James Tang

Executive Director

James has been passionate about bridging language and cultural divides between Australia and China since his university studies in Hangzhou (2007) and Taipei (2009). His deep interest in China led him to work as a project manager and mining consultant in Beijing from 2013 to 2017, advising major mining clients at RPMGlobal.

Currently, James specialises in technology commercialisation and strategic partnerships. He has built and scaled his own VR gaming company internationally (Ready Team One) and has supported blue-chip mining companies in developing investment cases for automation software and autonomous haulage solutions that improve operational productivity.

James’s professional journey in Australia has been equally diverse. He has worked as a mechanical engineer with Rio Tinto in the Pilbara, a senior management consultant with Deloitte, and corporate development principal at Fortescue.

Born and raised in Perth, James holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), a Bachelor of Arts (Chinese), and an MBA from the University of Western Australia. He has been a proud volunteer member of the ACYD management team since 2016.

GABRIELA POWELL THOMAS

Curation Manager

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.

Thomas Day

Master of Ceremonies

Tom is an international market development professional with over a decade of experience advancing Australia–Asia business partnerships across government, higher education, tourism, and technology sectors.

His most recent role involved driving international growth strategy at Acusensus, an ASX-listed Australian road safety technology company. Tom has also worked with Asialink Business, the Australia China Business Council, the Australia China Alumni Association, and the Australian Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, cultivating a deep commitment to the Australia–China relationship and an in-depth understanding of its cultural, political, and economic dimensions.

Tom holds an MBA from University College London and Peking University, was a scholarship student at the Mandarin Training Centre at National Taiwan Normal University, and is an alumnus of the Asialink Leaders Program. A proud 2016 ACYD delegate in Hong Kong, he has visited 17 provinces and more than 60 cities across China, continuing to strengthen his personal and professional connections with the region.

Matthew Ngamurarri Heffernan

Technology Manager 

Matthew Ngamurarri Heffernan is a Pintupi-Luritja creative-technologist, ANU PhD candidate, and writer from central Australia. He is a champion of sharing Indigenous voices through technology and has worked extensively to share and conserve the knowledge of Indigenous peoples.

Matthew was the software developer for Kaytetyemoji, and the Android iteration of Indigemoji, Australia’s first brand of Indigenous emojis designed by young Indigenous children and guided by Elders on country.

Matthew is also recently a co-writer alongside multi-disciplinary Cantonese artist Roshelle Fong on the Melbourne Theatre Company’s commissioned and produced show “The Robot Dog”. The Robot Dog will be part of the 2025 Melbourne Theatre Comapny’s program and presented in association with Asia-Topa.

Joyce zhou

Partnerships Manager

Joyce Zhuo is a consultant at PwC China, where she focuses on strategy and market development across the Greater Bay Area. Prior to joining PwC, she held a strategic development role at a listed Australian education technology company, leading cross-border initiatives and supporting business expansion across finance, technology, education, and the creative industries.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Music from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Digital Law from Monash University. Joyce currently serves as China Head of the Australia-China Young Professionals Initiatives (ACYPI), promoting bilateral business collaboration and cultural exchange. She is also an accomplished cross-disciplinary pianist and educator, having collaborated with internationally renowned musicians and contributed to performances, masterclasses, and adjudication in both China and Australia. Outside of work, Joyce is passionate about half-marathons, golf, and baking.

Melissa Wolsley findlay

Communications Manager 

Melissa’s background is international education. After thriving in International Business and Management at university, she channelled her passion into education, completing a post graduate teaching degree. Melissa created Business in Asia subjects for students in her early career and then developed commerce study tours of China for senior secondary students.

After completing a Master of Education (Studies of Asia), Melissa now helps oversee the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in schools Malaysia and China, runs international study tours for students, and Transnational conferences for educators to teach the VCE offshore.

Melissa was a delegate at ACYD in 2016, volunteered with Australian China Youth Association for 5 years, and is now delighted to be in the ACYD management team.

LUCY JIN

Alumni and Delegate Experience Manager

Lucy Jin was born in Shanghai and grew up in Australia since 7 years old. She has deep experience in Financial Services with a career spanning across Strategy, Transformation, Sales and Operations. She is currently an Executive Manager at Westpac Banking Corporation leading the Strategy and Planning Team in Global Operations.

She is an entrepreneurial spirited individual who is passionate in leveraging her muti-disciplinary and multi-cultural background to positively impact the future through partnerships and collaboration. Her key areas of interest include trade, investment, art, sustainability, technology, and education.

In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, sports and learning about new technologies. She speaks four languages including English, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean.

Jessie hu

Treasury Manager

Jessie Hu is currently a finance business partner at Paragon Care, where she works closely with senior leadership to drive strategic business improvements & performance initiatives. Prior to this, she kickstarted her career with KPMG Sydney - working on a diversified portfolio of clients, ranging from ASX-listed entities and financial service companies to not-for-profit organisations.

Born and raised in China, she came to Australia in 2013 to pursue a Master of Professional Accounting degree at the University of Sydney. Her passion for strengthening people’s connections from diverse backgrounds enriched her university life and later career. She was an active member within KPMG’s Asian Female League and China Club - supporting others in career advancement, helping to strengthen cross-border relations between Australia and China. She is also an industry mentor at the University of Sydney Business School.

Jessie was a delegate at Hobart 2022. The experience inspired her to return as a treasury associate and contribute towards creating this opportunity for more future emerging leaders from different industries to connect.

During her remaining spare time, she wields a dragon-boat paddle and climbs rock.

Siyuan Yu

Communication & Logistics Manager (China)

Siyuan Yu is a licensed attorney in both China and New York State, currently practising at Zhong Lun Law Firm, one of China's leading law firms. She advises international clients, particularly foreign investors, on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate law, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), intellectual property, data and cybersecurity compliance, and cross-border dispute resolution. 

Siyuan is a passionate advocate for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. With a strong interest in sustainability and responsible business practices, she is actively engaged in exploring how legal frameworks can support ESG goals and contribute to long-term value creation.  

In 2024, Siyuan was selected as a delegate to the 14th Australia-China Youth Dialogue (ACYD), where she was dedicated to contributing to discussions on sustainability, innovation, and bilateral cooperation. Through her participation, she aims to deepen mutual understanding between states and to promote constructive dialogue on shared challenges where legal insight can play a transformative role.