Speaker Biographies
The Hon Richard Marles MP, The Hon. Richard Marles MP is the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence and the Federal Member for Corio.
Richard was first elected to the House of Representatives for Corio, Victoria in 2007.
Richard's previous ministerial appointments include Minister of Trade, Minister for Employment, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, and Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.
Born in 1967, Richard was raised and educated in Geelong and went on to study Law and Science, achieving a LLB (Hons) and a BSc from the University of Melbourne.
Richard lives in Geelong with his wife Rachel and has four children, Sam, Isabella, Harvey and Georgia.
He is a devoted Geelong Cats supporter, golf fanatic, a keen photographer, a snowdome collector and local history enthusiast
Christopher Pyne, Former Minister for Defence for Australia - Chairman, Pyne & Partners
Christopher served in the Australian House of Representatives from 1993-2019. During this time, he was in the Liberal Party Leadership Group for 10 years, Leader of the House of Representatives for six years, and served in Cabinet for six years.
He was a Minister in the Howard, Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison Governments, holding the portfolios of Ageing, Education, Industry Innovation and Science, Defence Industry and Defence.
Christopher is Chairman of consulting firm Pyne and Partners, Vision 2020, the Australia United Arab Emirates Business Council, the Advisory Board of munitions and weapons company, NIOA, the Australian Missile Corporation and the SA Governors Council of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.
He is an Industry Professor in the University of South Australia Business School.
He is the author of two books - “A Letter to my Children” (2015) and “The Insider” (2020).
Christopher lives in Aldgate in South Australia and is married to Carolyn and is the father of Eleanor, Barnaby, Felix and Aurelia.
Richard Price, Chief Executive, Defence SA
Richard Price was appointed Defence SA Chief Executive in October 2017. In this role, he was simultaneously appointed to the position of Chief Executive of the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC).
Richard has worked within the defence and public safety sectors for over 25 years and has international industry experience in leadership, business development and engineering. Prior to joining Defence SA and SASIC, Richard led a Stockholm based business unit for Saab AB with operations in Sweden, Denmark, Australia, South Africa and the UK. The focus was the global market for communication and control room solutions. Before moving to Sweden in 2013, Richard was Managing Director of Saab’s Australian operations.
Richard is an engineering graduate of the University of Wales (BSc Hons, 1985) and a graduate of the Melbourne Business School Advanced Management Program (2006) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2010).
Richard is a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, and the Chair of Autism SA who help each person on the autism spectrum live the life they choose in an inclusive society.
Christine Zeitz, General Manager Asia Pacific Region, Northrop Grumman
Christine Zeitz is a leader in Australia’s defence industry, with over 30 years’ experience delivering world-class solutions and services across the Asia Pacific region to Defence, security, ICT and intelligence customers.
Christine was appointed General Manager, Asia Pacific region, at Northrop Grumman in July 2020 with responsibility for all aspects of growth, program awards and financial performance in Australia, and responsibility for Japan and Korea market development.
Prior to joining Northrop Grumman Australia, Christine served as Chief Executive Officer of Leidos Australia for five years, where she delivered a 100 per cent growth in revenue through an ambitious restructure of the Australian business. This followed roles at Lockheed Martin, where she served as Vice President and Managing Director for Australia and Asia Pacific, and 25 years at BAE Systems Australia in various roles, culminating in her leading the maturation of globally strategic partnerships as President North East Asia.
Christine is an active board member of SBS Australia, Port Adelaide Football Club, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), President of the South Australian/Northern Territory State Advisory Council (SA/NT SAC) and the Chair of Defence Trailblazer. Christine is a champion of workplace diversity and a passionate advocate for women in national security.
MODERATOR
Belinda Heggen, Founder, Fluent Media
Founder of FLUENT Media, Belinda Heggen is one of Australia’s most experienced and well-respected corporate media and presentation trainers, drawing her expert insights from more than 25 years as a journalist and presenter across TV, radio and print, and as a media strategist and advisor to senior politicians.
A trusted and effective coach, her clients include national industry leaders in education, finance, health, law, property and construction, real estate, travel, tourism and government. She is also an in-demand corporate moderator and facilitator, and an experienced event MC.
Prior to founding FLUENT Media, Belinda was a senior media advisor in the Office of the Premier of South Australia.
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