Circular Futures Forum
Speakers 2025
2025 Circular Futures Forum Expert Speakers
Lisa McLean is a seasoned leader in circular economy and zero-carbon business transformation, with 14 years of experience advising industry and governments on policy frameworks and regulations to drive market change. Her work spans the energy, water, waste, and mobility sectors across both the UK and Australia.
As CEO of Circular Australia, Lisa leads the organization in advocating for circular economy principles, prosumer rights, and innovative local utility and mobility precincts. She is also the founder and former leader of the Open Cities Alliance, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Australian Solar Thermal Association (AUSTELA), while working with key players in electric mobility and sustainable water utilities, including Flow Systems.
Sandeep Kirpalani is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Academic Lead for the Workforce Education and Critical Skills Program under the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) initiative.
With a focus on the sustainable growth of Australia's recycling and clean energy sectors, Sandeep develops and delivers a range of educational programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as short courses and micro-credentials. His work is dedicated to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the workforce to meet the evolving demands of the RaCE sector in Australia.
Rae Johnston is a Wiradyuri and Greek woman who was born and raised on Darug & Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains of NSW.
A multi-award-winning journalist with a focus on the geekier side of life, Rae is the radio host of ABC Radio National’s Download This Show, ABC Radio Sydney’s Sunday Mornings (broadcasting state-wide) and iHeartRadio’s Weird Tech podcast. She also travels the country as a TV host on NITV’s Going Places with Ernie Dingo, ABC’s Back Roads and SBS’ The Secret DNA Of Us. Rae is currently serving on the boards of both the Telstra Foundation and Swinburne University of Technology.
Olympia Yarger is the founder and CEO of Goterra, an agritech company transforming food waste into high-value protein and fertiliser using black soldier fly larvae and robotic systems. Goterra’s approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 97% compared to landfill, processing waste from businesses across Canberra, including Parliament House.
In 2023, Olympia was named ACT Australian of the Year for her groundbreaking work in sustainable waste conversion. Through Goterra’s "Maggot Robot" system, she has prevented over one million tonnes of emissions. Her innovative approach to circular economy solutions continues to drive a more sustainable future.
Cameron is a compelling thought leader, equipped with a diverse skill set honed through extensive work and travel across the globe. Fluent in five languages, and renowned for her personable approach, she excels in building relationships that pave the way for transformative outcomes.
With a Masters in Environment from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor's in International Relations & Economics from Tufts University, Cameron’s academic background compliments her corporate experience in asset management, communications, non-profit, clean energy investment, and energy to deliver transformative solutions for clients.
As a Circular Economy Specialist at Coreo, Cameron drives innovation in projects, methodologies, and organisational capabilities through systems-based analysis, networked governance, and circular projects with compounding benefits. She works across all key economic sectors, but has specialisation in mining and metals and the built environment.
Anthony Karam, CEO, embarked on his journey in 2017 after witnessing the vast e-waste landfill dumps in Africa and encountering emerging, yet largely untested, technologies aimed at addressing complex challenges. These experiences sparked a deep passion and led him to investigate the global issue of e-waste.
Shocked by what he discovered, Anthony gathered a dedicated team to explore how they could do better. Together, they began asking critical questions: What would it take? What would it look like? How could it be done? And ultimately, why not? Their mission became clear — to think outside the circle and drive meaningful change.
Simon has an extensive background in natural capital & nature markets with experience developing Savanna Burning, Soils, Human Induced Regeneration and Environmental Planting carbon abatement projects across Australia, and deep domain knowledge of the NSW Biodiversity market, having been a regulator with the NSW Government during the scheme’s formative years.
Simon established Renovo Ag early in 2025 in partnership with Dr Grant Tranter (soil scientist), in order to better support Australian land managers access nature markets and fulfil a gap in the market for carbon services delivered with increased transparency.
Pete Morrison is the Director of Green Timber Technologies (GTT), a company committed to transforming the construction industry with sustainable, offsite building solutions. A proud local of Orange, NSW, Pete brings extensive experience in Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) from the UK and Schools Infrastructure NSW. His focus is on driving innovation and accelerating the adoption of circular economy principles to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Under Pete's leadership, GTT leverages cutting-edge technology, digital design, and automated manufacturing to create efficient, high-quality, and sustainable buildings. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Pete is dedicated to advancing GTT’s mission of delivering smarter, environmentally friendly construction solutions that align with a circular economy.
As CEO of RELA since 2020, Michael has pioneered the development and launch of the world’s first renewable energy land marketplace. With 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, academic, and investor, he has collaborated with partners including the Kuwait Investment Authority, University of NSW and Hewitt Foods.
Michael’s expertise lies in fostering deep collaboration and finding win-win outcomes amongst diverse stakeholders. Michael earned a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Canberra (winner of the ACT Economics Prize), and a Master of Applied Finance from Charles Sturt University (with Distinction).
Cameron McKenzie is a leader in sustainability and circular economy innovation, serving as the CEO of ASPIRE. This pioneering platform helps businesses reduce waste, repurpose materials, and create new market opportunities for recycled products. Under his leadership, ASPIRE has expanded from fewer than 12 businesses to over 5000, facilitating the responsible management of more than 2 million tonnes of resources globally.
With over two decades of experience in sustainable business models, Cameron has been instrumental in the commercialization of ASPIRE, initially developed by CSIRO & Data61. His expertise extends beyond circular economy technology, and he has a strong passion for disaster relief, where he played a key role in South Pacific recovery efforts following Cyclones Winston and Zena.
Cameron holds an MBA and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, with international academic experience at the School of Management Fribourg in Switzerland. He is also a certified expert in Sustainability and Climate-Related Financial Reporting.
