ARIEL CHEN
Ariel Chen is a finance professional and strategic advisor dedicated to advancing the Australia-China technology corridor, with a specialised focus on the autonomous driving industry. Leveraging her financial acumen and deep-rooted networks in the Greater Bay Area, Ariel's work encompasses guiding policy formulation, structuring strategic financing, and leading high-end talent acquisition for pioneering tech enterprises. As a delegate to the 15th ACYD in Guangzhou, Ariel is positioned to bridge the commercial and regulatory landscapes between Australia and China. She aims to provide Australian peers with unparalleled, on-the-ground insights into China's dynamic ecosystem, moving beyond theory to foster tangible, investment-ready collaborations. Ariel is committed to building robust, pragmatic bridges that drive mutual prosperity and technological synergy between the two nations.
ELLIOTT CLUTTERBUCK
Elliott is a fluent Mandarin speaker with deep Greater China experience. His background includes graduate studies at Tsinghua University as a Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Scholar and at National Taiwan University as a Taiwanese Government Scholar, prior roles at two Chinese SOEs in Beijing, and over six years in Hong Kong with Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and Milbank. Outside of work, Elliott is a former Western Australia, Australia and Beijing champion in the sport of badminton. He is a passionate advocate for Australia’s relationship with China and ASEAN, strongly promoting realist engagement through sport and language diplomacy.
YINGXIAO CHEN (陈映旋)
Yingxuan Chen is the founder of the Microcosmos Volunteer Community and has accumulated a decade of extensive volunteering experience. Since April 2019, she has developed two online databases and shared over 2,700 resources related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across social media platforms. She worked as a Programme Assistant at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations from 2022 to 2025. Before this role, she served as a Youth Community Engagement Assistant at the United Nations Development Programme, where she conducted workshops to promote the SDGs among hundreds of youths through the Movers Programme. Yingxuan is a member of the Global Shapers Community, a fellow of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform, and an awardee of the 2025 “30 Under 30” Global Sustainability Leaders. She holds a Master of Translation Studies from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. As an experienced event organizer and passionate social innovator, she has launched multiple youth initiatives and provided professional support to various non-governmental organizations and social enterprises throughout China.
ZACK CHEN (陈泽坤)
Zack Chen graduated from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in 2013 and joined Fortescue in 2016, where he became an Iron Ore Sales Manager. He has been working in the iron ore industry for over 13 years, with sales responsibilities covering several key regions in China, including Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, and Hebei. Outside of work, Zack is a positive and optimistic individual. He enjoys fitness, badminton, music, movies, and traveling. He is sociable, open to making new friends, and always eager to learn and explore new things. With strong learning and adaptability skills, Zack thrives in dynamic environments and continuously seeks personal and professional growth.
CORBIN DUNCAN
Corbin is The Economist’s global correspondent. He writes about geopolitics with a focus on economic security and technology competition from London. Corbin's work has been featured on the cover and he frequently appears on The Economist's podcasts, including Drum Tower, its China feature show. In his free time, Corbin helps produce the ANU's Australia in The World podcast. Previously, he has worked in various campaign roles for a major Australian political party. He holds degrees from Harvard, where he studied government and economics, and Tsinghua University in Beijing, where he was Schwarzman Scholar. He produced prize-winning research at both institutions. He is from Queensland, Australia.
TAHL KEAN
Tahl Kean currently works as a policy advisor in international tourism policy at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), specialising in the Chinese visitor market. In her role, she furthers the Australia-China bilateral tourism relationship including conducting research and providing policy advice to the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme. Prior to joining Austrade, Tahl worked in policy and program roles across the Australian Government. Tahl has a Bachelor of Business – International (International Business) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Policy and Governance from Queensland University of Technology. As part of her undergraduate degree, she studied abroad at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Qingdao University, embracing the immersion to further her cultural understanding and mandarin language skills. She is also currently undertaking a Master of Public Administration at the Australian National University. Tahl has been awarded the Australian Government Long Tan award for leadership and teamwork and has recently completed the Australian Tourism Export Council’s (ATEC) Emerging Leaders of Inbound Tourism Excellence (ELITE) program, designed to cultivate and empower the next generation of leaders in the Australian tourism industry.
