Managing Director, Microsoft Australia; Outstanding leader in global technology

Presentation:
‘Technology in learning environments – will it deliver on its promise?’ (November 17, 11.30am)

As managing director, Pip Marlow is responsible for Microsoft’s overall business in Australia. Pip is deeply committed to ensuring Microsoft meets the needs of its customers, whether they are consumers, small-and-medium businesses, large enterprises or government agencies.  Pip is also passionate about the 14,000 local partners and independent software vendors that sell or build on the Microsoft platform in Australia.

Prior to her current role, Pip held the joint role of Enterprise and Partner Group Director and Public Sector Director and before this she was Small and Medium Business Solutions and Partner Director in Australia. Pip also held multiple roles at Microsoft’s corporate headquarters in Seattle, where she worked for eight years, including General Manager for US Channel Sales.

Pip began her career with Microsoft in the Australian Partner team in 1996 with responsibility for Anti-Piracy efforts, System Builder Channel and Distribution strategy.

Prior to Microsoft, Pip was part of the founding team of Agate Technology, a company that grew to be one of Australia’s largest storage distributors. At Samsung Information Systems she was responsible for building the company’s Semi-Conductor Distribution business.

Pip enjoys working in a vibrant team environment and her proudest achievements are those that have come from collaborating with others.

Pip was born, raised and educated in Palmerston North, New Zealand. She currently lives in Sydney with her Scottish husband and two daughters, Sophie & Lucy.

Managing Director Alchemy Growth Partners & Bestselling Author

Presentation:
‘As One: A new way to lead’ (November 17, 2.30pm)

Mehrdad is Managing Director of Alchemy Growth Partners, a boutique advisory and venture firm based in Sydney. Mehrdad advises large companies on their growth strategies and business building initiatives. He also serves as a venture partner with promising Australian technology companies like eMue, the global leader in authentication. He is co-author of the international bestsellers, The Alchemy of Growth, The Granularity of Growth as well as the NY Times best seller As One. Prior to Alchemy Growth Partners, Mehrdad completed a three-year term in the public sector as an Executive Director of the CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, with overarching responsibility for growth.

Mehrdad is Managing Director of Alchemy Growth Partners, a boutique advisory and venture firm based in Sydney. Mehrdad advises large companies on their growth strategies and business building initiatives. He also serves as a venture partner with promising Australian technology companies like eMue, the global leader in authentication. He is co-author of the international bestsellers, The Alchemy of Growth, The Granularity of Growth as well as the NY Times best seller As One. Prior to Alchemy Growth Partners, Mehrdad completed a three-year term in the public sector as an Executive Director of the CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, with overarching responsibility for growth.

President, Society for Knowledge Economics; Non Executive Director, Telstra, Medibank and David Jones

Presentation:
‘Leadership, Culture and Management Practices: for a super-connected world and high performance teams’ (November 17, 2.30pm)

Steve Vamos is the founding President of the Society for Knowledge Economics (SKE), a not for profit think tank established in 2005, supported by Westpac,  Microsoft, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Hewlett Packard, CPA Australia, the University of NSW and the NSW Land and Property Management Authority.

The SKE has conducted research in partnership with organizations such as the Business Council of Australia, NSW Government Department of Lands, the Victorian Government and the Federal Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The SKE encourages new and better practice in the leadership and management of human and other intangible resources that create economic and social value in knowledge based and globally connected economies.

Previously, from January 2007 to September 2008 Steve lead Worldwide Sales and International Operations for Microsoft Corporation’s Online Services Group (OSG). He was responsible for the organisation’s international business in more than 30 countries around the world. Steve was Vice President of Microsoft in Australia and New Zealand from 2003 to January 2007.

Between 1998 and 2002, Steve was Chief Executive Officer of ninemsn, the on line joint venture between Microsoft and Publishing and Broadcasting Limited. Other roles Steve has held include, Vice President and Managing Director of Apple Computer Asia Pacific (1996 to 1998), Managing Director of Apple Computer Australia (1994 to 1995) and 14 years with IBM Australia in a number of sales, marketing and general management positions.

Steve was appointed to the Board of Telstra as a non executive Director in 2009. Steve holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New South Wales.

[vimeo width=”300″ height=”220″]http://vimeo.com/18945114[/vimeo]

“The Innovation Architect”, works with top multinationals on change

Presentation:
‘Will a super-connected world make us happier?’ (November 18, 3.40pm)

Michael Rennie is the Managing Partner of McKinsey and Company, Australia & New Zealand. He has 25 years experience at the leading edge of management innovation and for many years has been the Global leader of McKinsey’s Organisation Behaviour practice, which covers organisation performance including innovation.

He is known as an innovator inside McKinsey, for founding radical approaches to organisation performance which holistically integrate the deeply personal dimensions of awareness and meaning with the external performance drivers of structure, process and measurement.

Michael has honours degrees in law & economics, studied languages & history in Switzerland and has a Masters degree in Arts from Oxford where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

CEO Graincorp, Director ANZ

Presentation:
‘Self actualization or survival? Innovating for food security’ (November 18, 9.00am)

Alison Watkins is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASX listed agribusiness GrainCorp Limited.

She is also a non-executive director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited.

Alison’s experience includes running businesses, providing financial and strategic advice; and public and private company board roles. Her industry focus spans financial services, food, agriculture and retail. She was Chief Executive Officer of Berri Limited, the market leader in Australian juice, and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ. She spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company from 1989-1999 and became a partner of the Firm in 1996 before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy, reporting to the CEO. Alison started her career with Chartered Accountants, Touche Ross.

Alison has been a director of Woolworths Limited, Just Group Limited, and chairman of Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen, which was controlled by a leading private equity fund. She is a former Victorian President and National Board Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She has been involved in a range of community boards, including the World Swimming Championships 2007 and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of the Australian Advisory Board of The Nature Conservancy.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Tasmania), is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and the AICD.

Alison and her husband live in Melbourne with their four children.