulting, working as a consulting actuary at NSP Buck and then as an investment consultant at Willis Towers Watson, where he specialised in investment strategy.

Michael is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and has a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland.

Kim Bowater
Director of Consulting, Frontier Advisors

Kim Bowater is Director of Consulting at Frontier Advisors, having joined the firm in 2002. She has over 28 years industry experience. Kim is responsible for overseeing Frontier's delivery of advice and consulting team. She is a member of Frontier's Investment Committee and Chair of Frontier's Client Portfolio Review Committee. She is also the lead consultant for several large superannuation funds.

Over time, Kim has held a number of roles at Frontier including managing Frontier's research program, leading research teams including alternatives, currency and infrastructure, providing investment advice to clients, and founding Frontier's retirement solutions group. Kim was previously employed at Deloitte and Towers Perrin.

Kim is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Mathematical Statistics from Monash University. Kim is a member of the CFA Institute.

Trent Brandie
Principal Consultant, Summit Glow Consulting

Trent is an industry leader in Investment Performance & Risk. He has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, building out performance and risk functions.

His experience includes leading system implementations, building independent market and liquidity risk functions, creating bespoke attribution models, building member remediation models, policy and regulatory review, vendor selection, global benchmarking advisory board member, and inaugural member of Melbourne CFA GIPS sub-committee. His previous organisations include AustralianSuper, QIC, QSuper, Pinnacle Investment Management, and Suncorp.

Trent is a CFA Charterholder, CIPM certificate holder, and has a Bachelor of Business (Banking & Finance) from Queensland University of Technology. 

Kate Bromley
Senior Manager, Responsible Investment, Aware Super

Kate joined Aware Super as Senior Manager ESG Integration, Research & Reporting in January 2024 and has over 18 years’ experience holding ESG roles in the investment management industry. In her current role, Kate leads the development and implementation of the Fund’s ESG integration and climate transition strategies.

Kate is a purposeful and active contributor to the investor ESG conversation in Australia and previously held the role of chair of the Investor Group on Climate Change’s (IGCC) Physical Risk & Resilience Working Group. Kate brings a practitioner’s perspective to the complex climate and ESG challenges facing investors today.

Previously Kate spent six years at QIC as Head of Responsible Investment and held ESG-related roles at QSuper.

Tino Carusi
Founder, Enliven Housing

Tino Carusi is the Founder of Enliven Housing, a leading provider of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Australia. With more than 20 years’ experience in property development, acquisitions, and project delivery, Tino combines deep industry expertise with a personal commitment to creating housing that empowers people with disability.

In 2018, he established Enliven Housing to deliver high-quality, participant-centred SDA apartments nationwide. Enliven Housing has completed nearly 200 apartments, with more than 100 currently in development including expansion into single site SDA. Central to Enliven’s success is its Friendly Landlord model, which ensures tenants are placed at the heart of the decision-making process right throughout their SDA journey.

Tino has also founded SDA Assistive Technologies to provide proactive safety and technology solutions that enhance independence for people living in SDA. His work continues to bridge the needs of developers and tenants, driving sustainable, long-term housing outcomes for Australians with disability.

Jeff Chee
Global Head of Portfolio Strategy, Willis Towers Watson

Jeff Chee is Global Head of Portfolio Strategy at WTW, with responsibility for the continued evolution of WTW’s top-down portfolio construction process, the integration of the key dimensions of portfolio quality into the portfolios that we develop for our clients. He also ensures that a consistent process is applied across our global client base. Jeff has 24 years of industry experience and has previously led the Australia and Asia Pacific investment strategy team, and has extensive experience in developing and providing strategic and dynamic asset allocation advice to the full spectrum of WTW’s asset owner clients including pension schemes, insurance funds, endowments/foundations and sovereign/government entities.

Jeff is a member of WTW’s Investment Assumptions Committee, which has oversight of the capital market assumption setting process and has also been heavily involved in the development and maintenance of WTW Australia’s quantitative modelling tools including stochastic asset modelling software and portfolio construction tools. Jeff has also been particularly instrumental in developing a number of climate scenarios and associated asset return impacts, as well as WTW’s framework for integrating climate and other sustainability-related issues into portfolio construction.

