INSPIRATION




Nathan Simiana is a Director in Deloitte’s Global Smart Manufacturing Practice, helping global manufacturers translate their business strategy into action through people, process and technology change that improves performance across complex value chains to unlock value. Nathan has spent the past 25 years helping to digitalise the manufacturing, fulfilment, and distribution operations of some of the largest organisations in the world, while living in Australia, the UK, and the US. He has delivered successful outcomes in the end-to-end delivery of digital transformation that fuel growth, increase productivity, expand margins, and unlock new revenue streams. Nathan has received a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wollongong and an MBA from the University of New South Wales.
Saar Davidi has been the Global Innovation Director Automation for Ranpak Automation since early 2021. Working on the new age automation systems and sustainable product innovations.
Saar has worked for Catch Group in the role of DC’s manager and Fulfilment Projects Manager for nine years. In 2020 Catch rolled out A/NZ the largest deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMR’s) as a response to a raise in sales and to support the next phase of its expansion. Saar continuously challenges everything and believes in research, experimentation and continuous improvement, encouraging the team at Ranpak to contribute ideas and solutions, ever seeking that small improvement that will keep Ranpak one step ahead of the competition.
Saar is also a believer in continuous education and has initiated many logistics and leadership- based training programs at the DC’s and follows this ethos himself, completing a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from RMIT.
Ali Soofastaei is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience in data governance, advanced analytics, and AI-driven transformation across the global mining and resource sectors. Currently, as the CEO of Innovative AI, Ali focuses on delivering cutting-edge data solutions to optimize industrial operations and promote sustainability.
Previously, he led significant analytics programs at Newmont, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, and Vale, where his efforts contributed to innovations that reduced GHG emissions and improved operational efficiency. His expertise spans AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and digital twin technology, particularly applied to enhancing energy efficiency and decarbonization in mining operations. Ali’s work has generated multimillion-dollar business value through advanced analytics initiatives in the mining industry.
Dr. Ali has published over 60 journal papers, authored 25 book chapters, and holds several patents. He is passionate about driving cultural change through data storytelling and integrating AI solutions to address complex business challenges, contributing to the future of sustainable mining and industrial innovation
Moazzam Rehman is Head of Deer Park Manufacturing I.T Operations of Vista Australia working here since early 2012. Vistaprint Australia is a fast paced manufacturing plant which comes under the umbrella of Cimpress, which invests in and builds customer-focused, entrepreneurial, mass customization businesses for the long term, which is managed in a decentralized, autonomous manner. It is also a design and marketing partner to millions of small businesses around the world. Together, VistaCreate, 99designs by Vista and VistaPrint represent a full-service design, digital and print solution, elevating small businesses’ presence in physical and digital spaces and powering them to achieve success. MOz worked as a Tutor at Swinburne University of Technology and also holds Masters Degree in Computer Science and Network Systems from Swinburne. He also has numerous Microsoft and Cisco certifications among many others. He is a Leader, Photographer, Gamer, PowerShell Programmer, YouTuber, Registered Drone Pilot, Robots builder, House Renovator, Video Editor, TikTokker, dreamer and a bit crazy.




Marie Varrasso is a Supply Chain Industry leader with 30+ years working across multiple supply chain disciplines with global market leaders. She is known for turning complex issues into simple actionable processes. Marie has held senior roles for some the world’s leading companies: Nike, Oxford University Press & Officeworks. Until recently she held the Chief Operating Officer position at uTenant, and today is the Founder of The Holistic Leader and an Associate at Extolla, a supply chain consulting firm. She is also Vice Chair for La Trobe University Masters of Supply Chain & Logistics Committee. She has mentored countless mentees across her career and was nominated by Women In Industry for Mentor of the Year 2020.
She is a passionate Supply Chain Leader and sought after by leading companies for her “thought leadership” on both people and processes. She is also sought as key Speaker at numerous summits & conferences. She is most passionate about helping people become best versions of themselves by providing real and pragmatic guidance to our next generation of Leaders and assist them on their life journey.
Kyle Zhang serves as the head of operations and supply chain at Maui Milk Ltd, bringing a wealth of expertise to his role. With certifications in American CSCP, CPIM, and 6sigma, he possesses over 13 years of experience within the New Zealand Dairy, Food, and Pharmaceutical industries, specifically focusing on supply chain, quality, and operations. Kyle's skills extend to inventory management and planning, safety stock design, data analysis, as well as S&OP planning and IBP planning. His advanced knowledge of quality and regulation standards, including HACCP, GMP, ISO22000, GB standards, and familiarity with pharmaceutical and dairy industry manufacturing workflows and documentation processes, make him a strategic leader capable of effective collaboration and influence at all organizational levels to achieve business objectives. Outside of his professional life, Kyle enjoys spending quality time with his family, which includes his 3-year-old daughter.
Vikram Sachdeva brings 28 years of experience in the manufacturing space spanning operations, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, and digital transformation. He defines and executes strategies that equip businesses for the future. A trained engineer and a natural problem solver, he uses Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0 to create process, people and technology solutions that address both ingrained and evolving manufacturing challenges.
In his current role, Vikram is leading an Industry 4.0 Hub within Factory of the Future at Swinburne, with a remit to support manufacturing businesses (primarily SMEs) with digital transformation. In the last 5 years of its operation, the Hub has successfully delivered a unique, nation first, Industry 4.0 Business Readiness program catalysing multi-million-dollar investment in Industry 4.0 technologies, contributing to onshoring, new jobs creation and establishing Industry 4.0 as a key enabler to any manufacturing transformation program.




Dr Mirek Piechowski is an energy engineering professional with over 25 years’ experience in the energy efficiency, renewable energy infrastructure and the built environment areas.
Mirek’s professional experience spans engineering consulting projects in Australia, United Arab Emirates, India and SE Asia, academic research and development and commercialisation of data analytics technologies.
Mirek is the Director of Piechowski Energy Pty, an energy efficiency and sustainability solutions company. Piechowski Energy helps their clients reduce energy costs and meet emissions reporting obligations. Services include Energy Audits, ESG Energy and Emissions Reporting, Energy Data Analytics and Energy Efficiency Upgrades, among others.
Dr. Abhik Banerjee has research, innovation, and product development expertise in the Internet of Things. His professional background spans industry and research organizations in India, Singapore, France and Australia, including stints at global technology companies such as Samsung and Bosch. His work has focused on practical industry problems that require research-based IoT solutions encompassing sensing, networking, analytics and machine learning. He obtained his Phd from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2012, and BE from National Institute of Technology,Durgapur, India in 2005. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow and Associate Director at Digital Innovation Lab, Swinburne University of Technology, where his work involves the development of Digital Manufacturing solutions for the Australian manufacturing sector.
Fredy Delgado is the Head of Supply Chain of Thales Australia. Manufacturing of Sonar technologies for Under Water Systems; Manufacturing Telecommunications and Radar systems for Above Water and Land Service and simulation for Aviation Defence
Master in Business Administration Supply Chain and Logistics.14+ Year experience in Australia across various roles in Supply Chain and Operations


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