AMY LIN
Amy Lin is a change leader working at the intersection of arts, strategy, and organisational transformation. With a career spanning Australia and the UK, she draws on her legal and management consulting background to drive meaningful change within cultural institutions. Amy brings a distinctive cross-sector perspective, having partnered with organisations in financial services, health, utilities, retail, and telecommunications. Notable accomplishments include leading Tate Gallery’s largest international consultancy with Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai, advancing anti-racism initiatives across British cultural institutions, and delivering large-scale organisational change at Sydney Opera House. An Australian-born Chinese with strong family roots in Guangdong, Amy holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Commerce from University of Sydney and is an admitted solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW. She has also studied law and language at universities in Beijing and Shanghai, and served on the Board of New Earth Theatre, the UK’s leading theatre company dedicated to British East and Southeast Asian representation. Amy is also actively engaged in initiatives that spotlight overlooked Chinese narratives and promote maternal wellbeing.
JULIAN SU
Julian Su works in portfolio management at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) based out of Beijing, China. He oversees a portfolio of renewable energy & connectivity infrastructure assets across South & Southeast Asia. He previously worked in corporate finance in Singapore covering the public sector & sovereign wealth funds. He believes in the value of infrastructure to help communities not only meet their clean & renewable energy needs but also to join the global economy. In his current role at AIIB he contributes to a global multilateral development bank helping to finance sustainable infrastructure for tomorrow. He holds an MBA from Peking University which he attended under an academic scholarship and a finance degree from the Australian National University. Julian was born in Perth, Australia, speaks conversational mandarin and is working to improve this to a professional working level.
CATHERINE LOU
Dr. Catherine Lou is an Associate Professor in Supply Chain and Logistics at Victoria University. She serves as Discipline Leader for Transformative Research in Policy, Economy & Business within the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities (ISILC) and is Deputy Chair of the University Research & Research Training Committee. Catherine’s research focuses on supply chain sustainability and digital transformation. She has led Australia–China collaborative initiatives with researchers, educators, industry leaders, community leaders, and policymakers across the sectors. She is the Global Vice Chair (Australasia) and Australian Chair of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), National Council Member of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Australia, and Global Head of the WiLAT Capacity Building Centre. Catherine has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Excellence in Women’s Leadership (Supply Chain Education) Award (IEOM Society International, 2024), Professional Women in Logistics (Finalist) (CILT Australia, 2022), Young Professional of the Year (CILT Australia, 2018), and the Leaders and Entrepreneur Scholarship Award (BCD & Australian Government, 2017). She is also a committee member of International Education Standards Committee of CILT International.
JACK GROWDEN
Jack Growden is the Founder & CEO of LiteHaus International, leading efforts to conquer digital inequality and make access to digital education equitable. From donating his own laptop to a school in Papua New Guinea in 2017, Jack’s vision has now empowered over 345,000 students across Asia-Pacific with digital learning tools and opportunities. Under his leadership, LiteHaus International has delivered internationally acclaimed interventions against digital inequality, building 546 computer labs and deploying over 25,000 devices to schools in need across twelve countries. An award-winning philanthropist, Jack has been recognised as a leading social innovator in the Asia-Pacific by the Australia-ASEAN Business Council. Globally, he has been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Social Impact, honoured as a One Young World Lead 2030 Challenge Winner, and recognised multiple times by the UN's International Telecommunication Union. He also serves on the ABC’s National Advisory Council. Jack is also an MBA graduate of University of Oxford. Through LiteHaus International, Jack is working towards empowering one million people by 2027.
SHUAI HE (何帅)
Dr Shuai He is a Senior Research Associate in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UNSW. His research spans advanced manufacturing, wearable systems, and renewable energy, with a strong record of securing over $6 million in competitive funding from ARC, CRC, and industry partners. He has co-founded and directed technology ventures in aerospace and clean energy, including Gurung Fuel and Tjindu Power, translating cutting-edge research into industrial applications. Previously, he led composite structure design projects at the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company and established an RMIT-based start-up developing drones and VTOL systems. Dr He earned his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University. With experience across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, he is committed to advancing sustainable technologies and fostering industry–university collaboration that addresses national and global challenges in aerospace and energy innovation.
MENGFEI (ANNIE) LIANG (梁孟菲)
Mengfei (Annie) Liang currently works as an IP lawyer and Client Manager at Rouse, one of the world's leading IP law firms. Her roles include advising world-famous brands on building IP portfolios, enforcing their IP rights, and IP dispute resolution in China. Annie has led a highly successful anti-counterfeiting program for an Australian brand, building its IP protection framework from the ground up and safeguarding its substantial commercial interests. Annie holds two law bachelor’s degrees in China and in England and Wales (common law), and a Master of Law from the University of Melbourne. She is passionate about cross-cultural communication and is interested in exploring key areas of Australia-China collaboration, including trade, innovation, and environmental sustainability. Annie believes that participation in the ACYD would enable her to leverage both her IP expertise and her professional network to help more businesses protect their commercial interests across borders.