Jeff is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, winner of the Prescott Prize for the best overall performance in completing the Institute of Actuaries of Australia Education program. He is also a winner of the William Noall and Son Prize for the top honours graduate in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce at the University of Melbourne where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce.

Belinda Cheung
Director, Economics and Capital Markets, Future Fund

Belinda Cheung is a Director in the Economics and Capital Markets team at the Future Fund, Australia’s sovereign wealth fund. She is a member of the Investment team, with primary responsibility for generating the cyclical and secular global macroeconomic outlook, and she also sits on the Dynamic Asset Allocation governance forum.

Prior to joining the Future Fund, Belinda was a Senior Economist at Aware Super, a Director in the Fixed Income and Currency Strategy team at Commonwealth Bank and a Senior Economist and Manager at the Reserve Bank of Australia where she started her career.

Belinda is a guest lecturer at Macquarie University and holds a combined Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master of Economics from the University of New South Wales.

Andrew Craston
Economic Specialist, ASFA

Andrew has been with ASFA since 2016, and has responsibility for analysis and research with respect to superannuation policy and the impact of superannuation on the living standards of Australians. Prior to joining ASFA, Andrew was with the Commonwealth Treasury, including secondments to the Office of National Intelligence and the (Murray) Financial System Inquiry.

Gert-Jan de Graaf
Chief Executive Officer, Brisbane Airport Corporation

Gert-Jan de Graaff was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd in June 2018.

In addition to his role with Brisbane Airport Corporation, Mr de Graaff also holds several current Board positions, including: Director and Secretary Treasurer on the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Board; Director on Airports Council International World Governing Board; Director on the Australian Airports Association Board; Director on Tourism and Events Queensland Board and a Member of the Australian Jet Zero Council.

Mr de Graaff has more than 30 years’ experience in leadership roles at major airports around the world. He started his career in airport management in 1995 with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in The Netherlands where he had management positions in the commercial, finance and strategic departments.

In 2005 Mr de Graaff was appointed as Managing Director of ASDC AB, the Company that manages and develops the commercial activities in the terminals of Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in Sweden.

Between 2007 and 2012 Mr de Graaff held senior roles with Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd, including Executive General Manager Commercial Services and Executive General Manager Strategic Planning & Development.

Prior to his return to Brisbane Airport in 2018 Mr de Graaff lead the bid for Galeão / Rio de Janeiro Airport in Brazil on behalf of Royal Schiphol Group and his most recent position was President & CEO of JFKIAT LLC, the private operators of Terminal 4 at John F Kennedy International Airport since 2014.

Previous Board appointments include the position of Chair of Airport Coordination Netherlands, and Board Memberships with Airports Council International North America (WBP), Air Cargo Netherlands, Cargonaut BV, Member of the Australian Border Force Customs Advisory Board and several tourism and investment attraction agencies.

Michael Di Russo
Head of Property, Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Michael Di Russo is Head of Property at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, where he leads the organisation’s debt and equity investments that accelerate Australia’s transition to lower emissions within the built environment. At the CEFC, Michael has contributed to more than $2.5 billion in purpose-led investments demonstrating market leading outcomes. Michael has more than 20 years’ experience in the property sector across a range of roles covering town planning, acquisitions, corporate and structured finance. Michael has previously held roles with CBA, Westpac Group, Ashe Morgan and Spectrum Property Partners.

Kevin Fernandez
General Manager, Investment Management, Novigi

Kevin has long played a central role in shaping and driving strategic initiatives across the superannuation and wealth management sectors. With deep expertise in data strategy and a passion for AI, Kevin leads the development of forward-thinking solutions—ranging from strategic partnerships to managed services—that address evolving client needs.

A recognised thought leader, Kevin is known for leveraging data-driven insights to deliver sustainable value. His leadership is central to Novigi’s market positioning, helping to define the company’s growth strategy in an increasingly complex and dynamic financial landscape.

