Associate Team
Tom Linnette
Partnerships Associate
Tom is a business development manager with experience in high tech, mining and financial products. He is passionate about connecting Australian and Chinese firms to achieve better business outcomes.
Tom has lived in China for ten years, obtained a masters degree from Peking University and worked for a number of Chinese firms. He currently works in the mining industry for a Chinese technology provider, providing mining products to Australian clients. In his spare time Tom likes to play AFL with the Shanghai Dockers and go rock climbing.
Tom believes that ACYD is the best forum for Australian and Chinese youth to connect and build deeper cultural understanding. He looks forward to leveraging his skillset to grow the ACYD footprint.
Tingting Chen
Communications and Logistics Associate (China)
Tingting Chen is a dual-qualified lawyer admitted in both China and Australia, with a legal education spanning Northwest University of Political Science and Law and the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Currently practising at a leading Chinese law firm, she brings a distinctive cross-border perspective to her work.
Her uncommon career trajectory - transitioning from political journalism at a provincial news organization to international legal practise - gives her a distinct edge. As a former journalist, she cultivated sharp political insight, deep understanding of media regulations, and project management skills through high-profile cultural initiatives. Now as a practising China-qualified lawyer with Australian credentials, she bridges legal systems and cultural contexts with exceptional nuance.
Madeleine McDonald
Communications Associate
Madeleine is a Consultant at Nous Group, where she contributes to strategic projects across government and industry. She holds a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a Bachelor of Asian Studies, Chinese Language Major, from the Australian National University. In 2023-24, as a New Colombo Plan Scholar, Madeleine studied at both Peking University and National Taiwan University. Her prior experience in the Australia-China space includes roles at Caixin, AustCham Shanghai, and the Australia-China Business Council, where she worked on media and events, policy, and bilateral engagement. She is currently interested in the decarbonisation of the Australia-China economic relationship.