Dr Amanda Murphy is a Senior Advisor in Critical Minerals at Austrade. With the help of Austrade’s international network, Amanda promotes Australia’s critical minerals capability internationally and engages closely with Australian companies and international off-takers and investors to develop Australia’s critical minerals sector. Amanda joined Austrade in 2021 and has previously held roles in Trade and Investment Queensland and the Queensland Government Strategic Energy and Lower Carbon Policy Teams including working on the Queensland Government’s New Economy Minerals Initiative. She has experience as a development geologist including working for Origin Energy on the Australia Pacific LNG Project during the formative days of the Coal Seam Gas industry in Queensland, developing a 400 well gas field in the Surat Basin. Amanda has a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) with first-class honours in Geology and Geophysics and the University Medal from the University of Sydney. She has a PhD in Engineering from The University of Cambridge.

Leigh is a senior resources industry professional with over 23 years of operational and management experience, including most recently as Global Manager Resources and Exploration for ArcelorMittal Mining in London, where he also inaugurated and chaired the AusIMM UK Committee. Prior to that, he was the Geology Manager at Atlas Iron in Western Australia, where he also worked in several senior leadership roles over a period of eight years. Mr Slomp spent much of his early career in various roles across the WA mining industry, including with BHP Iron Ore in the Pilbara, at the Greenbushes Tin-Tantalum mine and the Cawse Nickel Laterite Project in Kalgoorlie. Mr Slomp is a Fellow of both the AusIMM and the Geological Society of London.

Stephen Durkin is CEO of AusIMM, the peak body and trusted voice for professionals working in the resources sector. Before joining AusIMM, Stephen was CEO of Engineers Australia (EA) for five years. Stephen's leadership focuses on building high performance organisations by fostering an innovative culture and supporting teams to collaborate and thrive. At both AusIMM and EA, Stephen has led transformations of these long-standing associations to be more contemporary and financially sustainable, with a stronger external brand. Prior to leading professional associations, Stephen was at National Australia Bank for 15 years in a number of senior executive roles including as State Manager, Retail Bank NSW/ACT. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). Stephen has extensive experience in business and association management, and possesses highly regarded skills in government, media and community relations.

Dr Paul Heithersay, Chief Executive of the Department for Energy and Mining, joined the South Australian public service in 2002 where he has held several senior executive roles. He was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2012 for his outstanding public service to the growth and development of the mineral resources sector. Before joining the public service, Paul spent more than 20 years in the resources industry in Australia, Southeast Asia and China. In 2013 Paul was awarded the prestigious Legend in Mining award for his role in guiding South Australia’s transformation into a major destination for investment in mineral resources and energy.

Ben is the Director of Western Australia’s Battery and Critical Minerals team at the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. He brings with him eight years of public policy experience with the Western Australian Government. Ben has principally worked on industry development and energy policy matters. Prior to heading up the Battery and Critical Minerals team, he spent three years leading WA Domestic Gas Policy agreement negotiations. Ben has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia.

Ms Victoria Pullen is General Manager of the Critical Minerals Office at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources in the Australian Government. Ms Pullen has a breadth of economic policy experience and strong leadership experience having worked at the Australian Federal and Territory and the Canadian Governments, Ministers’ Offices, policy and implementation agencies. Ms Pullen joined the Critical Minerals Office from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. During her time at the Prime Minister’s Department, Ms Pullen worked initially on taxation and financial sector policy. Ms Pullen was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Department during the 2019/2020 Australian Bushfires, and throughout the first 18 months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prior to commencing at the Critical Minerals Office, Ms Pullen worked across social and economic policy areas including housing reform and income support. Ms Pullen has a Master of Economic Policy from the Australian National University, and Executive Masters from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Mr Langoulant is the Agent General for Western Australia in the United Kingdom/Europe region. Mr Langoulant and his team work to attract investment and increase trade into Western Australia from the United Kingdom and Europe. Mr Langoulant has held a diverse range of executive and non-executive roles, he has decades of experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He has extensive knowledge of the Western Australian economy and industry and considerable experience undertaking reviews to support government reform agendas. As Western Australia’s Under Treasurer from 1995 to 2004, Mr Langoulant was instrumental in restoring the State’s AAA rating. He has also held Chief Executive positions with Australian Capital Equity, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia and the Oakajee Port and Rail project. Most recently, Mr Langoulant has held a number of non-executive director roles including as Chair of Infrastructure WA where he was responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, planning, management and performance of the agency. He has also been the Chair of the Government Employees Superannuation Fund for the past decade. In 2010, Mr Langoulant was awarded an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia and was the Western Australian Citizen of the Year for Business in 2011.

Carlye Sycz is Executive Director of the Reform, Strategy and Delivery Office, Department of Resources and is focused on delivering the department’s reform agenda to capitalise on Queensland’s resources for sustainable economic prosperity and just outcomes. Carlye has 15 years’ experience in the Queensland Government, focusing on strategic policy development and reform, most recently in the energy and resources policy spaces, developing the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy. Carlye’s experience also spans across the resources industry in community engagement as well as sustainable development.

Leigh is a senior resources industry professional with over 23 years of operational and management experience, including most recently as Global Manager Resources and Exploration for ArcelorMittal Mining in London, where he also inaugurated and chaired the AusIMM UK Committee. Prior to that, he was the Geology Manager at Atlas Iron in Western Australia, where he also worked in several senior leadership roles over a period of eight years. Mr Slomp spent much of his early career in various roles across the WA mining industry, including with BHP Iron Ore in the Pilbara, at the Greenbushes Tin-Tantalum mine and the Cawse Nickel Laterite Project in Kalgoorlie. Mr Slomp is a Fellow of both the AusIMM and the Geological Society of London.