Leigh Gavin
Chief Investment Officer, Cbus Super

Leigh Gavin is the Chief Investment Officer for Cbus Super, Australia’s leading specialist industry super fund for building and construction, with AUD$100 billion funds under management and over 900,000 members.

Leigh is responsible for leading Cbus’ five year investment strategy and continues to build the differentiated hybrid investment model, working closely with the Investment Committee of the Board. Leigh joined Cbus in 2023 as Head of Portfolio Strategies, establishing new investment strategies and managing local and global portfolios, and was then appointed to Deputy Chief Investment Officer.

Leigh leads the Investment Leadership Team who oversee the management of the investment function and associated activities including progress against the strategy, developing and creating opportunities for our investment talent, fostering a strong culture, budget and recruitment oversight.

Prior to joining Cbus Leigh had been Head of Investment Model Design at AustralianSuper after joining the Fund’s Total Portfolio Management team in 2021. He served as Chief Investment Officer at LUCRF Super from May 2016 to April 2021, after spending 14 years at Frontier Advisors.

Leigh holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne, is a Fellow of Finsia and has completed a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investments, and a Masters of Applied Finance and Investments, both through Finsia.

Damian Graham
Chief Investment Officer, Aware Super

Damian joined the fund as Chief Investment Officer in 2016. In this role, Damian is responsible for Aware Super's investment portfolio and team.

Damian has a long history of investment management in Australia. During his 30-year career, Damian has led Private Portfolio Management for the Macquarie Group. He was Chief Investment Officer at StatePlus and First State Super and held leadership positions at JP Morgan and Norwich Investment Management.

Damian is passionate about building people's retirement savings. His purpose at Aware Super is to deliver great outcomes to their members, so they can enjoy peace of mind when they stop work.

Kate Griffiths
Executive Manager, Research and Policy, ACSI

Kate is responsible for leading the team that delivers for ACSI’s research and policy program, working with our members to cover a range of financially material ESG issues and provide guidance on good corporate practice and regulatory reforms that contribute positively to the sustainability of markets. Kate was formerly the Head of Governance, Risk and Audit Committee and Disclosure and a Company Secretary at BHP, and, prior to that, a senior associate at Blake Dawson (now Ashurst).

Kate was also previously a non-executive director and Chair of ShareGift Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates the donation of shares to community organisations. Kate holds a Bachelor of Laws (with honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. She is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Helen Hall
Head of Investment Governance, NGS Super

Helen Hall is a highly experienced financial services professional with over 23 years in the superannuation industry. As Senior Manager, Investment Governance at NGS Super, she leads critical functions including operational due diligence of investment managers, public investment-related disclosures, and the maintenance of the fund’s investment policy framework.

Helen is known for her strong focus on governance and regulatory compliance, and brings deep expertise in establishing quality controls and embedding process efficiencies that enhance investment operations. Since joining the NGS Super Investments team in 2021, she has contributed to strengthening the fund’s governance standards and operational resilience.

She is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland.

David Hetherington
Chief Executive Officer, Impact Investing Australia

David Hetherington is the CEO of Impact Investing Australia. He was previously the CEO of the Public Education Foundation and the founding Executive Director of the progressive think tank Per Capita. He has also worked at the UK’s Institute for Public Policy Research and with LEK Consulting in Sydney, Munich and Auckland. David has authored over 100 reports, book chapters and opinion pieces on a wide range of economic and social policy issues. His work has appeared in The Guardian, The Economist, The Sydney Morning Herald, AFR and The Australian, and was a regular commentator on ABC TV’s The Drum. David holds an MPA with Distinction from the London School of Economics and a BA with First Class Honours from UNSW. In 2022, he was named in Pro Bono’s Impact 25 list as one of Australia’s 25 most influential non-profit leaders.