COSIMO THAWLEY
Cosimo is the Australian Treasury’s Representative to Southeast Asia. Prior to taking up this position in October 2021, he was a senior adviser to the Foreign Investment Review Board and to the Treasurer of Australia. He started his career with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he was a graduate in Canberra then third secretary in Jakarta. He received his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and History from Pomona College in Claremont, California.
ZHUOLING TIAN (田卓灵)
Dr Zhuoling Tian (Jolin) is a Lecturer in the Department of English at Wuhan University and a member of the Australian Studies Centre. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Wuhan University and completed her PhD at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Her research centers on Asian diasporic writing in Australia, with a particular focus on works by authors of Chinese descent. She has published extensively in leading academic journals, including Journal of Australian Studies and Antipodes, and her forthcoming monograph will be published by Springer Nature.
She currently leads a collaborative research project between Wuhan University and the University of Sydney, aimed at promoting academic exchange and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation. In 2023, she received funding from the Foundations for Australian Studies in China to support the development of a new course on Australian literature at Wuhan University.
BENSON SAULO
Benson Saulo is a descendant of the Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara people of Victoria and of New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea. With over 20 years’ experience across banking, economic development, social impact, and international relations, he has built a career at the intersection of commerce and purpose. Benson represented Australia as the 2011 Youth Representative to the United Nations and later became the first Indigenous person to be appointed an Australian Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, based in the US. In that role, he led Australia’s diplomatic and economic engagement across multiple U.S. states. Most recently, as a Managing Partner of First Australians Capital, Benson helped establish an $18 million catalytic impact fund supporting Indigenous enterprises. Benson was a 2024 Asialink Fellow, current Chair of HSBC's Indigenous Advisory Group, a husband and father of three.
MICHAEL OUZAS
BMichael Ouzas is a dynamic leader at the intersection of sport, business, and cross-cultural engagement in China. Trained as a landscape architect, he transitioned from architecture and design into the sports industry, where his strategic vision has helped expand Australian Rules Football across the region. As CEO of AFL China, Michael works closely with both grassroots communities and AFL headquarters in Melbourne to grow the game, while also leading the Guangzhou Scorpions as President, overseeing their rise as South China’s premier AFL club. Beyond football, Michael is an entrepreneur and founder of Southern Apparel Co., a bespoke sportswear brand creating sustainable uniforms across Australia, China, and Asia. He also serves as Chair of the Australia-China Youth Association (ACYA) Guangzhou Chapter and the Australia-China Young Professionals Initiative (ACYPi), championing youth diplomacy, professional development, and cultural exchange. His work continues to build bridges between communities, industries, and nations.
QIUPING PAN (潘秋萍)
Dr Qiuping Pan is a migration sociologist and Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne, where she also serves as Deputy Director of the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies. Her research examines transnational mobility, multicultural governance, and structural inequality, with a particular focus on Australia–China relations. She has led multiple research projects funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ford Foundation, and her work has been published in journals such as Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies and Current Sociology. Beyond academia, Dr Pan designs and leads intercultural engagement programs, including My Study and Life and the Intercultural Student Ambassador Program, that engage and empower international students as cultural intermediaries. Her academic and community work aims to inform research, policy, and community practice, offering grounded insights into bilateral engagement and grassroots collaboration.
SHELLY SUN
Shelly Sun is a bilingual Chinese-Australian solicitor and social entrepreneur with a deep commitment to fostering Australia–China dialogue and multicultural inclusion. She is Principal Solicitor and Founder of Sunsolis Legal, a firm that delivers culturally responsive legal services to over 1,500 clients annually across NSW and Queensland, specializing in property, migration, family, criminal and commercial law. Beyond law, Shelly is a bridge-builder in community leadership. She founded the Lions Club of Sydney Sunny, the first Australian Lions Club devoted to CALD professionals and international students, as well as Sydney’s first Alpha Leos Club for CALD youth. She also established the Australia Chinese Table Tennis Lovers Association, playing a key role in supporting Liu Yangzi to represent Australia and win the country’s first individual table tennis Commonwealth Games medal. Her advisory work includes legal counsel to Chinese language schools, Chinese medicine associations, and cultural organisations. As a collaborator in a UTS-led, ARC-funded AI legal access project, Shelly integrates legal innovation with community service. Her leadership is defined by cultural fluency, empathy, and a vision for a more inclusive, connected future between Australia and China.
