Gavin Loyden is the Founder and Managing Director of QEM Limited, having identified and acquired the significant dual commodity resource at Julia Creek. As such, Mr Loyden is responsible for QEM’s capitalisation, exploration program and development of QEM’s flagship vanadium and oil shale project. Prior to founding QEM, Mr Loyden assisted a range of companies from early stage development through to international stock market listings. He has over a decade of experience in the mining industry and extensive experience in the structuring of capital raising proposals for both private and public companies, executive selection, and Corporate Governance. Mr Loyden is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kate is an experienced geologist and government funding specialist who has gained a unique perspective through her roles in mining and professional services. Starting her career as a mine geologist, Kate worked in a variety of roles including establishing operational support and resource management at a new diamond mine with De Beers and optimising exploration, modelling and extraction of a structurally complex Central Queensland coal deposit with Anglo American. In her current role, Kate supports companies to access government funding for key projects through a variety of channels including grant program applications, the R&D Tax Incentive and proactive funding strategies. Working with small and large companies in mining, clean energy and other industries, she is passionate about leveraging her understanding of resource projects and operational environments to harness funding opportunities that are relevant to the sector.

Beni is a manager at CSIRO Futures, the advisory arm of Australia's national science agency. In this role Beni advises private organisations and the public sector on technology strategy and RD&D investment to take on the opportunities and challenges presented by global economic, environmental, social and techological trends. Beni has worked across multiple energy and resources projects including the CSIRO Renewable Energy Storage Roadmap, CSIRO Critical Energy Minerals Roadmap and the Hydrogen RD&D International Collaboration Program.

Lucy is the Manager of the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub, which is hosted by the CSIRO and brings together the expertise from Australia's leading science agencies: CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The Hub is accelerating the growth of Australia's critical minerals industry by coordinating and aligning R&D to industry needs and global trends.

Roderick Carlson, Geology Manager BSc (Geology), MSc (Ore Deposit Geology and Evaluation). MAusIMM, FAIG (RPGeo). Rod has more than 30 years’ experience in mining and exploration, with particular expertise in deposit modelling, Mineral Resource estimation, classification, reporting, auditing, and due diligence reviews. Rod has a deep understanding and development history with the guiding principles of the JORC Code.

Paul is an Urban and Environmental Planner with 25 years’ experience in the energy and mining sectors in Queensland and New South Wales. Paul has spent a large portion of his career in Government, and has held senior positions dealing with mining companies navigating the development assessment processes and approvals conditions. After starting his career in planning as Registrar for the Commissioners of Inquiry for Environment and Planning, Paul became familiar with the complexity of issues facing mining companies in doing business. With over 40 mining environmental impact assessments to his name while working at the NSW Government, Paul understands the challenges that mining companies face when trying to gain approvals, and the role of Government in the approval process. Paul has led assessment and post-approval assessment teams, and has set up expert panels for mining projects and provided advice to Ministers on mining assessments. Now at EMM, Paul is assisting mining companies deal with Government matters and de-risking the approval process.