David Ho
Head of Pacific, FTSE Russell, LSEG

David Ho is a seasoned financial services executive with extensive experience in investment strategy, index solutions, and global markets. As the Head of Pacific for FTSE Russell, he leads the firm’s business expansion across the region, driving growth and innovation in index-based investing, analytics, and sustainable investment solutions.

With a career spanning over two decades in finance, David has held key leadership roles across asset management, market infrastructure, and investment research. Prior to joining FTSE Russell (part of the London Stock Exchange Group, LSEG), he held senior positions at major financial institutions including AXA, AMP, ANZ & ASX leading the growth of innovative investment products, and improving market efficiency through the evolution of capital markets trading microstructure.

At FTSE Russell, David leads the team in expanding the firm’s footprint in the Pacific region, working with institutional investors, asset managers, and regulators to enhance market accessibility and benchmarking solutions.

David is also passionate about giving back and dedicates a large proportion of his spare time on philanthropic activities and is also a guest lecturer and program sponsor at UNSW and University of Melbourne looking to improve financial literacy particularly in the future female leaders and promoting sustainable finance throughout the education system.

Andrew Howard
Chief Investment Officer, Equip Super

Andrew is the Chief Investment Officer at Equip Super and is responsible for leading all aspects of the investment strategy for the Fund. Andrew has over 30 years’ experience in the investment industry, including extensive knowledge across all areas of investment management.

Prior to joining Equip in November 2021, Andrew previously worked in senior leadership positions including Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Hostplus and Chief Investment Officer at VicSuper. In his earlier career he held senior roles at Mercer Investments (Partner, CIO, APAC), Treasury Group (CIO) and Frontier Consulting (Head of Manager Research).

Andrew has a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma, Applied Finance and Investments and is also a Fellow of Finsia.

Sophie Jelleff
Head of Investment Execution, HESTA

Sophie joined HESTA in April 2024 as the Head of Investment Execution. She is responsible for the ongoing development and management of a fit for purpose investment operating platform and processes to efficiently manage HESTA’s investment portfolio. This includes Investment Operations, Performance and Risk Analytics, Operations Due Diligence and Investment Systems and Data.

Sophie is a seasoned executive with extensive experience over 25 years in financial services including spending 15 years offshore in London, New York and San Francisco before returning to Australia.

Sophie holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Commerce (University of Melbourne), is a Senior Practitioner in Active Operations Management and completed Accelerating Change Readiness and Agility (US Berkeley Executive Education).

Previously, Sophie qualified for and held FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses during her time in the USA.

Alex Joiner
Chief Economist, IFM Investors

Alex Joiner is Chief Economist at IFM Investors. 

He is responsible for the firm’s economic, financial market and geopolitical risk analysis that is key in IFM’s investment process. In this capacity he engages with IFM’s domestic and global clients on macro-investment trends and themes.

He is a frequent commentator on economic and markets via traditional and social media and regularly speaks at public forums and conferences. He has over two decades of professional experience in economic and markets and prior to joining IFM was the Chief Economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (Australian & New Zealand) after being a senior economist at ANZ Bank. He holds a First Class honours degree in Economics and a PhD in Econometrics from Monash University. Alex is also committee member of the Australian Business Economists.

Pippa Lane
Senior Executive Leader, Superannuation and Life Insurance, ASIC

Pippa leads ASIC’s Superannuation and Life Insurance team within ASIC’s Regulation and Supervision group. She oversees ASIC’s regulatory work associated with the life insurance and superannuation industries.

Prior to joining ASIC, Pippa held senior roles in policy and supervision at the UK Financial Conduct Authority across life insurance, pensions and mortgages. Pippa led financial services policy at Citizens Advice, the UK’s national debt advice charity after starting her career in government research. She holds a PhD in politics and history.

Jo Leaper
Principal Consultant and Head of Operational Consulting, JANA Investment Advisers

Jo Leaper is the Head of Operational Consulting. In this role, she focuses on supporting clients with their operational needs, including custody and operational research (such as operational due diligence and securities lending), governance reviews and broader operational consulting.

