Gabi Powell Thomas

Executive Director

Gabi 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 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.

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.

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.

JACK BRADY

Partnerships Manager

Jack is part of GRACosway’s management team and plays a national role focused on strengthening the firm’s operations, people, and leadership, while also working with a number of clients in the firm’s public affairs practice. Jack drives collaboration and connectivity across the firm, implementing strategies to develop people and overseeing central team functions, including the firm’s graduate program, and communications and marketing function.

Jack was previously the CEO & Executive Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, where he lived for five years. During his time with the Chamber, Jack led a team working to further the bilateral relationship by providing advice to senior business leaders, and education and business services to more than 350 business and individual members. Notably Jack led the concept creation and opening of Australia House by AustCham Shanghai, a 7-storey building dedicated to Australia-China business that was opened by the Australian Trade Minister in 2019. Elsewhere he established the Chamber’s government relations roundtable, oversaw the development of new major annual events, and increased the Chamber’s thought leadership.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours from the University of Sydney.

YICHEN LIU

Communications Manager 

Yichen is a former communications consultant with experience advising a diverse range of organisations—from government entities to pharmaceutical companies—on specialised public, media, and corporate relations activities. She has expertise in health communications, often working in highly regulated and sensitive disease areas.

She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science from the University of Sydney, majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics and Chinese Studies. Her interests in these areas rely heavily on her background, growing up between two cultures. During her studies, Yichen had the opportunity to study in China at both Peking University and Tsinghua University in Beijing. After graduating, she continued to utilise her Chinese Australian background as a volunteer English teacher to parents and grandparents looking to build stronger relationships with their Australian-born Chinese children.

Yichen is currently embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trip around Europe, broadening her understanding of life and cultures beyond China and Australia. Discovering new modes of communication and thinking about what to make next with her sourdough starter has become an experience that she looks forward to every day.

JEROME HUANG

Dialogue Manager

Jerome Huang (黄潮涌) is a Chinese–Australian engineer, researcher, and entrepreneur with a multidisciplinary background spanning AI, industrial automation, renewable energy, and cross-border trade. As a project engineer at SN energy, he supports the delivery of utility-scale solar, wind, or battery storage projects from early development through construction.

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.

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

Curation Manager

Siyuan Yu is a dual-qualified attorney admitted in China and New York State, currently practicing at Zhong Lun Law Firm, one of China’s leading law firms. She advises international clients, particularly foreign investors, on a broad spectrum of matters, including corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, data and cybersecurity compliance, and cross-border dispute resolution.

She is a passionate advocate for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and is committed to advancing sustainable and responsible business practices. She actively explores the role of legal frameworks in supporting ESG objectives and contributing to long-term value creation.

In 2024, Siyuan was selected as a delegate to the 14th Australia-China Youth Dialogue (ACYD) and later served as the Communication & Logistics Manager for the 15th ACYD. Through her engagement, she contributes to discussions on sustainability, innovation, and bilateral cooperation to foster mutual understanding and promote constructive dialogue on shared global challenges.

BLAZE PUKSAND

Logistics Manager

Blaze leads Asialink’s Diplomacy programs at the University of Melbourne, where she facilitates dialogue and collaboration across government, business, academia and emerging leaders. Through strategic programs and events, she connects Australian and Asian stakeholders to foster meaningful regional engagement.

Blaze is an experienced facilitator, with over a decade of experience in education across Australia and China, with a focus on teaching Global Politics and Mandarin Chinese.

Blaze is driven by the belief that lasting impact begins with human connection. She is passionate about creating opportunities for meaningful people-to-people engagement, with a particular interest in advancing cultural exchange through in-country programs that deepen understanding and strengthen relationships between Australia and China.

Blaze holds a Master of Teaching from The University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Arts (Global) from Monash University and has completed extended studies at King’s College London, Beijing Language and Culture University and Shanghai International Studies University. Blaze’s other interests include growing vegetables, craft beer and Chinese rap.