YINGCHENG (ELSA) SHAO
Elsa Shao is a seasoned leader with 15 years of expertise in strategy and supply chain management. As Senior Strategy Manager at the largest organisation in Australia and New Zealand, she leads large-scale transformations across the value chain. Previously, as a Senior Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company, Elsa gained top-tier strategy toolkit and cross-sector experience in Retail, M&A, Energy Transition, Banking, and Public Sector. Her prior experience also spans international trade, manufacturing automation, and global market expansion. Elsa holds an Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, graduating with high distinction and Dean’s commendation, and a Bachelor of Commerce with double majors in Accounting and Finance from the University of Melbourne. She’s an active volunteer and mentor in the community and founded a non-profit bilingual educational platform for preschoolers and new parents. Known for her empathetic leadership, Elsa excels at navigating complexity and fostering mutual understanding. She’s passionate about contributing meaningfully to the Australia-China dialogue on trade, technology, sustainability, and more.
ZHANG SHU (张舒)
Shu Zhang is an Of Counsel of King & Wood Mallesons, a leading international law firm headquartered in Beijing. She advises both international and domestic clients on a wide range of complex cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings, and among other corporate matters. She is particularly well regarded for her ability to lead multi-jurisdictional and cross-practice teams to support clients on complex transactions. With extensive cross-border transaction experience, Shu is uniquely positioned to offer insights into China-Australia relations from diverse perspectives beyond traditional legal services. Her expertise bridges legal practice and cross-border business dynamics, enabling her to deliver nuanced, multi-dimensional views that support a deeper understanding of the bilateral landscape. This blend of legal proficiency and cross-border transactional acumen makes her a valuable resource for anyone looking to engage with the complexities of China-Australia relations. Prior to joining King & Wood Mallesons, Shu was a tax consultant at PwC China.
BREE SIPAVICIUS
Bree is a global commercial executive within BHP responsible for leading the Procurement team for BHP's Copper business in South Australia. Bree has extensive experience working across different cultures working with teams in South America and Asia during her tenure at BHP. Bree has led negotiations for multiple major commercial agreements globally for BHP for the procurement of mining fleet, bulk explosives and mining services in addition to leading the development of BHP's commercial decarbonisation strategy for haul trucks and locomotives.
LISA VISENTIN
Lisa Visentin is the North Asia correspondent with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Singapore. Her reporting focuses on covering China through a geopolitical lens with an emphasis on its relationship with Australia, while also exploring a range of issues spanning the economy, trade, culture, and traditions. Prior to this role, she was a political correspondent in the Australian parliamentary press gallery in Canberra. She has a Bachelor of Law/Arts from The Australian National University.
WANG PENG (王鹏)
Dr Wang Peng is a Research Fellow at the Institute of State Governance, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and a Fellow at the Eurasian Research Institute, Renmin University of China. His research focuses on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Diplomacy and Chinese Foreign Policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and global governance, with particular interest in China–Australia relations and regional cooperation. Dr Wang has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and authored several academic monographs on China’s diplomacy and international strategy. He has been invited to lecture at universities, think tanks, and government institutions in China and abroad, contributing to dialogues on mutual understanding and sustainable partnership between Australia and China. He regularly provides commentary for major international media, including CGTN, BBC, and Reuters, and remains committed to advancing academic and people-to-people exchanges that strengthen Australia–China friendship and cooperation.
HAOLAN WANG (王浩岚)
Haolan Wang is a Research Associate at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis. His writing and research interest focus on American Politics and Elections, U.S. Foreign Policy, U.S.-China relationship and East Asian Security. A Native of Tianjin, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Political Science and History, and Juris Doctor from Boston College and has written many columns and analysis on U.S. Politics for major media outlets in Mainland China and Hong Kong.
YOHAN HENG YU (余珩)
Heng (Yohan) Yu is the Assistant Vice President at Yoywow Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen), where he leads cross-border sports, cultural, and technology exchange initiatives between China and Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Sports Management from Deakin University (2022) and a Master of Education in Sport Coaching from the University of Sydney (2024). He combines international sport with a strong awareness of how technology can transform industries and societies. Yohan’s professional experience includes work at the Kooyong Tennis Academy at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, supporting professional coaching programs and sports marketing; serving as a snowboard instructor at Perisher (Vail Resorts); and assisting Chinese celebrity coach Genghong Liu in a livestream fitness session at the Australian Open venue, promoting Melbourne’s cultural image through digital sports diplomacy. Guided by his belief — “sports as a medium, culture as a bridge, and technology as a tool” — Yohan seeks to leverage sport as a form of practical diplomacy, strengthening people-to-people ties and building sustainable partnerships between Australia and China.