With 20 years of industry experience, Jo brings a strong background in asset servicing and relationship management, which has shaped her core strengths in operations management and client strategy. As Head of Operational Consulting, Jo delivers strategic operational support to clients while leading the development of more effective and scalable solutions.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management and a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University.

Carmen Leung
Senior Manager, Sustainable Product, APAC, FTSE Russell

Carmen Leung is the Senior Manager for Sustainable Product in the Asia-Pacific region. She oversees the development and management of sustainable products and solutions tailored to clients' needs.

Carmen joined FTSE Russell in December 2024 from Perpetual Group, where she was their Head of Product Strategy & Development, leading the firm's product strategy and development initiatives for Pendal. She brings over 20 years of experience in investment management, specialising in sustainable and impact products.

Carmen is a CFA Charterholder and holds a Master of Commerce (Finance) from the University of New South Wales. She is an independent member of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) Certification Assessment Panel.

Andrew Lill
Chief Investment Officer, legalsuper

Over the course of a 30 year+ professional career Andrew has fulfilled senior executive roles located in both the UK, Australia and the United States managing large and mid-size teams of investment professionals, delivering competitive outcomes and demonstrating success at commercialising investment and advice solutions. He has been a CIO for the last 13 years and has a real passion for multi-asset investing.

Andrew has a strong academic background with a masters qualifications in Economics, is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and a recent graduate of the AICD. He is driven by a passion for understanding superannuation members' specific investment objectives and designing bespoke long-term investment strategies to suit these unique objectives. More recently the introduction of sustainable investing into the core investment process has been an extra area of learning and value-add.

Andrew joined legalsuper in March 2025 and is working collaboratively with the CEO, Board and executive team to upgrade the functions including investment strategy, risk management and investment process.

As the first in-house CIO at Rest joining in mid-2020 Andrew successfully transformed Rest investments from a mostly outsourced model to one where it became a competitive, confidently mature internalised investment management model with technology and data enablers to be a competitive advantage. In this role Andrew led a multi-location investment team of over 120 investment professionals, investment risk and technology transformation teams.

Marigold Look
Executive Director, Infrastructure, IFM Investors

Marigold is responsible for managing IFM Investors’ low carbon infrastructure assets. At IFM, Marigold has been involved with various investments across our global infrastructure portfolios, including Colonial Pipeline (US), Pacific Hydro, Port of Brisbane, NSW Ports, NT Airports, Brisbane Airport and Adelaide Airport. 

Marigold has extensive experience in investment evaluation, asset management, corporate finance and valuations. Marigold has been a board member of NT Airports, Axiom Education and Eastern Distributor (M1 toll road). Prior to joining IFM Investors, Marigold held roles with WilsonHTM as an equities research analyst, and with PwC specializing in corporate valuations and strategy consulting.

Yann Magnan
Chief Executive Officer, 73 Strings

Yann is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of 73 Strings. Yann has more than 25 years of experience in the Corporate Finance/Valuation Advisory industry, working in and with the Alternative Investment Funds industry at the global level. At 73 Strings, he is responsible for defining strategic initiatives for the business, as well as overseeing key engagements, relationships and operations. Yann currently splits most of his time between New York and London.

Yann started his career with EY in France where he was Partner and head of Western Europe for the valuation and business modelling practice. He then joined Duff & Phelps/Kroll, opening and developing the Paris, France office and being later appointed member of the Global Operating Committee and leader for the EMEA region.

Yann holds an MSc in Engineering from Ecole Centrale Paris in France.

Todd Manning
Balance Sheet Optimisation & Liquidity Management, Investment Strategy and Asset Allocation, Rest Super

Todd joined Rest in 2021 to oversee the Balance Sheet Management strategy for Rest’s Research and Portfolio Construction team. In this role, Todd is responsible for liquidity management, securities lending, collateral, and treasury functions at Rest. Todd brings over 20 years of experience in liquidity management, securities finance, and derivatives positioning. Prior to joining Rest, Todd served as the Head of Securities Finance for Australia at State Street Bank and has held key roles at various global banks across Sydney, Tokyo, and Boston. Todd's extensive background in global markets, combined with his strategic vision, enables him to deliver innovative solutions in balance sheet optimisation and capital markets strategies.

