Visionaries - Business Events Tasmania

BET Visionaries are all people who’ve made a difference in their industries by seeing opportunities others haven’t.

The BET Visionary Program is a hub for innovators and leaders across Lutruwita/Tasmania to come together and work towards a common goal. Each Visionary is deeply connected to their industry, and aware of the role that business events can play in affecting change for good – both locally, and globally. Among our Visionaries are globally recognised scientists, scholars, makers and creators.

BET Visionaries work in fields that align with our key trade industries, and those strategic industries that support strong economic and community outcomes for Lutruwita/Tasmania. Click on each strategic industry below to meet our Visionaries in each industry.

Antarctic & Southern Ocean	Advanced manufacturing	Building & construction	Defence & Space	Food & Agribusiness	Forestry
Info & communications technology (ICT)	Mining & mineral processing	Renewables & resources	Maritime	Medical sciences	Community & culture

Antarctic and Southern Ocean

Catriona Hurd

Professor Seaweed Physiology and Ecology

Professor at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), Catriona researchers and educates in seaweed. In addition, she is involved in a number of restoration projects looking for thermotolerant species and finding ways to reforest underwater habitats that have been damaged by climate change.

Professor Gretta Pecl

Professor of Climate Change Ecology

Professor of Climate Change Ecology and IPCC Lead Author, Professor Gretta Pecl has been ranked in the top 200 most influential climate scientists in the world. With a rich background in research Gretta’s focus has been on the impact of climate change on natural systems and helping with the development of adaptation options for conservation, fisheries and aquaculture.

Irene Penesis

Research Director at Blue Economy CRC, Professor at Australian Maritime College

Irene is the Research Director of the Blue Economy CRC, an industry-driven research and development initiative to enhance the development of Australia’s blue economy through the delivery of world-class, industry focused research into integrated seafood and renewable energy production systems.

Dr Tara Martin

Director of Antarctic Tasmania

Tara has an extensive background in Antarctic research, specializing in geophysics and research infrastructure management. Beginning her career as a research scientist, her focus was on enabling technologies and connections that are essential to delivering world-class science. During her 14-year tenure at CSIRO’s Marine National Facility, Tara held various roles, including leading the facility for two years.

Pat Wongpan

Quantitative Sea Ice Biogeochemist | Ecologist – Australian Antarctic Program Partnership

A quantitative sea ice biogeochemist/ecologist at the Australian Antarctic Program’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies based at the University of Tasmania, Pat’s involvement and advocacy in business events is in fact what first brought him to the island!

Advanced Manufacturing

Sean Van Steel

Operations Director at Core Marine

Tassie raised; Sean is an AMC alumnus who alongside business partner Ben founded Core Marine over three years ago in Norway. Now running the Australian branch from here in Tasmania the focus is on providing engineering solutions that unlock the ocean space as a sustainable resource.

Food and Agribusiness

Sam Elsom

Chief Executive Officer at Sea Forest

A dedicated environmentalist with over 15 years of experience in sustainability, Sam founded one of Australia’s first sustainable apparel companies. More recently, he has turned his attention to seaweed cultivation, recognizing its remarkable potential to sequester CO2 and mitigate climate change. This passion and vision led him to establish Sea Forest, a company at the forefront of this vital, climate-positive industry.

Natalie Fryar

Distiller, Sparkling Wine Maker and Consultant

Often referred to as “Australia’s Sparkling Queen,” Natalie has built a distinguished career crafting exceptional wine while also mentoring others as a consultant. With over 30 years of experience across Australia’s premier wine regions—including Margaret River, the Victorian High Country, Henty, and Barossa—her unwavering passion for winemaking ultimately inspired her to establish Bellebonne.

Anne Gigney

Founder and Co-Director at The Distillers Institute | Director IBD Board Asia-Pacific | Distilling education advocate

Founder of the Tasmanian Whiskey Academy and co-founder of the Distillers Institute, Anne showcases the greatness of Tasmania’s distilling industry to people coming from interstate and overseas through her distilling education courses. With a background in marketing and communications, Anne recognises the opportunity bringing people and ideas together has for producing great outcomes.

Andi Lucas

Andi Lucas Founder – X-Hemp & NSP Development, President – Tasmanian Hemp Association

Founder and managing director at X-Hemp – Tasmania’s first fibre processing factory in Tasmania – Andi is committed to fighting climate change through the discovery of alternative natural building materials that are both long lasting and fire resilient. Andi continues to push the industry forward in Northern Tasmania and is actively involved in relevant conferences.

Fiona Turner

CEO and Co-Founder of Bitwise Agronomy

CEO of Bitwise Agronomy – a company providing innovative technology delivering operational and yield insight for farmers – Fiona Turner is a trailblazer for the agricultural industry. A farmer herself she understands the challenges farmers face and works to create new solutions for age old problems. She’s an advocate for the exchange of new ideas and always ready to share her knowledge with visiting delegates.

Renewables & Resources

Rayne van den Berg

Natural Capital & Sustainability Reporting Champion

Rayne van den Berg is a globally recognised leader in corporate sustainability and natural capital reporting. Formerly CFO of Forico, Tasmania’s largest private forest manager, she pioneered the integration of natural capital into financial decision-making. Rayne has presented at major global forums, including Climate Week NYC, and now leads Value Australia, a regional hub of the Capitals Coalition accelerating natural and social capital valuation across business, finance, and policy.

Maritime

Dr Jeffrey Hawkins

Managing Director | Pivot Maritime International

Dr Jeffrey Hawkins is the Managing Director of Pivot Maritime International, a Tasmanian company that specialises in maritime simulation systems and maritime consultancy services. Jeff has over 30 years professional experience in the maritime industry. A Master Mariner, he has a solid background in international shipping, port management, and strategic and financial management.