CHI CHEONG WONG (黃智昌)
Dr Winson Wong is the CEO of ExTran AI Academy, leading AI development hubs and innovation funds across Asia. A postdoctoral researcher at Stanford and former Head of Credit at Alibaba Group, he brings deep expertise in fintech and holds a Doctorate in Financial Technology. As the public face of a United Nations Accredited AI team, Dr Wong has driven 1,000+ AI applications and published 30+ works empowering SMEs and youth. He also serves as CUHK Business School’s Global Alumni Ambassador, bridging academic excellence with entrepreneurial impact. At global forums like the UNU AI Conference, Dr Wong showcases Asia’s AI leadership through vibrant, cross-cultural storytelling. His work spans banking, education, and IT, fostering partnerships that transcend borders. At ACYD, Dr Wong shares insights on tech diplomacy, talent development, and AI’s role in shaping a sustainable future.
LEO ZENG
Yikai Zeng is the Head of International Cooperation at the Hainan Free Trade Port Eco-Tech Park, where he leads international exchanges and partnership development. He has played a key role in pioneering innovative projects, including the establishment of the Oxford (Hainan) Blockchain Research Institute, China's first official Blockchain Pilot Zone and inaugural Digital Civilization Conference. Prior to Hainan, Yikai gained extensive international experience through positions in Shenzhen, where he managed cross-border cooperation projects supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, and in Dubai, where he was selected as first cohort of Dubai Business Associate programme fully sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. Yikai holds a Master of Science from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he serves as a Global Alumni Ambassador. He is passionate about fostering international partnerships and driving industrial innovation.
LACHLAN THOMAS-WALTERS
Lachlan Thomas-Walters is currently based in Singapore, practising as a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons, Asia's top tier international law firm. His role includes advising clients on Australia's foreign investment regime as well as working across the Energy, Resources & Infrastructure, and Tech Law practices. Lachlan has spent time living in China, where he studied Chinese Law and Mandarin at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Advanced Mandarin at Chongqing University. Lachlan continued his language studies at the University of Melbourne where he completed a Master of Translation. During his studies, he published research on the linguistic and cultural challenges to Chinese translation in Australia and assisted with research projects across Taiwan and Hong Kong. Lachlan also has a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) from the University of Queensland. Lachlan was also awarded the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation Scholarship for Asian Exchange and received the First-Class Scholarship for Language Studies from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Lachlan is passionate about exploring the regulatory and legal barriers to cross-border investment, the geopolitical and geoeconomic factors that influence business decision-making, and the broader sociopolitical environment and how that impacts legal frameworks.
GABI POWELL THOMAS
Gabi Powell Thomas is currently a Senior Consultant at Nous Group, an international consulting firm dedicated to improving services for people and communities, strengthening business performance, supporting productive and inclusive economies, and protecting the natural environment. Gabi holds a Master's degree in Asia-Pacific Studies from the Australian National University (ANU), with a regional specialisation in China. While at the ANU, Gabi also tutored courses on Asian Economies and Chinese language (Mandarin). These experiences drew on her academic focus on China’s economic, historical, political and cultural landscape and her exchange to Peking University as an undergraduate student. Gabi is strongly committed to the Australia-China bilateral relationship and has been a member of the Australia-China Youth Dialogue (ACYD) management team since 2022. Through her experiences with the ACYD, Gabi has had the privilege of forming connections and gaining insights that inform both her professional work and personal engagement across communities and cultures.
JEROME HUANG
Jerome Huang is a Chinese–Australian engineer, researcher, and entrepreneur with a multidisciplinary background spanning AI, industrial automation, renewable energy, and cross-border trade. As an Instrumentation & Control Engineer at GPA Engineering, he leads AI-driven automation projects for major clients such as Santos, contributing to Australia’s sustainable industrial transformation. Previously, at CSIRO, Jerome collaborated with Wine Australia and Penfolds to apply machine learning in precision viticulture—enhancing grape yield forecasting and supporting environmentally sustainable wine exports. As the founder of VVS Jewellery, he launched an AI-enabled e-commerce venture that brings Australian opals and fine craftsmanship to global markets, reinforcing bilateral trade through digital innovation. Over the past decade, Jerome has remained passionate about strengthening his ties to China by deepening his understanding of the economic, cultural, and political relationships between Australia and China. He actively engages in people-to-people initiatives and youth diplomacy to support stronger bilateral connections. Jerome holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Computer Science from The University of Adelaide, equipping him with both technical fluency and entrepreneurial insight to contribute meaningfully to Australia–China collaboration in the digital age.