Todd holds a bachelor’s degree in Economic Theory from Assumption University.

Zoe McHugh
Senior Portfolio Manager - Head of Portfolio Strategy and Resilience, Australian Retirement Trust

Zoe joined Australian Retirement Trust (formerly Sunsuper in 2021), and is Head of Portfolio Strategy. Her responsibilities include investment fees and costs strategy, public markets integration into the long term investment strategy and coordinating research that informs long term investment strategy and the identification of emerging opportunities.

Prior to joining Australian Retirement Trust, Zoe was an Investment Director in the State Investments team at QIC, and a Portfolio Manager, Strategy & Liquid Alternatives, at Aware Super. Zoe’s professional experience encompasses asset ownership and superannuation, corporate bank global markets, fund of funds, hedge funds and academia.

Zoe has a PhD in Economics from the Queensland University of Technology.

Tom McMahon
Partner, Mandala

Tom McMahon is a partner at Mandala. Tom brings over 15 years of experience in economic policy, data science and strategy to Mandala. His expertise spans technology policy, taxation, labour markets, financial services and superannuation.   

Tom has authored research and analysis on the role of AI in the Australian workforce and economy in partnership with Microsoft, LinkedIn, Jobs and Skills Australia and the Future Skills Organisation.

Tom has previously held senior roles at the Tech Council of Australia, Industry Super Australia, AlphaBeta Advisors. He has also served as an economics adviser to Australian Government ministers and within the Australian Public Service.

Nehal Mehra
Head of Securities Finance and Global Collateral, Asia Pacific BNY

Nehal Mehra is Asia Pacific Head of Securities Finance and Global Collateral at BNY.

Prior to joining BNY in 2025, Nehal spent 15 years at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and London across their Corporate Treasury and Global Markets and Banking divisions, most recently globally heading Execution Structuring and prior to that, globally heading Cross Asset Financing. In these roles, he worked with the Fixed Income and Equities trading and sales business to originate and distribute financing and resource optimization solutions for the firm and its clients.

Nehal graduated with a Masters in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics and a Bachelors (Hons.) in Economics from the University of Bath.

Stephen Michael
Executive Director, Head of Buyside Trading Services Sales, Asia Pacific, JP Morgan

Stephen Michael manages APAC buyside sales for the Trading Services business, which includes the Agency Securities Finance, Margin Services and Tri-Party products. He is based in Sydney.

Stephen joined J.P. Morgan in 2013 to manage collateral management sales for Australia & New Zealand and Tri-Party sales for Asia Pacific. He spent the last 5 years in Hong Kong in his current role. He has over 20 years of industry experience.

Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Stephen held client facing roles at Omgeo in Australia, FTSE International and Thomson Reuters in London.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) degree.

Shaun is an investment professional with over 25 years' experience designing and implementing investment strategies across both the Institutional and Wealth sectors.

His early career was spent as an equity analyst, which was then subsequently broadened to multi-asset class portfolio design and construction. Shaun also has extensive experience in single asset class portfolio design and implementation across both public and private markets. His most recent role was the General Manager of Public and Private Markets at Spirit Super.

Benjamin Page-Fort
Managing Director, Head of Americas Private Assets & Global Total Plan Product Manager, MSCI

Ben Page-Fort is a Managing Director at MSCI, where he serves as Head of Americas Private Assets and Global Total Plan Product Manager.

​He joined the firm in 2024 to lead the integration of Burgiss and Caissa into what is now Private Capital Solutions. In his current role, Ben oversees the strategic direction and execution of the Total Plan (legacy Caissa) platform within Private Assets solutions, driving innovation, integration, and operational excellence across the platform.

