Since completing a PhD in radiation chemistry and spectroscopy 37 years ago, Chris has been performing and leading applied R&D in minerals processing and refining, principally hydrometallurgy, both in industry and for the last 28 years, at CSIRO. His experience in leading CSIRO’s processing program has given him a broad understanding of the application of R&D to almost every mineral commodity in Australia. Chris is currently Chief Research Consultant at CSIRO, specialising in critical minerals, and with a view to downstream processing. He chairs the National Critical Minerals R&D Hub’s Operations Group and Advisory committees, is a member of two Standards Australia committees, and contributes broadly to the national conversation on developing critical minerals and associated value-adding industries.

Keith Barnard works as Group Leader at CSIRO Mineral Resources. He is an inorganic chemist who has morphed into a solvent extraction (SX) chemistry scientist and now a manager of 30 highly skilled hydrometallurgy scientists/engineers in Mineral Resources. His work seeks to assist companies address and overome their mineral processing challenges, from Alumina to Zinc. These can range from incremental changes in existing processes through to conceiving and developing new processes. Keith has worked at CSIRO for over 28 years and has held 8 titles across his career with them.

Helen Degeling is a geologist and recognised, influential advocate for minerals development that delivers positive ESG outcomes and meets the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation. She has previously held roles as a researcher, exploration and mine geologist, and exploration manager for junior precious, base and critical metal explorers, as well as leadership positions in critical minerals and sustainable mining across government and industry. Helen is now Director of Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3, where she combines her traditional geological expertise and passion for circularity, sustainability and traceability to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions for the resources industry’s ‘next generation’ challenges.

Michele Spencer is the Executive Director of the Geological Survey and Resource Strategy Division at the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration. Michele communicates geoscience to inform government policy and regulatory reform. As a mining professional she has multi commodity experience across exploration, mine geology, business and resource development, strategic planning, and government. As Western Australia looks to diversify its resources sector with more critical minerals and renewable projects, Michele also works across government and industry to facilitate access to exploration needed to find the raw materials required for these new industries.

Monique has over 20 years’ experience across mining (gold, lithium, vanadium), oil & gas, construction, and finance. Appointed Company Secretary of Richmond Vanadium Technology (ASX: RVT) in 2024, she also serves as Head of Operations, where she drives governance excellence and commands strategic oversight of the company’s operations. With ambition and authority, she ensures governance, compliance, and business execution are tightly aligned to deliver organisational strength and growth. RVT is progressing the Richmond–Julia Creek Vanadium Project in Queensland, one of the world’s largest known vanadium deposits, and is working closely with partners RKP Storage and Trina Solar to showcase the commercial and strategic advantages of Vanadium Flow Batteries (VFB) for long-duration (+8 hour) energy storage. This positioning directly intersects with Australia’s push to secure supply chains for critical minerals and to attract the investment needed for large-scale renewable energy solutions. Current priorities at RVT include finalising the reserve drilling and innovative metallurgical test work program, investigating the refining of Vanadium Concentrate to Electrolyte with Dalian Rongke Power - the world largest electrolyte manufacturer, environmental approvals and the granting of a mining lease for the project. With a Commerce degree in Marketing & Economics and a Certificate in Governance Practice, Monique brings both financial insight and operational discipline to advancing complex resource projects. Her career spans industries where funding, regulatory navigation, and market positioning are key to project success—experience that informs her perspective on capital-raising in the critical minerals sector.

Lauren McGregor is an Investment Director at the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, which was established to manage a $15 billion investment mandate from the Australian Government. The NRFC supports Australian projects that drive high-value industry transformation across seven priority areas, including the resources sector. Lauren joined the NRFC in early 2025, bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in institutional banking, project finance, and private equity, with a particular focus on the natural resources sector.

Karen Wellman is the founder and Managing Director of Dynamic Metals, a critical minerals explorer she listed on the ASX in 2023. Launching the company in a period of tight capital markets, she was able to raise the funds needed to begin advancing a portfolio of lithium and nickel projects in Western Australia. A geologist with more than 22 years’ experience, Karen has worked in residential mining roles, consultancy, and overseas ex-pat positions. This mix of technical and practical experience has shaped her approach to building Dynamic Metals—balancing sound geology with the realities of funding and progressing exploration projects. Her experience in listing and funding a new company in challenging market conditions gives her a practical perspective on the current financing landscape for critical minerals projects: the constraints, the investor considerations, and where opportunities can still be found

Megan is the Co- Head of Institutional Western Australia and Head of Corporate Finance, Western Australia at ANZ. She leads a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team to originate, execute and manage banking solutions for institutional clients in WA. Megan has specific responsibility for coverage of clients in the Resources, Energy & Infrastructure sectors and structured finance product solutions. Megan has enjoyed a diverse career with over 30 years’ banking experience across Perth, Sydney, USA and Japan, with deep expertise in the natural resources sector.

Helen Degeling is a geologist and recognised, influential advocate for minerals development that delivers positive ESG outcomes and meets the demands of a just transition towards decarbonisation. She has previously held roles as a researcher, exploration and mine geologist, and exploration manager for junior precious, base and critical metal explorers, as well as leadership positions in critical minerals and sustainable mining across government and industry. Helen is now Director of Geoscience and Sustainability at Mining3, where she combines her traditional geological expertise and passion for circularity, sustainability and traceability to drive innovation and deliver practical solutions for the resources industry’s ‘next generation’ challenges.