Our Speakers
Converge Esperance brings together leading voices from economics, agriculture, energy and technology speakers worth hearing, with insights you can put to work.
From the national economic outlook to the future of regional connectivity, our 2026 program is built around the conversations shaping business in our part of the world.
James Healy
James is a global pioneer in the application of Behavioural Science within organisations.
James is fascinated by human behaviour and wants to use behavioural science to create a world where organisations are designed for humans as we really are, not how the economists and management theorists would like us to be.
He's the founder and Managing Director of The Behaviour Boutique, a behavioural science consultancy practically applying insights from Anthropology, Behavioural Economics, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Sociology to help organisations address their most critical challenges.
James previously co-founded and led Deloitte’s global Behavioural Science offering for five years. He has extensive experience leading behavioural, cultural and technological transformation in global organisations. James has led projects in more than 60 countries on 6 continents in industries including banking, insurance, mining, oil & gas, construction, transportation, government, education, health, human services, and aged care.
James hosts “The B-Word”, a popular podcast featuring leading figures from the social and behavioural sciences exploring what it means to be human and how organisations can better understand and influence behaviour.
He's the author or co-author of three books: "The Future of Change Management", "Adopting AI: A people first approach", and the forthcoming "BS At Work: Why so much of modern work is BS and how behavioural science can make it better."
Keynotes
Behavioural Scientist
Rural & Regional Business Strategist
Tori Kopke
Matt Dagleish
Andrew Whitelaw
Andrew Whitelaw is a co-founder of Episode 3 and co-host of the AgWatchers podcast.
He has more than 20 years' experience across the Australian and European agricultural sectors, with a focus on market analysis, strategy, communications and industry insight. Andrew has worked across grain, livestock and broader agricultural markets, and has helped build several well-known agricultural intelligence brands, including Mecardo, Thomas Elder Markets, AgWatchers and Episode 3.
He advises agribusinesses, industry bodies and other stakeholders on market trends, policy and strategic direction, with a focus on making agricultural information clear, useful andpractical.
Market Analyst & Strategy Advisor
A graduate of Economics and Education Matt has had a keen interest in markets of all sorts from an early age. Matt has spent decades being involved in commodity and financial markets, including time spent trading equities, metals and foreign exchange.
Making the transition into agricultural market analysis in 2015 was an exciting opportunity, enabling Matt to use his data analysis and forecasting skills to provide commentary and strategic advice to the food manufacturing sector and the agricultural industry.
Matt has been an owner of a commercial pig farm near Bendigo and continues to operate a hobby farm on the outskirts of Ballarat. Matt has become a prominent agricultural market analyst, often quoted in the agricultural press and sought after for his independent, data driven assessment of commodity markets.
Director - Market Insights & Strategy
Dr Daniel Kiely
Speakers
Chief Economist
CCIWA
Dr Daniel Kiely is CCIWA’s Chief Economist, overseeing economic and policy advocacy. Daniel has extensive experience in a broad range of economic and policy areas, including economic diversification, training and workforce development, gender equality, small business and trade. Prior to joining CCIWA in early 2026, Daniel had a long career in academia in Australia and Ireland and most recently held the position of Senior Research Fellow at the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre for more than a decade. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Ulster and is a graduate of the LeadershipWA Signature Leadership Program.
Krystal Skinner
Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Power
Krystal Skinner is the CEO of Horizon Power, leading a team of ~700 staff to deliver power to 50,000 customers across regional and remote Western Australia.
She has extensive experience in WA's energy sector, including in executive roles leading electrification and distributed energy initiatives, and delivering priority asset programs for some of the State's most remote Aboriginal communities in support of Closing the Gap.
She was a finalist for the Australian Institute of Energy’s WA Energy Professional of the Year in 2019, and Deputy Chair of the National Industry Working Group for the Energy Charter during 2021.
John Clark
Manager of Cultural Tourism
FORM
John Clark is an experienced arts manager and creative consultant, inspired by projects that take art out of galleries and into the public realm. With over 20 years experience in the arts and cultural sector, John has worked in key roles delivering major art and cultural tourism projects across Western Australia.
John leads FORM’s award-winning Cultural Tourism team who work in the nexus between art, community, place and story, collaborating with exceptional artists to make sustained impact in our regions through the delivery of bold, transformational cultural experiences. Recent projects include delivering the award-winning Giants of Mandurah (WA) and Lighting the Sound. Currently the team are busy currently producing Albany Is, and Carrying the Fire for Albany 2026 Bicentenary celebrations, as well as the Esperance Sculpture Trail in WA’s Golden Outback.
Mark Trevaskis
Senior Development Officer
Development WA
Mark has a background in commercial construction and project delivery and has worked in the land development industry for the past 18 years.
He is currently managing a team of development managers delivering land subdivisions across the Goldfields-Esperance and Wheatbelt Regions. This program includes four projects in Esperance that are in the early stages of delivery.
Keith Wilks
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Ports
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Chief Executive Officer
Arc Infrastructure
With more than 30 years’ experience across the energy, biotech, commodities and legal industries, Stephanie has a strong track record of working in infrastructure and also in supporting regional development and communities.
Prior to joining Arc Infrastructure, Stephanie was the CEO of Horizon Power, Western Australia’s regional energy provider. Stephanie has held senior leadership roles at CBH Group and Synergy. She was the CEO of listed biotech, Phylogica; and has held several directorships of Australian, USA and Toronto Stock Exchange-listed companies.
Stephanie has a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Economics from Murdoch University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School – Advanced Management Program 191. She was admitted to the Bar in Western Australia and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stephanie Unwin
Alyssa Reid
Senior Producer
FORM
Alyssa Reid is a Perth-based events and community engagement professional with experience across the not-for-profit sector and local and state government. She has delivered large-scale events throughout Western Australia and the Northern Territory, spanning sporting carnivals, charity fundraisers, sponsorship programs, and community activations.
Alyssa's background also includes HR and people and culture roles, giving her a grounding in team coordination, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive workplace practice.
Matt Bowman
Manager Assets
Water Corporation
Manager Assets at Water Corporation, bringing more than 25 years of experience across the water utility sector. His career spans a diverse range of metropolitan and regional roles, as well as office-based and operational positions, providing him with extensive expertise in the planning, design, commissioning, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater assets.
Matt has developed a strong understanding of asset management throughout the asset lifecycle and has spent more than 10 years in leadership and management positions, guiding multidisciplinary teams of up to 25 people and delivering strategic and operational outcomes for essential water services.
Small Business Panel
Bread Local
Tiffany Brown
Lucky Bay Brewing
Nigel Metz
Esperance Quality Grains
Neil Wandel
Salty Fit
Erin Cummings
Nigel grew up on a family farm in Ravensthorpe. After returning home from university and failed farm succession, Nigel found himself in the area of grains research for around 15 years. During this time research work in market development and grain science led to the commencement of Lucky Bay Brewing. Lucky Bay Brewing now employs around 50 plus people in peak summer and has recently commenced malting of grains at its Bandy Creek site.
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Master of Ceremonies
Your Masters of Ceremonies
Guiding us through the day are two familiar faces who know our region and its business community well. Keeping the energy up and the conversations flowing, our MCs set the tone for a day of connection, ideas and celebration.