​With more than 15 years of experience delivering technology solutions across front, middle, and back-office functions, Ben has a proven track record of advancing investment and operational outcomes for buy-side institutions. Prior to joining MSCI, he was part of the corporate strategy team at SimCorp. Earlier in his career, he led Nasdaq’s Asset Owner Solutions business and held roles at Algorithmics, now part of SS&C.

​Ben received his bachelor's degree and master's in business administration from the University of Connecticut.

Katie Petering
Managing Director, Head of Investment Strategy, BlackRock Australasia

Katie Petering, Managing Director, is the Australasia Head of Investment Strategy for BlackRock's Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (MASS) Group based in Sydney. In this role, Katie leads strategy for BlackRock's range of multi-asset portfolios, including hedge funds, models and diversified asset allocation strategies.

MASS is the investment group at the heart of BlackRock's portfolio construction, asset allocation, and active management ecosystem. MASS draws on the full toolkit of BlackRock's index, factor, and alpha-seeking investment capabilities to deliver precise investment outcomes and cutting-edge alpha insights. MASS constructs active asset allocation strategies and whole portfolio solutions across a wide spectrum of commingled funds, separate accounts, model portfolios, and outsourcing solutions in the wealth and institutional channels.

Katie joined BlackRock in 2017 as Australasia Head of iShares Institutional business. Prior to BlackRock, Katie was Head of Structured Products at Goldman Sachs and held previous roles in cross asset derivative structuring, sales and capital markets. Katie began her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996.

Nathan Peters
Liquid Alternatives Analyst, Aware Super

Nathan manages liquid alternatives portfolios at Aware Super in Sydney as a Senior Analyst in the Macro Strategies group. He has allocated to liquid alternatives for over twenty-five years in roles in London and New York. Nathan has a BA in International Studies and Philosophy from Macalester College and is Co-Head of the Executive Committee for CAIA Australia. 

Adrian Rees
General Manager, Life & Private Health Insurance and Superannuation, APRA

Adrian Rees is General Manager, Life & Private Health Insurance and Superannuation at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Since joining APRA in 2004, Adrian has supervised entities in the banking and life insurance industries and, in his current role, supervises superannuation trustees and funds. Adrian is a member of APRA’s Superannuation Industry Group which monitors developments in the superannuation industry and helps develop APRA’s supervisory and policy responses to these issues. He works closely with APRA’s life insurance team on insurance in superannuation matters.

Adrian has worked in the private sector in funds management, retirement products and life and general insurance. In total he has over 40 years of industry experience.

Geoff Sanders
Partner, Allens

Geoff is a partner in Allens' financial services team and specializes in superannuation and financial services law, with a particular focus on the investment and regulatory requirements of Australia's largest superannuation trustees.

Kirsten Temple
General Manager, Investment Strategy, JANA Investment Advisers

Kirsten is General Manager, Investment Strategy, responsible for the development of JANA’s client advice on investment strategy, including portfolio design, capital markets analysis and portfolio risk management. Kirsten is also responsible for leading JANA’s asset allocation advice and decision making for advisory and implemented consulting clients, as well as ensuring the appropriate management of investment risk across portfolios.

In her time at JANA, Kirsten has consulted with a range of clients, providing asset allocation and investment strategy advice. She has also contributed to JANA’s research efforts, most recently as Manager of Research, with responsibility for JANA’s research programme. Kirsten led JANA’s Responsible Investment team until 2017 and has a research background in equities and alternatives. Prior to joining JANA in 2009, Kirsten was based in London, where she advised UK institutional clients.

Kirsten holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University, a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) from the University of New England.

Sam Young
Managing Director, Blackstone Credit and Insurance (BXCI)

Sam Young is a Managing Director in Blackstone Credit and Insurance (BXCI) based in Sydney. Mr. Young is focused on the origination, execution, and management of credit investments in Australia & New Zealand. Prior to his current role Mr. Young worked in Blackstone's Private Equity Group in Australia from 2015 to 2018 and the United States from 2018 to 2021, being involved in the execution and management of the firm's investments. Prior to joining Blackstone, Mr. Young worked in Goldman Sachs' and Nomura's investment banking businesses. Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales.