Beyond the Grid

Joanna Kay has nearly two decades of experience across the public and private sectors in Australia, China, and India, specialising in energy policy, sustainable development, and international collaboration. Prior to joining the Superpower Institute, she served as Executive General Manager at the Smart Energy Council and as the Australian Government's Specialist Advisor to the International Solar Alliance in Delhi.

She has helped shape Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy, served on major sustainability and hydrogen advisory bodies, and currently advises the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in Trade and Environment at the University of Adelaide.

Joanna is pursuing an MBA (Research), has completed postgraduate study in Sustainable Development at Harvard University and executive leadership programs at Yale School of Management, and was recognised in The Australian's Top 100 Energy Players on The Green List.

Richie Merzian is the CEO of the Clean Energy Investor Group, the voice for capital in the energy transition. He brings almost two decades of experience in climate and energy policy and advocacy.

Previously, Richie directed the international work of the Smart Energy Council and was a lead United Nations climate negotiator for the Australian Government. He is a leading voice in driving reforms and fostering support for the clean energy transition.

Susan Jeanes has worked in the Australian renewable energy and sustainability sectors for more than three decades. As a Member of Federal Parliament and an adviser to Federal Ministers and Shadow Ministers, she became increasingly concerned about the impacts of climate change.

Post politics, Susan used her understanding of public policy development to support the renewable energy sector, including as Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Generators of Australia and the Australian Geothermal Energy Association.

Susan now chairs the HILT CRC, whose mission is to enable Australia's heavy industry sector to compete and thrive in the low-carbon global economy, and also chairs the Board of the AMCRC.

Ken Long is motivated to help facilitate a positive quality of life for human and ecological communities through sustainable and regenerative built environments.

He is the Regional Sustainability Manager South Australia and Victoria for Lendlease and a recognised advocate for sustainable built environments. With qualifications in Architecture, Sustainable Design and Ecologically Regenerative Design, Ken brings a holistic, systems-thinking approach to built environment projects.

His experience spans organisational sustainability, net zero advisory, sustainable design consultancy, carbon accounting, ESG strategy, building performance simulation, biophilic design integration, green building ratings and material impact assessments.

Marnie Hope has more than 25 years experience in the sustainability sector, working for local government agencies and in the private sector across Australia and overseas.

Over this time she has seen how sustainability is driving value creation, corporate strategy and business growth. She is currently the Group Sustainability Manager at Flinders Port Holdings, where she leads the Group's Sustainability Plan and roadmap to net zero.

Nathan Blundell is Chief Development Officer at Windlab and a senior energy executive with more than 20 years of global experience. He leads a 20GW pipeline of clean energy projects and has advanced major renewable developments across Australia.

He began his career in oil and gas with global majors, bringing a full energy lifecycle perspective to the transition. His work focuses on delivering reliable, low-cost energy that supports existing energy-intensive industries and enables future supply chains.

Nathan is Deputy Chair of the Queensland Renewable Energy Council and a strong advocate for planning reform, and champions a community-led approach to development.

Ben Birch has over 20 years' energy industry experience in Australia and the UK across strategy, commercial, corporate development, innovation, project delivery and transformation leadership roles.

Ben leads SA Power Networks' strategy, sustainability, investment governance, innovation and growth functions, ensuring the business continues to enable South Australia's transition to a decentralised, reliable, decarbonised energy system.

He holds a degree in Commerce, a Master of Business Administration, is a fellow of the Leadership Institute of South Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Amanda Cahill is the Founder of The Next Economy, a non-government organisation that supports communities across Australia to manage the economic impacts of decarbonisation in ways that strengthen regional economies.

Much of this work has been in coal and industrial regions, where she has brought together government, industry, workers and community groups to co-design transition plans despite deep-seated tensions.

Amanda has advised Australian state and federal government agencies, played a key role in the development of the Net Zero Economy Authority, and works internationally with government and civil society organisations across Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

Lawrence Ben is the State Member for Enfield and the Assistant Minister for Copper, Steel, Critical Metals and Minerals. He is an experienced community advocate with a strong record of delivering results.

As a lawyer, Lawrence represented injured workers, small businesses and contractors, as well as people exploited at work. He has campaigned for better conditions for working families, including improved paid sick leave, better childcare services, and stronger work health and safety protections.

As Economic Adviser to Premier Peter Malinauskas, Lawrence played a key role in the Government's intervention at the Whyalla steelworks and helped develop policies on energy, skills, water planning and critical minerals.

Paul Martyn is the Chief Executive of the Department for Energy and Mining. He has nearly 30 years' experience in economic policy and reform, and leads South Australia's transition to renewable energy and the growth of the critical and strategic minerals sector.

Paul has worked to encourage growth, competitiveness and investment across energy, mining and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, defence, building and construction, and high technology.

Prior to joining the Department, Paul had an extensive Queensland Public Service career, including as Director-General of the Department of Energy and Climate and Chief Executive Officer of Trade and Investment Queensland.