Dr. G. Reza Emad

Senior Lecturer | AMC Masters of Applied Science Course Coordinator | Cognitive Human Element and Maritime Education Professional

Reza has worked and trained around the world in classrooms and ships in the pursuit of rectifying the disconnect that can be present between what is taught in the classrooms of universities and what is vital knowledge for those working within the maritime industry.

Medical Science

Tracey Dickson

Director – Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Professor Dickson is the Director of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. She has an excellent track record, national and international reputation, and over 20 years’ experience in the fields of neurodegenerative disease research, particularly Motor Neuron disease and Parkinson’s disease. She is a passionate advocate for the Menzies mission to perform international significant medical research leading to healthier, longer, and better lives for all Tasmanians.

Andy Flies

Postdoctoral research fellow – Immunology – University of Tasmania

Associate Professor at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at University of Tasmania, Andrew’s work has been leading the way with the development of vaccines and immunology tools to save the iconic Tasmanian devils.

Associate Professor Seana Gall

Associate Professor, Menzies Institute of Medical Research | Epidemiologist

A/Prof Seana Gall is an epidemiologist studying the risk factors and outcomes for heart disease and strokes. She is currently leading Australia’s first research program dedicated to stroke prevention – Synergies to Prevent Stroke (STOPstroke) – and chairs the Tobacco Control Coalition, a Tasmanian government initiative responsible for developing the state’s tobacco control plan.

Community & Culture

Ally Bradley

Executive General Manager (Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Northern Territory) – Southern Cross Austereo

Ally is a dynamic media leader with over 20 years of experience. Her career began in regional Australia, fuelled by a passion for radio. Since moving to Hobart in 2015, she became General Manager at Southern Cross Austereo in 2018. By 2023, she expanded her role to oversee SCA Channel 7 assets across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Dr Louise Grimmer

Retail & Consumer Expert | Speaker, Advisor, Commentator, Columnist | Author

Dr Louise Grimmer from the University of Tasmania is Australia’s leading expert on local and small city retailing and consumer shopping behaviour.

Her research focuses on small stores, improving main streets and consumer trends. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and is the only Australian awarded Senior Fellow status of the Institute of Place Management in the UK.

Theo Kapodistrias

Lawyer, Public Speaking and Communication Coach, NFP Director, Executive Director, Licensee, and Curator at TEDxHobart

Multi-award-winning lawyer having worked in the higher education, cyber security, tourism, and energy industries. Theo was named one of Australia’s Most Influential Lawyers by the Australasian Lawyer magazine. Theo owns and operates a business as a speaker, trainer, MC and public speaking, communications, and presentation coach. Working with professionals to empower them to make an impact with their voice and words.

Robyn Moore AM

Professional Speaker, Voice Actor

A passionate Tasmanian, Robyn has been one of Australia’s top speakers for 30 years. Her “Life-Altering” presentations transform corporate cultures, re-engage people in their vocations and relationships, and restore communities. As an educator, she has inspired thousands across Australasia and her iconic characters in animation and political satire have captivated audiences since the 1980s.

Adam Mostogl

Educator | Advisor | Facilitator

As the CEO & Chief Entrepreneur of The Van Diemen Project, Adam helps people start businesses with confidence, supporting existing businesses to grow and be resilient in these changing times, kickstarting social enterprises, running engaging workshops and events as well as private advisory work to help larger organisations change for the better.

Dorothy Roberts

Generation Minister, Door of Hope Christian Church

Dorothy Roberts is dedicated to delivering programs and events that provide parents with a safe, positive environment for their whole family. With a background in education, Dorothy has passionately spent her life creating safe environments that foster growth and learning for children.

Stephanie Tretheway

Founder & CEO – Motherland, Co-Founder – Tasmanian Agricultural Company, 2022 Rural Woman of the Year

Steph, a seasoned television journalist, moved to Tasmania in 2019 after having her first child. Embracing farm life with her husband Sam, a third-generation farmer, she faced isolation and struggled with motherhood. Inspired by her experiences, she founded Motherland, a charity focused on supporting the emotional wellbeing of rural mothers and improving mental health outcomes.

Greg Oates

Associate Professor Mathematics Education, Programme Director BEd (Primary) and Deputy Associate Head Teaching and Learning, School of Education, University of Tasmania.

Professor Greg Oates has committed his career to passionately advocate and advance mathematics learning and teach. Associate Professor in Mathematics Education and Associate Head of Learning, Teaching and Performance at the University of Tasmania, Greg is a leader in mathematics education and active contributor to conferences in Tasmania.

Rachel Power

Owner, Mt Field Retreat, Waterfalls Cafe & Gallery

Rachel is a passionate advocate for growing Tasmania’s tourism industry, having been elected as a director for Tourism Industry Council Tasmania between 2017 -2019 and is currently spear heading an ambitious development project – The Mt Field Retreat, which looks to enhance Mt Field National Park as both a pinnacle Tasmanian destination and hospitality training hub.

Express your interest in joining the BET Visionary Program today.

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Resources

Event Funding

Business Events Attraction Fund

The Tasmanian Business Events Attraction Fund (BEAF) allows Business Events Tasmania to offer financial support at the critical bidding stage, to help secure national and international conferences to the state. Find out more about funding by following the link below.

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Become a part of BET's Visionary Program

If you would like to discuss our Visionary Program, nominate a BET Visionary, or are interested in becoming a partner organisation follow the link below.

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Visionary Stories

Learn more about our Visionaries

Get to know the Visionaries shaping extraordinary events and conferences—our Stories Page features in-depth articles, interviews, and podcasts that bring their stories to life.

Visionary Stories